Chapter 57

Chapter 57

So he couldn't bear to see her lower herself to do such things?

Otherwise, how do you explain his weird behavior?

Otherwise, why would Wen Qiyan not want her to do something that could bring him endless pleasure, and debate it with her at such length?

Not only did he speak with such conviction, but he even showed a look of concern for her.

No way?! Could he really...?

Whether he was or not, she had to test him a little. If Wen Qiyan truly liked her from the bottom of his heart, then... hmph...

Thinking of this, Ji Wanyuan felt a bit of indescribable smugness and disdain.

If he really liked her, wasn't this affection coming a bit too late? She didn't need it anymore!

Earlier, she had said Wen Qiyan had no taste, showing no interest in a great beauty like her with fair skin, pretty face, slender waist, and long legs, hmph!

Now... he still ended up falling for her.

Although she had come to a conclusion, Ji Wanyuan felt she still needed to be cautious. After all, Wen Qiyan was not like others; he was practically an old fox who had become a spirit.

She was really afraid Wen Qiyan would see through her act. She stammered slightly, "So, according to what you said, you also lowered yourself before, willingly degraded yourself, and were... pleasing me?"

She knew he had pleased her, but she deliberately said it out loud, wanting to hear him admit it himself.

Wen Qiyan already felt somewhat agitated at the moment.

Of Ji Wanyuan's words, he only paid attention to the first few sentences.

Yes, he didn't want Ji Wanyuan to do these things.

But what about him before? How many times had he licked and kissed Ji Wanyuan?

How could that not count as pleasing her, as lowering himself and willingly degrading and debasing himself?

Even Ji Wanyuan had realized it; she had seen through his debased actions and even said it out loud.

"..."

Ji Wanyuan was still waiting for the man's next words to proceed with her next move, to subtly guide the conversation until he realized naturally, but she never expected.

Wen Qiyan actually turned his face away, got up, and distanced himself from her.

Expressionlessly, he adjusted his collar and just left.

Left?

Ji Wanyuan didn't react for a while.

Huh?

It wasn't until the young maids like Feicui came in at the scheduled time to help her bathe that she finally realized Wen Qiyan had truly left her hanging here after only saying half of what he intended.

When Ji Wanyuan slipped into bed, Wen Qiyan had already lain down.

Uncertain if he was asleep, but his eyes were closed anyway.

Ji Wanyuan sorted through her thoughts again, feeling that there were still some things she hadn't figured out clearly today.

She wasn't so considerate as to think that since Wen Qiyan was already asleep, she shouldn't wake him.

She directly opened her mouth to ask, raising her voice a bit, "You haven't finished what you were saying today."

She had already decided that if Wen Qiyan was asleep, she would go over and shake him awake, completely not expecting that he wasn't asleep.

With his eyes closed, he answered her, "What do you want to hear?"

Ji Wanyuan was stunned for a moment. Her mind raced with thoughts; there were so many things she wanted to know, but what did she want to know the most?

After thinking it over, she asked the most important thing, "Inside the study, what exactly did my father say to you?"

In Ji Wanyuan's view, it was truly miraculous that her father had actually asked Wen Qiyan to the study and discussed matters with him.

Also, what Wen Qiyan said in the carriage about wanting to ask her father for a priceless treasure—what exactly was it?

"So curious?" he retorted.

Again, beating around the bush.

Ji Wanyuan was very impatient, "Just tell me already."

He didn't speak, but he turned to face her.

"Eldest Miss Ji wants to learn some things from me. Coincidentally, I also want to learn some things from you. How about we also make a deal?"

"An exchange?" She understood Wen Qiyan's meaning.

"Yes."

Ji Wanyuan immediately became defensive, "What do you want to learn from me?"

"You agree?" He wanted confirmation before starting.

Ji Wanyuan paused, "If I agree, will you lie to me?"

"What do you think?"

Being vague again. Ji Wanyuan couldn't help but scoff, this dog man.

She hadn't figured out how to reply, but Wen Qiyan had already spoken, "Ji Wanyuan, back in the flower hall, when you said you liked me, was that true?"

She didn't expect Wen Qiyan's first question to be about romantic feelings.

Why did he care so much?

"You're asking about my intentions?" she cautiously probed.

"Yes."

Of course, it was to deceive and trick him. But should she be completely honest now?

No, she still couldn't do it. Even if there was an exchange, she couldn't be completely honest with Wen Qiyan. On the surface, the Ji and Wen families were in-laws, but in reality, they were arch-enemies.

Better to lie. After all, Wen Qiyan wouldn't know if she was lying or not.

"It was true." She thought for a moment and responded this way.

She was lying again. She was deeply wary of him.

Yet even though it was a lie, he found he actually enjoyed hearing it.

Thinking this, Wen Qiyan couldn't help but mock himself inwardly. Those who fall into the desires of love are disgustingly base.

"Hmm." After a long while, the man replied indifferently.

He'd gone quiet, so it must be her turn to ask, right?

Now, her mind was racing. "I want to know what you discussed with my father in the study."

"We discussed what would be required for an exchange."

Ji Wanyuan was baffled. "...?"

That's it? She was a little lost. It felt like he said something, yet also said nothing.

"Is that all?" She was somewhat unwilling. "You're being evasive. I didn't understand at all."

"What does it matter to me if you didn't understand?"

Ji Wanyuan gritted her teeth, not wanting to continue with this bastard at all.

But she still wanted to know many things. After some thought, she ultimately swallowed her anger.

Wen Qiyan spoke again, "What is your purpose in getting close to Brother Qin?"

He'd actually noticed her getting close to Wen Yunqin? Since he already saw through it, why was he always so jealous?

Ji Wanyuan thought for a moment and matched his ambiguity, "Yunqin holds military power. Getting closer to him naturally boosts my standing."

This wasn't wrong and couldn't be considered a lie.

Her initial approach towards Wen Yunqin was for his military power. Those later thoughts of causing discord between brothers... they didn't count, right? Besides, how could she dare mention them?

The man fell silent. Ji Wanyuan felt she had probably muddled through. She spoke again, originally wanting to ask Wen Qiyan what exactly the priceless treasure was that he wanted from her father, but then felt he definitely wouldn't say it directly.

So she simply changed the question, "How did you find out today what Yunqin was going to tell me?"

"Is it hard to guess?" he retorted.

Qin is straightforward by nature. He was certain Ji Wanyuan didn't know these things, didn't want her kept in the dark, wouldn't stand idly by, and would naturally come to explain the situation.

"You didn't answer me directly!" she huffed in annoyance, saying she hated it when he was so vague!

"Because this is the real reason for the rift between him and my father."

Wen Yunqin knew there were other circumstances behind the marriage alliance between the two families, so he confronted Wen's father for her?

Ji Wanyuan's mind was suddenly in turmoil, a tangled mess of complicated feelings.

Setting aside this marital connection, she and Wen Yunqin could be considered kindred spirits. Wen Yunqin admired her. The reason he confronted Wen's father was probably to protest the injustice done to her.

Thinking of past scenes of his earnest efforts to amuse her, Ji Wanyuan couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Wen Yunqin was truly a good person.

Among the Wen family, he was the best.

"What's the real story?" she asked again. After asking, she realized it should be Wen Qiyan's turn.

But, strangely, he didn't nitpick with her. Instead, he said, "Are you really unaware of why I married you in the first place?"

Again... circling back again.

Ji Wanyuan continued playing dumb, "I don't know. How would I know?"

"I was holed up at home all day. Not wanting to marry you was because of that... the thing about you being too rough. How would I know about anything else?"

"Now that I've told you, you don't seem very curious." The man's tone was quiet, and he was still looking at her, his gaze unfathomably deep.

Even in the dimness behind the lowered curtain, Ji Wanyuan couldn't help but feel flustered.

"I... I am naturally curious. You're wrong. How could I not be curious? I'm just about to ask you now."

"What exactly are the circumstances behind our families' marriage alliance? Wasn't it because I was pregnant?"

"Or was it because the relationship between our two families has always been poor, and His Majesty wanted our families to be closer, so he issued an imperial decree ordering you to marry me?"

She guessed wildly, saying these things precisely to let the man hear them.

After she finished speaking, she only heard a slightly mocking laugh from the man.

"What are you laughing at?" she asked deliberately.

"Do you think your guesses are reasonable?"

Ji Wanyuan knew they weren't reasonable, but wasn't she saying them for him to hear?

"How are they unreasonable? I think they're very reasonable. If the relationship between our two families continues to deteriorate like this, it would definitely be detrimental to His Majesty's governance of the courtiers. After all, your Wen family and our Ji family are considered prominent families."

"Prominent families." The man repeated her words. "Ji Wanyuan, sometimes I really don't know whether to call you clever or foolish."

Could he have seen through it?

Ji Wanyuan was very flustered. "Don't beat around the bush. Tell me, what exactly is it?"

She didn't believe Wen Qiyan would directly state the circumstances behind the marriage alliance, as those circumstances fundamentally couldn't be brought into the open.

But Ji Wanyuan guessed wrong again. Wen Qiyan said it directly. He stated, "His Majesty is most wary of meritorious officials forming factions. Since you already understand that the Wen and Ji families belong to prominent families in the court, especially your father, who holds the highest position among all officials, second only to one person and above ten thousand."

"Do you really think our two families forming a marriage alliance is something His Majesty wants to see?"

"You..." How could he tell her this? "What do you mean by saying all this?"

"The mining industry the Ji family previously discovered really exists, right? Knowing about it but not reporting it, privately appropriating the mining industry—aren't the Ji family's intentions clear enough?"

She panicked. "Why are you bringing this up?"

"Don't you understand what I'm trying to say? Aren't you clear about the circumstances behind our marriage alliance?" He seemed to be beating around the bush, yet was also very direct.

Ji Wanyuan was also annoyed. "So, you admit you married me with an ulterior motive?"

The words had just left her mouth when she abruptly stopped. Ji Wanyuan suddenly came to her senses, somewhat aghast.

Had she really just said that?! She followed Wen Qiyan's lead and said it directly. Why did it feel like she had been tricked?

She had indeed been tricked. Wen Qiyan had just thrown out some bait, and she, skillfully guided by his prompting, had ended up saying it.

Ji Wanyuan blinked for a good while. In the darkness, her face instantly went pale, and she began to backtrack, "What I meant was..."

What was it?

When a person's thoughts spin too rapidly, the mind can go blank, leading to incoherent speech.

"Ji Wanyuan, you really do know." He even threw in that line.

It was at that very moment Ji Wanyuan realized that the so-called exchange was nothing but a trap. This petty, calculating dog man suddenly picking up her line of questioning was simply because he saw her mind was racing, so he was deliberately leading her on.

His roundabout way of speaking was to trick her into revealing information, and this sentence was proof enough.

Ji Wanyuan's color took a long time to return to her face. Even in the gloom behind the fallen bed curtains, she had a feeling Wen Qiyan must have seen her expression, because his gaze was too direct, impossible to ignore.

Feeling unnerved under his stare, Ji Wanyuan had to turn away, "..."

"I'm tired." She curled herself into a small ball, her delicate fingers brought to her lips, nibbling on them anxiously, refusing to speak to him further.

Until she had sorted it all out, she couldn't continue talking to Wen Qiyan.

Wahh... Father was right, she was no match for Wen Qiyan.

She'd definitely be sold off and still be happily counting the silver coins for him.

Just a moment ago, she'd been feeling smug inside, and in the blink of an eye, he had tricked her into talking.

This made her suspect that Wen Qiyan likely already knew about all her previous plans.

"Yes, I did indeed have an ulterior motive when I married you."

After a moment of silence, the man's warm, deep voice came from behind.

He admitted it?

Ji Wanyuan's eyelashes fluttered, but she didn't respond.

"And that is the real reason you are wary of me and don't like me, isn't it?"

If she admitted it now, wouldn't that contradict the first answer she'd just given him?

Earlier, when he asked about what she said in the flower hall, whether she still liked him or not, she'd declared confidently that she did!

But his tone was so certain, how could she not understand?

"Ji Wanyuan, how long are you planning to play deaf and dumb and beat around the bush with me?"

The man didn't say much more, but with just a light, casual sentence, he shattered her mental defenses.

After the thought, 'Who exactly is the one playing deaf and dumb and beating around the bush?' Ji Wanyuan snapped back to reality. He had gotten to her again.

She'd whipped around to snap that sentence at him, so they were now face to face.

Meeting the man's deep, unfathomable dark eyes, Ji Wanyuan pressed her lips together. "I'm not resting with you."

She needed to calm down, so she struggled to get up. She had just risen when the man directly pulled her into his embrace.

Ji Wanyuan let out a startled "Ah!" and before she could even struggle, she was already restrained in his arms.

"Let go of me!" She was like a bristling kitten, hissing at him from within his embrace.

"The conversation isn't finished. You think you can run?"

"I have nothing to say to you!" She stopped struggling, opening her beautiful eyes wide to glare at him fiercely. "Didn't you say it yourself? Our families are in opposition."

"Who exactly said that?" he countered.

Ji Wanyuan realized belatedly that it seemed... it really wasn't him who said it?

Well... whether it was or wasn't, it didn't matter anymore.

"I don't want to talk to you. Let go of me quickly." She resisted strongly.

"What are you squirming for?" He didn't humor her either, instead holding her even tighter, though his movements carefully avoided her belly.

"Ji Wanyuan, after going back and forth with you so many times, you still can't understand what I mean."

What did he mean?

As this question instinctively arose in her mind, Ji Wanyuan's heart already had a clear answer: his feelings for her.

Was Wen Qiyan telling her all this to make her understand that he had actually fallen for her?

But if he said it outright, what would be the point?

She didn't want to discuss it openly with him, because once it was laid bare, it meant she would have to face it—either reject him or accept him, and then become all lovey-dovey with him.

Given the current situation, she and Wen Qiyan absolutely could not have a falling-out; she still needed to use him.

But things weren't going as she imagined.

Because when faced with his true intention of wanting her to state her true feelings—whether she really liked him or not—she had already given a clear answer and said she did.

But he was still dissatisfied, as if seeing through her pretense. He was circling around, beating around the bush, peeling away her disguise, forcing her to face the affection he had developed for her.

Why should she?

Just because he liked her, did she have to respond? Pretending and humoring him was already being quite nice.

Back when she liked him, how did he treat her?

He trampled her sincere feelings underfoot and even humiliated her. Did he think she had forgotten?

And everything that happened in the storybook, even if it only appeared in the form of a dream, had tormented her for a long time, bloody and raw. During that period, her spirit was worn thin, something she could never forget in her lifetime.

"Let go of me!" When struggling didn't work, she resorted to biting him, even bending her knee to kick at his vulnerable spot.

Her actions showed no mercy. During this, Wen Qiyan suddenly realized: her earlier eagerness to press on his weak spot, even wanting to find a physician—if it wasn't to "cure" him, then there was only one other possibility: to harm him.

Why would she want to harm him? Wasn't she supposed to get close to him to curry favor?

If he were injured in his vulnerable spot, she wouldn't be able to get close to him anymore.

Since he couldn't trace the root cause, he would look for whoever would gain the most benefit if he were possibly injured.

If he were injured and could no longer perform his marital duties...

The person most likely to benefit...

The man's surface appeared calm, but turmoil churned in the depths of his eyes.

While trying to restrain her struggles, Wen Qiyan’s palm brushed against her swollen belly.

At that moment, everything suddenly fell into place.

The child.

If he were rendered impotent—once all romantic and lustful desires were stripped away—the most important thing would be his offspring.

Given his injury, Ji Wanyuan’s child would be the sole heir to his lineage.

So, under the guise of intimacy and concern, her true motive in seeking a physician was to harm him—all for the sake of her child.

The Ji family’s power grab was already a foregone conclusion. She disliked the Wen family, yet saw it as a safe haven. Should the Ji family fall, the child—carrying Wen blood—could at least be entrusted to the Wen family’s care.

But to guarantee that care, the child had to be his only one. This was Ji Wanyuan’s scheme—and now he understood it completely.

No wonder she’d lowered herself to kiss him—not to please him, but to wound him in the throes of pleasure, ensuring her plan succeeded.

So *that* was what she wanted.

Unaware that her little games had already been largely deciphered, Ji Wanyuan continued to struggle.

Until her lips were captured by his kiss, her limbs pinned beneath him, and her protests melted into pitiful, ambiguous whimpers.

For some reason, Wen Qiyan had suddenly decided to kiss her until she was breathless.

His kiss wasn’t especially fierce—but it was unrelentingly prolonged. Before long, Ji Wanyuan had been kissed into submission.

She was like a scolded kitten, nestling helplessly in his arms, her tear-damp eyes misty, her delicate, lotus-petal face stirring ripples deep within his heart.

In that moment, he suddenly realized those answers no longer mattered—and he no longer cared to dwell on them. As long as she was in his arms, that was enough.

“Weren’t you going to lick and kiss me?” He gripped the nape of her neck, massaging it gently.

Ji Wanyuan froze, bewildered—why had he suddenly become willing? Moments ago, he’d stormed off in fury; now he was urging her to continue. What did he *really* want?

Regardless, she was utterly done with it!

“Who wants to lick you!” She wasn’t a dog.

She needed time to think this over. Better to find a physician instead—she certainly wouldn’t do *that*.

Her mouth was so small—how could it possibly fit? It might even split the corners of her lips or stretch them painfully wide.

Right—she’d nearly forgotten. Every time Wen Qiyan bullied her, she ended up utterly drained. Her plan might be feasible in theory, but putting it into practice would still be difficult.

Once she caught her breath, Ji Wanyuan launched into another tirade—telling Wen Qiyan to get lost, to go far, far away.

She even declared he deserved only to lick her toes in this lifetime—no, not even *that*! He wasn’t worthy of licking her toes. She called him a dog—a mangy, flea-bitten cur.

With her hands and feet bound, she couldn’t fight back or scratch him. In her helpless fury, she spat straight at his handsome face. “Pah!”

They’d just shared a deep kiss—where would she even have real saliva? Even if she did, it would be a mixture of both their own.

Insulted and spat upon, the man showed no sign of displeasure. Instead, he curled his lips into a faint smile—as if he *enjoyed* being scolded. He raised an eyebrow ever so slightly and let out a soft, amused “Hmph,” even encouraging her to go on.

Ji Wanyuan screamed inwardly—*“Ahhhhh!”*—and did just that: “Wen Qiyan, I wish I could bite your flesh and drink your blood—so you die heirless!”

“Die heirless?” She’d blurted it out without thinking.

“Yes!”

Fuming, her face flushed crimson; her kiss-swollen lips gleamed enticingly.

His gaze darkened—and he couldn’t resist reaching out to stroke them.

Ji Wanyuan spat again—“Pah! Pah! Pah!”—dodging his touch. Yet she was already a fish on the chopping block, entirely at his mercy.

Refusing to yield, she opened her mouth and bit down hard. Though Wen Qiyan reacted swiftly, her sharp teeth still grazed his skin. She clamped down fiercely—causing real pain.

Seeing him finally wince and hiss, Ji Wanyuan let out a proud, delicate hum! Now he knew her ferocity!

Watching her—charming and coquettish in her anger—Wen Qiyan felt no anger at all. Instead, he kept smiling. “Eldest Miss Ji truly has sharp teeth.”

“If you bite so fiercely, perhaps they ought to be pulled. What if you accidentally injure something else?” Dealing with Ji Wanyuan required more than mere submission. Without provoking her, she’d simply ignore him.

“How dare you!” Her delicate voice had barely faded when the woman in his arms spat at him again.

This time, Wen Qiyan dodged effortlessly—and Ji Wanyuan missed. But she ground her snow-white teeth together, narrowed her eyes, and warned him—stay away, or he’d regret it.

His hand slid downward.

“If you want me to die heirless, Eldest Miss Ji, there’s no need to lower yourself. In fact, there’s another way.”

Author’s Note:

By the way, let me reiterate: this story centers primarily on emotional flow, with plot serving romance. Calling it “the latter part” isn’t quite accurate—it’s more mid-to-late stage. Wen Gou has now recognized his own feelings. He wants the heroine to know—but keeps testing her, only to find her heart as unyielding as stone.

As for the male lead learning about the storybook—that’s also a key plot point. It won’t appear in a side branch, but will unfold directly in the main narrative.

Wishing everyone a pleasant read! [Rainbow fart]