It Was A Fake Marriage, But The Ninth-Thousand-Year Lord Took It Seriously. - Chapter 4

How Did He Bully You?

“You heard what your grandmother said. She didn’t ask before because Shen Qing Li wasn’t causing trouble. Now that she is, you must make her marry obediently, or your grandmother will sell Ci’er to save face for Shen Qing Li.”

“I’m already annoyed; stop nagging.” Jiang Zhi Li’s voice was impatient. “Don’t worry, I’ve got Shen Qing Li under control. Tomorrow, I’ll make sure she’s compliant. If she dares to mention breaking off the engagement, I’ll ignore her for a while. I’m going to take Ci’er on a boat ride now; I’m leaving.”

Lu Shi/Lady Lu called out a few times, but Jiang Zhi Li had already run off. She muttered a few words and then went back.

Shen Qing Li’s fingers were cold as she tightly held Chun Hua’s hand and returned to her room with her support.

So that’s how it is. Jiang Zhi Li’s kindness and politeness were all an act.

All these years of goodness had a purpose.

It’s funny that she thought Jiang Zhi Li had changed his heart, but he never had any true feelings for her

The beautiful things she imagined now made her feel extremely embarrassed.

Six years ago, she came to Yongwang Marquis’ residence with her mother. Grandmother Lu invited a famous doctor to treat her mother. She was grateful and offered a large amount of gold and silver jewelry to seek the protection of the Marquis’ residence.

Over the years, although GrandmotherLu wasn’t very warm to them, she was polite and courteous. So she reciprocated and treated everyone who smiled at her with sincerity.

When Grandmother Lu was sick, she stayed up all night to take care of her; Lu Shi’s clothes and accessories were the best in Shengjing; Jiang Zhi Li’s clothes and shoes were made from fabrics she carefully selected and sewn stitch by stitch; when good things arrived at the shop, everyone in the residence got a share; even the gold, silver, and jade items for her uncle’s promotion were provided by her.

Her mother always said they were all family; there was no need to count the things they give to them; if they liked something, just give it to them; she also wanted to become a family with them, so she and her mother would have their support.

But she didn’t expect that her sincere heart was fed to the dogs.

No one treated her and her mother as family; they just saw them as big fools.

Is it because she doesn’t have a father that they bully her?

Shen Qing Li had no appetite and barely ate dinner with her mother.

Her mother noticed her bad mood and wanted to talk to her. Just as she was about to ask her something, her mother’s wrist fell.

Seeing her mother suddenly close her eyes, Shen Qing Li’s heart felt like it was being squeezed, and she couldn’t breathe. She held her trembling fingers to feel her mother’s breath, felt the warm airflow, and saw her chest rise and fall; her heart started beating again.

Her mother’s body couldn’t handle any form of emotional or physical stress.

“After ensuring her mother was comfortable, she lifted her gaze to stop the tears, but they flowed freely, sliding silently down her face.”

The sun had already set behind the western hills, leaving only a trace of red.

Shen Qing Li was in a terrible mood and went to the bamboo forest, where she often practiced alone.

The bamboo forest was large, and usually no one came. It was a bit damp and cold after the rain.

Sitting on the plum blossom pile, she couldn’t hold back anymore and started to sob softly.

She missed her father and her grandparents and was afraid her mother would leave her too.

As the sky gradually darkened, the only sounds in the forest were the rustling of bamboo leaves and her soft sobs.

Suddenly, a cold voice came from beside her: “Why are you crying again?”

Shen Qing Li was startled and immediately jumped up from the plum blossom pile.

Upon closer inspection, she noticed a man lying in a hammock in the bamboo forest. It was the hammock she and Chun Hua had made together.

She had been so caught up in her sadness that she hadn’t noticed the presence of an outsider in the bamboo forest.

The man walked over from the hammock, and Shen Qing Li couldn’t see his face clearly. She looked wary.

Her wariness gradually turned into surprise… and embarrassment.

It was… Jun Mo Ran!

They had run into each other twice already in just a day; both were when she was in her low and pathetic state. How… awkward.

He seemed to be in a bad mood from being disturbed, and she didn’t dare provoke him. She knelt and greeted him, “I didn’t know Your Highness was here. I will take my leave.”

Hearing no response for a while, Shen Qing Li cautiously raised her eyes and met a pair of pitch-black pupils. Those eyes were as dark as an abyss, and she quickly lowered her head, not daring to move.

“I asked you, why are you crying again?” His voice was cool and deliberate.

Shen Qing Li’s eyes dimmed. How could she tell an outsider about such matters?

Mustering her courage, she was about to speak when a mocking voice interrupted, “What? Did you twist your ankle in the bamboo forest again?”

The words she was about to say were swallowed back; her face turned slightly red. Why did his words sound so… unpleasant?

Rumor had it that Jun Mo Ran was not interested in women and never showed any tenderness to them. Countless young ladies in Shengjing wanted to climb into his bed, and many had sent him beautiful ladies, but he had never shown favor to anyone.

Why did it feel so different today?

Jun Mo Ran said, “Get up; don’t kneel so easily.”

Shen Qing Li didn’t move. She didn’t want to get too close to this favored son of heaven.

“Do you want me to pull you up?”

She bit her lip lightly. The warmth from his touch earlier seemed to spread again. After a moment, she stood up and took a step back.

Seeing her small movements, Jun Mo Ran’s thin lips curved slightly. He played with the folding fan in his hand and said leisurely, “How did Jiang Zhi Li bully you?”

It wasn’t a question; it was a certainty.

Se was slightly shocked. He knew about her and Jiang Zhi Li?

As a prominent figure in the court, there was probably nothing in the world he didn’t know.

Se didn’t understand the meaning of his question and didn’t dare to speak casually.

“Don’t be afraid; I will back you up.”

His tone was very gentle, like the brother Mo Ran she had known a long time ago.

She became teary-eyed again. After much thought, she finally bowed and said, “Thank you, Your Highness, but there’s nothing wrong with me.”

Although he was highly esteemed, how could he interfere in her marriage without a name or status?

The only one who could back her up was her mother, but she couldn’t let her mother know about this. She was afraid her mother couldn’t bear it and would leave her.

Besides, if he really wanted to know, there was probably nothing in the world he couldn’t find out.

If she spoke up, it would ultimately be her fault.

Relying on years of experience in reading people, Shen Qing Li made what she thought was the right decision.

Jun Mo Ran put away his folding fan and lifted her chin, looking directly at her.

His powerful presence came with it. Just quietly staring at her, Shen Qingli felt a sense of fear, and her lips lost their color.

His pitch-black eyes glowed with a cold light, like an eagle staring at its prey, ready to strike at any moment.

Jun Mo Ran’s face was clear and sparse, his long eyelashes casting a faint shadow. His voice

Jun Mo Ran’s face was calm, with his long lashes casting a light shadow. With a call voice, he said, “You don’t trust me?”

With a tone of doubt.

Shen Qing Li remained silent as an unutterred agreement.

Folding his fan and with his eyes tinged with displeasure, Jun Mo Ran said, “What’s the harm in trying?”

Shen Qingli secretly sighed in relief and half-jokingly said, “I really have no problem; I just miss my father.”

“It’s getting late; I should go.”

Jun Mo Ran carefully observed her for a moment and calmly said, “I will see you off.”