Chapter 138: Scared? Say you love me, let me hear it?

Chapter 138: Scared? Say you love me, let me hear it?

Minister Jiang is now the Qi family's last hope, and Qi Yuanchang naturally grasps at this last hope.

At dinner time, everything was prepared, waiting only for his daughter to join them.

But after a long wait, the maid returned to say she was ill and unable to meet guests.

Qi Yuanchang was angry but could not show it: "My daughter is delicate; perhaps she's exhausted from the recent wedding preparations. Please don't take it to heart, Minister Jiang."

"Uncle, don't worry. If Miss Qi isn't feeling well, she should rest."

**

In the back courtyard room, the maid, while combing the young miss's hair, asked in confusion: "Young miss, Minister Jiang came today to discuss the marriage. Don't you want to go and listen?"

Qi Siwei's heart felt like ashes: "What's the use of listening to something I can't control?"

The maid sighed: "Though Minister Jiang isn't as powerful as the Prime Minister, he is highly esteemed by the Emperor. Besides, he's handsome and a perfect match for you, young miss. Could it be you still can't forget the Prime Minister?"

"Stop talking nonsense." Qi Siwei, very upset, took the comb from her hand: "I'm tired; I want to be alone. You may all leave."

After everyone left, she was alone in the room. Qi Siwei's composure instantly crumbled, her eyes slightly reddened.

Too much had happened in the past few months—the man of unknown identity, the engagement to the Jiang family... She no longer had the heart for the romantic thoughts of the past, thoughts of He An.

Or perhaps, she was no longer worthy of thinking about him.

Now, with her body and spirit in tatters, she held no hope for the future.

If it weren't for the possibility that her life might still bring a glimmer of hope to the Qi family, she would have ended it long ago, to cut these inescapable ties.

Once she was vibrant and lively, full of spirit, but now, the mirror reflected a pale face, her eyes filled with nothing but endless sorrow.

Putting down the comb, she lay back on the bed. Sleep, between life and death, is the best way to forget everything.

But no matter how tightly she closed her eyes, sleep eluded her, and instead, tears flowed more and more, the bitterness deepening.

Is this what Buddhists call the boundless sea of suffering?

Suddenly, there was a noise by the window, and at the same time, all the lights in the room went out.

Qi Siwei instinctively sat up. The sudden darkness left her unable to see anything, but she felt a familiar presence.

It was him.

Her hand, searching under the pillow, grabbed the handle of a knife and quickly pressed it against her own neck: "Don't come any closer, or I'll kill myself."

"..."

There was no response.

Qi Siwei knew the capabilities of the other party. She did not hope to harm him, so she could only threaten with death.

Her eyes gradually adjusted to the darkness, and she saw a blurry figure. Before she could react, the wrist holding the dagger was gripped by a powerful force, and her mouth was covered.

Then, with a forceful twist of the hand, a piercing pain rendered her unable to make a sound, and her arm became immobile.

"Want to die?"

The familiar voice sent chills down her spine, as gloomy and terrifying as if it came from hell: "It's not that easy. I haven't had enough fun yet. If you dare to die, the entire Qi family will be buried with you."

Sweat beaded on Qi Siwei's forehead, but he clearly didn’t care, continuing to tear her clothes.

The darkness couldn’t hide the shame burning in her heart.

But what could she do?

Now there was another person threatening her with the lives of the Qi family, making death feel like a luxury.

Qi Siwei collapsed weakly onto the bed, the pain leaving her breath shallow: "Why me? Why did you pick me?"

"Do you want to know?"

Though they were both shrouded in darkness, his eyes seemed to pierce through it, his cold fingers trailing slowly down her cheek, like a predator savoring its prey.

When his hand reached her arm, he suddenly exerted force, resetting the dislocated joint: "Then it’s up to you to prove yourself."

Qi Siwei pleaded: "I’m supposed to get married soon, please let me go, I beg you."

"Your Qi family has so much blood on its hands, and now you think a mere plea will make me let you go? How ridiculous!"

Qi Siwei: "Then let me repay you with my life, alright?"

She understood this man must harbor a deep hatred for the Qi family, which is why he tormented her so much.

Instead of being trapped with him forever, she would rather repay him with her life.

"Repay? Do you think you can?" But these words seemed to anger him, and his hands suddenly gripped her neck: "You’ll live and repay me slowly, until I’m satisfied. Otherwise, I’ll use the lives of your entire Qi family to repay."

Qi Siwei, gasping for air, thrashed against the bed. Just as she was about to suffocate, he suddenly let go.

She gasped for air, the near-death experience leaving her body numb. Before she could recover, he suddenly leaned in.

Humiliation and fear kept her silent.

But each time, he pushed her to the brink, just to deny her wishes.

At this moment, her father’s angry voice came from outside: "She’s acting out of line. For Jiang Jie to favor her is a blessing she’s earned over lifetimes. Isn’t it for her own good?"

Madame Qi advised: "He’s already left. What’s the use of questioning her now? The marriage is set, and she’ll be wed in two weeks."

"No, I must talk to her tonight. If she keeps acting like this, she might anger Jiang Jie and ruin the marriage. Then our Qi family is finished."

The reason Qi Yuanchang was so afraid was that he had heard about the Pei family’s rebellion.

Once charged with treason, it was no small matter. Previously, the Emperor had openly and secretly protected the Crown Prince, letting him take the blame, which saved the lives of the entire Qi family.

But if this case took another turn, it was hard to say if the Emperor would lose faith in the Crown Prince.

If that happened, the fate of the Qi family would likely be sealed.

The only one who could protect them now was Jiang Jie, so Qi Yuanchang hoped for the marriage to happen as soon as possible.

Heavy knocking sounded at the door, but the man still didn’t restrain himself. Qi Siwei covered her mouth with her hands, not daring to make a sound.

"Qi Siwei, I know you’re not asleep. Open the door, I have something to say."

Every hair on her body stood on end. In desperation, she clung to him tightly, her voice barely audible with a sob: "Please, let me go."

Seeing no movement from inside, Qi Yuanchang grew even angrier and was about to call someone to break down the door.

No matter how much Mrs. Qi tried to persuade her, it was useless.

The man whispered in her ear, "You scared? Tell me you love me."

Qi Siwei: "..."

A wave of nausea hit Qi Siwei, and she started to retch.

Seeing this, the man gritted his teeth, "What, does being with me make you so sick?"

Qi Siwei shook her head; she really wasn't feeling well. Hearing more and more footsteps outside the door, in desperation, she shouted, "Dad, I really don't feel well. Don't worry, I will get married in half a month."

The sound of the door pushing stopped.

Qi Yuanchang snorted coldly, "At least you still have a conscience."