Chapter 49 Letting Him Possess Her While Sober

Chapter 49: Conscious Surrender

Song Zean offered to accompany him, but Chen Yanqing declined, insisting he and Yin Rou await news there.

"This is a matter of great importance," Song Zean began.

Chen Yanqing cut him off. "Precisely why you two must remain here—no mishaps."

Yin Rou, silent until then, felt her eyes sting at his words. Song Zean, too, was deeply moved.

This was the Song family's affair, yet Chen Yanqing was taking it upon himself. Song Zean clenched his fists, frustrated by his own helplessness but grateful for Chen Yanqing's actions. He looked up solemnly. "Thank you."

Chen Yanqing paused, then patted his shoulder with a smile. "I am your elder brother. The Song family nurtured you; they are my benefactors too."

He lowered his hand and turned to Yin Rou, who met his gaze, her breathing slowing. She expected him to speak, but he merely smiled at her.

"Qing Feng and Shu Yan will stay here," Chen Yanqing told Second Master Chen. "I'll need to borrow some men from you, Second Uncle."

Second Master Chen nodded, his expression grave. "Understood."

Chen Yanqing had little to prepare. From the decision to depart to his actual leaving, it took no more than the time it took to drink a few cups of tea.

Yin Rou stood at the Chen residence entrance, her dark eyes fixed on the receding carriage. As it neared the edge of sight, she instinctively rose on tiptoe, but soon, it vanished entirely.

With a sigh, she lowered her gaze, feeling an emptiness in her heart.

Song Zean gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "Let's go inside."

Yin Rou hesitated, then followed him into the estate. "Brother, do you think it will go smoothly this time?"

Song Zean had no answer. The four southern provinces were unlike the distant, mountainous Xiyu Pass, which bordered the frontier and was difficult for the court to govern. Yet, official corruption there was rampant.

Yin Rou looked up at him, her eyes filled with hope.

Song Zean offered a reassuring smile. "It will go smoothly."

"Yes!" Yin Rou nodded firmly.

It had to go smoothly.

*

Three days after Chen Yanqing left, all contact with him ceased. With no way to know his progress, Yin Rou was consumed by worry.

The longer the silence stretched, the more anxious she became.

Chen Yanqing might have been invincible in Xiyu Pass, but he was unfamiliar with the southern regions. Did he have allies there? Could he even connect with Lord Xie?

These thoughts raced endlessly through her mind, leaving her utterly drained.

Shu Yan entered the courtyard. "Miss, Fourth Young Master is waiting for you for dinner."

Yin Rou nodded and rose. "I'll go now."

As she followed Shu Yan out, she couldn't help but reflect—usually, Shu Yan accompanied Chen Yanqing everywhere. This time, not only Shu Yan but even Qing Feng had been left behind. Did that mean he had no one to assist him?

Shu Yan, though not outspoken, was adept at reading expressions. Noticing Yin Rou’s preoccupation, he ventured, "Miss, are you troubled? Are you worried about the young master?"

Yin Rou almost denied it, but meeting Shu Yan’s gaze, she couldn't help but ask, "Will Third Young Master be in danger on this trip to the south?"

Shu Yan blinked. "Yes, of course it's dangerous!"

Yin Rou could no longer feign indifference. Her face paled with worry. Shu Yan added fuel to the fire: "Otherwise, why would the young master leave Qing Feng and me here? It’s so that if anything happens, we can immediately escort you and Fourth Young Master back to Xiyu Pass."

"You mean… he might not come back?" Yin Rou’s voice trembled.

No wonder he hadn't asked her to wait for him this time. Her eyes stung, her lashes fluttering uncontrollably.

Shu Yan hesitated, then nodded firmly. "If those officials discover his purpose, they’ll stop at nothing—even murder."

Yin Rou’s face turned deathly pale. A wave of dizziness hit her, and she swayed.

Shu Yan quickly reassured her. "That’s the worst-case scenario. You must believe in the young master’s abilities."

"I do believe," Yin Rou nodded anxiously, but her voice still shook. "But… but you said they’d stop at nothing."

And Qing Feng, the most skilled fighter, wasn't even by his side. Didn't that make it even more dangerous?

Suddenly, Yin Rou gathered her skirts and ran.

Shu Yan cursed under his breath and hurried after her.

Out of breath, Yin Rou rushed into the dining hall where Song Zean was waiting. Seeing her distraught, he stood abruptly. "What's wrong?"

"Brother…" She struggled to catch her breath, swallowing before continuing, "I need to go to the south."

"Don't be ridiculous!" Song Zean scolded sharply. "It’s far too dangerous. You can’t go."

"No," Yin Rou forced herself to calm down and explain. "Clearing Father’s name is my duty. I can’t let Third Young Master take all the risks."

Song Zean knew Chen Yanqing wasn't obligated either.

"Then it should be me who goes," he said.

"Brother, you can’t take that risk," Yin Rou shook her head. "My bond is with Third Young Master—I’d be safer by his side. Besides, I know Jiangning better. I can help him. And I can bring Qing Feng and Shu Yan—they’re skilled fighters."

She made every argument she could think of—except one. She simply wanted to go.

Her eyes pleaded desperately. "Brother, please let me go."

"Xiao Rou," Song Zean called softly, his voice choked with emotion. If not for this injustice, his sister would still be carefree, not forced to grow up and face danger like this.

"Please, brother."

"I’ll bring Eldest Brother back. We’ll go home together."

……

The four southern provinces bustled with activity. As their carriage entered Xiangmu County, Yin Rou heard the lively sounds of the streets—vendors calling out their wares, teahouse storytellers—all of it painfully familiar.

Shu Yan and Qing Feng drove the carriage to an inn—not too secluded, yet not overly crowded.

Shu Yan hopped down. "Miss, let’s settle in here first."

Yin Rou adjusted her veil before stepping out. Before leaving the capital, Second Master Chen had prepared a new identity for her. With Shu Yan and Qing Feng by her side, the journey went smoothly.

Once in her room, she sent them to gather information, hoping to find Chen Yanqing soon and reunite with him.

Neither could act too openly, so they inquired carefully. Qing Feng, being the better fighter, stayed to guard Yin Rou, while the clever Shu Yan took charge of gathering news.

He was away for half a day, returning only at dusk. Yin Rou and Qing Feng sat eating at a corner table in the main hall as Shu Yan rushed up.

Yin Rou set down her chopsticks and asked, "Did you find anything?"

Shu Yan nodded. "I got some information."

"That fast?" Yin Rou was pleasantly surprised, having expected it to take days.

Yet Shu Yan's expression was odd. He gave a vague hum and said, "The young master has caused quite a commotion. I barely stepped into a tavern before hearing about a rich businessman surnamed Chen who recently arrived in the city—it’s definitely our young master."

Yin Rou nodded along, but hearing of his bold behavior only deepened her worry that he might be exposed. She asked urgently, "Where is he now?"

Shu Yan hesitated. "Well..."

"Really? That Chen fellow is truly so arrogant? He dares to offend even the magistrate's son?" A sudden voice cut in, interrupting Shu Yan.

All three turned to look—a group of men drinking and laughing nearby.

"No way it’s fake! My girlfriend at the Red Pavilion told me herself. The magistrate's son had a pipa player on his boat, but this Chen fellow just sent someone to invite her onto his own!"

"How brazen! He’ll surely fall from grace sooner or later."

"Exactly! Parading his concubine everywhere, as if afraid people don’t know he’s got money."

Someone from another table chimed in, "Say what you will, but that Chen fellow’s concubine is truly a beauty."

"You’ve seen her?" another asked eagerly.

The man clicked his tongue. "I ran into them earlier—they were heading to the lake. Her veil blew up, and—wow."

Loud laughter followed.

"No wonder Chen takes her everywhere, hanging onto her like he can’t bear to let go."

Shu Yan wished he could shut their mouths. What gossip were they spreading?

"They’re on the lake?" Yin Rou asked calmly.

Shu Yan’s eyelids twitched. He forced a laugh. "The young master must be just playing the part—forced by circumstances."

So it was true. Yin Rou clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms, the sting sharp and dull.

She took a deep breath. "Bring me there."

"Miss..." Shu Yan hesitated, wishing he could kick himself.

Why had he gone and frightened her like this? He’d thought bringing her would please the young master. Now, the young master would probably literally skin him alive.

Yin Rou smiled at him. "I came for my father’s sake. Whatever he does is not my business."

Yet even as she spoke, her chest tightened unbearably. The men’s words might have been exaggerated, but they dug into her heart like knives.

She sat in a stone pavilion by the dock. Unlike the sparse, ornate pleasure boats of Xiyu Pass, the waterways here teemed with small boats and a lively scene. Scholars, poets, and wealthy young men all loved boating, and vendors selling flower garlands lined the shore.

Shu Yan scanned the water, pointing to an approaching boat. "That’s the one."

Yin Rou gave a slight nod, planning to wait for Chen Yanqing to disembark. But the boat merely docked, its occupants apparently not coming out.

The night breeze carried a chill, yet her agitation grew. Something inside her felt ready to explode. She told herself repeatedly—this was all just an act. She was here only for her father.

But the men’s words rang in her mind: *clinging to her, unwilling to let go.* If it was just an act, did it have to go that far?

Suddenly, she wanted to see for herself. If it was just a performance, surely there’d be nothing between them in the cabin now, alone.

Before she could reconsider, she stood.

"Miss!" Shu Yan called softly behind her.

But Yin Rou was already hurrying onto the boat’s prow. She took a deep breath and pushed aside the curtain.

The cabin was tiny, the candlelight dim, but it was enough to reveal the tangled bodies inside.

Her gaze dropped—a man sprawled lazily, his arms wrapped tightly around a woman. His sleeves obscured much of her, but the curves of her slender frame were obvious.

They clung to each other, inseparable.

Tears sprang up in Yin Rou’s eyes.

"Who let you in?" A cold voice cut like ice.

That voice... wasn’t Chen Yanqing’s.

Stunned, Yin Rou looked up. The man’s face was handsome, his eyes heavy with lust—but completely unknown. His entire demeanor, bold and reckless, was nothing like Chen Yanqing’s quiet elegance.

The man glared at her, his sharp gaze boring into her.

Yin Rou froze. The boat was supposed to be Chen Yanqing’s. How could it be a stranger?

The girl in his arms shrank back, scared. "Xie Ce..."

A soft murmur, followed by a pair of glassy, teary eyes peeking out at Yin Rou—innocent as a child.

"Don’t be afraid, little one," the man soothed tenderly before his gaze turned icy again toward Yin Rou.

Only the girl in his arms seemed to soften him.

*Xie Ce...* The name rang familiar.

"Scram," Xie Ce said, his patience gone, though his voice remained calm—as if to avoid startling the girl.

The chilling threat in his eyes made Yin Rou shiver. She turned to run, but an arm wrapped around her waist.

"Who let you come here?"

At the familiar voice, her fear dissolved. Her hands grabbed the robes of the man beside her.

"Sorry about that, mate. My little one mistook the boat," Chen Yanqing said to Xie Ce, his tone apologetic.

Xie Ce glanced at Yin Rou, now pressed against Chen Yanqing, and remarked indifferently, "So she’s yours."

"Indeed."

Chen Yanqing smiled. The two exchanged a look before he guided Yin Rou out of the cabin.

Yin Rou kept her head down, buried against him. Barely, she caught the girl inside ask, "Who was that just now?"

Xie Ce almost brushed her off, but seeing the curiosity in her shining eyes, he chuckled. "Perhaps the Chen family’s treasure."

The girl thought it over. "Like me?"

Xie Ce arched a brow.

She then said earnestly, "Just like me—I'm your treasure, right?"

Xie Ce's heart melted halfway. "You're getting shameless."

"Am I not?" Xue Yan frowned, a little displeased.

"You are," Xie Ce sighed, kissing her. "Of course you are."

……

Chen Yanqing led Yinrou to the carriage the entire way, torn between regret and lingering fear. She suddenly remembered—Xie Ce! It was none other than Lord Xie!

Thinking of her reckless actions, she wished she could bury herself in the ground. She kept her eyes glued to her toes, not daring to lift her head even slightly.

"That man just now was Lord Xie, wasn’t he? We almost had a misunderstanding." Yin Rou tried to steady herself, wanting to say something, but her words only grew more flustered. "If you're working with Lord Xie, then... that’s truly wonderful."

"Song Yinrou."

Hearing Chen Yanqing call her name in a deep voice, Yin Rou’s eyelids fluttered nervously. "Y-yes...?"

Chen Yanqing’s piercing gaze trapped her as he asked, "Why did you come here?"

"I... I..." Yin Rou stammered, unable to form a coherent answer.

"Look at me and say it."

Yin Rou couldn’t speak even now, and meeting his eyes would only make it worse—yet she couldn’t resist his commanding tone.

Her eyelashes fluttered as she slowly lifted her gaze, instantly captured by his obsidian gaze. His sharp stare pierced straight through her defenses, exposing every secret thought.

"You didn’t bring Shu Yan or Qing Feng. I... I worried you couldn't handle it alone."

"So you were worried about me."

Yin Rou still wanted to feign composure, but his merciless words shattered it completely, leaving her eyes darting nervously.

Chen Yanqing’s initial shock and anger at her recklessness now seethed in his chest. "You rushed onto that boat thinking I was with another woman."

Her deepest shame was laid bare before him, leaving her utterly exposed and mortified beyond words.

Chen Yanqing’s fingers tightened around his ring, his knuckles whitened. He had only hoped his actions might move her heart—never expecting she would give him such a shock.

Why would he back down now?

His gaze, like a physical touch, traced every inch of her, coiling around her tightly as he demanded, "When you thought that man was me, what were you thinking?"

Yin Rou’s nose tingled with unshed tears. Unable to hide any longer, she snapped in a burst of frustration, "I’ll tell my brother you bullied me!"

With that, she bit her lip and buried her head, unsure whether from shame or anger—as if at war with herself.

Chen Yanqing watched her for a long moment before suddenly laughing.

He reached out, seized her wrist, and pulled her roughly onto his lap.

Caught off guard, Yin Rou let out a shocked gasp—only for the sound to be cut off by Chen Yanqing’s crushing kiss.

She could already feel him pressing to part her lips, but the force of his advance was restrained beneath his ragged breathing.

"I don’t want you thinking I’m forcing you again," Chen Yanqing growled, each word brushing against her lips.

The electric jolt left Yin Rou shaking like a leaf.

Chen Yanqing didn't let her look away. "Song Yinrou, can I kiss you again?"

Chen Yanqing had no patience left for restraint. He simply wanted her willing, aware, and surrendering to him.

Yin Rou’s breaths came in shallow, uneven pants. The tremors from their mingled lips left her body numb and mind hazy beyond her control.

How could she remain indifferent when someone so domineering humbled himself waiting for her yes?

Her heartbeat hammered wildly. Falling defenses gave way to unfamiliar yet long-buried emotions, surging through her veins.

Every sense was overwhelmed by Chen Yanqing’s presence. The suffocating need urged her to let her lips part slightly.

The gesture was all it took to shatter what little remained of Chen Yanqing’s restraint. Long-suppressed desire flared to life, blazing in his dark eyes.

How long had it been since she last responded to him?

Chen Yanqing’s breath hitched. How could he refuse her invitation now? His tongue plunged deep into the sweetness of her mouth, devouring her hungrily.

Yin Rou felt as though she were being devoured whole—like a fish out of water, gasping like she was drowning.

Worse still, her body burned as if set aflame, her fair skin flushing a deep, fevered pink.

Her soft whimpers trembled faintly, as if pleading for mercy. Chen Yanqing wanted to pity her, but the beast within him—the one intent on overthrowing his reason and seizing control—could no longer be restrained.

Only when there was nothing left to taste did Chen Yanqing finally withdraw, his eyes dark with satisfaction.

Yin Rou could finally breathe again, but her strength was spent. She drew shaky breaths, only to snap back to reality when Chen Yanqing’s hand slid to her waist.

"Someone might see," she protested, pushing at him in panic.

Fortunately, Chen Yanqing made no further moves. He merely fingered the end of her sash, as if contemplating.

If she feared discovery, he loathed the thought even more.

Outside the carriage, the noisy street sounds continued—just as any sounds from within would carry. There was no hiding what they might do.

The thought of others hearing her sweet, breathless cries—let alone imagining them—was unbearable.

Chen Yanqing crushed his lips to hers once more, his possessiveness unmistakable.

Yet the fire in his chest still raged, refusing to be quelled. He traced her lips with his thumb, his voice rough. "I promise you."

Yin Rou relaxed slightly, nodding quickly—only for him to add, "But give me more. Don’t stop until we return."

The rough, shameless words sent her blood freezing with shame.

His fingers still teased her lips, making them redder. Yin Rou’s breaths came in short, frantic bursts. With great difficulty, she parted her lips slightly, her voice barely audible. "I can’t..."

"Or I might not hold back," Chen Yanqing murmured, his half-lidded gaze brimming with unspoken danger.

Yin Rou knew he was struggling, but she felt like a fish drained of all moisture, left to wither.

Tears shimmered in her eyes as she pleaded softly, "There’s really nothing left..."

"There is," Chen Yanqing said suddenly.

Yin Rou felt his gaze drop lower. Dazedly, she followed it.

"Plenty." His gravelly tone left no room for misunderstanding.

Her mind blanked. Instinctively, she tried to clamp her legs together—only for his large hand to pin her knee in place.