Chapter 748: Chapter 748 Twin Lodgings and Twin Flights Baili Wenyi’s face turned pale with anger. The shrimp meat, nearly brushing against Ye Yiheng’s lips, was something she very much wanted to devour. But her innate pride brought her rationality back, and she discarded the shrimp meat back onto the plate, cleansing her hands in a porcelain bowl. Across the seat from her, Baili Zhengrong poured a cup of tea and moved it close to Leng Yu Yan. “Sister, quickly have some tea.” Leng Yu Yan took the teacup and sipped a little, her breath finally steadying. Even though she didn’t want to look across the table, the two seated positions were face to face; just by lifting her head she could see. Even if she turned her face aside, her peripheral vision still caught glimpses. At this moment, she saw Ye Yiheng speaking with Baili Wenyi about something. The lively sound of strings and flutes meant she couldn’t hear what they were saying, only that they were sitting close together. New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵•𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮•𝓷𝓮𝓽 Had they been this intimate two years ago? Thinking about this, a deep melancholy settled in her heart, so she took a wine cup and drank the wine within. “Sister, you drank the wrong one, this is wine, that is tea.” Baili Zhengrong moved the tea cup in front of Leng Yu Yan once again. Seated in the main position, Baili Shuo saw his son’s care for the young woman and smiled knowingly, turning to Princess Consort Yu and saying, “Our son has grown up.” Princess Consort Yu smiled and responded, “Indeed, he knows how to be tender, he really has grown up.” “My child, I ask you, would you like to stay in Nandian?” Hearing the question from Emperor Nandian, Leng Yu Yan stood up out of politeness. “Of course, I would,” she said. “Nandian has clear waters and green mountains, with beautiful scenery—it’s a wonderful place worthy of permanent residence!” It was precisely to escape from a certain someone that she had come to Nandian; being able to stay would be the best possible outcome. Baili Shuo gestured for her to sit down and then cheerfully said to the civil and military officers, “Actually, there is another joyous event between Tiancheng and Nandian.” A minister asked, “What other joy does Your Majesty speak of?” Baili Shuo laughed loudly and said, “Zhengrong is not young anymore; it’s time for him to marry and continue the family line. The Commandery Princess who returned with Zhengrong is also a Tiancheng national. This way, Nandian and Tiancheng will have two joyous events, and Princess Consort Yu and I intend for Zhengrong to marry Princess Tiancheng.” Leng Yu Yan stood up again in a hurry and said, “For the Emperor of Nandian to say such a thing is indeed inappropriate.” “It is inappropriate, as this matter also requires the consent of your family elders,” Baili Shuo replied, smiling, his graying hair gleaming in the light. Baili Zhengrong also stood up and said, “Father Emperor, Sister is shy, how can you discuss such matters?” Princess Consort Yu cast a stern glance at Baili Zhengrong, reprimanding him indulgently, “This child!” In an instant, the ministers offered their congratulations once more. Leng Yu Yan wished she could vanish on the spot. Baili Zhengrong said, “Sister, I’m sorry! This misunderstanding with Father Emperor and mother is due to my lack of clear explanation; from now on, I will make sure to clarify to them…” Leng Yu Yan sighed and shook her head, “This matter is not your fault.” She caught a glimpse out of the corner of her eye of Ye Yiheng speaking with Baili Wenyi again, seeing Baili Wenyi leaning in very close, as if she wished she could press her body against his. Leng Yu Yan looked away, and said to Baili Zhengrong, “Xiaoshan, I need to step outside for some fresh air.” “I will accompany you, Sister.” Baili Zhengrong’s clear eyes looked straight at her, his voice clear. Leng Yu Yan politely declined, “No need, I wish to walk alone.” Baili Zhengrong wanted to insist, but now many ministers came forward to congratulate him, the newly titled Prince of Nandian, thus distancing him from her. Leng Yu Yan slightly lifted the hem of her dress and left the main hall. Although the evening wind carried warmth, it was far more comfortable than the awkward atmosphere in the main hall; walking alone on the path felt particularly pleasant. Leng Yu Yan stretched lazily and patted her face, hoping to keep her mind more rational and clear. Her own life was the most important thing! All this nonsense about love was nothing but illusion. She walked to the Water Pavilion by the water and sat down gently, looking up at Nandian’s sky. The silvery moonlight appeared no different from that in Tiancheng, suggesting that her family in Beilan City was likely gazing upon the same night scene. After sitting alone for a moment, she suddenly heard footsteps approaching. By the time she noticed, the newcomer had already entered the Water Pavilion. Leng Yu Yan glanced to the side and saw a corner of plain white clothing and a dragon pattern embroidered on brocade boots—without much thought, she knew it was him. She didn’t want to be alone with him, so she stood up, intending to walk past him. Unexpectedly, Ye Yiheng stepped across and blocked her way. Leng Yu Yan instinctively stepped back two paces and looked up to meet his gaze—it was piercing, like an icy blade staring straight at her. Unconsciously, she took another step back. The man took a long stride toward her, his voice piercingly cold as he demanded, “After having seen and touched your body, you still think about marrying someone else?” Leng Yu Yan was shocked into halting her steps. He had actually said such a thing out loud! “Haven’t you promised me freedom, that my future marriage is none of your business?” She forced herself to stay calm, her little hands tightly clenched, desperately trying not to lose her composure before him. “Really none of my business?” His voice was chilling, as if freezing on exit, “Which inch of your skin has not been touched by me?” Those cold words were like spikes piercing her heart. Leng Yu Yan felt ashamed but powerless to retort. Indeed, every part of her had been touched by him. She wanted to cry, but the last of her pride forced her to push back the tears, her feet involuntarily retreating. Ye Yiheng pressed on with every step, cornering her in the Water Pavilion. “Were it not for my restraint, you would have lost your virginity to me on our wedding night. Do you have the face to marry someone else?” He looked down on her from his height, his gaze so ice-cold that it made one shiver even on this summer night. The man towered over her, and standing , his innate dominance poured down from above her head. “I beg you, don’t talk about that!” She was near breaking point, suppressing the urge to cry as she pushed him away, “Get away from me!” Her small hands forcefully pressed against his chest, trying to distance herself from the suffocating pressure he exerted. But the man acted as if he hadn’t heard, his one hand seizing both of hers over her head, his firm chest pressing against her delicate body, pinning her to the pillar. Their position was shamefully compromising. She wanted to escape but could not move an inch. Her struggle displease the man. His other hand wrapped around her neck, and, bending down, his cool, thin lips covered hers. Leng Yu Yan turned her head to avoid him. This action thoroughly angered Ye Yiheng; a month’s worth of rage unleashed at that moment. His palm moved upwards, his rough grip forcing her chin up, making her face him. “I don’t want to look…” Leng Yu Yan closed her eyes in defiance, refusing to look at him. Before she could finish speaking, he kissed her forcefully, sealing her tender lips tightly. His kiss was dominating, his breath strongly invading all her senses. She opened her eyes in anger, not wanting any further entanglement with him and struggled fiercely. Her resistance only irritated him more, the man ruthlessly bit her lower lip without any tenderness. The deep kiss continued until her mouth was filled with the taste of blood, and only then did he let go of her. “Did you know the identity of that white-haired young man from the start, wishing to escape with him?” She pinched her wrist that he had grabbed painfully and said through gritted teeth, “Yes, are you satisfied with this answer?”