Zhou Zhiruo, feeling a sudden thirst, reached for the cup and took a sip. The two exchanged a few words, but an icy air settled between them once again. Sensing the lateness of the hour, Zhou Zhiruo suggested, "It's getting late. Let's rest."
As she moved towards the bed and sat down, she was startled to find Song Qingshu joining her, his expression tinged with displeasure. "What are you doing here? Your bed is over there," she exclaimed, her surprise evident.
Wearing a peculiar smile, Song Qingshu settled beside the bed. "I intend to sleep in this bed."
Zhou Zhiruo seethed with anger inside, yet she couldn't ignore his pitiful state. Reluctantly, she stood up. "Very well, then I shall sleep on the floor."
"No need for that. I want to sleep with you," Song Qingshu exclaimed, a joyous glimmer in his eyes.
"You!" Zhou Zhiruo's mind raced, trying to comprehend what went wrong. She raised her hand, intending to strike him, but suddenly everything went dark, and she collapsed weakly onto the bed.
With a smile, Song Qingshu gazed at the bed where Zhou Zhiruo lay, her eyes appearing to flicker open and shut. "My lady, how do you find the taste of the 'Ten-Flavored Soft Tendons' prepared by your husband?"
Zhou Zhiruo's thoughts raced back to the cup of tea he had handed her earlier, and she gasped, whispering, "Song Qingshu, have you lost your mind?"
"Am I crazy?" Song Qingshu's laughter took on an eerie tone. "Indeed, I must be mad. I witnessed you and Zhang Wuji plotting behind my back, engaging in your despicable rendezvous, while I feigned ignorance."
"What?" Zhou Zhiruo was stunned, realizing he must have discovered their agreement with Zhang Wuji. Her guilt-ridden voice trembled as she spoke, "You know? That's impossible. You can't..."
"Didn't I receive acupuncture?" Song Qingshu touched his smooth face, his words rushed. "Thankfully, fate intervened, and I woke up by chance. From then on, I was prepared. I purged the effects of the 'Ten-Flavored Soft Tendons' you prepared, exposing the vile truth of your illicit affair." If it hadn't been for their pretense of treating him while secretly pursuing their relationship, Song Qingshu wouldn't have been so consumed by rage. Before departing, he had resolved to exact revenge.
"Song Qingshu! What do you want?" Zhou Zhiruo's scalp prickled under his touch.
"On such a splendid night, you and I sleeping in the same bed, bound as husband and wife. What do you think I want?" Song Qingshu began unbuttoning her collar, each release deliberate and unhurried.
"Song Qingshu, dare you!" Blushing furiously, Zhou Zhiruo raised her brows, her clothes gradually coming undone.
"I am your husband. Is there anything amiss in asking you to fulfill your wifely duties?" Song Qingshu finally unfastened the outermost layer, beholding the light pink garment beneath. "Ah, embroidered mandarin ducks."
"Song Qingshu, I will surely kill you!" With a chilling sensation in her chest, Zhou Zhiruo trembled with anger, knowing the impending nightmare she was about to face.
"To die beneath the beauty of a peony, even as a ghost, I would consider it worthwhile to spend a night with you, the renowned beauty of the world." Song Qingshu grasped her fragrant shoulders, helping her up and loosening the bun atop her head, allowing the dark tresses to cascade over her snow-white shoulders, creating a mesmerizing sight.
"Qing Shu, please release me. You used to be so kind to me. Why are you doing this now?" Zhou Zhiruo pleaded in a trembling voice, her heart growing increasingly frantic, unable to bear the impending ordeal.
"As I think of you willingly surrendering yourself to Zhang Wuji, the previous Song Qingshu perishes," he retorted coldly, untying the knot at the back of her neck. The delicate fabric slid silently, revealing her waist.
"You've misunderstood..." Zhou Zhiruo had always assumed Song Qingshu's anger stemmed from her reconciliation with Zhang Wuji, and she continued to explain herself, her words falling on deaf ears.
"Misunderstood?" Song Qingshu's laughter held a chilling edge. "There is no room for misunderstanding when I have witnessed the truth with my own eyes. Cease your senseless babbling. It only deepens my disdain for you."
"I have nothing to do with him!" Knowing all explanations were futile, Zhou Zhiruo closedher eyes in anguish, a single tear escaping from the corner.
"How fragrant it is!" Song Qingshu raised his head, sensing the opportune moment. With a final descent into darkness, he pounced...