Mei Lin was jolted awake by the harsh glare of the lamp and the persistent pawing at her chest. Before she could fully grasp her situation, a searing pain flared in her most intimate area, instantly clearing the fog of confusion from her mind. Her martial arts skills had been newly stripped, leaving her body weaker than most, and combined with the exhaustion of travel and the poison lurking within her, she had passed out halfway through the ordeal.
"Ungrateful," Murong Jing He’s lazy voice sounded next to her ear, startling her. She wondered how she had managed to provoke him again. Struggling to open her eyes, she realized he wasn’t speaking to her.
The tent was brightly lit, indicating it was still the middle of the night. Murong Jing He lay beside her, propped up on one arm, his robe half-open, revealing smooth, taut skin with defined muscles—not the flabby softness she had expected. However, his skin, like his complexion, had an unhealthy bluish tint.
He was half-smiling, his ever-half-closed eyes focused on the entrance to the tent. His free hand continued to grope her bare chest in a lewd manner.
Mei Lin suppressed the urge to swat his hand away and turned her head to look outside.
Beyond the empty space in the middle of the tent, she saw Adai kneeling, her long hair loose, her face ashen, yet still stubbornly holding her back straight. Behind her stood two men in the uniform of imperial guards.
Mei Lin’s body stiffened slightly as she discreetly shifted her position and reached out, trying to find something to cover her naked body.
Sensing that she was awake, Murong Jing He lowered his gaze briefly before returning his attention to Adai, who stared back at him with defiance. He smiled coldly, his words utterly ruthless.
"Slap her face. Make her understand her place."
As he spoke, he turned over and pressed down on Mei Lin again. She let out a muffled groan as the still-healing wounds tore open once more. She had no choice but to wrap her arms tightly around him to keep her body from being fully exposed to the others in the tent.
A voice responded, and soon after, the crisp sound of slaps echoed in the tent, one after another.
"At least you know your place," Murong Jing He murmured into Mei Lin’s ear, his hot breath sending a shiver down her spine.
She wanted to offer a few flattering words, but her throat was so dry that she couldn’t speak. Instead, she forced a seductive smile and closed her eyes, trying to calm her pounding heart by picturing a branch of pear blossoms.
She didn’t know how much time had passed, but eventually, the man withdrew from her body, and the sound of slaps ceased. Throughout it all, she hadn’t heard Adai beg for mercy even once.
Murong Jing He looked at Adai, whose lips were split and bleeding, yet she still held her swollen face high, meeting his gaze. A flicker of something unusual passed through his dark eyes, but he only sneered, "What, still not convinced?"
Adai remained silent, the disdain in her eyes growing stronger.
Murong Jing He rubbed his temples, clearly bored, and waved a hand dismissively. "Take her out and reward the soldiers," he said, the meaning unmistakable—she was to be handed over to the entire camp.
"No—!" Seeing the two men who had grabbed her show a look of delight as they were about to kneel and thank him, Adai’s psychological defenses finally crumbled, and she let out a piercing scream.
The scream, full of anguish and despair, stabbed into Mei Lin’s ears, causing her to shudder involuntarily. She opened her eyes just in time to catch the satisfied smile in Murong Jing He’s gaze.
So, Adai had finally broken, she thought. Strangely, she wasn’t surprised by this outcome; it was as if she had known all along that this would happen.
Later, she would learn that Adai had attempted to escape that night.
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