Ensnared - Chapter 2

My thoughts were a tangled mess.

The novel hadn’t devoted much space to the original Cui Ying. It merely said she thought highly of herself, despised the villain Shen Zhou for his humble background, and humiliated him at every turn.

Later, Shen Zhou placed first in the imperial examination, won the emperor’s favor, and reached the highest office while still young.

Cui Ying, unfortunately, wasn’t destined to enjoy that good fortune. After only a few years as an official’s wife, she died of a sudden illness.

But Shen Zhou never let a slight go unpunished. Her death could hardly have been that simple.

Now I’d slept with the wrong man. If he caught me, I would probably be written out of the story ahead of schedule.

Thankfully, just before Shen Zhou opened the door, the lecher became a blur.

He leaped onto a roof beam and melted into the darkness.

The fine incense sent by the original owner’s family filled the room.

But close to the wooden bed, the musky smell lingering in the bedding was still unmistakable.

“What have you come back for?

“Weren’t you moving into the academy so everyone could see what your vicious wife had driven you to?

“Well? Did you come back just to laugh at me?

“Sorry to disappoint you. I haven’t threatened to kill myself.”

Before Shen Zhou could say a word, I went on the offensive.

My unreasonable tears left him momentarily at a loss.

Seeing how upset I was, Qingliu hurried to my bedside and joined in berating him.

“Has my lady ever failed to clothe you or feed you? You’d rather stay at the academy than study at home. Aren’t you just making her a laughingstock?

“She’s been pampered all her life. When has she ever suffered hardship? Yet since marrying you, she won’t even buy herself an outfit worth a few dozen taels. If her mother knew, it would break her heart!

“My poor lady! Why did she have to marry a penniless scholar like you?”

Qingliu’s words struck a nerve. Shen Zhou gave a cold smile.

“Since Miss Cui thinks so little of me, we can dissolve this marriage tomorrow!”

My heart lurched.

Wait. How had we jumped straight to divorce?

If we divorced, how was I supposed to win the villain over?

And if I couldn’t win him over, my life really would be over.

No. I didn’t want to die.

I tried to get up and chase after Shen Zhou, but I wasn’t wearing anything. I could only grit my teeth and watch him storm off.

Beside me, Qingliu was looking very pleased with herself.

“My lady, that blockhead has finally faced facts and asked for a divorce! You can take your dowry back to the capital. The Third Prince will treasure you. Once he receives his princely title, you’re sure to become his consort!”

I shot her a vicious look.

How could this girl be so stupid? If I returned to the capital divorced, even someone of the original owner’s standing would be lucky to become some old man’s second wife after his first had died.

A prince’s consort?

She’d be fortunate not to end up a concubine!

I gave Qingliu a thorough scolding and sent her out.

The candle flame flickered. I was getting dressed when the man hiding in the darkness jumped down from the beam.

His clothes were disheveled, his whole manner sinister. He watched me with amusement.

His face frightened me so badly my legs gave out and I collapsed to the floor.

Those delicately beautiful features were almost identical to Shen Zhou’s!

Only the distinctive mole beside Shen Zhou’s eye was missing.

The corners of his mouth curled. He bent closer.

“What’s the matter, sister-in-law?” He lifted my chin. “Does my face frighten you?”

His warm breath brushed my cheek. A rough fingertip stroked the corner of my mouth. His narrow eyes were full of laughter, as though he were savoring the memory of my taste.

I was so frightened I didn’t know what to do. My body began to tremble.

“What’s this, sister-in-law? Afraid I’ll eat you?

“Or did I fail to satisfy you earlier?

“It’s a long night. Do you want to keep going?”

He stared straight at me, a suggestive smile on his lips.