Chapter 012: How Long Do You Plan to Escape?

Chapter 012: How Long Do You Plan to Escape?

Ruan Qinghuan was kissed until she was completely disoriented, her hands, which were previously blocking him, pulled away as He An advanced towards her.

Finally able to catch her breath, the remaining shred of rationality in Ruan Qinghuan wanted to push him away. However, despite being a civil official, He An was highly skilled in martial arts, rendering Ruan Qinghuan's resistance ineffective.

"He An, you didn't want to marry me at first..."

Hearing this, He An paused in his movements and looked up, gazing down at Ruan Qinghuan, her eyes filled with panic and her breathing rapid.

She had a point. Before meeting her, he indeed wasn't in favor of this marriage.

In He An's heart, the woman who could manage the Prime Minister's household needed to be wise and composed. However, Ruan Qinghuan's reputation was one of arrogance and self-centeredness, a woman who did as she pleased. To him, such a woman was unsuitable.

He had relented not only due to his parents' wishes but also because the Emperor had intended to arrange the marriage. Princess Yihe was the second prince's younger sister, and if He An had truly become the princess's husband, his position as Prime Minister would certainly be jeopardized.

This would lead to turmoil in the court, and the Crown Prince's situation would also become precarious.

With no better option available, he chose Ruan Qinghuan, his ready-made fiancée.

He An's breathing was equally rapid, his eyes somewhat frightening. His palm was tightly holding Ruan Qinghuan's waist, feeling her trembling with nervousness. "It's true that I didn't want to at first, but now, I've changed my mind."

Upon hearing this, Ruan Qinghuan didn't know whether to cry or laugh. What gives him the right to change his mind like that?

She had plans to stand on her own and build wealth!

Ruan Qinghuan didn't dare to struggle too much, fearing it would provoke him. "He An, can you calm down for a bit? I'm hungry; I want to eat breakfast."

He An's eyes narrowed slightly, clearly revealing his displeasure. She actually wanted to use a delaying tactic. He understood her intention and said, "You are my wife. How long do you plan to escape?"

He hadn't intended to take her so soon, but her resistance and desire to escape always stirred his displeasure and greed.

At 26, this was the first time he had felt this way. This woman... was truly tormenting.

He An attributed her reaction to the fact that they hadn't consummated their marriage on their wedding night, which was why she was upset.

He leaned into her ear, his hot breath sending shivers through her. "I said, I will compensate you..."

Her attempt to divert his attention failed, and He An only became more insistent. In no time, Ruan Qinghuan lost her strength.

Just as they were about to cross the final line, Jiang Ming's voice came from outside. "Sir, the Master and the Madam have returned. The Crown Prince's estate has also sent a letter."

At this crucial moment, He An wanted to continue regardless, but Ruan Qinghuan pleaded, "Father and Mother have returned. I must go and pay my respects. If they find out that we're still... at this hour, they'll think that, as their daughter-in-law..."

It was a major taboo for a wife to seduce her husband and indulge in such activities so early in the morning.

He An frowned impatiently, closed his eyes, and rolled off her, pulling Ruan Qinghuan into his arms. "Tonight, wait for me..."

Only after the door closed did Ruan Qinghuan finally catch her breath, gasping for air.

Had He An lost his mind? What had brought about this sudden change?

She could avoid him for now, but not indefinitely. At this rate, who knew when he would completely have his way with her.

Back at her own home, things felt different. Meng Suqiu leaned back in her chair, accepting the tea handed to her by a maid, and casually put her feet up on a stool.

**

"In the blink of an eye, He An will be officially entering court. I wonder how the young couple is doing these days. By this time next year, I hope we'll be holding a grandchild."

He Qizhang teased the bird in the cage, looking it over from left to right. After a few moments, he grew visibly upset. "I've only been away for a few days, and the bird has already lost weight. I wonder how the servants have been taking care of it."

Seeing that the old man hadn't heard her, Meng Suqiu pulled a long face. "Bird, bird, bird. All you care about is your bird."

"Look, we’ve already brought the daughter-in-law into the family. You've also prayed for a child-bearing talisman at the Fuyuan Temple. Now, all that’s left is to wait for fate to take its course. These things can’t be rushed."

Hearing this, Meng Suqiu became unhappy again. "It's all your fault. When we arranged the marriage with the Ruan family, didn’t you notice that He An wasn’t happy about it?"

Meng Suqiu hadn’t been too picky about her daughter-in-law. The Prime Minister's residence was already one of the most prominent households in the capital. There was no need to further consolidate their status through marriage alliances.

Moreover, the court was filled with unpredictable dangers. If one wasn’t careful, they might not only fail to find a reliable ally but also end up being dragged down by others.

Marrying a merchant's daughter who had no political ties wouldn’t be a bad idea. However, as a mother, she knew her son's temperament best. If he really cold-shouldered his new bride, there would be no helping it.

You can’t force these things, after all.

While the old couple was still talking, a maid came to report, "Madam, Miss Liu Yueru has come to pay her respects."

Miss Liu?

Meng Suqiu and He Qizhang exchanged glances, both somewhat surprised. They had only been away from the residence for a few days. Who was this Miss Liu?

Just as Liu Yueru entered the plum garden, Ruan Qinghuan arrived as well. The two of them bumped into each other in Madam’s room.

Upon seeing her daughter-in-law, Meng Suqiu waved at her. Ruan Qinghuan stepped forward and offered tea to her father-in-law and mother-in-law.

He Qizhang was quite satisfied with this daughter-in-law. Not only because her father, Ruan Chengfu, was an old friend of his, but also because his son’s personality was too dull. Having a lively and spirited girl in the otherwise gloomy Prime Minister's residence would bring some vitality.

With an outsider present, Meng Suqiu couldn’t rush into private conversations. Instead, she asked Ruan Qinghuan, "Who is Miss Liu?"

"Mother, Miss Liu is General Liu’s younger sister. My husband has a deep friendship with General Liu. Since General Liu has fallen into trouble, my husband has taken Miss Liu under his care here."

Upon hearing this, both He Qizhang and Meng Suqiu immediately turned cold. They had just welcomed their new bride into the family, and now another girl had been brought into the house. What kind of impression did this give? People would talk if they found out.

He Qizhang rapped the table in anger. "Who gave him the courage to bring her into the residence?"

The sudden noise startled Liu Yueru.

She quickly explained, "Please don’t misunderstand, Lord and Madam. Elder Brother He took me in because I had nowhere else to go. I am deeply grateful and have prepared some gifts to present to you both."

Hearing this, Meng Suqiu relaxed slightly.

As the maid was about to bring the gift box forward, He Qizhang waved her off. "No need. Since you are the descendant of a loyal family, He An’s care for you is out of respect for General Liu. You can keep the gifts."

"These are just a token of my gratitude, nothing valuable. Please accept them, or I will feel uneasy."

Meng Suqiu declined the gift again, which left Liu Yueru, who had been trying to curry favor, in an awkward position. But this was exactly the attitude Meng Suqiu wanted to convey to Ruan Qinghuan.

Finding an excuse, Meng Suqiu had the maid escort Liu Yueru back to the guest room. She then scrutinized Ruan Qinghuan. Her reaction was too calm, as if she were an unconcerned bystander.

Anyone with a keen eye could see that Miss Liu’s visit today had a hidden agenda.

Although Meng Suqiu was elderly, as a woman, she had witnessed her fair share of jealousy and competition in high-ranking families. Normally, no one would wish for such situations, but being too indifferent wasn’t quite right either.

Seeing that Meng Suqiu was rubbing her arm and then her leg distractedly, the seemingly indifferent Ruan Qinghuan suddenly had an idea. She warmly crouched down and offered to massage her mother-in-law's leg. "Mother, I know a method of massage using scented oils that is very effective for relieving fatigue. Would you like me to try it on you tonight?"

"That would be wonderful. I also have something I'd like to discuss with you. Come to the plum garden tonight..."

"Mother, why don’t you come to Changchun Garden instead? That way, if it gets late, it won’t disturb Father’s rest."

Seeing this, He Qizhang said approvingly, "Qinghuan is so thoughtful. Look at your son. He knows we’ve returned, yet he hasn’t come to see us."