Chapter 68: Chapter 65: I Hope the Young Master Will Be Gentle
Jiang Lan’s father had already sent word, giving him free rein. In other words... the Prime Minister’s Mansion planned to use this opportunity to make a move against the Dao Cang Sword Sect.
Su Qinghan’s master, the Sword Immortal, was the closed-door disciple of the Sect Leader from two generations prior at the Dao Cang Sword Sect. Although she only held a nominal position there now, she would absolutely not stand by and do nothing about this.
Thus, there was another layer of meaning to the message from Jiang Lan’s father: he wanted to use Su Qinghan to test the Sword Immortal.
’Which means, if I don’t touch Su Qinghan now, she’ll actually be in danger.’
Why?
’The original Jiang Lan had no cultivation to speak of. And aside from a bit of a fixation on cleanliness, he was known for never turning away a beautiful woman.’
’By some "twist of fate," he was about to take the Sword Immortal’s only disciple, Su Qinghan, as a concubine. How could he possibly resist touching her?’
’If Su Qinghan remained a virgin, it wouldn’t just be others who would notice. Even Ying—the man my father ordered to keep a close eye on her—would be the first to grow suspicious.’
’Anyone would see it and suspect something was wrong with her. They would assume she was a pawn planted at my side by the Sword Immortal.’
’And in the ensuing chain reaction, my own secrets might be exposed as well.’
’In truth, the moment the Su Mansion sent Su Qinghan over tonight, her fate was sealed.’
Jiang Lan was no Saint. In a situation like this, he naturally had to act in his own best interest.
Su Qinghan didn’t dare to move a muscle. Her flawless, jade-like face was a little pale.
’She had indeed been too presumptuous, too clever for her own good. She’d thought that after what happened that night at the City Lord’s Mansion, she had some understanding of Jiang Lan...’
But she had never truly known his real personality, let alone his true strength.
’He was like a bottomless, dark abyss.’
’Every time she thought she was beginning to understand him, she would quickly discover that she had only scratched the surface.’
...
For a time, the chamber fell silent.
"Does it hurt?"
"It doesn’t hurt."
Su Qinghan’s mind was a mess, but Jiang Lan’s abrupt question snapped her back to reality. She shook her head subconsciously.
"As delicate as a flower. Just a light pinch and it leaves a mark."
"Though I must admit, the mark is rather unsightly."
As he spoke, Jiang Lan leaned down, took a White Jade Bottle of Muscle Regeneration Medicine from his robes, and poured out a small amount, carefully applying it to Su Qinghan’s chin.
A cool, soothing sensation spread across her skin, like a piece of cold jade melting away.
Su Qinghan’s eyelashes fluttered, and her flawless hands tightened their grip on the silk quilt.
Compared to the bone-chilling indifference he had shown moments ago, this gentle version of Jiang Lan made her suddenly uncomfortable. She was almost overwhelmed by the unexpected favor.
"Young... Young Master Jiang, I can do it myself..."
She didn’t even notice that her voice had become inexplicably quiet, or that a trace of fear and trepidation had crept into her eyes.
"It’s fine. It’s done. By tomorrow morning, you shouldn’t be able to see the mark anymore." Jiang Lan waved his hand dismissively and glanced at her.
Su Qinghan pursed her red lips, not quite daring to meet his gaze.
It felt as if his gaze was piercing through the thin, silk quilt, seeing her completely, inside and out.
"It’s getting late. You should get some rest."
"Mm..."
The brilliant lights in the bedchamber were instantly extinguished, followed by a series of rustling sounds.
Su Qinghan felt Jiang Lan lie down beside her. Her beautiful eyes widened slightly, her delicate hands gripping the silk quilt began to tremble, and her entire body tensed in nervousness.
"Am I some kind of monster? Why are you trembling so much?"
"I..."
Su Qinghan tried to speak but found her voice trembling. She didn’t know what to say, and a wave of fear washed over her heart.
Another long silence descended.
Time seemed to stand still. The only sound in the night was the wind blowing past the walls of the chamber.
Jiang Lan suddenly sighed softly. "Why are you crying?"
"I..."
"I’m a little scared..."
Su Qinghan didn’t know why her voice had suddenly become choked with emotion, losing all of its previous calm and composure.
Her beautiful eyes widened as she stared into the darkness above, and tears streamed from them against her will.
She had never imagined that one day...
...she, who had always been strong, calm, and composed her entire life, would show such a weak and vulnerable side.
Her helplessness tonight.
The cold hypocrisy of her clan.
Her parents’ powerless self-reproach.
And... Jiang Lan’s bone-chilling words. All of it made the helplessness, terror, and fear in her heart impossible to suppress.
In the end, no matter how composed and calm she usually was, she was still just a woman. She wasn’t nearly as strong as she appeared on the surface.
She could be scared, she could worry, she could feel helpless...
Su Qinghan’s shoulders trembled, and tears streamed down her face, but she made no sound.
A strange glint appeared in Jiang Lan’s eyes.
But in the darkness, his voice remained exceptionally calm as he asked, "What are you afraid of?"
Su Qinghan gripped the silk quilt, her delicate hands turning pale from the force of her grip.
She bit her lip, trying not to speak, but the fear in her heart was like a raging flood, threatening to burst forth.
"I’m afraid my parents and sister will be dragged into this because of me. I’m afraid of dying without ever knowing why. I’m afraid of the despair of having no future. And I’m even more afraid of the terrifyingly cold Young Master Jiang from moments ago..."
"I don’t know anything, I don’t understand any of this... so why are all these things happening to me?"
"I only came back to visit my family and share some good news... why did it turn out like this?"
"Young Master Jiang, did I do something wrong?"
In the darkness, her picturesque face, framed by her disheveled black hair, was like a pear blossom drenched in rain. Her voice, choked and trembling, was thick with tears.
There was no response.
"Do you trust me?"
After a moment, Jiang Lan reached out and gently tucked the stray strands of hair from her forehead behind her ear.
"I... I trust you..."
Her clear eyes, still glistening with tears, widened in surprise before a newfound, unexplainable resolve appeared within them.
"Then get a good night’s sleep."
"Since you trust me, don’t let your mind run wild."
"You just need to know that I won’t hurt you," Jiang Lan said softly, gently wiping the tear stains from her face.
Another long silence fell.
The soft sobs gradually subsided.
"Young Master..."
Su Qinghan suddenly spoke, her voice stuttering slightly. She couldn’t understand her own heart, which was filled with an indescribable, inexplicable feeling.
It was as if she had made a great resolution.
"Hm?"
"This is my first time. I... I hope Young Master will be gentle..."
Jiang Lan concealed the strange look in his eyes. After a moment of what seemed like silence, he said, "Alright."
「3:00 AM.」
In the clear, cold night, the wind whistled through the treetops. Inside the chamber, the air had grown thick with a decadent aura.
The storm had passed, leaving calm in its wake.
The bed curtains were drawn. Jiang Lan dressed and rose, glancing back at Su Qinghan. She was curled up in the silk quilt, her black hair fanned out, partially obscuring her fair, delicate face. A few stray strands clung to her temples and cheeks, which were tinged with a faint blush.
He pushed open the doors to the chamber and walked out.
