The young girl in his arms shrunk into a ball, pitifully delicate.
Xiao Chi Zhan stroked her smooth, dark hair, his eyes terrifyingly deep.
Ye Luan felt like she was being slowly gnawed at by a ferocious beast, from head to toe, inside and out, until not even flesh and blood remained.
She no longer dared to pretend. With her eyes cast down, she nestled into his embrace.
He was too astute, always seeing through her little tricks.
What he wanted now was her absolute obedience, for her to willingly stay here, imprisoned by him, daring not to run again.
A faint breeze carrying the scent of begonia flowers drifted in, and the small white jade hammer hanging above the desk emitted a soft *dong dong* sound.
Ye Luan took a deep breath, her eyes curving as she looked up, "Your Highness, aren't you going to marry me?"
The man lowered his gaze indifferently. "Yes."
"Then are my family your family?"
He slightly closed his eyes, as if contemplating the word 'family'. His blood-red lips suddenly curved, and he held her tighter.
A sharp pain shot through her waist, causing her to hiss twice.
This bastard, every time he hugged her, it was as if he wanted to break her waist, holding her so tightly it hurt like hell.
Suddenly, he leaned into her ear, his voice tender to the point of making one tremble.
"Luan Luan, give this King a child."
Her heart leaped violently.
The fear in Ye Luan's eyes flashed away. She had been constantly taking contraceptives. If Xiao Chi Zhan found out, she was done for.
Sensing the person in his arms stiffen abruptly, his pair of gloomy, red eyes darkened.
A chilling coldness emanated from above her head.
She concealed the emotions in her eyes, raised her gaze, and spoke with apparent sincerity, "I'm still young, a little scared."
Is that so?
His bewitchingly handsome face displayed a sickly coldness. When he looked down at her, his gaze was obscure and unfathomable, as if veiled by a layer of mist.
"Your Highness, I?"
"Mm?" His voice turned cold. "After so long, you still haven't learned?"
Ye Luan inwardly pouted, but her expression remained unchanged. She corrected herself, "Brother Chi Zhan, I think we can spend more time as a couple. With a child, it won't be convenient."
As she spoke, he suddenly let out a soft chuckle. "It indeed won't be convenient."
Seeing his expression, Ye Luan knew he had misunderstood. She couldn't be bothered to explain; he could think whatever he wanted.
She cleared her throat and continued, "Um, where are my grandmother and the others now?"
He lowered his gaze at her, the smile on his lips deepening.
"Imperial Prison."
Imperial Prison? Not Dali Temple? Shouldn't treason be tried at Dali Temple? It was in his Imperial Prison.
Her heart sank, and a flash of insight struck her mind.
So, that decree announcing to the world was for her to see, meant to force her out. Little did she know, she hadn't paid attention at all.
So much time had passed. How could her grandmother's body withstand the torment of the dark and chilling Imperial Prison?
An endless rage and hatred surged in her heart, threatening to consume her entirely.
Her chin was gently lifted by him. The resentment in her eyes hadn't been concealed in time. Startled, her heart turned half cold, and she quickly changed her expression.
"Heh," he sneered. "Hate me?"
"No, no."
The girl's dazzling eyes were filled with a fawning smile, just like when they first met.
His eyebrows rose, and the rough pad of his thumb stroked her cheek, which was as tender as warm jade. With a light pinch, a red mark appeared.
"So tender?"
There seemed to be a hint of doubt in his eyes as he rubbed harder.
Ye Luan quickly grabbed his hand, smiled, and kissed him. "Is this tender?"
Her bold teasing made Xiao Chi Zhan laugh, and his overly alluring eyes became even more captivating.
Looking at those eyes, she subtly raised an eyebrow.
This fellow was truly stunningly handsome, bewitching like a fox spirit.
Yet, his entire being exuded a cold, indifferent aura, making him hard to approach. Especially his eyes; when they looked at people coldly, they could make one's scalp tingle. They were not feminine at all.
"Brother Chi Zhan," she said, tugging at his robe and acting spoiled. "If something happens to my grandmother, I won't be able to eat or sleep, nor will I be able to serve you properly. Please let her out."
Her fair jade-like hand playfully stroked him.
Xiao Chi Zhan lightly lifted her chin. "If this King lets them go just like that, wouldn't it be a complete loss of face? Was the announcement issued casually?"
She was rendered speechless by his retort.
"For a grave crime like colluding with the enemy and treason, the entire clan should be beheaded."
The smile on his lips was deep and eerie. He stared straight at her, as if appreciating something amusing, lazy yet dangerous.
Ye Luan's face paled, and the smile on her lips became somewhat strained. She murmured, "You set this charge, didn't you?"
Whether the Bai family had colluded with the enemy, she knew very well.
They were meritorious officials, a family of loyal subjects. How could they possibly be in league with the Northern Qi?
It was clearly a decree he had issued out of resentment for her escape.
He was truly so stubborn.
Ye Luan wearily closed her eyes. She hadn't anticipated the consequences of her escape.
Not only was the Bai family implicated because of her, but she herself would also be eternally confined here. He was like a madman, his heart extremely twisted and perverse.
She let go and retreated from his embrace, standing calmly to the side to watch him.
"Your Highness, what exactly do you want me to do to let the Bai family go?"
The man's charming face turned to look at her, his expression cold and阴凉. He propped his head with one hand and tapped the desk with the other, his demeanor playful yet languid.
"Can't keep up the pretense anymore?"
Damn it.
Ye Luan gritted her teeth inwardly, but outwardly maintained her composure. "I'm not pretending, I'm merely asking Your Highness to spare the lives of the innocent."
"Oh?" He smiled faintly. "Then, when this King feels that you are willingly staying here, this King will release them."
As expected.
He wanted her to never dare to run again.
The Old Madam was old and could not endure the tortures of the Imperial Prison. If something happened to her, she would be held responsible and suffer for a lifetime.
In just a moment, Ye Luan had thought of many things.
She secretly pinched herself. As pain surged, her fox-like eyes immediately welled up with moisture.
Xiao Chi Zhan watched her lazily, a hint of an unreadable expression flashing in his deep red pupils.
Ye Luan walked closer to him, tugged at his sleeve, and spoke with red eyes.
"I really won't run anymore."
Her moist eyes and reddened nose made her look pitiful.
Xiao Chi Zhan's heart ached without warning.
He suddenly stood up and forcefully pulled her into his embrace, his grip so tight it felt as if he were trying to break her ribs.
Ye Luan gasped in pain.
"Willingly?"
His voice was deep and cold.
Scenes from the past flashed before her eyes like a revolving lantern: his cruelty, his ruthlessness, his bloodthirsty methods, his terrifying obsession all filled her mind.
She forcefully shook him off and reached out to hug his back. "Willingly!"