Chapter 35 Liking Him, Wanting to Go with Him

Chapter 35: In Love With Him, Longing to Escape With Him

The painted barge was exquisitely carved on the outside, and its interior was even more lavishly decorated. Beaded curtains hung beneath the windows, shimmering under the moonlight, while candlelight filtered through the glass lanterns, casting another kind of beauty.

These lights and shadows fell upon Chen Yanqing's face, accentuating his handsome features, yet they failed to illuminate the icy darkness in his eyes.

The willow waist in his grasp tensed even more than before, trembling uncontrollably—was she really this shaken?

Song Yinrou couldn’t believe who she had just seen. Though less than a year had passed, it felt like lifetimes had passed.

Her eyes burned with tears welling up, the moisture blurring her vision.

A year ago, she had still been mischievously interrupting Brother Xuanlin and her elder brother’s chess games. When her brother scolded her, it was Brother Xuanlin who shielded her. He would remember to buy her favorite pastries, making special trips to deliver them to her home while they were still warm. He doted on her, and once, hesitantly, he had even asked if she would marry him.

Countless memories flooded her mind. Brother Xuanlin looked much the same as he had back then—his brows and eyes were still so familiar to her, handsome and refined, the very image of a young gentleman of refinement. But what about her?

Song Yinrou was jolted back to the present under Pei Xuanlin’s gaze, filled with shock, fury, and disbelief. The warmth of the hand gripping her waist reminded her of her current circumstances.

Everything was different now.

She wanted to run away in panic, consumed by shame and remorse, unable to face him—yet where could she possibly escape to?

Her heart felt as though it had been torn open, dragging her down into an abyss.

Chen Yanqing remained the picture of calm composure. "Lord Pei, pardon the delay."

His words snapped both of them back to the present. Pei Xuanlin’s eyes were shot through with red as he swallowed down the pain in his throat, though his hands trembled uncontrollably at his sides.

Even with her face veiled, he had known it was his Rou'er at a glance.

He had imagined countless scenarios of their reunion, preparing himself for each one—but never had he envisioned this. The woman pressed against the table earlier had been her.

No pain could compare.

Wasn't she claimed by Master Chen? How had she ended up with the Chen family’s young master?

Pei Xuanlin clenched his jaw so tightly that his eyes nearly bled with fury. He didn’t dare think about what Song Yinrou had endured.

"Our tardiness—I hope Lord Pei won’t take offense." Chen Yanqing glanced at Song Yinrou, his gaze pierced by her tear-reddened eyes.

This reunion was far more explosive than he had anticipated.

From the moment he took charge of the Chen family’s business, he had never engaged in charitable transactions. Managing accounts, dealing with the presumptuous elders who clung to their seniority, and navigating the bureaucracy—did anyone truly believe it could be done through mere goodwill?

He never suffered losses under his watch. Similarly, since Song Yinrou had entangled him in her schemes, she would have to submit to his terms.

Yet, at this moment, he found little satisfaction.

"Pay your respects to Lord Pei," Chen Yanqing said coldly.

Song Yinrou lowered her lashes, her hands like ice. "...Greetings, Lord Pei."

The moment she spoke, tears threatened to fall from her eyes. She dug her nails into her palms, the pain numbing her enough to force the tears back.

Wu Mang, standing behind Pei Xuanlin, had initially found the veiled woman’s features vaguely familiar but hadn’t been certain. Upon hearing her voice, his eyes widened in shock. "Young Master, she—"

Pei Xuanlin gripped his wrist, signaling him to stay silent—though his own hand trembled violently, his teeth clenched until he tasted blood.

Wu Mang swallowed his words, though his shock was plain.

Pei Xuanlin took a deep breath, suppressing his murderous rage. "Third Young Master is busy—think nothing of it."

Chen Yanqing smiled faintly and guided Song Yinrou to sit. She followed numbly, her spirit seemingly drained from her body.

Her shell remained, but inside, she was hollow, filled with icy emptiness.

"What’s wrong?" Chen Yanqing enclosed her cold hand. "Still unwell?"

Song Yinrou’s fragmented consciousness abruptly snapped back. She looked down at the large hand covering hers—she had wholly neglected the Third Young Master until now.

Another gaze was burning into her from across the room. Her heart stuttered—was she more afraid of Brother Xuanlin’s gaze, or of Chen Yanqing discovering their connection?

Trembling, she lifted her eyes to meet Chen Yanqing’s unreadable countenance. She guessed he still didn’t know.

What would happen if he found out?

Her mind had never been in such turmoil, tangled like a hopelessly tangled skein. Unable to speak, she bit her lip and lowered her head.

Chen Yanqing’s mouth formed a cold smile as he absentmindedly caressed her slender fingers, as if contemplating something. After a moment, he said, "Go rest."

Song Yinrou stood on unsteady legs and left, Pei Xuanlin’s gaze following her until she disappeared.

"Lord Pei sought me out for a reason—speak plainly," Chen Yanqing said lazily, filling teacups.

Having seen the person he ached to see, Pei Xuanlin could no longer restrain himself. At this moment, he cast all caution aside—regardless of what had happened, his only thought was to take her away.

"Wu Mang," he signaled.

Wu Mang immediately presented the prepared water transport authorization.

"I know the Third Young Master has long sought to establish trade routes in Liangjiang, but the Zhang and Wu families monopolize the passage there. Chen family goods cannot pass directly. However, by diverting through Wulan and taking the waterways, there would be no obstruction."

Chen Yanqing leisurely lifted his cup. "The court strictly regulates water transport. It couldn’t have been easy for Lord Pei to obtain this permit. What’s the condition?"

Pei Xuanlin suppressed the fury burning in his chest and met his gaze. "I’ve heard the Chen family holds a slave named Song Yinrou. The Pei and Song families were once close. With the Song lineage extinct, it is my duty to care for its last descendant. I ask the Third Young Master to grant this request."

Though he had recognized Song Yinrou, he feigned ignorance. As long as it wasn’t openly acknowledged, coupled with this permit, he believed Chen Yanqing wouldn’t refuse.

Chen Yanqing took a sip of tea before setting the cup down with a soft clink. "I would have thought Lord Pei already had his answer after what you just witnessed."

Pei Xuanlin’s expression darkened. Chen Yanqing remained unmoved, lazily lifting his gaze—razor-sharp.

Pei Xuanlin’s pupils contracted. That earlier scene had been deliberate—Chen Yanqing had known his purpose all along!

He had believed Chen Yanqing to be the only upright member of the Chen family, yet he was just another villain!

He couldn’t fathom how Song Yinrou had been treated in the Chen household—transferred from Master Chen's to his son's hands after his death!

"Rumors paint the Third Young Master as principled and noble. Clearly, they are false," Pei Xuanlin spat through gritted teeth, his voice laced with a cold, bloody menace.

Chen Yanqing smiled faintly. "Being too proper would make one be disadvantageously conspicuous."

Then, shifting tone, he added, "I assume Lord Pei has his answer. I won’t see you out."

Chen Yanqing stood, brushing his robes lightly. Pei Xuanlin lunged forward, but Qing Feng and his men rushed in from outside.

Pei Xuanlin’s restraint had shattered—he would take her by force if necessary. He swung a fist, but Wu Mang grabbed his arm in alarm. "Young Master, calm down! You mustn’t!"

Pei Xuanlin’s brow twitched in agony. Calm? How could he possibly be calm?

Wu Mang dared not loosen his grip, his expression tense. Of course, he also wanted to rescue Second Miss—his very name had been given by her. He was born in May, right around the time of Grain in Ear... But now was absolutely not the time to recklessly snatch her away.

"Young Master, Second Miss's slave contract is with the Chen family. Even if you take her away, it won’t do any good."

Without the Chen family even needing to lift a finger, the authorities would help capture her. By then, Young Master would be guilty of privately releasing a criminal.

Pei Xuanlin felt as if he had been struck a brutal blow, sobered yet despairing. His chest heaved violently, like a trapped beast. He couldn’t take Yin Rou away.

Chen Yanqing turned and cast a glance at him. "Escort our guest out."

*

Yin Rou sat stiffly in the cabin, lifting her frightened eyes at the sound of the door opening.

"Third Young Master," she said, her voice strained. She wanted to know if Pei Xuanlin had left but didn’t dare ask.

Chen Yanqing stood by the door, watching her for a long time. The lengthening silence only deepened Yin Rou’s unease.

"He asked for you."

Yin Rou’s heart clenched as she saw Chen Yanqing smile faintly. "A childhood sweetheart and former fiancé—old friends. Why pretend not to know each other?"

An invisible pressure wrapped around Yin Rou’s throat, suffocating her. Third Young Master already knew everything. Brother Xuanlin had truly come to save her.

Her hands, resting on her lap, clenched tightly. Had he agreed? Suddenly, she didn’t dare think about it.

Chen Yanqing’s gaze bore into her as he asked, "Should I agree?"

Yin Rou stared at him blankly. Was he asking for her opinion? If she nodded, would he really let her leave? An empty loneliness welled up inexplicably in her chest.

"Why aren’t you speaking?" Chen Yanqing stepped toward her. "If you say you like him and want to go with him, I can let you go."

Though his voice was calm, even carrying a generous tone, Yin Rou sensed the danger lurking beneath, ready to erupt at the slightest provocation. His slow, deliberate steps felt like they were crushing her heart.

Her throat closed up, too tight to answer, and she didn’t know how to respond. She and Brother Xuanlin had grown up together, playing and laughing. He had said he liked her, and she had thought she must like him too. To her, it had always been a natural feeling.

But now, looking back, something felt different. Her thoughts tangled into a mess, her frayed nerves quickly losing composure. "Brother Xuanlin and I—"

Chen Yanqing’s eyes darkened abruptly. He strode forward, grabbing her wrist and pulling her close. With a mocking smile, he repeated, "Brother Xuanlin?"

An icy anger radiated from him, his possessiveness unmistakable. It invaded her senses aggressively, tightening around her heart. Was Third Young Master angry? Angry about her relationship with Brother Xuanlin?

Did he care?

Her heart fluttered faintly.

Brother Xuanlin was an important person in her life, but Third Young Master was the only beacon she had grasped in the abyss.

He was also the first—the only one—who had ever touched her body. She instinctively relied on him, feeling wronged by his indifference and becoming confused by his obsession.

Before Yin Rou could sort out her thoughts, she already faltered under Chen Yanqing’s intense stare. Unable to endure it, she shook her head. "I’m not leaving."

Chen Yanqing stared at her for a long time. Whether her words were true or not, he would never let her go.

For now, he would take them as truth.

He pulled her by the waist, pressing her against him. His lips captured hers, his tongue forcing its way in as he hungrily claimed her sweetness. For a fleeting moment, he wanted to consume her entirely, to make her a part of himself.

After taking his fill from her mouth, his hunger remained unsated. He trailed kisses down her slender neck.

Yin Rou’s body, still recovering from his earlier plundering, couldn’t take such roughness. Her helpless gaze drifted elsewhere, landing on the wall where their shadows merged.

Third Young Master hovered over her, his dominating figure pressing down like a predatory beast.

Panicked, she tried to push him away, but her wrists were caught and pinned behind her back. With a single forceful restraint, she was pressed flush against his chest.

"What are you hiding from?" Chen Yanqing’s rough voice whispered against her ear. "The day you threw yourself at me, didn’t you already give yourself to me?"

His voice thick with desire overwhelmed her. The moment her thoughts wavered, she was dragged back into the storm of passion.

As dawn approached, Pei Xuanlin’s carriage remained parked by the riverside dock.

Wu Mang, waiting outside with the carriage, spotted the ornate boat approaching the shore and called out urgently, "My Lord!"

Pei Xuanlin pushed open the carriage window. The boat docked, and Chen Yanqing stepped out into the faint dawn light, carrying a young woman who had fainted in his arms.

Pei Xuanlin’s eyes blazed with anger, the veins on his hands bulging as he gripped the window frame. After an entire night, what had happened was obvious.

He wanted nothing more than to charge forward and reclaim her—but he couldn’t.

Filled with hatred for his own powerlessness, he slammed his fist against the window frame. Wood splintered and flew, blood trickling between his fingers.