071 Unbelievable

Life passed in tranquility, and Yun Xueyan's health gradually improved.
As night fell, Yun Xueyan sat in her room after dinner, working meticulously on an embroidered sachet with needle and thread.
The Emperor had ordered Duan Nanyu to head south to deal with a corruption case; in a few days, he would be leaving.
She, too, strove to fulfill her duties as a wife.
"Greetings, Your Highness," came the voice of a servant from outside.
"You may all leave," came the command, and soon the sound of retreating footsteps faded.
Setting aside her needlework, Yun Xueyan rose to open the door. A wave of alcohol hit her as a tall, slightly disheveled figure appeared. His dark eyes, clouded with drunkenness, seemed to brighten upon seeing her.
"Your Highness, you are drunk," Yun Xueyan said, supporting Duan Nanyu as best she could and helping him into the room. He collapsed on the bed, utterly inebriated.
His face was etched with exhaustion, but he did not close his eyes. Instead, he stared fixedly at Yun Xueyan, as if trying to see through her.
She was truly beautiful.
Duan Nanyu's gaze made Yun Xueyan uneasy. She quickly turned to the table, poured a cup of tea, and offered it to him. "Your Highness, please have some tea," she said, her tone cool and distant.
He pulled her to him, letting the tea spill unnoticed, and gripped her delicate chin. "I'm leaving soon. Can't you say something to me? Just a word of comfort or warmth, just one word!"
His tone was both commanding and pleading.
What should she say? It wasn't that she didn't want to speak, but she truly didn't know what to say.
What he needed was not her gentle words, but those of Yun Xiyin. No matter how sweetly she spoke, it would not be what he wished to hear.
What he wanted was her submission—nothing more.

The harsher fate treated her, the more she learned to tread carefully. Thus, she became ever more cautious.
"Yan'er... say something, will you?" Duan Nanyu spoke, his voice thick with drink, eyes full of longing.
Her heart clenched painfully. Yan'er... such an intimate, yet ironic, endearment.
"Your Highness, you should rest now," she said, rising, but Duan Nanyu pulled her back into his embrace. She tried to struggle, but her strength was no match for his.
His cool, wine-scented lips brushed her ear. "It's my fault, it's my fault, Yan'er," he whispered, not daring to let her speak, for fear of hearing what he could not bear.
He seized her lips in a fierce, desperate kiss, as if nothing would ever be enough.
He did not know when she had begun to inhabit his heart.
He kissed her like a lotus in the clear water, so gently that Yun Xueyan could not help but tremble. A bittersweet pain welled up inside her—had he ceased to despise her?
Yet the thought was fleeting.
He would never change for her... never!
Rolling over, he pressed Yun Xueyan beneath him, his hands slowly undoing her sash, his movements cautious and tender, as if afraid of hurting her.
His lips traveled to her collarbone, branding every inch of her skin with fiery kisses. "When I leave, Zihun will stay behind to protect you." That was all he could do for her.
Feng Xilou had seen her today—he knew, but what could he do? Berate her, humiliate her again?
He could only swallow his anger, even if it made him feel wretched.
With a growl, he vented his frustration. Beneath him, she was stiff as wood, yet he could not restrain his desire.
"Yun Xueyan!" he growled, barely suppressing his rage, glaring at her.

With a silent sigh, she wrapped her arms around Duan Nanyu's waist. Since she was destined to share a man with other women, what right had she to resent it?
He had already shown her more tolerance than she could have expected; she should not overstep her bounds.
In this princely household, she still depended on him for her very survival.
Sensing her response, Duan Nanyu could no longer restrain himself, tearing away all that concealed her. For so many nights he had held her, nearly driven mad by her scent and softness. But mindful of her frail health, he had always held back, fearing to harm her.
"Your Highness, Your Highness... the princess is unwell—she’s been vomiting badly," came a shrill and anxious voice from outside.
"Get out!" Duan Nanyu roared in fury. Damn it!
Yun Xueyan, however, breathed a sigh of relief, looking at Duan Nanyu. "Your Highness, the princess is delicate. You should go see her."
She smiled, mocking her own magnanimity.
Was she driving him away? Surely he had noticed her subtle movements just now.
He got up, dressed, and pulled the covers over Yun Xueyan. "I'll go check on her. I'll be back soon," he said before leaving the room.
As the door opened, Yun Xueyan felt the wind from outside sweep in. She shrank back and closed her eyes.

A note to readers:
Dear friends, today was supposed to be three updates, but the word count is almost enough for four. Because I need to finish another story first, this is all for today. Thank you all for your support!