PMM - 22

“You’re not getting away with this.”

Lian Qi had a gentle nature, but once he set his mind on something, no one could stop him.

He was severely injured on the battlefield, barely able to stand, but the anger inside him kept him going, dragging himself to the courtyard of Lian Sheng.

Fang Mu was very diligent and naturally wouldn’t let him in.

“Move aside.” Lian Qi’s face was pale, but his eyes were as cold as winter ice, exuding a killing intent.

Lord Lian followed behind him. Since Yi Qiancheng’s army was still in Yingdong, he didn’t dare to offend him and wouldn’t let Lian Qi make trouble. Lian Qi was seriously injured and couldn’t kill Yi Qiancheng, but if he angered that killing god, the whole Lian family would be in deep trouble.

Lian Qi carried a sword, using it to support his weak body, but his gaze was full of strength.

Raging anger had completely consumed him. All he wanted now was to kill Yi Qiancheng. He immediately guessed that if Yi Qiancheng hadn’t offered for Lian Sheng to marry him, Lord Lian wouldn’t have dared to marry her off during his absence.

Lián Qí had been on guard against many things, preventing the Second Prince from causing trouble, but he never expected Yi Qiánchéng to be another threat.

“Qí’er, calm down!” Lián Chéngzhǔ’s face darkened, trying to assert his authority as Lián Qí’s father. “If you act like this, what will General Yi think? What will your sister do in the future?”

“Dead people don’t need to think about anything. My sister should live in Yīngdōng, and no one has the right to criticize her,” Lián Qí said with a cold smile, his expression showing no warmth.

Lián Chéngzhǔ thought his eldest son had gone mad.

Fāng Mù still wouldn’t let him pass. Lián Qí didn’t hesitate and was about to draw his sword. The commotion outside had alerted those in the inner courtyard, and Xī Yù quickly went to inform the young lady.

Lián Shēng was utterly embarrassed. Yi Qiánchéng seemed to have completely lost his shame. He made Lián Shēng fetch bandages to help him, claiming that if the doctor didn’t arrive soon, he would bleed to death.

The wound on his shoulder had been received while saving Lián Shēng, so she couldn’t refuse and nodded in agreement. She found herself once again in the awkward situation of helping Yi Qiánchéng undress, but luckily, Xī Yù came to her aid with an urgent matter outside, rescuing her from the predicament.

“Darling, you rest here. I’ll be back shortly.”

Yi Qiánchéng didn’t say anything but watched her leave. His eyes grew cold. Martial artists had excellent hearing, and with Fāng Mù’s loud voice, the commotion outside was impossible to miss. He already knew what was happening.

Yi Qiánchéng’s expression turned icy, no longer showing any trace of weakness. He straightened his clothes and sat up. Since Lián Qí had come to him willingly, he wouldn’t be polite.

Although Yì Huán had agreed to meet Fù Chéngyù, her wariness towards the man led her to set the meeting place in the main hall of the General’s Mansion, inviting the old steward to accompany her as well.

When Fù Chéngyù entered, he immediately noticed that Yì Huán seemed to be on edge, which amused him.

Under her facade of calmness, he wondered just how panicked she truly was. He reflected for a moment, wondering if he really looked that intimidating. Why did Yì Huán want to avoid him?

What she didn’t know was that the more she tried to escape, the stronger his possessive desire grew. Fù Chéngyù was not the type to suppress himself. He would stop at nothing to get what he wanted, and Yì Huán, who appeared delicate and fragile, easily stirred all his desires.

Yì Huán was a polite, good young lady. She stood and greeted him, “Master Fù.”

Fù Chéngyù laughed inwardly, but maintained a serious expression. He looked at the old steward, who was glaring at him, and said, “Is the lady receiving me or guarding against thieves? I can’t help but feel the steward’s eyes are about to swallow me whole.”

Indeed, he was being guarded... against a lecherous thief.

“Zēng Shu has been with the Yì family for over thirty years. Master Fù, please go ahead with whatever you have to say,” Yì Huán replied, not engaging with his words. She just wanted to send him on his way as quickly as possible.

“Unfortunately, only the young lady can be privy to the confidential report regarding Fēng Mù. If you insist on having the steward present, I will leave and we can discuss it another day.”

“Wait... Zēng Shu, you can leave now.” The matter regarding the confidential report couldn’t be delayed, and Yì Huán didn’t want to waste any time on her brother’s plan or risk missing any details that might harm Shājí.

After all, Fù Chéngyù didn’t care about this city and could do anything.

“The old servant will wait outside. If the young lady needs anything, just call for me,” the old steward left.

Fù Chéngyù casually watched the old steward leave and slowly approached Yì Huán.

“Master Fù! What is it you need? What happened to Fēng Mù?”

“This is confidential. Come closer, and I will whisper it to you.”

Yì Huán, having been deceived before, knew better than to trust his words. She pursed her lips. “Just speak quietly. I can hear you just fine.”

Fù Chéngyù suddenly bent down to her ear, his warm breath brushing against her cheek. Yì Huán turned her face away, but his smiling voice rang in her ears. “Yì Huán, listen carefully.”

Despite feeling uncomfortable with how close they were, Yì Huán focused on listening to his next words.

“I’ve had feelings for you for a long time. I think about you every day, every night. Over the past year with Fēng Mù, I couldn’t stop thinking about you. Your soft body is unforgettable. Over the past year, have you ever thought of me?” When he said “every night,” his tone was lingering, and it was clear to anyone that it wasn’t a good thing.

Yì Huán realized she had been deceived and felt an overwhelming urge to slap Fù Chéngyù. Her mind flashed back to a year ago, when Fù Chéngyù, the lecher, had stripped her while she was unconscious. If he had truly only wanted to save her, there was no reason to undress her!

How dare he treat her this way! Couldn’t he just leave her alone? Even with her good temperament, she couldn’t hold it in anymore. She wanted to settle both old and new grievances at once!

She couldn’t bear it any longer and slapped him. Fù Chéngyù’s gaze darkened, but he didn’t dodge and took the slap without flinching. He laughed lightly and asked, “Is this your answer to me?” Her slap didn’t hurt, but his chest tightened slightly.

“Brother!” Lián Shēng hurriedly approached, her face changing when she saw Lián Qí’s pale face. “How did you get so badly hurt?”

Blood was seeping out of his clothes! Fāng Mù, seeing the lady, naturally didn’t stop her. Lián Shēng supported Lián Qí, whose breathing was heavy, but his eyes burned with intensity.

“Shēng, did you marry Yi Qiánchéng?”

Lián Shēng had been expecting this day, so she wasn’t surprised. “Yes, I’ve admired him for a long time.”

Lián Qí’s gaze turned cold, and he tightened his grip on her hand. “Don’t lie to me. You’ve never even seen him! Where is this admiration coming from? If you married him for Yīngdōng, the Xī Qiāng people have already withdrawn. You don’t need to continue staying by Yi Qiánchéng’s side. He can repay his debt in other ways.”

Lián Shēng bit her lip, about to speak, when suddenly she felt a strong force on her hand. She lost her balance and fell into a man’s arms.

“Our marital affairs are none of your concern, Young Master Lian. Ah Sheng has feelings for me; are you deaf?” Yi Qiancheng looked at Lian Qi, his eyes filled with coldness.

“Let go of Ah Sheng! Yi Qiancheng, you helped Yingdong, and you can ask for anything else, but you will not lay a hand on Ah Sheng!” Lian Qi’s voice was filled with fury.

“Heh, Young Master Lian, you have quite the audacity. I, as General Yi, want nothing but your sister. Think before you act next time, Young Master Lian. Do you not know who rules over Yingdong now?” Yi Qiancheng’s words were sharp, his eyes burning with anger.

Lian Cheng, unable to bear the scorn in Yi Qiancheng’s gaze, lowered his head in embarrassment.

“Enough!” Lian Sheng broke free from Yi Qiancheng, her voice sharp. “Enough!”

“Brother, you should go rest. I am already married to Shaji, and I am part of the Yi family. There is no turning back.” She turned and looked at Yi Qiancheng, a bitter smile on her face. “As for my husband, your great work is done. The entire Yingdong is in your hands. Why bother marrying a daughter of the Lian family just to protect your reputation? We both know this is just a political marriage. If you are willing, we can part ways.”

Yi Qiancheng, enraged, laughed bitterly, his chest feeling as though it would collapse. It was as though someone had pierced his heart with a needle, and there was no compassion to be found.

So this was the truth. All the promises of not leaving, of admiration, were lies! Once the mask was torn off, his relationship with her was just a political marriage, without any feelings at all. She could travel a thousand miles to be with him, and just as easily leave without a second thought.

The moment before, she had been gently tending to him, and now, it felt as though her entire being had turned into sharp thorns that pierced him mercilessly.

Yi Qiancheng’s eyes turned bloodshot. He stared at her for a long time, his thin lips curling into a cold smile. He spoke, his voice icy and cruel: “You won’t leave.”

There was no such thing as simply entering his life and then walking away.

Yi Qiancheng turned to Fang Mu, his tone cold. “Please escort Lian Cheng and Young Master Lian out. From now on, no one else is allowed here.”

Fang Mu nodded, drawing his sword in compliance. With a wave, a line of soldiers appeared at the door. “Master Lian, Young Master Lian, please.” Lian Cheng’s face darkened. With a sigh, he left. Lian Qi stood there, staring at Lian Sheng without moving.

The pain overwhelmed him, and Lian Qi could no longer hold on. He fainted.

“Brother!” Lian Sheng quickly tried to approach Lian Qi, but Yi Qiancheng’s expression turned cold. He grabbed her and lifted her up. “Go back!”

“Let go of me! Yi Qiancheng, you— you bastard! Put me down!”

“Good. I still like hearing you call me husband. Come, say it again.” His voice contained a hint of amusement, but it was chilling, sending a shiver down her spine.

He threw Lian Sheng onto the bed, and his personal guards pulled out the maids and nannies.

Seeing his crazed expression, Lian Sheng suppressed her fear. “What are you doing?”