Завораживающее очарование этнической группы Ба – палач

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Suddenly, everyone fell silent, and Xiao He softly called out, "Your Highness!"

"Get out of here, all of you!" It was Zhu Chengyu. Ling'er knew it was him as soon as she heard his voice. Why was he so rude? What was he angry about?

“King Suning, we just wanted to…” one of the officials tried to explain.

"Get out! Are you all tired of living?" Zhu Chengyu said, his temper flaring, seemingly suppressing a great deal of anger. The group slunk away, and Xiao He led the two matchmakers and Xi Mei out as well.

Xi Mei's eyes widened in disbelief. This person—this person—wasn't he the drunkard who had been pestering Sister Ling by the tranquil lake? How had he transformed into the Prince of Suning? Zhu Chengyu, however, seemed oblivious to Xi Mei's presence. Only after everyone had left did he enter the room. Hearing the approaching footsteps, Ling'er felt a strange sense of fear. In all her interactions with Zhu Chengyu, the word "fear" had never crossed her mind. What was wrong with her today? Fortunately, Ling'er's red veil hadn't been lifted yet, so Zhu Chengyu wouldn't notice this subtle change.

Zhu Chengyu entered the inner hall and sat down on a pear wood chair, facing Ling'er directly. Zhu Chengyu didn't speak, only drinking one cup of wine after another. Since he didn't speak, she could only remain silent as well.

Suddenly, with a loud "smash," Zhu Chengyu slammed his wine cup heavily onto the pearwood table. "Lord Nan, you've got some nerve! I went to great lengths to get the Emperor to issue an edict, and all I got was a maid. Are you thinking that marrying me will make you a phoenix rising from the ashes? Let me tell you, stop dreaming! Don't think that just because the Emperor arranged the marriage, I won't dare to divorce you!"

Ling'er was startled. Zhu Chengyu's words not only insulted the Nan family but also herself. Even if he didn't know who was who, he shouldn't have spoken so disrespectfully to Master Nan! Did she marry him just to "rise to the top"? Who would want to marry him? What kind of person did Zhu Chengyu take Ling'er for? Undoubtedly, a vain woman.

Ling'er suddenly stood up, reached out and lifted her red silk veil, her willow eyebrows furrowed, and her almond eyes wide open as she stared at Zhu Chengyu.

"I don't need you to write a letter of divorce, I'll leave on my own!" After saying that, Ling'er walked towards the door.

Zhu Chengyu was momentarily stunned. What was going on? Could Shang Minglun's information be false? He clearly said that a maid from the Southern Mansion was marrying in place of the young lady, so how did it become Ling'er?

Zhu Chengyu couldn't think about that now; the most important thing was to bring Ling'er back immediately. As soon as he stood up, he suddenly felt dizzy, probably from drinking too much. He rubbed his head and had no choice but to sit back down.

A moment later, Zhu Chengyu sensed someone enter. The person didn't speak, but simply sat down in the chair next to Zhu Chengyu. Zhu Chengyu slightly opened his eyes and saw that the person sitting beside him had exquisite features and sparkling eyes, staring at him with a mixture of anger and something else—it was Ling'er!

"Why aren't you leaving? Are you reluctant to part with me?" Zhu Chengyu was happy to see that Ling'er hadn't left, and he put one hand on her shoulder.

Ling'er slapped his hand away and scolded, "There are so many people guarding the door, they won't let me leave?"

"Now that you're here, how can I let you leave?" As he spoke, Zhu Chengyu pulled Ling'er into his arms like an octopus, as if afraid she would run away.

Unable to overcome his strength, she asked in his arms, "Aren't you afraid I'll stab you with a knife one day?"

Zhu Chengyu's expression suddenly changed, and he stared at Ling'er, saying, "I think I'm destined to die by your hand in this lifetime!"

Okay! Provocation, is it? Sure! But everyone will pay the price for what they say.

Zhu Chengyu's gaze grew even more dazzling and captivating. Ling'er knew what he was about to do, and she knew she couldn't refuse. But a nameless fear lingered in her heart, and to conceal it, she shifted her gaze, deliberately avoiding his eyes.

What day is it today? Zhu Chengyu wasn't buying it. He suddenly released Ling'er, walked towards the bed, and then sat down on the edge of the bed with a smug look on his face, saying, "Come here! Help me change!"

It's here! It's here! What's meant to happen will happen!

Ling'er slowly walked over, timidly lowering her head. Her starry eyes were slightly flushed, her face veiled in rosy clouds, and all the warmth of their wedding night was concentrated on her. She knew in her heart that Zhu Chengyu was her husband, with whom she had bowed to heaven and earth and drunk the nuptial wine; his request was not unreasonable! But she had never changed clothes for anyone before, not even Ningyue, and now she was to change clothes for a strange man. Ling'er's embarrassment was self-evident, yet she could not refuse.

Ling'er hesitated for a moment, then straightened her back and walked to Zhu Chengyu, beginning to unbutton his red robe. Although Ling'er didn't look up at Zhu Chengyu, she clearly felt his gaze never leaving her face. Pretending not to notice, she continued unbuttoning. Once the red robe was all unbuttoned, because Zhu Chengyu was sitting, he couldn't take it off immediately, and he didn't seem to have any intention of standing up. So Ling'er had to continue unbuttoning his undergarment. Once the buttons and belt of his undergarment were undone, Zhu Chengyu's hand had already climbed onto her slender waist without her noticing.

Zhu Chengyu looked at Ling'er, whose face was flushed, and smiled wickedly, pulling her into his arms. Ling'er was startled and hurriedly grabbed his shoulders, instinctively trying to back away. How could Zhu Chengyu let her have her way? He tightened his grip, and as a result, Ling'er firmly pushed Zhu Chengyu down onto the bed.

"Can't wait?" Zhu Chengyu teased.

A flash of anger crossed Ling'er's eyes. She braced herself with her hands to get off Zhu Chengyu, but Zhu Chengyu would no longer be polite to her. He quickly grabbed her hands, turned her around and pinned her down, then pressed her hands to either side of her head, rendering her unable to move.

Zhu Chengyu gazed at Ling'er, his eyes filled with a multitude of emotions: ecstasy, tenderness, relief, longing, and a burning desire. He slowly lowered his head, inhaling the unique fragrance emanating from her. He smiled; his intentions were clear.

---Magpie Bridge Fairy

Reply [31]: Ling'er's beautiful eyes were filled with panic. Finally, for the first time, he saw the fear in her eyes, which gave him a sense of accomplishment.

Just as he was about to touch her rose-petal-like lips, Ling'er suddenly turned her face away, refusing the kiss. Zhu Chengyu, however, wouldn't accept her avoidance. He grabbed Ling'er's smooth, pink chin and declared domineeringly and solemnly, "I am your man, you can't avoid me!" Then his lips descended, offering her a passionate and lingering kiss.

The new house was quiet, so quiet that only the crackling of candle flames could be heard. With a "pop," one flame shot upwards, unfolded dramatically, and then fell silent again. The red candles flickered, casting a dreamlike glow throughout the room. Outside the window, a crescent moon hung in the sky, and a few scattered stars dotted the vast expanse of heaven, their light flickering as if blessing all lovers on earth!

five

Ling'er woke up just as dawn was breaking. She hadn't slept well, perhaps because she had just changed environments and couldn't adjust immediately. The discomfort reminded her of the previous night, and an indescribable shyness filled her heart. Suddenly, Zhu Chengyu, who was sleeping beside her, stirred. Ling'er was startled and quickly closed her eyes, pretending to sleep, not daring to move at all, only listening intently with her ears.

Zhu Chengyu was awake. She heard him get up softly, slowly get out of bed, and rustle as he put on his clothes and shoes. Then he lightly kissed her on the corner of his mouth and left.

After the gatekeeper opened the door, Ling'er vaguely heard someone talking.

"Your Highness, so early?" It was Xiao He; Ling'er recognized her voice.

"Shh! Don't disturb the princess," Zhu Chengyu said, and then there was no sound at all. A sweet feeling washed over Ling'er, and she drifted off to sleep again.

When Ling'er woke up again, it was already broad daylight. She never slept in late and had no record of being lazy in bed, so why was she so late today? Why didn't Ximei come to wake her?

Just as she was about to get up, she suddenly heard footsteps outside. It was Zhu Chengyu! She could recognize him just by the sound of his footsteps. Ling'er was at a loss for what to do, so she simply went back to bed and pretended to be asleep with her face turned inward.

Zhu Chengyu tiptoed into the room and came to the bedside. As he drew back the curtains, he gently called her name.

"Ling'er, get up, the sun is already high in the sky." Seeing that Ling'er didn't move, he continued to call out, "Good Ling'er, get up quickly!" When she still didn't move, he lay down by the bed and began to gently shake her body.

Ling'er didn't not want to get out of bed; quite the opposite, she desperately wanted to. But the sound of his voice involuntarily brought back memories of last night, filling her with shame and unease. She didn't know what to do. If there were a crack in the ground, she would rather disappear than see him.

"Get up, get up." His voice sounded like he was coaxing a child, and he kept gently blowing air into Ling'er's ear. Ling'er felt ticklish, so she touched her ear and swung her arm back, almost hitting him.

Zhu Chengyu sighed helplessly, gazing at her sleeping state. Suddenly, his eyes lit up, a smile playing on his lips; he had an idea. He quietly climbed into bed, the hibiscus-patterned curtains falling behind him… A moment later, Ling'er called from inside the curtains, “Ah!……” “Are you getting up?”

"I just..." I just what? No one knows why she didn't finish her sentence, because someone covered her mouth and swallowed her words.

Ling'er was taking a bath inside, and she wouldn't allow Ximei and Xiaohe to come in and serve her, so the two little maids had to wait outside the door.

"I think Sister Ling is acting a little strange today," Xi Mei said to Xiao He.

"How is it strange?"

"Back in the Southern Mansion, I was always the one who helped her bathe and change clothes. Why don't you do that today?"

"I don't know that. All I know is that from now on you can only call her 'Princess Consort.' If you call her the wrong way, you will be punished!"

"Princess?" Xi Mei frowned and repeated.

"Yes! Don't forget." Xiaohe reminded her again.

After Ximei arrived at the Prince of Suning's residence yesterday, the first person she met was Xiaohe. Xiaohe was kind and capable, and the two were about the same age. They would also be serving Ling'er together in the future, so they quickly became very close and had nothing to talk about.

After bathing, Ling'er looked at herself in the mirror and felt something was off. Was something different? She couldn't answer, but she knew it must have changed.

"Your Highness, is it ready? The Prince sent me to urge you!" Xiao He asked from outside the door.

"Almost done." Ling'er looked in the mirror again; she was dressed appropriately and ready to go out.

Zhu Chengyu and Ling'er's residence was located to the east of the Suning Prince's Mansion, and was named Taoranxuan.

Xiaohe led Ling'er and Ximei through the halls and courtyards to Tingyu Pavilion. Tingyu Pavilion was built in the middle of the pond, surrounded by water on all sides. A winding bridge led to the pavilion. Standing on the bridge and gazing into the distance, one could see the rippling blue waves, the lotus leaves, and the lotus flowers filling the pond. The croaking of frogs echoed in harmony. The scenery within the Prince of Suning's Mansion was indeed remarkable.

Upon entering Tingyu Pavilion, one sees Zhu Chengyu alone, guarding a large table of delicious food, waiting for Ling'er.

Ling'er approached and noticed that Zhu Chengyu's face was displeased. She wondered why he was unhappy.

"All of you, step back!" Zhu Chengyu said angrily.

Several servants filed out. Xi Mei glanced at Ling'er, but before Ling'er could speak, Xi Mei was pulled away by Xiao He. Only Zhu Chengyu and Ling'er remained in Tingyu Pavilion.

"Sit!" Zhu Chengyu gestured to the chair opposite the table, indicating that Ling'er should sit down. His face was constantly shrouded in anger. Ling'er sat down as instructed, facing Zhu Chengyu directly.

“From this day forward, you are the mistress of my Suning Prince’s Mansion. Everything in the mansion is entirely up to you. However, there are rules in the mansion.” He said seriously, “If the mistress doesn’t start the banquet, no one else can eat. Are you trying to starve me to death by getting up so late?”

Ling'er looked up at Zhu Chengyu and understood why he was unhappy. So there was such a rule in the manor. Was it really worth getting so angry over such a trivial matter? Besides, how could Ling'er be blamed? Ignorance is no excuse, right? What good would it do Ling'er if Zhu Chengyu starved to death?

---Magpie Bridge Fairy

[32] “Are you hungry? Let’s eat.” Zhu Chengyu’s attitude suddenly changed, and he became gentle and considerate again.

She found it both funny and exasperating; he was just like a child, his face had been full of gloom just a moment ago, but he was fine again in no time.

Ling'er ignored him and started eating. She was really hungry; she hadn't eaten much last night, and it was almost noon now—how could she not be hungry?

Before she knew it, Zhu Chengyu was already sitting next to her.

"Want some shrimp?" Zhu Chengyu asked unusually attentively, and Ling'er nodded, looking at him with a puzzled expression. Zhu Chengyu chuckled, as if he had been assigned some glorious mission. He brought over the entire plate of shrimp, placed it in front of him, and carefully peeled them one by one. Once peeled, he placed them on an empty plate beside him, all the while chattering, "Shrimp is good, eat more, it's good for your complexion! Are we going back to our parents' home today?" The word "we" sounded a little off!

Ling'er answered while eating, "No." "What about tomorrow?" he continued. "We'll see!" "What about the day after tomorrow?" "Maybe, why are you in such a hurry?" Yes! She wasn't in a hurry yet, so why was he?

When Ling'er asked him that, Zhu Chengyu indeed fell silent, looking exactly like a wronged little wife. Ling'er felt a little guilty and asked, "Why aren't you eating?"

"I've already eaten," he said sullenly.

"You've already eaten?" Ling'er stopped eating and asked in confusion, "Then why did you just say that if the hostess doesn't allow the banquet to start, then the others can't eat?"

"They said, 'Let me give you a hard time?'"

"Them? Who are they?" Ling'er pressed.

"It's nothing," Zhu Chengyu said, skipping over the question and changing the subject. "Why are you wearing so many clothes in this heat?"

Ling'er blushed and did not answer. Actually, she wasn't wearing many clothes, but rather a long-sleeved, high-necked ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), which covered her up completely.

"What is this?" Zhu Chengyu squinted, staring intently at Ling'er's delicate neck as if he had discovered a new continent. There, halfway up her collar, was a faint purple-blue mark, and he couldn't help but gently touch it with his finger.

"What are you doing?" Ling'er slapped his hand away, staring at him in shock and anger, her fair face suddenly turning white and then red. This subtle change did not escape Zhu Chengyu's notice.

He stared at her, then chuckled mischievously, and the laughter grew louder and louder.

"Stop laughing! Zhu Chengyu!" Ling'er shouted urgently, "Did you hear me! Stop laughing!" But Zhu Chengyu laughed even harder. Ling'er couldn't control his laughter, so she could only glare at him angrily, her teeth itching with rage. She really wanted to throw the rice in her hand in his face—that scoundrel!

The next day, the sun shone brightly, and the weather was exceptionally clear and beautiful. When Ling'er woke up and couldn't find Zhu Chengyu, her first words to Xiao He were, "Where's Zhu Chengyu?"

"Your Highness, the Prince is in the garden." "Would you and Ximei accompany me for a stroll in the garden?"

"Your Highness," Xiao He stammered, "Perhaps we shouldn't go?"

"What's wrong? Is something amiss?" Ling'er keenly noticed Xiao He's unusual behavior. "Perhaps I should go and call the Prince back."

"No need, I'll go myself."

Seeing that Ling'er was determined to go, Xiao He couldn't stop her and had no choice but to accompany her. Although Ling'er had only been there for two days, she already knew that Xiao He was the daughter of the steward of the Prince of Suning's mansion. Despite her young age, she had been in the mansion for many years and was very knowledgeable about its affairs. She knew that Xiao He was deliberately preventing her from going to see Zhu Chengyu, so she must be hiding something from her.

Before even entering the garden's arched gate, Ling'er could hear the laughter of a group of women, mixed with the shouts of a man—it was Zhu Chengyu! Ling'er hurried closer and indeed saw five or six elegantly dressed women playing hide-and-seek with Zhu Chengyu. Zhu Chengyu, with a rose-colored scarf wrapped around his eyes, stood foolishly in the middle. The other women laughed and shouted, dodging and frolicking, thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Suddenly, a woman patted Zhu Chengyu lightly from behind. Zhu Chengyu reacted quickly, grabbing the woman's wrist with his backhand.

"Ouch! Your Highness, are you trying to strangle me?" The woman winced in pain, but her voice remained shrill and affected.

"You're Huamei!" Zhu Chengyu laughed. "I recognized you as soon as you spoke. Alright! I'll let you off this time, but don't blame me for being ruthless if I catch you again." After saying that, he started playing with the group of beautiful women again.

Aside from Zhu Chengyu, the other women had all seen Ling'er, their eyes displaying either provocation, fear, or feigned ignorance. However, Ling'er was, after all, the Princess Consort of Suning, and no matter how bold these women were, they dared not be disrespectful to her face. Once Ling'er reached Zhu Chengyu, the other women retreated to the surrounding area, maintaining a distance from him. Zhu Chengyu, unaware of this, chuckled and said, "Look who I've caught this time!" Who could he have caught this time? Without a doubt, it was the Princess Consort of Suning, who was closest to him.

"Where do you think you're going? Let me see who you are!"

Zhu Chengyu had already grasped Ling'er's hand and carefully touched it. Suddenly, his face changed color, and his smile vanished. He quickly removed the square scarf from his head and, unsurprisingly, saw Ling'er's beautiful yet cold face.

“Ling’er, I…” Zhu Chengyu was speechless for a moment and could not continue. He lowered his head and looked at Ling’er, like a child who had made a mistake and was about to be scolded by an adult.

Ling'er glared at him with a cold face. She couldn't say anything now. Zhu Chengyu was a prince, and she still had to give him some face in front of the servants. But she couldn't swallow her anger. Just then, she heard Xiao He say, "Why aren't you leaving?" The women hurriedly bowed and left. Xiao He also took Xi Mei away.

For a moment, only Ling'er and Zhu Chengyu remained in the garden.