TFSRITA Chapter 167

He was thinking… he still hadn’t consummated his marriage with that woman!

What a loss!

He’d been beaten twice already, and they hadn’t even consummated. After all, she was his lawfully wedded wife!

As these thoughts swirled in Ji Jiaxun’s mind, an image of Yan Qing’s stunningly beautiful face popped up. He wondered idly what she was doing at the moment.

Whatever it was, it couldn’t be as satisfying as what he was doing now—hiding away, completely unreachable.

Still, a vague sense of unease lingered in his chest, like a flutter of anxiety, though he couldn’t pinpoint why.

“Why do you look so distracted?” Zhang Zhong teased, lifting a wine cup. “Come on, drink up! This is top-grade wine from Cuihong Pavilion—I went out of my way to get it. Isn’t it amazing?”

The wine at Cuihong Pavilion was divided into top, middle, and regular grades, with prices rising accordingly. Although their families were well-off, the top-grade wine was limited in supply and outrageously expensive. Usually, they settled for the mid-grade option. This time, though, Zhang Zhong had spent three days acquiring a good stash of the top-grade variety, likely blowing through half a year’s allowance.

“Of course!” Ji Jiaxun nodded, momentarily forgetting his earlier anxiety. He gulped down the wine and laughed, “You’re a real brother! More!”

“Coming up!”

The crisp clinking of wine cups rang out, blending with the lively background music. As they drank, the four young men became increasingly tipsy. Their once fair complexions turned rosy, their eyes hazy and unfocused.

That night, accompanied by fine wine, delicious food, and beautiful women, they drank themselves into a stupor, eventually collapsing where they sat.

The servants from the Shi family brought blankets and quilts to make them more comfortable for the night. Without orders from their masters, the servants didn’t dare disturb them.

As night gave way to dawn, the room was eerily quiet.

Suddenly, a loud bang shattered the silence. The door was kicked open with such force that it slammed against the wall, groaning under the impact. The frail wooden door creaked in protest as if it might give out entirely.

The noise jolted the sleeping group awake. Even those lost in deep dreams were startled, their slumber shattered as they slowly came to their senses.

In the corner, the women who had been playing music earlier were already wide awake. They exchanged uneasy glances, their faces pale and tinged with bitterness, frozen in place.

Could it be? Had the master’s family found them?

They were doomed.

Perhaps because his mind was preoccupied, Ji Jiaxun was the first of the four to wake up. Groggy and disoriented, he scrambled to his feet, knocking over a chair in the process. His face filled with alarm and a hint of fear as he stared at her and growled, “How did you find me here?!”

Yan Qing smiled faintly, her expression harmless, her voice soft and gentle. “Oh, I was just passing by to see what you were up to…” She glanced past him, her eyes landing on the six women behind them. The women were dressed scantily, their postures alluring and flirtatious.

She raised an eyebrow and said to Ji Jiaxun, “Looks like you’re living quite the life, huh? You sure know how to enjoy yourself.”

Ji Jiaxun felt a chill run down his spine. His legs went weak as he stammered, “Don’t misunderstand! We… we didn’t do anything! I swear!”

Yan Qing blinked innocently. “Really?”

“Absolutely! I swear on my life!” Ji Jiaxun’s voice was loud enough to rouse the other three completely.

“What’s going on?” Shi Yibin mumbled groggily, opening his eyes. The moment he saw her, he froze, his face drained of color. He stammered, “S-Sister-in-law?!”

Yan Qing ignored him and walked straight toward Ji Jiaxun.

Ordinarily, one might expect the women to bear the brunt of the punishment in such situations.

Having seen this play out many times in their line of work, the women prepared themselves for the worst, lowering their heads in resignation, bracing for slaps and scoldings.

But instead, they heard a loud yelp of pain.

Looking up, they saw the carefree young marquis being dragged away by his ear, his face twisted in agony as he stumbled after the woman.

The women were dumbfounded.

No punishment for them?

Of course not. These women had been sent by others and were merely pawns in the situation. Yan Qing had no intention of misplacing her anger.

She twisted Ji Jiaxun’s ear harder, causing him to tiptoe in pain. His face contorted as he whined, “It’s not my fault! I thought we were just here to have fun! How was I supposed to know they’d bring… them? It’s their fault—go punish them instead!”

Yan Qing let out a cold laugh. “They’re none of my business. Why would I bother with them? Now come with me! You dared to stay out all night and not come home?”

Ji Jiaxun winced in pain but was more concerned about another pressing matter. With a pained expression, he pleaded, “I know I was wrong! You can hit me or scold me when we get back, but can you let me use the bathroom first? I’m about to explode!”

Yan Qing rolled her eyes. “Where is it?”

“There…” Ji Jiaxun muttered quietly.

Yan Qing dragged him there and stood guard at the door.

Seeing her slender yet commanding figure standing outside, Ji Jiaxun’s face turned beet red. “Could you, uh… wait outside? I promise I won’t run.”

Yan Qing shot him a cold glare, and Ji Jiaxun immediately shut his mouth and shuffled inside, defeated.

Meanwhile, the other three peeked from the side, their hearts still racing. Shi Yibin patted his chest and whispered, “What the heck just happened? How did she find us?”

The other two shook their heads. Qi Haolin whispered, “Stop talking. We should get out of here before she changes her mind and comes for us!”

Shi Yibin looked at him in disbelief. “How can you be such a coward?”

Qi Haolin pointed out, “I saw her maid carrying a stick. If you’re brave enough, go ahead and try your luck!”