In the third year of the Jingsheng reign, Shen Wan's father was implicated in a corruption case, and her mother was forced to become the Duke of Wei's concubine.
From then on, Shen Wan became the awkwardly situated Third Miss of the household.
Shen Wan was timid and delicate by nature. She followed her mother's instructions and lived cautiously, avoiding the two brilliant young masters of the household whenever she could.
Then her mother was exposed for attempting to murder the duke. Shen Wan became a criminal in the household, falling from a Third Miss in name only to the daughter of a disgraced concubine, whom anyone could bully.
*
The Duke's second son, Pei Yun, defied convention. He joined the army as a youth, won glorious military victories, and took command of one hundred thousand elite soldiers.
One day, the Duke's mansion held a banquet to welcome Pei Yun home. The eldest young master summoned Shen Wan to the banquet.
Shen Wan bent over to pour wine for the guests, her expression submissive and alluring. A glimpse of her fair skin showed at her slender neck.
Pei Yun strode over and hauled Shen Wan off a guest's lap like a drowned dog. He frowned viciously. "Shen Wan, have you no backbone?"
Shen Wan had just given the old madam some of her own blood. A bead of blood had nearly formed on her fingertip when it dripped onto Pei Yun's sleeve. Her beautiful face was full of alarm.
*
Pei Yun detested Shen Wan's coy, ingratiating ways, yet loved how dependent and obedient she was.
With great patience, he gradually restored her energy and spirit. From then on, her docility and sweet innocence belonged to him alone.
Then news spread throughout Chang'an that Pei Yun was about to marry a princess. That day, Pei Yun asked Shen Wan if she was willing to become his concubine.
Shen Wan nodded obediently.
Unexpectedly, she fled that very night.
*
In a small town in Jiangnan, thousands of miles from Chang'an, Shen Wan stood beside a refined scholar. His hand rested on her lower back, and her belly was slightly rounded. She smiled, her eyes crinkling.
Pei Yun curled his lip into a cold smile. What a tender, harmonious scene.
The instant Shen Wan saw him, her radiant smile froze, and her face turned deathly pale.
The scholar's severed, bloodied hand was casually tossed at Shen Wan's feet. Pei Yun's icy gaze swept over her belly before finally settling on her rosy lips.
He chuckled. "Want to save him?
"Beg me."
[2022/12/22]
Theme: You are your own salvation.
