Chapter 28 Coercion “Don’t mention her—she’s unworthy.” (Partial draft…)

Chapter 28: Under Duress

Don't mention her; she's not worthy. [Synopsis content]

"What did you say? How could I possibly take the blame for you...?"

Seeing her on the verge of refusal, Zhen Xi gripped her hand again, pleading through tears, "I truly have no other option. I cannot let Suian find out about this; I cannot ruin my happiness. But... your situation is different. You don't have someone you love, and you said you don’t like Wei Hui either. You just need to acknowledge it temporarily. Later, if you don’t wish to, you can refuse, or even leave the capital to escape..."

Rong Rong stared blankly at Zhen Xi, as if at a stranger. Unable to bear her gaze, Zhen Xi desperately suppressed the guilt in her heart—for the sake of her own happiness, she had no other choice.

"Rong Rong, it was Vice Minister Cai who mistook the person. After all, he is a fourth-rank official. If, if..." Zhen Xi couldn’t bring herself to finish the sentence. How could she persuade Rong Rong to become a concubine?

Rong Rong’s heart sank bit by bit: "Yes, he is a fourth-rank official with significant influence. Why would you refuse?"

"He’s so old and so unappealing..." Zhen Xi abruptly stopped, flushed with shame and anger.

Rong Rong let out a soft laugh, removed the jade bracelet from her wrist, and pressed it into Zhen Xi’s hand. Only then did she recall that Zhen Xi had already taken off her own bracelet. She whispered, "If you’ve done something wrong, you should bear the consequences yourself."

"No!" The bracelet felt like a venomous snake to Zhen Xi. She flung it away, panicking. "If Suian finds out, he’ll abandon me!"

"How do you know he won’t? He loves you..."

"He won’t!" Zhen Xi cried out. "No man can accept something like this. Besides, Suian cares so much about propriety. Rong Rong, I cannot lose Suian. He’s my last hope. I cannot gamble with this!"

Rong Rong frowned deeply, watching her weep bitterly, her own heart torn with conflict.

With a thud, Zhen Xi suddenly knelt down. "Rong Rong, I beg you. Just for a little while. You’re alone in the capital—even if this blows up, it won’t affect you much. But I have parents. If this gets out, how will they face others? They cannot bear the shame. They wouldn’t be able to go on living. And Suian—he’s the newly appointed top scholar! His career has just begun. How could he endure such a stain? He wouldn’t want me, and I wouldn’t be able to live either... Rong Rong, I beg you..."

Weighing the options, it was true that only if Rong Rong acknowledged this would the damage to Zhen Xi be minimized—or even nonexistent.

But what about Rong Rong? Suddenly, she thought of Shen Jichen. Her eyes welled up, and she shook her head desperately. She turned away. "I can’t..."

Zhen Xi was stunned. She hadn’t expected Rong Rong to refuse her. She watched as Rong Rong turned back, helped her up, and said as if resolved: "Zhen Xi, I would help you with anything, but not this. Your reputation matters, but so does mine..."

"Why!" Zhen Xi could barely contain her rising anger. She shrieked sharply before catching herself and pleading again, "It’s only for a little while. You’re not engaged, are you? And no one else is seeking to marry you. Even if you acknowledge it, you won’t lose anything. If you don’t want to be his concubine, you can refuse later..."

As she continued to persuade, Rong Rong fell silent. Zhen Xi’s heart sank. She released Rong Rong’s hand and smiled bitterly. "Fine. If you won’t, then you won’t. I'd rather die..."

Rong Rong looked up abruptly, shocked, and gradually disappointed. "Are you threatening me?"

Suddenly, Zhong Yu came running over, urgently pulling Rong Rong aside. "Why are you here? I’ve been looking for you everywhere! What’s going on? Are you going to become Vice Minister Cai’s concubine? Since when?"

Not only Rong Rong, but Zhen Xi was also stunned.

Rong Rong hurried back to the embroidery house. The lively room suddenly fell silent as everyone turned to look at her. Rong Rong walked slowly forward, noticing the mocking and disdainful looks fixed on her. When she saw Master Zhou standing in the center, she clenched her fists tightly, glaring at him with hatred. It was him! He was the one gossiping!

Master Zhou looked back at her, eventually curling his lips contemptuously—a look of disdain.

Du Yan strode over arrogantly. "Yue Rong Rong, what’s with that look? If you don’t want people to know, don’t do it. You’ve done something shameful, climbed into Vice Minister Cai’s bed, and now you’re throwing a fit out of humiliation?"

Zhong Yu stepped forward angrily. "What did you say!"

Du Yan laughed mockingly. "Well, it’s understandable to be angry. Anyone with a shred of decency would want to hide in a hole after being exposed for something like this. But who would have thought? Yue Rong Rong, you act so aloof usually, yet you’re actually greedy for wealth and status. Scheming behind the scenes to climb into bed, making it a fait accompli. Congratulations—you’ve gotten your wish. Haha..."

Suddenly, Zhong Yu grabbed an embroidery box nearby and threw it. The spools of thread inside hit Du Yan in the face. "Stop spouting nonsense! I’ll tear your mouth apart!"

Du Yan screamed and rushed to pull Zhong Yu’s hair, but Yue Rong Rong shoved her hard. With a crash, Du Yan collided with an embroidery stand and fell. Ren Hanzhen hurried over to help her up, chastising sternly, "Rong Rong, what are you doing? You’ve done something like this, and now you’re resorting to violence?"

Master Zhou also stepped forward. "You spent the night with Vice Minister Cai to advance yourself, and now you’re pretending to be virtuous?" A man mingling among the women, he looked exceedingly pleased with himself.

"What’s all this noise!" A furious shout silenced the embroidery house. The Shopkeeper strode in, positioning himself in front of Yue Rong Rong. "What’s all this commotion! Rong Rong is now a person of importance at our Brocade Pavilion. Offend her, and you’ll regret it!"

Yue Rong Rong trembled with anger. "Shopkeeper!"

The Shopkeeper turned to her, beaming. "Rong Rong, congratulations! Vice Minister Cai has already instructed me. From today onward, you don’t need to work. Just rest and wait for him to come take you. Live in luxury in the Vice Minister’s residence."

Suppressing her rage, Yue Rong Rong’s eyes reddened. She stared fixedly at the Shopkeeper, enunciating each word: "There is nothing between me and Vice Minister Cai!"

Everyone was stunned. Zhen Xi exclaimed, "Rong Rong!"

Du Yan sneered. "Still putting on airs? You’re the kind who plays the tart but demands respect."

Yue Rong Rong swept a sharp gaze over them. "I’ll say it again: I have no relationship with Vice Minister Cai. He mistook me for someone else! That night he mentioned, I was visiting Mrs. Wei at the Wei residence. Shopkeeper, you can look into this."

The crowd hesitated. Ren Hanzhen stepped forward, frowning. "Since Rong Rong doesn’t want to admit it, we should drop it. After all, this is Vice Minister Cai’s matter. He’s the one involved."

Her words woke everyone up. Master Zhou immediately said, "How could Vice Minister Cai mistake someone for something like this? Rong Rong, this is a happy occasion."

This convinced everyone instantly. The Shopkeeper advised, "I know this being exposed is embarrassing for you, but Vice Minister Cai personally told me about it. You want me to check with the Wei family? We’re not the authorities. Vice Minister Cai is, after all, a fourth-rank official. This is your good fortune..."

Rong Rong shook him off coldly. "Mrs. Wei and Wei Hui can both testify for me. If he claims I was with him that night, what proof does he have?"

Du Yan glared at her venomously. "Still stubborn! Everyone knows Mrs. Wei dotes on you. Of course they’ll take your side."

The Shopkeeper said, "Exactly. Vice Minister Cai has no reason to lie about something like this. You say he mistook you for someone else? Why would it be you he mistakes?"

Yue Rong Rong looked at the Shopkeeper, shaken.

The Shopkeeper sighed. "This matter is decided. It’s already out in the open. Vice Minister Cai is determined to take you as his concubine. Who can refuse? Who would dare refuse?"

Yue Rong Rong’s heart pounded violently, hammering against her chest. She felt dizzy and overwhelmed. How had it become a foregone conclusion? It was like being dragged through the mud—no matter how she tried, she couldn’t wash herself clean.

She fought back but two lines of tears still fell. Seeing this, the Shopkeeper hurriedly dispersed the crowd and pulled Zhong Yu over. "For the next few days, you and the others don’t need to come to the workshop. Just stay with Rong Rong. Your wages won’t be deducted. Take her to rest now."

Zhong Yu helped Yue Rong Rong away, hearing Du Yan’s sharp, triumphant voice behind them: "Ninth Yiniang of the Cai residence, rest well."

Yue Rong Rong nearly stumbled on the steps, but Zhong Yu held her firmly. Zhen Xi also moved to support her, but Rong Rong pushed her away. Zhong Yu glanced at Zhen Xi but said nothing. Once back in the room, she immediately declared, "I’ll go ask Mrs. Wei to testify for you! Who else knew you went to the Wei family that night? The more witnesses, the better."

Zhen Xi stood up in alarm. "What are you doing? You can’t go!"

Zhong Yu eyed her suspiciously. "Why are you so nervous?"

Zhen Xi avoided her gaze, turning to pour tea for Yue Rong Rong. "The other party is an imperial official. What is the Wei family? Wei Hui is this year’s second-tier imperial scholar and will soon be given an official appointment. If we offend Vice Minister Cai now, how could Rong Rong bear it?"

Zhong Yu paused, frowning deeply. After a moment, she said irritably, "Then what should we do? Just let it go? Watch Rong Rong be slandered and forced into becoming a concubine?"

Yue Rong Rong’s mind was in turmoil. Tears welled in her eyes as she looked at Zhong Yu. "You believe me?"

Zhong Yu’s eyes reddened too. "What silly talk! Of course I believe you! Let’s find witnesses..."

Yue Rong Rong thought of Shen Jichen, her heart aching sharply. She shook her head vehemently. "It’s no use. Vice Minister Cai is too influential. We can’t drag the Wei family into this. They can’t afford it..." Moreover, she couldn’t involve Shen Jichen. She didn’t want him to know...

"Maybe..." Zhen Xi’s eyes lit up with a hint of expectation. She said softly, "Rong Rong, why don’t you leave the capital for now? Return after the situation calms down?"

Yue Rong Rong slowly raised her head to look at her. Her tear-filled eyes were frosty. At this point, dragging Zhen Xi into it further would be futile. The root of the problem was Vice Minister Cai. As long as he claimed it was her that night, no one would believe her.

Zhong Yu fumed with indignation. "Why should Rong Rong leave? If she goes, people will say she fled out of shame!" After her anger subsided, she slumped onto the bed, feeling utterly desolate. "But... but the other party is Vice Minister Cai. Who can help Rong Rong? Who would dare help Rong Rong?"

Even if Vice Minister Cai hadn’t claimed he spent the night with Rong Rong, if he simply said he wanted to take her as his concubine, refusing would likely cost her dearly.

**

At Yizhan Jiangnan, several banquets were held tonight. As the weather warmed, these hot-blooded young men moved their gatherings to the garden, where the moonlight was vast and gentle, and the fragrance of flowers filled the air.

Amid the melodious music and graceful dancing, Shen Jichen leaned against the armrest, gazing coldly and distantly at the moon.

He Minxuan, Han Zixian, and Zheng Xuchao exchanged looks, then looked toward Shen Jichen. Lately, he had been in this death-like state—frosty, taciturn, and quick to flare up.

Just then, a gaudily dressed dancer sashayed gracefully toward Shen Jichen. Before she could get close, he cast her a sideways glance, icy and fierce, turning her supple body stiff as an iron board.

"What's wrong with him lately?" He Minxuan asked.

Han Zixian replied, "What else could it be? It must have to do with Rong Rong."

He Minxuan smirked. Back then, they had thought Piao Yao was just dallying with Yue Rongrong. After all, given Piao Yao’s status, he was eligible to marry any noble lady in the capital.

But who would have thought that a jealousy-driven twist of fate would lead him to trap her with a marriage contract, making her his possession? After that, he brought her to every banquet, large or small. She followed him like a little tail, and they mocked, "Once you’re a wife, you should be at home preparing meals."

Piao Yao laughed and scolded, "Get lost."

He guarded Yue Rongrong closely—they couldn’t say a word against her. Yet in the end, it still ended in tragedy.

He Minxuan picked up a wine pot and walked over, grinning. "Vast moon, gentle breeze, a wine of sorrow, a scene of bleakness. Piao Yao, still thinking about your dainty ex-wife?"

Shen Jichen finally tore his gaze away from the moon, lowering his eyes with a desolate, icy coldness. Remembering Yue Rongrong’s merciless appearance, an inhuman coldness gradually gathered into smoldering anger. After a moment, he said in a low voice, "Don’t mention her. She’s not worthy."

The others were slightly surprised. Not long ago, he had specifically taken her to meet Mr. Jimo, and now they had a falling out? But everyone could hear the anger in his words. This was something Shen Jichen could say himself, but if any of them dared to say "not worthy," he would be furious.

After finishing the wine in his cup, Shen Jichen stood up.

"Leaving already?" He Minxuan was startled.

Han Zixian also stood. "I’ll go with you. I need to get back to be with Yi Yi."

The two walked out side by side, passing by a flower pavilion where flirtatious laughter and risqué talk could be heard.

A frivolous, boisterous voice, slightly slurred with drink, spoke without restraint. Liang Yuanbian said boldly, "These commonplace women are so unoriginal. Let me tell you, there’s an embroiderer at Brocade Tower named Yue Rongrong—her jade-like glow rivaled the moonlight, seductively charming and alluring! And especially flirtatious..." He laughed recklessly. "Should I have her come entertain us?"

The gathered fopish young masters were aroused, their minds filled with desire, and they chimed in eagerly: "If she’s truly such a beauty, we must invite her for a drink..."

As soon as the words fell, suddenly someone fell silent, eyes wide. By the time the others realized what was happening, they heard gasps of shock one after another.

"Ah!"

Liang Yuanbian, who had been brimming with confidence moments before, was drenched from head to toe with icy wine. He sprang up furiously, meeting Shen Jichen’s eyes like frost-edged phoenix feathers. His own eyes were bloodshot. "Shen Piaoyao!"

Shen Jichen tossed aside the wine pot he held, bent down, picked up another, and raised it high, pouring it expressionlessly over Liang Yuanbian’s head once more.

Everyone shot to their feet, murmuring nervously, "Marquis..."

But Shen Jichen’s gaze was piercingly cold, stern and lethal. No one dared to step forward.

Liang Yuanbian, humiliated and enraged, his face purpling with fury, shouted wildly, "Shen Piaoyao! Have you lost your mind?"

Shen Jichen’s eyes were icy, flashing with disgust. "Too dirty." He casually tossed the empty wine pot aside. The shattering "crack" pierced through everyone’s hearts.

Han Zixian watched Shen Jichen gravely, his own heart racing uncontrollably. The uncontrolled terror from three years ago, when Shen Jichen had gone mad because of Yue Rongrong, seized him once more.

"Shen Piaoyao!" Liang Yuanbian wiped the wine from his face and threw a fierce punch.

With a "thud," everyone watched as Liang Yuanbian’s fist failed to even graze Shen Jichen’s face before he was kicked flying, crashing into a stone pillar in the pavilion and collapsing to the ground.

"Piao Yao!" Seeing Shen Jichen stride forward, Han Zixian hurried to pull him back. "You can’t resort to violence!"

"Get off!" Shen Jichen’s eyes were ferocious as he shoved Han Zixian aside, almost unrecognizable in his rage. He stepped forward and grabbed Liang Yuanbian by the collar.

"Marquis, calm your anger! This must not happen!" The banquet descended into chaos. The fopish young masters didn’t dare intervene, all anxiously watching.

Zheng Xuchao and He Minxuan heard the commotion and rushed over. At the sight of Liang Yuanbian pinned to the ground, blood trickling from his mouth, their faces paled, and they hurried to pull Shen Jichen back.

Finally, the others dared to step forward and pull Liang Yuanbian away from Shen Jichen. Liang Yuanbian, catching his breath, glared bloodshot and venomously at Shen Jichen. "I will report this to the court! Report it to the court!"

Shen Jichen pushed aside Han Zixian and the others, let out a cold laugh, and drew a pure white handkerchief from his sleeve. He meticulously wiped the blood from his knuckles, lifted his eyes to cast a cold glance at Liang Yuanbian, tossed the handkerchief aside, and turned to leave. Everyone seemed intimidated by his composed yet fierce aura, stepping back involuntarily.

Even Han Zixian and the other two stood frozen in place, hearts uneasy. They glanced back at Liang Yuanbian, who was struggling to his feet and venting his anger on others, exchanged looks, and hurried after Shen Jichen.

Author’s Note:

----------------------

Wen Song: They’re all digging their own graves. They’re all doomed.

Next chapter will be posted as a VIP update—a big, fat chapter. Thank you for your support, dear readers (360-degree bow!) [Fireworks][Fireworks]