Chapter 62 Main Story End “You fought with Yubai?”

Chapter 62: The Story Concludes "Did you quarrel with Yu Bai?"

When Yue Rongrong awoke, her eyes fluttered open to the familiar canopy and the comforting scent of her room in the marquis' residence. Her throat felt parched. The moment she pursed her lips, a searing pain shot through her cheek, instantly bringing her back to full awareness. The memory of Ren Hanzhen's brutal slap resurfaced, and a wave of anger and indignation creased her brow, triggering another sharp pang. She gasped softly, a low moan escaping her lips, and then felt her fingers tighten. Looking down, she saw her hand clasped in Shen Jichen's. As she stirred, he instinctively tightened his grip.

Shen Jichen jolted awake, his deep-set eyes showing faint traces of bloodshot veins. A sudden, intense joy flickered in his gaze, quickly followed by a furrow of his brows. His dark phoenix eyes fixed intently on her: "You're awake? Are you uncomfortable anywhere?"

A soft, warm feeling bloomed in Yue Rongrong's heart. She said coyly, "I'm just so unlucky, getting kidnapped and hurt again and again. It seems I should follow Zhong Yu to the Ten-Thousand Buddha Temple to ward off this bad luck." She spoke playfully, hoping to dispel the anxiety, fear, and exhaustion etched on his face.

But Shen Jichen lowered his head and pressed his lips to the back of her hand. She felt a warm tear roll over her skin, and her heart ached. She quickly reached up to touch his face: "Shen Jichen, are you crying?"

Shen Jichen didn't respond, only kissed her fingers repeatedly, murmuring, "Rong Rong, don't leave me again..."

He had been truly terrified—a fear more profound and helpless than when she had left him before. He dared not imagine what would have happened if he had arrived even a moment later. The mere thought sent shivers down his spine.

Yue Rongrong gently stroked his hair and said softly, "Come a little closer."

Shen Jichen obediently leaned in. She raised her head slightly and kissed the corner of his eye. Though the injuries on her face concealed her blush, her eyes seemed to shimmer with unshed tears: "I'm yours for life."

Shen Jichen's body, taut for a full day and night, finally relaxed for a fleeting moment. He pulled her into his embrace, but before they could savor the warmth, she suddenly pushed him away, her voice laced with extreme urgency: "A mirror, I need a mirror!"

She had just realized her face was injured. In a panic, she covered her face with her hands, then tried to cover his eyes, too flustered to manage both: "Don't look, I'm disfigured."

Shen Jichen's tense heart instantly eased at her words, and he chuckled with helpless adoration. Yue Rongrong playfully hit him, grumbling, "You're still laughing!"

Just then, Wen Song called out from outside the door, "Lord Marquis." Shen Jichen smiled gently and said softly, "I will return shortly."

Yue Rongrong nodded. As soon as Shen Jichen stepped outside, the tenderness and affection in her eyes vanished instantly. Her expression turned cold, her gaze sharp and piercing with an icy chill: "Has everything been handled?"

Wen Song nodded: "As for Zhen Xi, how does the Marquis plan to deal with her?"

Shen Jichen's eyes were frigid, his voice like frost: "Handle it discreetly."

Wen Song acknowledged the order and immediately withdrew.

After resting for a day, Yue Rongrong finally felt a bit more energetic. She sat by the window, holding a phoenix-feather linghua mirror to examine her face, sighing one moment and fretting the next: "Ren Hanzhen was so cruel! I wonder if it'll leave a scar."

Gu Yu giggled and leaned in: "What's there to fear about a scar? You're still the apple of the Marquis' eye."

Hui Yin added, "Exactly. Besides, the Marquis was worried you'd fret, so he used the best medicine and facial cream. The marks will fade in just a few days."

Yue Rongrong felt a little reassured, but then she heard an outburst of sobbing from outside: "Rong Rong!"

It was Ye Shuyi. She looked out and saw Ye Shuyi being supported by a maid as she rushed in. Her heart clenched, and she hurried forward, only to be pulled into Ye Shuyi's embrace as she sobbed, "Rong Rong, you're alright! I was so scared! It's all my fault—if only I had gone with you, those villains wouldn't have had a chance!"

Yue Rongrong quickly pulled her aside to wipe her tears and said, "I was led into the room by Du Yan and caught a whiff of a strange fragrance before losing consciousness. When I woke up, Ren Hanzhen had me in her control. I think she colluded with Du Yan, but I don't know the details. I didn't ask Shen Jichen—you tell me."

At this, Ye Shuyi grew furious, bursting with things to say: "It wasn't just Ren Hanzhen and Du Yan! Zhen Xi was involved too!"

Yue Rongrong was stunned. Ye Shuyi muttered, "But I never thought you were so unpopular at Brocade Tower..."

Yue Rongrong glared at her. Ye Shuyi grinned, her eyes curving, and continued, "Remember Mama Zhang by my side? Turns out she was bribed by Zhen Xi to leak our itinerary. She never expected things to turn so serious—she was just desperate for money and made a foolish mistake. Zi Xian found out, and she confessed immediately. Zi Xian had her sold off, saying he couldn't trust someone with such ill intentions near me." Her words dripped with sweetness.

"...And then?"

"Oh, then Zi Xian went to arrest Zhen Xi. By then, Shen Jichen had already analyzed the route from traces of saltpeter in the soil and followed the carriage tracks—it led to the site of an illegal fireworks workshop he had shut down before. That's how he managed to save you just in time. If he had waited for Zi Xian to interrogate Zhen Xi further, it might have been too late. But Shen Jichen looked utterly terrifying then. Zi Xian said he was trembling when he entered the workshop, afraid his judgment was wrong. For someone like Shen Jichen to lack confidence—it's unheard of."

A softness flickered across Yue Rongrong's face, followed by a cold glint: "What about Ren Hanzhen?"

Ye Shuyi snorted coldly: "She's met the Buddha in the Western Heaven. As for Du Yan, she was banished from the capital. Heard she ran into bandits on her way home and also went to see the Buddha."

"So coincidental?" Yue Rongrong was somewhat surprised.

Ye Shuyi smiled without answering.

"...And Zhen Xi?" Yue Rongrong's heart tightened and loosened intermittently, unsure what answer she wanted to hear.

Ye Shuyi chose her words carefully and said slowly, "She suddenly fell critically ill last night and passed away." Seeing the light fade from Yue Rongrong's eyes, she quickly added, "I support Shen Jichen's decision. This matter concerns your reputation—there's no room for error. That's why, after you went missing, Shen Jichen didn't search for you openly. He intended to crush this completely from the start."

She took Yue Rongrong's hand and said cautiously, "Don't blame Shen Jichen."

Yue Rongrong smiled faintly: "How could I blame him? I'm just sighing over it. Once, Zhen Xi and I were very close..."

"She took the wrong path and lost her way. I heard from Zi Xian that she had a bright future ahead of her, but she threw it all away herself. It has nothing to do with you."

Yue Rongrong fell silent for a long moment. Hui Yin entered: "Miss, someone from the palace is here!"

"The palace?" Yue Rongrong stood up in surprise. Ye Shuyi was also taken aback and pulled her toward the front hall, but the chief eunuch had already led a group of people grandly into the main courtyard.

Ye Shuyi immediately recognized him as Eunuch Xu from Fengqi Palace. She whispered quickly into Yue Rongrong's ear with seven parts respect: "It's Eunuch Xu."

Eunuch Xu didn't put on airs. He smiled cheerfully and bowed to Ye Shuyi: "Madam Han is here too." Then he turned to Yue Rongrong and saluted with utmost respect, "This servant pays respects to Miss Yue."

Yue Rongrong stepped back, but Ye Shuyi pressed against her lower back. Seeing Ye Shuyi's calm smile, she also composed herself and smiled: "Greetings, Eunuch Xu."

Eunuch Xu quickly stepped back and bowed: "I dare not accept such courtesy. This servant is here by orders of Her Majesty the Empress to bring you some gifts."

With that, the maids and eunuchs behind him filed in, presenting a series of gold and jade hairpins, medicinal ingredients, tonics, and some beauty powder for beauty and skincare, all carried into the hall.

Eunuch Xu said, "Her Majesty the Empress has decreed that you need not rush to the palace to express gratitude. You may wait until your injuries have healed somewhat before entering the palace."

Yue Rongrong was stunned, struggling to process it all. After seeing Eunuch Xu off, Ye Shuyi exclaimed excitedly, "The Empress has given you her blessing!"

Just like that?

Yue Rongrong felt both flattered and nervous. That night, she sat cross-legged on the couch, occasionally frowning at the gifts on the table. When Shen Jichen entered the room, she was still resting her chin in her hand, brows knitted.

Shen Jichen glanced indifferently at the items on the table, walked over, and sat beside her. He gently flicked her furrowed brow: "What's wrong?"

Yue Rongrong touched the spot he had flicked and said, "What does Her Majesty the Empress mean by this?"

Shen Jichen glanced at the gifts and said leisurely, "What could she mean by sending gifts to her future sister-in-law?" He lowered his gaze to capture hers: "Have you forgotten how confidently you declared yourself my fiancée before?"

Yue Rongrong blushed: "That was a tactical move, meant to intimidate!" She didn't notice the sudden darkening in Shen Jichen's eyes and continued on her own, "Besides, my status, your status, your family background, your mother..." Suddenly, her chin was gripped firmly but not harshly, cutting off her words. She was forced to look at Shen Jichen, only then seeing the displeasure in his eyes.

"What do you mean by all this? Are you going back on your word? Were all those promises about sticking with me just lies to deceive me? Yue Rongrong!"

Yue Rongrong's heart raced anxiously. She quickly hooked her arms around his neck and planted a quick kiss on his lips: "No, no, of course not! It's just..." The memory of the Grand Princess's disdain was still vivid. His status was truly noble, and she hesitated, mumbling, "Even now, I refuse to be a concubine. Besides my pride, Shen Jichen, I don't want to share you with anyone."

Hearing her hurried denial and seeing her expression, Shen Jichen's anger subsided a little. A curve touched his lips: "Who said you have to share me with anyone? After all that's happened, would I dare make you a concubine?"

As he spoke, he pulled a document from his robe and handed it to Yue Rongrong, raising an eyebrow: "Take a look."

Yue Rongrong glanced at him suspiciously, opened it, and her eyes gradually widened. When she looked up, her eyes were full of stars: "What is this?"

"A marriage petition submitted to the Ministry of Rites, requesting to marry Miss Yue Rongrong as my only wife."

Reading the final line of the marriage document—"Eternal union as phoenix companions, sworn together as mandarin ducks"—Yue Rongrong felt warmth flood her chest, and tears welled in her eyes. Overjoyed, yet still worried, she asked: "Do your parents agree?"

Shen Jichen gently caressed her red lips: "You just need to focus on being my bride. I will handle everything else. Once the wound on your face has healed, I will take you to the palace to meet my sister and the imperial grandmother."

His touch made her lips itch a little, so she raised her hand to push his hand away, but noticed his brow furrow slightly. She grew worried instantly: "Did I touch your wound? But wait, wasn’t it your right hand that was injured? Is your left hand hurt too?"

She quickly pulled his hand down to examine it, pushed back his sleeve to reveal a bruise around his wrist. "What happened?"

Looking somewhat awkward, he pressed her hand down and pulled his sleeve back into place. "Just practice sparring."

Yue Rongrong clearly didn’t believe him, her eyes narrowed skeptically as she stared at him. "You’re Marquis Shen—who would dare spar with you routinely? And even injure you?"

Noting his evasive gaze, Yue Rongrong paused in thought, then it hit her. "Did you get into a fight with Yu Bai?"

Shen Jichen raised an eyebrow, his tone icy. "Yu Bai?"

"Uh... don’t change the subject. Is he badly hurt?"

"Is he badly hurt?" he repeated through gritted teeth, emphasizing the word "badly" with clear irritation. He let out a cold laugh. Seeing his expression darken, Yue Rongrong tried to escape, but it was too late—he had already grabbed her ankle and pinned her beneath him.

"Yue Rongrong, how dare you care about another man right in front of me?"

Yue Rongrong dodged his kisses and begged for mercy: "I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I know he’s no match for you. It was just concern between friends, don’t be angry..."

"Too late!" Shen Jichen put on a fierce act, though his eyes glowed with intensity. "You’d better think about how to please me, your Marquis."

As for how Yue Rongrong later pleased Shen Jichen, no outsider could say. But the next day, when Marquis Shen saw Xue Yubai again, he appeared calm and composed on the surface, but was practically glowing with satisfaction inwardly—so much so that Xue Yubai was tempted to punch him all over again.