Chapter 63

Chapter 63

Lin Sinian's father's words were forceful with anger.

Even though he had guessed at the matter, hearing it directly from his own father was another matter entirely.

Lin Sinian's face fell, and for a moment, he was at a loss for words.

Once the Emperor had issued an oral decree, the Lin family were compelled to comply, regardless of their own wishes.

Lin Sinian's father, however, mistook his silence for fear of the imperial edict. He sneered, took a sip of tea, and after sitting in silence for a moment, said to Lin Sinian,

"Our ancestors were once the preeminent clan in the capital. But ever since your grandfather passed, our family has declined. The Ji family rose to prominence, but that's understandable; after all, Ji Zhao had powerful backers."

Mrs. Ji's natal family was not to be underestimated. And in Lin Sinian's father's view, Ji Wanyuan was merely a daughter—a naive, even foolish one at that—incapable of stirring up any real trouble. Even though Ji Zhao had an adopted son, he wasn't his own flesh and blood.

"But just what does the Wen family amount to?"

"Wen Ze's official rank is below mine, yet he is so heavily relied upon by His Majesty. His son is also highly regarded by the Emperor, his future seemingly bright. Now, we finally have a chance to encircle and suppress both the Ji and Wen families. It's a heaven-sent opportunity. Once we eliminate them, our Lin family will be the foremost clan."

Lin Sinian couldn't help but laugh, a bitter laugh born of sheer exasperation. "Father, you only think of grasping for power and influence. Have you truly opened your eyes to look at the current situation?"

"In recent years, the state coffers are empty. The court has repeatedly increased taxes. Cases at the Dali Temple and the Censorate accumulate endlessly. Yet His Majesty is often absent from morning court, and even when he attends, he fails to address the court's problems."

"If this continues, it won't be many years before the court's discipline will collapse completely."

"Outrageous!" Lin Sinian's father slammed the table and pointed at him. "You shut your mouth!"

"What nonsense about the court collapsing? How dare you utter such irresponsible words?"

"Your son simply didn't realize how your vision has clouded in these years." Lin Sinian pinched the bridge of his nose, took a deep breath, and also sat down.

Angry, his father retorted sharply, "You and Wen Qiyan were classmates. Do you think you compare to him?"

Lin Sinian didn't take the bait. "Father, your son repeats: the pregnancy of the Eldest Miss Ji must not be interfered with. Otherwise..."

His father dismissed it with a scornful laugh. "Otherwise what?"

"The Ji family can barely manage its own affairs. Would the Wen family dare to openly clash with our Lin family?"

After going back and forth, Lin Sinian's father drank another cup of tea and calmed down slightly. "You keep mentioning Ji Wanyuan's pregnancy. Could it be you've found something fishy?"

This was precisely why Lin Sinian dared not speak too much.

"His Majesty told me that Wen Qiyan has been close to the Ji girl for a long time, yet there's been scant progress regarding the mining industry in Youzhou. Only recently did he reluctantly hand over some trivial intelligence. Could there have been some... unexpected development?"

"You were on good terms with him. Have you heard or noticed anything unusual?"

Lin Sinian's father watched his son's expression closely as he asked.

Lin Sinian feigned indifference. "Father, your son does not wish to be involved in these factional power struggles. I am not clear about what you ask."

"Nor will I spy on Wen Qiyan for you."

"This is an imperial decree," his father reiterated.

"The imperial decree was not issued to your son, nor was it made public. Furthermore, the Dali Temple is swamped with cases. I have no time."

"You!" The anger Lin Sinian's father had barely suppressed surged back, his face flushing red as he coughed repeatedly.

Lin Sinian watched coldly from the side, then poured another cup of tea and set it down in front of him.

Lin Sinian's mother, hearing from servants that father and son had been arguing fiercely since entering the study, rushed over immediately.

Hearing her husband's coughs, she burst into the room.

Startled by the intrusion, Lin Sinian instantly went on alert. Seeing it was his mother did little to ease his wariness.

*His father allowed his mother to eavesdrop and barge in?* That meant his mother was also aware of the matters concerning the Wen and Ji families, including Ji Wanyuan's pregnancy.

At this realization, Lin Sinian's expression grew even more stern.

"What is so important that father and son cannot speak properly, leading to such a terrible row!"

Mrs. Lin patted her husband's back and berated Lin Sinian, ordering him to bow his head and apologize.

After much urging, even bringing up all her past efforts and struggles to secure his official position, Lin Sinian stood up, clasped his hands in a formal bow, and said he should not have contradicted his elder.

"Apologize properly to your father," Mrs. Lin urged, seeing her husband's dissatisfied expression.

"Your son does not believe he was wrong."

Anticipating his mother would next start on about how much they raised him, Lin Sinian scoffed. "Your son serves the state and pleads for the people, with a clear conscience. If Father only desires his son to chase fame and profit, even to the point of harming innocent lives, your son truly cannot comply."

"Please take good care of your health. Your son has matters to attend to at the Dali Temple. I take my leave."

"Si Nian!" His father was sent into another coughing fit. Mrs. Lin called his name loudly, but he paid no heed.

A long time later, Lin Sinian's father finally recovered. Lin Nianxi had returned and was by his side. Naturally, she knew what had transpired at home.

Tears welled in her eyes. "Mother... how could Brother and Father quarrel like this?"

Mrs. Lin didn't know how to explain it either. Everything had seemed fine, even settled openly. How could Lin Sinian object so strongly?

"Will... will my marriage to Brother Qiyan not happen?"

In recent years, her father's health had declined. Her brother had established himself firmly at court and held significant sway at home. If he opposed something, it would be difficult to accomplish.

At this thought, Lin Nianxi couldn't help but wipe her tears.

Knowing she would cry, her father and mother had kept from her the part of Lin Sinian's argument concerning her marriage prospects. Otherwise, who knew how much harder she would weep.

"Your brother just needs time to come around," Mrs. Lin comforted her. "Besides, your brother and father only argued over official business. It's nothing serious."

"Really?" An ominous premonition lingered in her heart.

"Really," Mrs. Lin sighed, tucking the quilt around her husband.

Lin Nianxi pressed on, "Then what about my marriage to Brother Qiyan..."

Her father had a headache. "Let's set that matter aside for now. Your father is too busy with official duties. By the way, these are troubled times. You should visit the Wen family less."

Having waited several days without news and hearing that Ji Wanyuan had returned to the Ji family, she had gone out today to purchase some tonics, intending to visit the Wen residence. Who knew her father would now forbid it? How was she supposed to get closer to Mrs. Wen then?

Lin Nianxi's heart tightened. She was about to press further, but seeing her father's furrowed brow, she ultimately held her tongue.

Changing the subject, she asked, "What about Ji Wanyuan's child?"

"Don't bring that up openly either. It's not exactly a glorious matter, after all."

Can't I bring up marriage, and now I can't even talk about having a child?

Could it be that she is destined to live under Ji Wanyuan's shadow for the rest of her life, permanently overshadowed by her?

"Alright, Xi'er, you must be tired from going out earlier. Go and rest, let your father have some peace. I'll stay here and keep an eye on things."

Lin Nianxi said nothing more, took her leave, and left.

Returning to her own courtyard, she could no longer hold back and smashed the white jade cup on the table.

The young maids nearby, well aware of her temperament, trembled, not daring to make a sound.

After seething for a good while, Lin Nianxi finally calmed down and ordered someone to clean up the mess on the floor.

"Father and Mother won't help me, and even my brother doesn't stand by my side. It seems I can only scheme for myself."

Hearing this, her personal maid grew somewhat worried. "But Ji Wanyuan's status is no lower than yours, miss. Moreover, if you act rashly and tip our hand, what if you're found out? Didn't the master and mistress say not to act recklessly for now?"

"Not act recklessly?" Lin Nianxi gritted her teeth. "Wait for what? Ji Wanyuan's pregnancy is already so advanced? She's nearly six months along!"

Could it be that she really has to let her give birth?

Seeing Ji Wanyuan's belly every day already infuriated her immensely. If she waits for Ji Wanyuan to give birth and sees that little bastard looking so much like both of them, how could she possibly accept it?

Thinking of this, Lin Nianxi couldn't help but cry again.

It should have been her marrying into the Wen family. Who knew Ji Wanyuan would be so shameless, actually drugging Wen Qiyan and stealing a march on her.

After crying for a while and stopping, a rough plan had already formed in her mind. She beckoned a young maid over and whispered instructions, "..."

When night came, and it began to rain again.

Inside the bed curtains, it had already become stiflingly hot from the very start.

Ji Wanyuan couldn't help but cry, whimpering as she tried to burrow into the brocade quilt.

But the man above her pulled the quilt away, gripping her wrists and controlling her waist.

She had nowhere to hide; even if she tried, she could only burrow into his embrace.

Ji Wanyuan was so annoyed that she cursed at him, "What exactly are you trying to do?"

She thought her voice was loud and full of vigor, but in reality, it was soft and weak, utterly lacking in intimidation, which made the man's lips curl into a light smile.

"Is Eldest Miss Ji getting impatient?" He liked calling her that even on the bed.

Ji Wanyuan's anger was ignited once more. She raised her eyes to glare at him, her brows and the corners of her eyes brimming with a captivating charm that set his heart ablaze.

Wen Qiyan lowered his gaze to kiss her angry brows and eyes, breathing in the faint, delicate scent emanating from her body. Originally very light, it had grown richer due to the drawn bed curtains and the heated atmosphere.

Ji Wanyuan felt weak in her limbs, as if she had completely melted into a puddle of water under his onslaught.

Moreover, Wen Qiyan hadn't even begun his "attack" yet.

He was only kissing her, placing his kisses all over her body, and she was already at her limit.

And she discovered that after becoming pregnant, her body became even more sensitive and yielding than before. In her heart, she didn't really like Wen Qiyan, and she was quite sure she hadn't developed feelings for him, but she no longer rejected his closeness, even feeling a faint longing.

"I'm not impatient at all, I hate you." She raised her hand to hit him.

Surprisingly, Wen Qiyan didn't dodge. Ji Wanyuan didn't have much strength; she clawed at him like a cat, grazing his arms and neck, leaving very obvious scratch marks.

It was painful, yet the pain was pleasurable, satisfying.

He drew closer, making contact with her bit by bit, up to his old tricks again.

Ji Wanyuan was far too delicate and soft, and with her pregnancy, Wen Qiyan didn't "strike" her as he had before, only teasing and tormenting her with slow, gradual contact.

This slow, grinding pace didn't stoke any flames; instead, it caused the spring waters to flow.

Ji Wanyuan felt that each time he pulled back, he deliberately sank in again, as if satisfying her, yet not quite.

Because he would quickly withdraw.

Being teased by him like this, back and forth, she truly felt extremely uncomfortable.

"Wen Qiyan, what exactly do you want to do?" Her voice already carried a sob.

"Tomorrow I'll tell my father and mother that you only know how to bully me. I'll get them to help me divorce you!"

"Divorce me?" The man's tone was low and dangerous.

The delicate young lady didn't want to hear that wet, sticky sound. She used her two slender wrists to grab a soft pillow and cover her ears, burying her small face in it. Muffledly, she cried, "Yes!"

"I want to divorce you!" she sobbed.

"How are you going to divorce me?" He wasn't angry; instead, he seemed quite interested. "Tell me."

"I'll write you a letter of divorce!"

"How will you write it?" he continued asking.

"Do you even know how to write?"

This dog man was actually mocking her education, implying she couldn't write it.

"I'll have my brother write it for me."

"Your brother isn't in the capital." He was still tormenting her.

Ji Wanyuan had tried her best to endure, but she simply couldn't hold back, and sounds still escaped her lips.

Intermittent, sounds of "yi" and "ya," "ah" and "mm," even though they didn't form coherent words, were still incredibly pleasing to the ear.

Moreover, the rhythm of her sounds was controlled and guided by his movements.

This inexplicable connection filled his heart with excitement.

Because he wanted to hear, Wen Qiyan made no sound himself, so Ji Wanyuan only heard her own.

She felt so ashamed. How could she make such seductive sounds? Forget Wen Qiyan.

Even she herself, upon hearing them, couldn't help but blush crimson, wanting to die of shame.

Wuwuwuwu...

She couldn't help but cry out, interspersing her sobs with foul language, cursing the handsome gentleman on top of her for not being a real man.

"I'm not a man?" he said again.

"Right, you... you're just a bastard, I hate you, Wen Qiyan, why don't you just die."

While she was cursing, the man thrust into her abruptly.

Ji Wanyuan cried out shrilly, her fingers gripping the soft pillow tightened, and her flushed little face emerged, still wet with her tears.

Wen Qiyan gripped her jaw and kissed her lips, invading her mouth with his tongue.

He kept sucking on her, laying siege to her mouth.

Even though they had kissed quite a bit, Ji Wanyuan still couldn't bear his kisses.

She whimpered and beat against his chest, her slender wrists trying to fend him off.

From the inside out, she was utterly dominated by him.

When this long, airtight kiss finally broke, Wen Qiyan buried himself to the hilt.

Ji Wanyuan whimpered again.

He looked at her face, his gaze growing increasingly intense.

So exquisite.

How could she be so exquisite?

He was so mesmerized he couldn't look away, wishing he could die right then and there inside her.

He finally couldn't hold back a low, ragged gasp.

The man's husky, magnetic voice sounded by her ear. Ji Wanyuan couldn't help but purse her lips. She was still adjusting to him, and he was waiting for her to adjust, not moving directly.

"You're not allowed to make sounds like that!" she managed to gasp out after catching her breath, the first words she shouted at him.

She tried to lift her hands to cover her ears, but the man grabbed her wrists and pinned them above her head.

She forbade it, but he insisted on doing it, even deliberately putting his lips to her ear.

Now, no matter how much Ji Wanyuan wanted to avoid it, she couldn't.

She called him a lewd man, saying it was one thing to be like this in the Wen family, but he even brought his lechery to their Ji family.

His slender, elegant fingers pinched her chin. "Who taught you to say such things?"

"You're doing this, and you're still afraid... ah..." Another sudden, deep thrust.

"Wuwuwu..." She cried, unable to finish her sentence.

Tear drops clung to her eyelashes. Not only were the corners of her eyes terribly red, but her lashes were also stuck together in clumps.

"Who?" the man asked again.

Ji Wanyuan felt she wasn't ready yet and had no choice but to submit. "It was... Cousin Qing Ru who said it," she whispered.

"Where did she teach you?"

Why was he still asking?

"At..." Thinking of that place.

Ji Wanyuan didn't dare say more. "Nowhere special."

He continued.

She clutched the soft pillow, and even though she held onto his arm, she was still shaken loose.

She saw her chest, scattering and gathering again with his movements, as if rippling into soft waves.

Not only was she watching, Wen Qiyan was watching too.

With him threatening her like this, Ji Wanyuan obediently told the truth.

"At... at Youxian Residence."

"You've been to that place."

Although Ji Wanyuan really wanted to protest, she also knew she absolutely couldn't be stubborn or pick a fight right now.

"I went... No! It was Cousin Qing Ru who went and told me about it."

"Is that so?" he said. Since she hadn't been there, he would have someone investigate tomorrow.

"Since you haven't been, presumably I won't find out anything, right, my wife?"

This petty, insanely jealous man!

Ever since the two of them accidentally laid their cards on the table, Ji Wanyuan temporarily didn't have to gather information from him like before.

She thought she wouldn't have to be timid anymore, but who knew he still had so many ways to make her dare to be angry but not speak out.

"Why aren't you talking? Feeling guilty?" he kept asking.

Ji Wanyuan couldn't take it anymore. She bit the man's arm, calling him a scoundrel, though she could barely make a dent.

The man chuckled lightly. "Let bygones be bygones. Don't let me find out you've gone to that place in the future."

Lou Qingru was about to return to the capital.

Ji Wanyuan had always been the best of friends with her. Even though Wen Qiyan didn't pay much attention to noble ladies from prominent families in the capital, he had been forced to hear of this person's reputation.

Ji Wanyuan gritted her teeth, her cheeks puffing out. She had no choice but to nod and hum in agreement.

The man's lips curved, and his movements slowed a little.

He lifted her up. Ji Wanyuan's long hair swept past her waist and slid over his arm, causing a tingling sensation.

Wen Qiyan touched her long hair, feeling the water-like smoothness of the young lady's hair ends.

He realized his fondness for Ji Wanyuan was truly growing deeper and deeper.

Everything about her seemed to make his heart race, all of it feeling rather special.

"..."

Ji Wanyuan was bullied into tears by him again.

Not only was she crying from above, she was also crying from below.

But before long, he started up again.

She clung to the man's slender waist, wrapping her arms around him, burying her head against his chest, letting out soft whimpers.

In all honesty, Ji Wanyuan wasn't very fond of this feeling of losing control.

Because it was just too pleasurable.

Based on this sensation, she couldn't help but reasonably suspect that Wen Qiyan must have been practicing in secret.

Otherwise, how could he have made such rapid progress?

At this moment, she wasn't in a position to dwell on this.

A very important matter came to her mind.

Since she'd gone out with Wen Qiyan today, she had completely forgotten about it.

"Daddy..."

"What did you call me?" The man paused his movements, his expression shifting.

Ji Wanyuan, "...?"

Their eyes met, and through her misty eyes, Wen Qiyan understood that she hadn't misspoken but had something to say.

After a moment of tense silence, Ji Wanyuan bore with it and said, "Today, Daddy told me, were you deliberately feeding me information so I'd tell him?"

"Haven't I already been upfront with you about this?"

Had he?

Ji Wanyuan tried to recall.

There'd been so much going on lately, and she felt her mind felt sluggish.

He reminded her: it was on that rainy night when she had a nightmare.

Ji Wanyuan finally remembered.

At that time, Wen Qiyan had said to her, "Ji Wanyuan, I've revealed so many court secrets to your Ji family. Don't you understand whose side I'm on and where I stand?"

Thinking of this, she couldn't help but purse her lips.

Even though she didn't fully trust Wen Qiyan and still harbored doubts about him, who doesn't enjoy hearing sweet words, even if they're insincere?

He adjusted his hold on her, and Ji Wanyuan hit him, "Would you stop squirming?"

"I was afraid you'd get tired," he said, making a high-minded excuse.

Ji Wanyuan pursed her lips, suppressing her soft cries. Her lips were already covered in bite marks.

"What did you want to tell me?" To divert her attention, Wen Qiyan brought the topic back.

"By feeding me information like this, you make me feel your scheming runs too deep," she said softly, her voice barely audible unless one was close.

"How so?"

His cool voice, tinged with desire, was pleasant to hear even when he wasn't panting.

"You can even control the carnal pleasures, using them as a tool. Don't you think that's terrifying?"

Since she couldn't outmaneuver Wen Qiyan with subtlety, she decided to lay her cards on the table and see how he would respond.

But she never expected him to say something so absurd!

"How deep? This deep?"

Ji Wanyuan had no strength left to protest, only screaming inwardly, "Ahhhhh!"

After a long while, she finally managed to mutter, "Wen Qiyan, you're truly shameless."

The man, who had been scolded all night, couldn't help but chuckle softly.

"Eldest Miss Ji has her husband well in hand. I'm just speaking the truth."

Who was managing whom, really?

What a detestable man.

"Get away from me. I don't want to sleep with you anymore."

"Tomorrow, I'll find someone to write a letter of... divorce."

She was still bringing it up.

Wen Qiyan pounded into her several times, squeezing out the tears she had held back.

"Still talking about divorce?"

She cried, stubbornly clinging to that word, "Divorce..."

"Fine, tomorrow, your husband will personally help you write it."

Ji Wanyuan let out a muffled cry and clawed at his face. Fortunately, the man dodged quickly, or he would have been scratched.

But it was close—since he didn't avoid it completely, Ji Wanyuan's nails scratched his neck and chin.

Feeling a stinging pain, though he couldn't see it, he knew he was bleeding.

Not wanting to anger her further, Wen Qiyan said to her, "Ji Wanyuan, regarding your suspicions, I must clarify a thing or two."

"Wh-what?" she replied weakly, still annoyed.

He brushed aside her damp hair and kissed the tip of her nose.

"I'm not using you. I'm only acting willingly, going with the flow."