At the entrance of Lucky Pavilion.
The young attendant spotted the Zou Family carriage approaching and hurried forward to greet them: "Prince Zou, will you be requiring Xiaotao Hong's services today, or—" His words trailed off as he noticed the woman by the prince's side.
Her skin was as fair as jade, her figure graceful, and the attendant immediately flashed a knowing look. "Rest assured, Prince, the private chamber is ready for you. Please, this way!"
Yao Qing pressed her lips together, hesitating.
Prince Zou leaned in, whispering by her ear, "Don’t worry, Second Miss Yao. Once you satisfy me today, I’ll speak to my father upon returning and have him recommend someone else for the military post. You know my father is the Minister of War—the Emperor will surely consider his words..."
Yao Qing trembled, closing her eyes as she stepped inside.
The chamber was filled with objects.
There were Burmese bells, jade rings, ivory toys... and on the black-lacquered bed adorned with golden designs, white silk and tiny bells hung—clearly a newly crafted contraption!
Yao Qing gasped in shock, but Prince Zou only laughed. "This is the newly forged 'Cloud and Rain Bed.' I haven’t had the chance to test it yet. What better way than to enjoy it with Second Miss Yao?"
As he spoke, he stripped off his robes, then turned to see Yao Qing still frozen in place. He sneered, "What? Having second thoughts now?"
Yao Qing wrung her hands in distress. "Prince Zou, this humble woman is willing to serve you, but... could we do without these... things?"
Slap!
Prince Zou struck her across the face. "Stop pretending! A woman already ruined by Fifth Yan dares to bargain with me?"
His earlier facade crumbled, revealing his cruel nature.
Yao Qing winced, staring at him. "You—"
"Me what? You came begging to me, didn’t you? You said you’d do anything to save your father. Have you forgotten?"
Yao Qing stiffened, then slowly lowered her head. "Yes... I beg for the Prince’s mercy."
Prince Zou snorted, somewhat pleased by her submission. He tugged at her robes, tracing his fingers over her shoulders. "Fifth Yan’s woman, yet so delicate. Tell me, did he treat you the way I do?"
At the last word, he pinched her hard, leaving red marks on her fair skin.
Yao Qing cried out in pain, instinctively trying to pull away, but he yanked her face back. "I asked you a question. Answer me!"
Tears welled in Yao Qing’s eyes as she suddenly remembered the bold, earnest young man.
He had promised to take her to Wangshuang Tower for braised pork every day, assured her his elder brothers and sisters-in-law were kind and she needn’t feel restrained...
Regret surged like a tide. She twisted away, scrambling back. "No! I can’t betray him!!"
She lunged for the door, fingers nearly brushing the handle—
Thwack!!
A heavy blow landed on her back, sending her crashing to the floor. She turned to see Prince Zou, face twisted in fury, gripping a thick whip. "You bitch! You dare play games with me?"
Yao Qing shook her head frantically, crawling toward the door.
But a sharp pain seized her scalp—Prince Zou had grabbed her hair, dragging her back. "You think you can leave now? Let me make it clear: if not for orders from above, do you really think I’d stoop to touching a used whore like you?"
Orders from above?
Who—?
The panicked thought barely formed before she was flung onto the bed.
Metal cuffs clamped around her limbs, fabric tearing as she sobbed in terror. "Please—no! Don’t—AH!!"
Another lash of the whip split her skin.
The scent of blood only excited the man further. He picked up a sharp object, advancing toward her—
Yao Qing thrashed wildly, screaming, "NO!! FIFTH YAN—FIFTH YAN, SAVE ME!!"
But Fifth Yan would never come...
That reckless, pure-hearted youth had long died beyond Hangu Pass.
She never saw his body—only heard he was trampled into the mud by ten thousand hooves...
Did it hurt?
Tears spilled uncontrollably. In despair, she shut her eyes and bit down hard on her tongue—
BANG!
The door burst open, a cold gust rushing in.
Prince Zou whirled around. "Who—?"
"Your grandpa Meng Yang!" Meng Yang kicked him square in the face!
Blood gushed as Prince Zou toppled off the bed. Meng Yang, far from satisfied, hauled him up by the collar and rained down furious blows.
"AH!! MY FACE!"
"You lowly servant—I’ll kill you!"
"Stop! Please! Spare me, Grandpa Meng!!"
From curses to groveling pleas, Meng Yang ignored it all, never relenting.
Meanwhile, Chu Ruoyan hurried inside, gasping at the sight of the torture devices. She rushed to the bed, unlocking Yao Qing’s restraints and draping her own outer robe over her.
"It’s alright now, Second Miss Yao... Second Miss Yao?"
Chu Ruoyan called several times before Yao Qing snapped out of her dazed horror.
Tear-streaked and trembling, she opened her mouth but no words came.
A choked sob erupted into wracking cries.
"FIFTH YAN... I’VE FAILED HIM!!"
Chu Ruoyan gazed at her with pity, shaking her head slightly.
When the Yao Family fell, her mother and brothers did nothing—leaving her, a woman, to beg for help.
And now, after such disgrace, it was her former husband’s family that saved her.
Perhaps this ordeal would open her eyes...
Just then, Yan Zheng appeared at the door, his expression icy.
Prince Zou spotted him and cried out in relief, "Marquis of Peace! Marquis, save me!"
Yan Zheng arched a brow. "Oh?"
Remembering Yao Qing’s ties to the Yan Family, Prince Zou hastily lied, "She—she seduced me! Marquis, this woman is unfaithful! She came to my bed, claiming loneliness—you must believe me!"
Yao Qing’s eyes blazed. "Lies! You—!"
Yan Zheng raised a hand, silencing her. His gaze remained cool as he studied Prince Zou. "Do I look like a fool to you?"
Prince Zou faltered, realizing he’d been seen through. He spat, "If you already know, why bother? She’s no longer part of your family—she took the divorce papers!"
Yan Zheng nodded thoughtfully. "True. The Yao Family’s affairs are none of my concern. But you kept slandering my fifth brother earlier—that is another matter."
He lifted a hand, uttering two calm words:
"Castrate him."
