Chapter 16: Coercion
“!!!”
Her pupils suddenly contracted, fixating on his hand. Yan Xi instantly realized something.
It felt as if a thunderclap had struck her head, especially as the tall man had already risen to his feet...
“Y-you, what do you want to do?”
Her mind went blank in an instant, as if she had forgotten everything. Her eyes locked tightly onto him, and her delicate feet instinctively stepped backward.
But there was nowhere to retreat.
After only two steps, she had no escape, her back pressed against the screen.
In that fleeting moment, Lu Zhi leisurely approached.
Beneath his cloak was a dark robe embroidered with cloud patterns, the collar slightly undone.
Though dim and hazy, it was unmistakably the figure of a grown man!
Yan Xi’s face flushed crimson, her breathing quickened, her legs weakened, and her heart raced. She stumbled, trying to run.
Yet it all lasted only a split second.
She hadn’t taken more than two steps.
The man raised his arm and effortlessly caught her around the waist.
Suddenly, Yan Xi’s feet left the ground with a startled cry. As she fell again, her fragile body was pressed against the wall, trapped within his arms.
The young girl was delicate, barely reaching his neck, her small frame dwarfed by him. The dim candlelight barely illuminated the room, and his imposing figure loomed before her like a towering mountain.
They were now inches apart.
She struggled, struggling fiercely. Her small hands pushed against his broad chest but with little strength. No matter how much she fought or pushed, it was useless—the man remained unmoved.
“You! Bastard, get away! What do you want?”
The man chuckled softly, then replied coolly, “What do I want? Look at our relationship—what else would be fitting?”
---
With those words, he loosened the arm that held her, resting one knee lightly against her abdomen, tilting his head back slightly as he continued undoing his clothes.
Yan Xi’s eyes, as beautiful as moonlight, brimmed with tears clinging to her lashes. She lowered her head, overwhelmed. After a few moments, she broke down and cried, wiping away her tears, too afraid to look up at him. Even though he had released her, she couldn’t push him away.
He was strong and robust, his very breath carrying an aggressive intensity. His arms were thicker than her legs.
Before long, the man was bare-chested, having discarded his removed clothing, and suddenly lifted her up again.
The girl was already sobbing uncontrollably, tears flowing endlessly as she cried out:
“I’m going to tell Uncle Lu...”
Throughout the night, her cries filled the room, while he relentlessly took what was his.
---
Long after, the candlelight flickered weakly, the sheer curtains stirring gently. Lu Zhi stood at the bedside, dressed, his gaze lowered toward the bed.
The young girl lay there, red marks vivid on her skin, her shoulders trembling as she faced away from him, still sobbing softly.
After a long moment, a soft, plaintive voice whispered:
“When Uncle Lu returns, I will tell him! If it comes to it, we’ll fight to the death! If I’m no good, then neither will you be!”
Lu Zhi let out a light laugh, indifferent, saying nothing further. As he turned to leave, he finally spoke:
“On the sixth day of the first lunar month.”
His words barely fell before he stepped away.
The night was silent for a moment, then hurried footsteps followed—Qing Lian and Tao Hong ran back anxiously.
“Miss!”
As soon as they entered, the strong scent and the sound of her sobbing made it clear what had happened.
Tao Hong burst into tears: “How cruel! Despite his glorious reputation, I thought he was a good man, a gentleman. How could he do this to Miss?!”
Qing Lian clenched her fists, her eyes reddening, but being older, she was steadier than Tao Hong.
She reached the side of their mistress, her voice choked: “Miss, would you like to bathe?”
Yan Xi shook her head through tears: “No.”
She was too weak to get up, her body limp and utterly drained of strength.
---
Qing Lian nodded and told Tao Hong to prepare some warm water.
Tao Hong went off sobbing. Warm water was brought over repeatedly. Qing Lian helped their mistress wipe herself down and changed the sheets and bedding.
Once Yan Xi gradually calmed and stopped crying, she finally spoke of what had happened.
“The young master’s methods—none of us maids dare say a word.”
“What... what does he want?”
Yan Xi replied, “He wants me to go with him.”
Qing Lian had suspected as much.
By now, that was the only possibility.
Yet she found it hard to believe the young master could be such a man.
The maid sighed: “Before, he saved Miss. The Lu family is noble and well-disciplined, especially the Duke—such a high-ranking official with strict teachings. He doesn’t even keep concubines, and is said to be very stern with his children. How could this...”
She trailed off, changing the subject: “So, Miss... will you go with him?”
Yan Xi turned away, no longer crying, but as she spoke, her voice choked once again.
“I will fight him to the death!”
Qing Lian sighed quietly, knowing these words were born of emotion and youthful recklessness.
She said no more, covering Miss with a blanket and gently coaxing her to sleep.
---
The next day, Yan Xi slept until nearly noon before slowly waking.
Her eyes opened with a dazed look, taking a moment to fully realize and recall the events of the previous night.
Indeed, everything had unfolded exactly as in her worst nightmare...