Shen Tianyao could not wait to strip off his own clothes before leaning down to unfasten the buttons of Yin Zhuli’s robe. Seeing her remain cold and indifferent, the fire in his heart burned even hotter, his eyes tinged with a manic red. "Have you and Tianjiao never found any pleasure together?" He pressed a kiss against her cheek. Yin Zhuli gritted her teeth, forcing down wave after wave of nausea rising from her stomach.
Shen Tianyao could not tell—she was long accustomed to disguise, never allowing a single emotion to show on her face.
"Don't be afraid, you'll like it." He leaned down to kiss her lips, but she turned her head to avoid him, her voice remaining detached. "The hour is late. If Your Majesty wishes to proceed, then be quick about it. I fear it won't be long before the Queen comes looking for you."
Shen Tianyao undid his waistband, revealing his turgid manhood. He guided her hand to touch it; she bit her lip in endurance until the metallic tang of blood spread through her mouth. Seeing the bead of blood at the corner of her lips, Shen Tianyao felt a flicker of pity and reached out to wipe it away. "Zhuli, don't be like this. After a time or two, you will grow to love this sensation."
Seeing no reaction from her, he reached for the drawstring of her trousers. Just then, Eunuch Huang’s voice rang out from outside: "Ninth Prince! His Majesty and the Princess Consort are discussing matters inside; you cannot force your way in!"
The young Prince Fulu clearly wasn't listening. He shouted loudly at the palace doors, "Imperial Brother! Imperial Brother! Look at this dog of a servant, he actually dares to hit me!"
Eunuch Huang sounded deeply aggrieved. "My Prince, how would this lowly one dare to strike you? It is simply that His Majesty is truly discussing matters with the Princess Consort. Please, let this servant go inside and announce you first, alright?"
Shen Tianyao’s throat bobbed several times. Seeing that the commotion outside was becoming truly excessive, he stood up with extreme reluctance and straightened his attire. Yin Zhuli also fastened her clothes, her stomach still churning with discomfort.
Waiting until his emotions had settled slightly, Shen Tianyao called out, "What are you shouting about out there? Come in!"
Only then did Shen Tianjiao hurry inside, holding a gaudily colored bird in his hands. "Imperial Brother! I caught a bird outside today and specifically brought it to present to you. Look at these colors, look at this sharp little beak..."
Shen Tianyao was in no mood to look at any bird’s beak. He gave him a cold, harsh glare before saying in a heavy voice, "The hour is late, and I am tired today. If there is anything else, we shall speak of it tomorrow."
With those words, he walked straight out of the hall toward his sleeping quarters.
Shen Tianjiao looked innocent. "Such a fine bird, why is Imperial Brother not interested?" Seeing Yin Zhuli’s pale face, he stepped forward and took her hand. "Zhuli? Are you unwell?"
Yin Zhuli suddenly pushed him away and rushed out of the hall. Leaning against the railing of the lotus pond outside, she vomited until the world turned dark. Shen Tianjiao stood behind her the entire time, his jade-like fingers digging into the red-lacquered pillar. His fingernails tore back, leaving them bloodied and raw, yet he seemed unable to feel the pain.
Once she finished, Yin Zhuli finally turned back to look at him. "Alright, let’s go back."
Returning to their room, Yin Zhuli dismissed Qingwan to prepare hot water so she could bathe again. Shen Tianjiao rolled up his sleeves. "Once you’ve finished washing, I will massage you again."
Yin Zhuli patted his face. "Good boy."
This bath lasted a long time. It wasn't until the water was nearly cold and Qingwan had urged her repeatedly that Yin Zhuli finally rose. She donned a white robe and climbed onto the bed. Shen Tianjiao had not yet slept. "Lie down."
Yin Zhuli lay prone on the bed. He began pressing her acupoints, starting from her head, his movements delicate and thorough. Yin Zhuli closed her eyes, and a wave of drowsiness actually overcame her.
"It’s late, go to sleep, Ninth Lord," she murmured. Shen Tianjiao rubbed her shoulders and neck, his voice tender. "Zhuli, sleep first. I am not sleepy."
Yin Zhuli truly fell asleep. And then, a dream she had not had in a long time returned.
"Little beast, you are nothing but the seed of that animal Qu Tianji, yet you think you are something special!" The sound of silk tearing echoed. The person pressing down on her was so heavy, as immovable as a mountain.
"Uncle, you are my uncle!"
"So today, let your uncle dote on you properly... Qu Tianji claims to be invincible in battle; I wonder what his daughter tastes like when played with, haha..."
A pair of hands, slick and sticky, roamed over her skin. She opened her eyes wide, seeing only that man’s hateful and lewd smile. A tongue, like a venomous snake, forced its way past her teeth. Her hand groped around until she found the short flute at her waist. Then came the warmth of blood. She tasted that rusty sweetness. His internal organs were shredded, and blood erupted from his mouth like a spring. The crimson from the wound slid down the hollow tube of the flute, staining her hand, her sleeve, and her entire body. It turned out that whether a person was good or evil, their blood was always red, always warm and smooth.
A divine weapon capable of severing a falling hair entered and exited the same body countless times. Blood and bone fragments splashed onto her face. The person on the ground had long since stopped breathing, yet she numbly repeated the same motion.
*Uncle, am I Qu Tianji’s daughter or Yin Biwu’s daughter? Are you my kin, or my enemy?!*
At the age of eight, she had killed Yin Biwu’s younger brother—her own biological uncle. She was too young then; she had committed a terrible act but did not know how to hide it. She was whipped a hundred times and, despite her heavy injuries, forced to kneel in the Yin family ancestral hall for three days and three nights. Miraculously, she did not die.
A person without father or mother must be able to endure more than others if they wish to survive.
However, the taste of nightmares was bitter. In her dreams, there was always that sticky blood. After that, she stopped killing people.
Shen Tianjiao did not know what she was dreaming of, but her brow was slightly furrowed, and she was not sleeping well. His hand was still bleeding, and some of it had stained Yin Zhuli’s robe. He didn't care, simply lying down beside her and pressing his face against her chest, listening to the slow, steady beat of her heart.
In the middle of the night, Yin Zhuli woke up. Seeing him curled against her chest like a puppy, she affectionately pulled him up to rest his head on her arm. "Sleep properly, or you’ll have a stiff neck tomorrow."
He was half-asleep, his eyes dazed and confused when he opened them, looking incredibly adorable and pitiful. Yin Zhuli couldn't help but give him a light peck on the lips. "It’s still early. Go back to sleep."
He gave a muffled response and remained pressed against her, sleeping peacefully.
On a summer night in the suburbs, the sounds of frogs and insects were a noisy cacophony. Yin Zhuli held him, unable to fall back asleep. *Master, what are you doing at this moment? Are you playing the flute under the peach trees at the Waterside Pavilion? Are you practicing calligraphy in the study? Or are you doing nothing at all, simply watching the moon from the tower of the Dwelling of Return?*
*Actually... I really, truly miss you a little...*
Near the end of the Tiger hour, Yin Zhuli got out of bed and dressed carefully, making sure not to disturb Shen Tianjiao.
The traveling palace was located in the suburbs. Because the national strength of Great Ying was failing, everything was kept simple, devoid of any extravagant decorations. Yin Zhuli left the room. It was still early, and the moon filled the corridors.
The traveling palace utilized running water. She wandered aimlessly until she reached the source of the palace's water supply. She saw the water cascading down the rocks like a white ribbon, forming a clear, translucent stone pool before the falls. Surrounded by swaying vines, lush grass, and splashing droplets, it was a cool and pleasant spot. She performed a set of Long-sleeve Boxing nearby, working up a slight sweat. Seeing the cool pool water and noticing no one around, a bit of playfulness inevitably arose.
She hopped over to the edge of the stone pool and used the water to wash her hands and face. Still unsatisfied, she removed her shoes and socks and dipped her feet into the water. Just as she was enjoying herself, a light cough sounded from amidst the deep grass and green trees. "Princess Consort Fulu, I fear everyone will be drinking your foot-washing water today. Isn't that a bit much?"
Yin Zhuli turned her head and focused her gaze. Only then did she see a man sitting alone under the shadow of the flowers, a jar of wine beside him, looking quite relaxed. She didn't stand on ceremony, putting her shoes and socks back on before walking over. "Zhuli was born into a merchant family; it is inevitable that I lack upbringing. I have made a fool of myself before General Qu."
Without waiting for a reply, she sat down beside him, took the wine jar, and tilted it back. Half the jar of wine disappeared down her throat. "Has the General been sitting here for long? It seems the General also did not sleep well last night."
The moonlight was hazy, and the shadows beneath the moon were blurred. Qu Tianji remembered a long time ago, in the old Qu family residence, that woman had also worn a faint smile just like this: "It seems the General also did not sleep well last night."
He somewhat regretted not killing her back then. Yin Biwu was dead, yet twenty years later, she had returned, standing before him and speaking of trivial matters.
"What exactly do you want?!" His hand moved like lightning, accurately seizing her throat and pinning her down beneath the flowers. A chilling murderous intent radiated from him. "I know you hate me, but so what? What can you possibly do?"
Yin Zhuli looked at him quietly, neither struggling nor speaking. Nearly half his body weight was pressed against her, to the point where the short flute at her waist was digging into him.
"No matter how much you hate me, the blood flowing in your veins is still mine! Even if you return, what can you achieve?" His fingers gradually tightened. He could no longer distinguish who was beneath him, but the killing intent in his heart was genuine. This was not a momentary impulse; he had remained clear-headed—since he was already a debtor of blood, why not simply kill the creditor and be done with it?
Her face gradually turned pale, yet she still did not struggle. It was too easy. Just as suspicion began to rise in Qu Tianji’s eyes, he felt a sharp blade suddenly spring from the short flute. It pierced into his right ribs. Had he not dodged in time, that cold, thin edge would likely have punctured his lung.
He released his grip. Yin Zhuli let out a soft cough, her voice raspy but still carrying a smile. "A very sharp reaction. Twelve years ago, I used this method to kill a man—a man whose skills were many times greater than mine at the time. He wasn't as smart as you, and he disgusted me for half my life. Don't move, General Qu."
Qu Tianji froze, not daring to move. The blade was narrow, but undoubtedly incredibly sharp. If she moved even slightly now, she could take his life. He could endure such pain, but he did not wish to die here.
Yin Zhuli was in no hurry, letting him remain braced over her. She traced the lines of his brow with one hand. He truly was a handsome man. Her voice was low. "When I was very small, I imagined what you looked like. I thought about it many times. I collected books that recorded the deeds of your life. I always thought that if I were by your side, perhaps my life wouldn't have been so bad."
Qu Tianji knitted his brows and did not answer. He was unwilling to acknowledge this person’s identity. He was not a man who dithered; since he was already a thorough villain, why look back? Why bother with hypocritical feelings of sorrow?
Her voice drifted slowly into his ear, clear and steady. "Later, as I grew older, I realized that a person’s joys and sorrows are not given by others. Therefore, General Qu, from then until today, I have never hated you again." She held the flute, yet her smile remained harmless. "Do you believe me?"
Qu Tianji lowered his eyes to look at her. He began to believe it; if there were hate in her heart, she could easily take his life right now. Yin Zhuli pressed her hand against his shoulder. "General, do you know why a man’s chest is made so broad? Why a man’s shoulders are so firm?" She used half her sleeve to gently wipe the sweat from his forehead, her voice soft and low. "It is to protect their home, their country, their wives, and their children. So, General... let there not be a next time for something like this."
***
