The Male Lead's Harem Belongs to Me (GL) - Chapter 34
Gu Hanyun’s face turned as red as a lantern, looking at Lin Kui in a fluster, saying, “Kui’er, what… what are you talking about?”
Lin Kui didn’t speak, just stared at her with eyes shimmering like spring water, her fingertips gently caressing her earlobe, slowly approaching until their breaths mingled. Gu Hanyun felt her ears burning and softening, her heart pounding like thunder, and her breathing slowed down.
Lin Kui suddenly chuckled, a hint of teasing in her laughter.
Gu Hanyun bit her lip, glaring at her with a blushing face, accusing, “Kui’er, you’re teasing…”
Before she could finish speaking, Gu Hanyun felt something soft brush against her lips. She thought it was her imagination until a moist, slippery thing suddenly emerged from between those soft lips, gently touching the corner of her lips.
Gu Hanyun was dumbfounded, frozen in place, staring blankly at the bewitching face in front of her. Her heart, at that moment, was almost beyond her control, about to leap out of her chest.
Lin Kui waited for her to come back to her senses before slowly saying, “Yun’er, even if you buy a house, I won’t live there.”
Gu Hanyun was stunned, immediately asking, “Why?”
Lin Kui smiled, “I was born to love liveliness. If you buy my freedom and let me live alone in that house, I might as well stay in Seven Treasures Pavilion, at least I have these sisters to keep me company.”
“Then…” Gu Hanyun said awkwardly, “Can I take time to stay with you for a few days each month?”
Lin Kui gave her a half-smile, “I’m not someone who can be satisfied with a few days each month. If Yun’er has made up her mind, we have to live together all the time.”
Gu Hanyun wanted to say something, but Lin Kui stood up, saying, “Alright, it’s been long enough. You should go. I have another guest to entertain.”
Gu Hanyun was thus dazedly driven out, full of doubts.
On the way back, Gu Hanyun alternated between silly smiles and confusion, occasionally talking to herself, wondering how she could go out to sleep with Lin Kui for a month without the prince noticing. But a month didn’t seem enough.
Gu Hanyun suddenly realized, did Lin Kui mean she should divorce the prince? The more Gu Hanyun thought about it, the more likely it seemed. But she frowned, finding it difficult, and finally sighed and returned to the prince’s mansion.
••••
The events of Qi Ze’s wedding had spread throughout the city. Some said Liu Shuwei was born unlucky and didn’t deserve Qi Ze, so she fainted on her wedding day. Others said it was because the prince’s energy was too strong, or that she was too nervous or excited. In short, there were various rumors.
Regardless of what others said, Liu Shuwei still hadn’t woken up the next day. The physician went to see her early in the morning, then frowned and sighed. Qi Ze was anxious, but he could only see Liu Shuwei for a short while in the morning before going to court. His days became busy again.
After Qi Ze left, Jiang Han went to see Liu Shuwei.
Liu Shuwei lay in bed, her face pale and haggard after removing her makeup, even her lips had lost their color. Jiang Han held her hand at the bedside, looking at her with heartache for a long time before leaving.
She planned to leave the prince’s mansion openly and go to the general’s mansion to complain. She wasn’t a masochist. If she didn’t complain after Qi Ze choked her several times, wouldn’t she be stupid?
The autumn sun was always higher than usual, the sunlight bright but not hot, the breeze refreshing but not cold, the most comfortable time.
At this moment, inside the general’s mansion, the atmosphere was filled with anger. Except for the general who was at court, Jiang Han’s three brothers and Qin Mother were all furious.
Qin Mother lovingly pulled Jiang Han over, carefully looking at the red marks on her neck, her eyes filled with heartache.
Second brother Jiang Tan was the type to be ruthless and silent. After hearing Jiang Han’s story, he immediately reached for his sword. Jiang Han quickly stopped him, saying, “Second brother, don’t be impulsive. Killing the prince is punishable by death.”
Jiang Han was too weak to stop Jiang Tan, so she looked to her most stable and calm eldest brother for help. Eldest brother Jiang Yun pondered for three seconds, then said, “Take me with you.”
Jiang Han: “…”
Qin Mother timely scolded them, stopping the impulsive ones, saying, “You’re not helping your little sister get revenge, you’re trying to drag the whole family to hell.”
The three brothers stopped. Qin Mother’s eyes flashed, “Listen to me about this…”
Soon after Jiang Han returned to the prince’s mansion, the Empress Dowager issued an edict summoning Jiang Han to the palace. Jiang Han had only told the general’s mansion about the matter and vaguely mentioned Qi Ze choking her, not wanting them to say Liu Shuwei was bewitching. But Qin Mother insisted. Jiang Han had no choice but to be careful when talking to the Empress Dowager in the palace.
Before going, Jiang Han pinched her neck twice to make the marks more obvious.
After arriving at the Empress Dowager Jiang’s palace, Jiang was furious. As expected, she asked why Qi Ze had choked her. Jiang Han took advantage of the Empress Dowager’s confusion to deceive her.
But when Qi Ze was called over, he revealed the real reason in a few words, “She caused Weiwei to be unconscious until now. Shouldn’t I punish her?”
Jiang Han: “…”
The Empress Dowager was so angry that she couldn’t speak, picking up a vase and throwing it at him, saying, “Beast, beast! How did I have a son like you? You’re still doing this for that woman, right? Very good, very good…”
Jiang Han was numb, listening to the mother and son argue for a long time before finally ending with Qi Ze apologizing to Jiang Han and the general’s mansion.
Sitting in the carriage, Qi Ze exuded an aura of “don’t mess with me,” his gaze towards Jiang Han almost devouring her.
Jiang Han ignored him, even stopping the carriage several times to buy snacks, making Qi Ze’s face darken. After returning to the prince’s mansion, Jiang Han went straight back to her courtyard, not even looking at Qi Ze.
The complaint was made in the morning, the scolding was received at noon, and the apology was given in the evening.
Qi Ze had to apologize to the people of the general’s mansion, so he held a banquet at the largest restaurant in the capital, sincerely apologizing. But the general’s mansion only sent Jiang Yun as a representative, and the always gentle Jiang Yun kept a blank face throughout the dinner.
After dinner, Jiang Yun took the initiative to suggest going for a walk and chat. Qi Ze was overjoyed, immediately agreeing. The night breeze blew, and they walked on a deserted road.
Qi Ze apologized very sincerely, “I’m sorry, Brother Jiang. I was wrong about Han’er. I was confused for a moment. I won’t do it again.”
Jiang Yun’s expression was calm, “What’s the use of apologizing to me? It’s only useful if my little sister forgives you.”
“Yes,” Qi Ze said, “Brother Jiang is right.”
Jiang Yun’s expression was still calm, saying, “If you really don’t like my little sister, tell her clearly. You can divorce, so you don’t have to torment her all day.”
Qi Ze’s eyes changed, “How could I? I treat Han’er…”
Before he could finish, he felt a chilling sensation behind him. He instinctively wanted to strike first, but suddenly found himself powerless. He had been given a muscle-weakening drug.
Qi Ze was about to collapse when a hand caught him. Before he could see who it was, he was put in a sack. In his last moment of sight, he saw Jiang Yun also being put in a sack.
It wasn’t Jiang Yun’s plan? Then who was it?
The people who put them in the sacks were very efficient. After tying them up, they started beating them without saying a word. The muscle-weakening drug only made them lose strength, but the pain was still there.
He was beaten with sticks, suppressing his voice, “Who are you?”
He was answered with more violent beatings.
After half an hour, the people seemed to be out of energy, kicking him hard before leaving.
Qi Ze was aggrieved and angry in the sack. Who dared to do this? If he found out, he would skin them alive!
Fifteen minutes later, the muscle-weakening drug finally wore off. Qi Ze pulled off the sack, his fists clenched. He looked at Jiang Yun, who had also been beaten, and froze.
Jiang Yun seemed to have been beaten even harder than him.
Qi Ze felt a little better, then felt a sense of camaraderie. He helped up the grimacing Jiang Yun, looking at him with sympathy, then said with a dark expression, “Brother Jiang, don’t worry. I will find out who did this. Those criminals will be skinned and made to beg for mercy.”
Jiang Yun seemed to be exhausted from the beating, coughing a few times, saying with difficulty, “Your Highness, this is a heinous act. I will report it to my father when I return, and he will help investigate!”
Qi Ze nodded seriously, gritting his teeth, “With General Jiang’s help, we will catch those criminals soon!”
In the darkness, two limping figures supported each other as they left.
Shortly after, in the general’s mansion.
Jiang Han paced back and forth in the room, getting impatient, asking, “Why hasn’t eldest brother returned yet?”
Jiang Mai, with a happy expression, slowly took a sip of tea, saying, “Don’t be impatient, little sister. The muscle-weakening drug lasts for an hour. Eldest brother should be back soon.”
Jiang Han couldn’t help but ask, “Second brother, third brother, father, did you really hit eldest brother?”
The general snorted, “How can we not hit him? That Qi Ze is very cunning. We have to hit him, and hit him harder.”
Jiang Han sighed, looking worriedly towards the door. Finally, as she waited anxiously, a limping figure appeared at the door.
Jiang Han was about to run over, but Jiang Mai grabbed her. They were in a place without servants, but there were still some at the door. They had to keep up the act.
As expected, the doorman was shocked, stumbling to find the general. Jiang Han hid in the inner room, hearing the general’s “furious” voice outside, and couldn’t help but smile. They were really good at acting.
Soon, the servants were dismissed, and Jiang Han came out of the inner room, seeing Jiang Yun’s bruised face, feeling extremely sorry, “Eldest brother, are you in pain? You’ve really suffered for me, getting beaten for nothing.”
Jiang Yun smiled gently, “I’m not in pain, little sister. It’s all worth it for you.”
Jiang Han was deeply moved. Jiang Mai said coolly from the side, “He’s not really in pain. Eldest brother just looks serious. We only hit him in places that would show the most. Also, eldest brother… you got beaten because you lost the draw, right…”
Jiang Yun: “…”
Jiang Han still said, “But eldest brother was still beaten. You’ve worked hard, eldest brother. I’ll make you some snacks next time!”
Jiang Tan coughed lightly, and the general coughed heavily.
Jiang Han immediately understood, saying, “Father, mother, second brother, of course there will be some for you too~”
Their expressions softened, except for Jiang Mai, whose mouth twitched, remembering the snacks Jiang Han had given him last time. When Jiang Han looked at him expectantly, he shook his head decisively, “No need, little sister. Just give my share to father and mother.” They’ll know what they’re eating then.
Jiang Han looked at him suspiciously, not remembering the previous snack incident.
Jiang Han suddenly thought of something, looking worriedly at the general, “Father, won’t the prince find out about what you did?”
Jiang Cheng, seeing that his daughter was finally looking at him, sat up straight, snorting, “What can he find out? We used things that are easily found in the market. Where will he start? Besides, we didn’t say a word. He doesn’t even know if we’re men or women.”
Jiang Han was relieved, smiling at Jiang Cheng, “Father is so amazing!”
Jiang Cheng was secretly pleased, but pretended to be nonchalant.
Jiang Yun raised an eyebrow, saying, “When I talked to the prince afterward, I also suggested that father help investigate. Then, even if he finds something, father can react in time.”
Jiang Han exclaimed, “Wow! Eldest brother is also amazing!”
Jiang Yun smiled broadly, looking like a triumphant fox.
Jiang Mai curled his lips, saying, “Come here, third brother will tell you a secret.”
Jiang Han leaned closer, hearing Jiang Mai say, “Before I left, I gave him some poison. It’s not a big deal, just enough to make him infertile.”
Jiang Han: “!”
Jiang Han quickly said, “Third brother, that won’t do!”
Jiang Mai frowned. Jiang Han explained awkwardly, “When the prince was choking me, I fought back and accidentally kicked him in a certain place… If he becomes infertile now, what if he blames me?”
Jiang Mai raised an eyebrow, smiling, “You didn’t mention that before.”
Jiang Han blushed. Jiang Mai continued, “It’s okay. I know we can’t rush things, so the poison won’t take effect so quickly…”
Jiang Han was finally relieved, smiling, “Third brother is also amazing!”
Then, before Jiang Tan could speak, Jiang Mai continued, “Second brother is also amazing!”
Jiang Tan, who had just been happy for a moment, snorted, glancing at his secretly pleased second brother, thinking, He didn’t do anything, and he hit eldest brother.
But Jiang Han didn’t care. She had to treat everyone equally, so she turned and hugged Qin Mother, “Mother, you’re so smart. Your idea was the best.”
Qin Mother patted her daughter’s head, smiling, “He shouldn’t have messed with our precious daughter.”
••••
The next day, Qi Ze took a rare day off, claiming he wasn’t feeling well. He had thought about it all night and was too embarrassed to say he had been beaten on the road. He decided to investigate himself. He could also spend the time with Liu Shuwei.
But while he was trying to keep it a secret, the “doting” general couldn’t stand it. Jiang Cheng reported the incident to the emperor in court, specifically, repeatedly, and many times mentioning that Prince Qi Ze had also been beaten, and said sorrowfully, “The world is going downhill, and people’s hearts are not the same as before!”