Chapter 2

Chapter 2

My two older sisters held me and wept, begging me not to marry.

I pulled them both into my arms, one on each side, sighing inwardly at how well I had protected them over the years.

Was this really a matter of me just saying I wouldn’t marry and then having it all blow over?

“Alright, alright, stop crying,” I said, wiping away their tears. “I’m just getting married, not entering a dragon’s den or a tiger’s lair. Don’t worry, I’ll behave myself, and he won’t do anything to me.”

Liang Yinxue looked at me skeptically. “Really?”

Liang Yinsu called her stupid before saying with a deadpan expression, “It’s the… physical aspect. Don’t you understand? Eunuchs in bed… they can be abusive!”

Although Liang Yinsu was born to Concubine Jiang, she was as close to us two legitimate sisters as if we had come from the same womb. She always seemed to know things we didn’t.

Liang Yinxue was prone to being dazed and was often approached by young noblemen when we went out; it was always Liang Yinsu who pulled her away to keep her from being deceived.

Listening to her, I couldn’t help but feel a flicker of worry myself.

That worry persisted all the way until the night I married Cheng Xiu.

The backyard of the Cheng Manor was vast, but very few people lived there. At this moment, it was deathly quiet, which was somewhat eerie.

After an unknown amount of time, I heard footsteps outside the door.

“All of you, dismiss,” Cheng Xiu’s voice rang out from outside. I tightened my grip on my hands, but quickly relaxed again.

I knew martial arts-and I was deadly good at it. He was just a eunuch; he might not even know martial arts, and he lacked the necessary equipment. What could he possibly do to me?

Even if he intended to do something, I’d just close my eyes and endure it.

The door was pushed open, and the footsteps drew closer.

With the bridal veil covering my head, I couldn’t see his face, only his feet.

“Fourth Miss Liang,” his sinister voice sounded from above me. “Don’t you feel wronged?”

I remained silent for a long moment before asking, “Can you lift the veil first? My back is killing me from sitting here.”

“…Fine.”

Cheng Xiu lifted the veil, and I flashed him a brilliant smile. “Long time no see.”

Cheng Xiu froze.

Still wearing the heavy phoenix crown, I sat down at the table and began to eat ravenously. “I didn’t get to eat a single thing at the banquet today. This is the first wedding I’ve ever had in my life, and I didn’t even get to eat. What kind of nonsense is that? Director, did you eat at the banquet?”

“I did.” Cheng Xiu seemed to be in a bad mood, but I didn’t care to guess what was on his mind. Once I was full and had downed a belly full of cold tea, I finally felt like answering him. “Of course I feel wronged.”

Cheng Xiu sat down near me, a lingering trace of hostility seemingly etched between his brows. “Oh?”

I blinked my large eyes and leaned in close to him, looking utterly mournful. “You have no idea. They didn’t let me eat all day; I was so hungry I could hardly breathe. I told them to leave a table of food for me to eat privately, but the little eunuch by your side said it wasn’t proper. It’s truly strange-I am your wife now, the mistress of the Cheng Manor. Why shouldn’t I be allowed to eat?”

He instinctively recoiled, but I wouldn’t let him. I grabbed his hand-it was cold and rough, while mine were always warm. I held on tight and wouldn’t let go. “You have to stand up for me.”

Cheng Xiu tried to pull his hand back, but when it didn’t budge, he let me keep holding it. He gave a thin smile, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. “Naturally, I will stand up for you. But lately, I…”

Before he could finish, I happily planted a kiss on his cheek and looked at him earnestly. “You’re so kind. With you around, I won’t have to worry about anyone bullying me ever again.”

He violently flung my hand away, leaping up as if he had touched a monstrous beast. He suppressed his voice and hissed, “Are you mad?”

I shook my head calmly. “No.”

Did I look mad?

Probably not. Only about a dozen people have called me a lunatic since I was a child.

I let him be; regardless, I was exhausted after the long day and wanted to sleep.

I’m a carefree person by nature-once I’m full, I get sleepy. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get the phoenix crown off my head. No matter how I pulled and tugged, it wouldn’t come loose; instead, I only succeeded in hurting myself.

I’m not afraid of heaven or earth, but I am afraid of pain.

With teary eyes, I looked toward Cheng Xiu.

Cheng Xiu remained silent, but he quietly moved to stand behind me. His hands settled on my phoenix crown, and he began to slowly untangle the hair caught in the headpiece.

In the silence, I thought I heard him let out a faint sigh.

I have never been stingy with sweet words, so I coaxed him with a sugary tone. “The Director is so kind. Oh, I really am quite blessed. You know, when my mother gave birth to me, the snow was falling heavily. They say ‘timely snow promises a good harvest,’ and people said it was a sign of good fortune.”

“Do you know why I’m named Yinliu? When my mother was in labor, my father was rushing home. On the way, he saw rows of willow trees bent under the weight of the snow, looking like crates of silver spread out. That’s why he named me Yinliu.”
He let out a cold sneer but ultimately said nothing.

After removing the phoenix crown, his hand drifted down to rest on my shoulder. He lowered his voice intentionally, as if trying to frighten me. “Liu Niang, isn’t it time for bed?”

His thought coincided perfectly with mine. I immediately stood up, grabbed his belt, and started pulling him toward the bed. “Exactly what I was thinking! Hurry up, I can’t wait!”

To my surprise, the man had no intention of getting into bed. I hadn’t taken more than two steps before I couldn’t pull him any further. I looked back at him and found his eyes practically spitting fire. He glared at me with such ferocity it felt like he wanted to tear a piece of flesh right off my body.

He’s sick.

“Don’t you want to sleep?” I let go of his belt and tilted my head to ask.

Cheng Xiu’s face was dark as he suddenly grabbed my collar. “Do you think I wouldn’t dare? Or do you think because I don’t have that… thing, I can’t do anything to you?”

“Let me tell you, I have a thousand ways to make you wish you were dead!”

I had never seen someone throw such a bizarre tantrum before; for a moment, I actually found it quite novel.

Judging by his expression, I was certain that even if I were to lose my mind, I could never reach his level of lunacy.

I patted his hand, signaling for him to let go. “What are you talking about?”

Worried he hadn’t understood me, I kindly explained, “If you want to sleep, then sleep. If you don’t, then don’t. Stop acting so cryptic and strange.”

Cheng Xiu released his grip, but his expression remained grim. “Do you actually understand what I mean?”

I wasn’t an idiot; how could I not understand the implication of his words? But what did that have to do with me?

If he wanted to consummate the marriage, I certainly wouldn’t refuse. If he was too sensitive and unwilling, I had nothing to say to that either.

He was the one who mentioned going to bed first, and now he was acting crazy with me? He was making it seem like I was the one being difficult.

“I don’t get it.” I stiffened my neck and blinked my large eyes, playing dumb with an innocent look. “Didn’t the Director want to sleep with me? Are we sleeping or not?”

Cheng Xiu stared at me for a long time. Finally, he ground out through clenched teeth, “Sleep by yourself!”

He turned and stormed out.

I had been exhausted all day, so I stripped off my clothes and fell fast asleep the moment my head hit the pillow…

***

Having spent years in the palace as a eunuch, Cheng Xiu was used to the malice of the human heart and had seen all walks of life. However, this was the first time he had ever encountered a fool.

She seemed completely unaware of what she was about to face or how precarious her situation was. She just smiled foolishly and said nonsensical things to coax him.

He had felt a bit smug earlier, knowing she was trying to please him to ensure a better future. Seeing such a delicate lady bow her head before him had been quite satisfying.

Cheng Xiu had even thought that if she remained honest and submissive, he might-in a good mood-provide her with a life of comfort and let her live out her days in peace.

But this Liang Yinliu had no sense of propriety!

Just looking at her ignorant, fearless, foolish act made his blood boil.

She was truly bold.

How had the Liang Family raised such an audacious girl?

When her soft lips had touched his cheek, he had felt like strangling her.

Cheng Xiu had intentionally tried to scare her, yet she had been more enthusiastic than him-completely open and unabashed, her beautiful eyes shining with the light of ignorance.

She smelled very fragrant-so fragrant it gave him a headache and made it impossible to think. He could only stare at her beautiful eyes and her lovely lips.

And yet, she wasn’t afraid at all, looking back at him with a gaze as clear as water.

Cheng Xiu had been driven away by her foolishness, only to realize after leaving that she was staying in his usual bedroom. Since she had occupied it, where was he supposed to sleep?

The Cheng Manor naturally had many courtyards, and he could stay in any of them, but he didn’t want Liang Yinliu to have her way. Why should he be the one to run?

He should kick Liang Yinliu out and show her exactly who was in charge.

By the time he made up his mind and headed back, she had already curled into a ball and was sleeping soundly.

His teeth itched with irritation, and he reached out, wanting to haul her out of bed.

Just then, she rolled over. The quilt slid down, revealing her graceful silhouette.

He was a eunuch, and while he didn’t crave the affairs of men and women, it didn’t mean he wasn’t a man. Encountering something beautiful, he naturally took a few extra glances.

He hesitated, his gaze falling back onto her rosy lips.

When she kissed him earlier, there hadn’t been a hint of disgust or helplessness. There wasn’t even the slightest taste of reluctant compromise.

What she had shown was pure, unadulterated joy.

She is a literal madwoman!

Cheng Xiu reached this resentful conclusion.

He flicked his sleeves and left.