Chapter 20: Punishment
Wanqing’s lips curled ever so slightly at her mother’s question, but there wasn’t even a hint of warmth in her expression. The smile didn’t reach her eyes and as she stared at Anning, that smile was a promise. A promise that she would make her pay for what had just happened.
"Yes, mother. I will punish her." She said smoothly. The calmness in her voice made Anning’s chest tighten.
Across the table, the older woman dropped back to her seat, clearly pleased, her gaze then moved to Anning, "See to it that you do just that."
Anning swallowed hard, forcing herself not to reach, to speak or to give them the satisfaction of seeing her falter. But then Wanqing suddenly stepped away from the table and began walking toward her, each step slow and definitely deliberate. Anning felt her stomach churn in discomfort.
Well, maybe not discomfort but rather, fear.
It wasn’t the type one felt when they were in danger or when something bad was about happening. Her type of fear was one that had goosebumps forming up her skin as it settled deep within her bones.
But this time, she didn’t step back. She refused to.
Instead, she stood her ground, lifted her chin slightly, even as her hand curled into loose fists beside her body.
When Wanqing finally stopped in front of her, the distance between them had shrunken to the point that air could barely pass through them. Anning found herself staring straight into those black eyes again.
Those cold, unreadable orbs that seemed to always call out to her. For a few seconds, neither of them said a word.
The room itself had gone quiet as everyone had their eyes fixed on the two of them.
"Take it easy on her," General Gu said causally, though one could notice the hidden threat in his words.
Wanqing didn’t respond. She merely dipped her head in a brief bow toward the parents, her expression once again turning composed as though she wasn’t even bothered by what was happening. Then she turned, her sleeve brushing lightly against Anning’s arm.
"Follow," she said. Her voice dropping an octave lower now, that composed expression on her face changing just a bit.
"And don’t say a single word."
There was no room for argument, especially with the tone she was currently using.
Anning pressed her lips into a thin line, nodded once and then silently fell into step behind her. They both walked out of the dining room without another word.
Lanzhin was still standing outside the door the moment they stepped out and when her eyes landed on Anning, she shook her head faintly, disappointment flickered across her face before it disappeared just as quickly as it came.
Servants along the corridor slowed as they passed by, their gazes darting towards Anning as they whispered.
"The young miss looked furious."
"That slave really doesn’t know when to call it quits."
"She won’t survive this..."
But Anning didn’t hear any of it. Her mind was elsewhere, as she replayed everything that had just happened. Why was Wanqing this angry?
If anything, Anning should be the one getting angry. After all, if Wanqing had stepped in earlier...things wouldn’t have spiraled out of control.
But instead, she decided to sit there sipping her tea with a calm expression on her face.
So why now?
By the time Anning realized she had stepped into a room, she blinked rapidly, lifting her gaze to look around the room.
Okay, they were currently in Wanqing’s room but her brows furrowed slightly, when she tried to recall when they had arrived. The walk back here was all a blur as she had been so engrossed in her thoughts.
But now... something about this room felt weird?
The room was darker than usual. The curtains had been drawn shut, blocking the soft morning light and the usual glow of the lanterns was nowhere to be seen. Her fingers dug deep into her sides at the sight.
"M-mistress?" She called softly, her voice lacking its usually feistyness. "Are you in here?"
But she didn’t get a response. Anning had never been one to be scared of the dark, but with the look of thing’s... She might end up passing out in this room and probably dying again.
Anning glanced around the room again, her heart racing as she confirmed what she had been avoiding for a while. She was alone.
Or at least... she thought she was.
She exhaled slowly, placing a hand over her chest as if that would steady the rapid thudding of her heart beneath her ribs.
Then she turned, intending to take a step further out of the room and walked straight into something warm.
A small yelp escaped her lips as she stumbled back, but she didn’t get far. When a hand suddenly grabbed her wrist and just as she was about to scream, she was pulled forward, her body colliding with that of whoever was standing in front of her.
She bit on her lower lip, but when she looked up, she nearly choked.
Those black eyes staring down at her, were unreadable but still held something that made her stomach twist. Wanqing...as always.
For a split second, Anning’s mind went completely blank.
Wanqing’s grip on her wrist tightened slightly, just enough to remind Anning that she wasn’t to try anything stupid. Then, without warning, she tugged her closer, eliminating whatever distance remained between them.
It was then Anning finally felt it, the huge mounds of flesh pressing against her chest. Their bodies were nearly molded into one, separated by nothing but thin layers of fabric.
At the sight of that, she could swear she forgot who to breathe.
Wanqing leaned in slowly, her lips hovering just beside Anning’s ear. Her warm breath brushed against the sensitive skin, making Anning shudder slightly.
"Where do you think you’re going, pet?" She murmured.
Her voice was soft, almost gentle, but it just sounded hollow.
"Didn’t I say I was going to punish you?"
Despite how hollow her voice sounded, Anning’s cheeks were literally burning, but she refused to shrink under her gaze. Even as her heart raced, her body reacting in ways she didn’t understand, she forced herself to meet Wanqing’s eyes.
"Punish me?" She said breathlessly. "We both know I did nothing wrong. So what exactly are you punishing me for?"
