Chapter 16

A few days later, at the Xie residence.

Only a few days remained before the deadline set by Xie Yao, yet Yuli seemed to have given up entirely, casting the matter completely out of her mind.

She wanted to plant some living flowers in the mansion, but the courtyard of Mingyue Residence was paved entirely with stone slabs, not even a single potted plant in sight. Yuli sensed there was a deeper meaning behind this arrangement and refrained from telling others about her desire to plant flowers.

Moreover, it was the height of summer, the heat seemed as if it would melt a person away. She didn’t want to go outside, and even if she tried to plant flowers, they probably wouldn’t survive. So she spent her days holed up in Mingyue Residence.

Because of the heat, Xue Mi disliked being near her and would only lie by the bedroom door, rubbing against the ice mirror in Yuli’s room.

Yuli only went out for a walk in the early morning and evening, usually to meet Xie Yao.

Every morning, freshly picked flowers were still delivered. Yuli had once told them to stop sending flowers, but seeing no effect, she didn’t mention it again.

Xie Yao thought she liked flowers and wanted her to see different ones every day. He feared that Yuli would feel pity seeing them wither, so he had Jingyu throw the flowers away early the next morning.

Eventually, Yuli couldn’t hold it in any longer and wanted to tell Xie Yao personally to stop sending them. She spent two days drying the flowers under the blazing sun. Though the flowers were withered and dry, their shapes remained, possessing a unique elegance.

When Xie Yao came, Yuli pulled him over to make flower arrangements with the dried flowers.

In recent days, Xie Yao came daily but spoke little, seeming to wait for Yuli to take the initiative. He neither urged nor pressured her. Yuli took her own pace, inviting him to watch the stars and write calligraphy together.

The only time he mentioned outside affairs was to say that this year the imperial court held an additional imperial examination; the top scholar was from their hometown, just like her.

Yuli wasn’t interested in court politics; after all, everything was under Xie Yao’s control.

Yuli learned some flower arranging techniques from Jingyu and created decent floral displays. Xie Yao watched silently without helping.

After finishing, Yuli asked, “Is it pretty?”

Xie Yao replied, “Yes.”

“I didn’t expect dried flowers to have their own beauty. I think I won’t need fresh flowers anymore; I can just look at these,” Yuli said, watching his expression.

Xie Yao showed no change. “Don’t like fresh flowers anymore?”

“Mm,” Yuli took the opportunity to say, “I prefer this now, at least for the time being.”

Xie Yao neither agreed nor disagreed. He came close, positioning himself between her and the desk, his chest nearly against her back, arms resting on either side of her.

“Changed your fragrance?” he suddenly asked.

His voice was so close, almost at her ear, his breath ruffling her hair in a ticklish way.

Yuli hadn’t changed her scent; she had simply stopped using the fragrances Xie Yao gave her. She had never been accustomed to perfumes but had used them for a few days to show appreciation for his gifts. Since he never mentioned it, she stopped using them silently.

“Mm, I’m more comfortable without fragrance,” Yuli said.

Xie Yao didn’t pull away. Yuli could feel his body’s warmth, and in the stifling heat, her back began to sweat.

“It’s the fragrance that doesn’t suit you,” Xie Yao said. “I’ll have someone bring something else tomorrow.”

Yuli hurried to say, “No need. I’m not used to wearing fragrance.”

Xie Yao withdrew his hand and stepped back half a pace.

The oppressive heat vanished, replaced by a sudden chill. Yuli turned to explain, “I only tried it out of curiosity at first. After using it, I felt uncomfortable. The novelty passed. Please don’t buy any more.”

Xie Yao lowered his gaze, looking at her unreadably.

Yuli thought he was strange but couldn’t discern his emotions. His eyes were deep and inscrutable. She wanted to say more but found herself unable to speak.

Yuli spoke little; Xie Yao even less. He left early.

The next morning, while Yuli was still having breakfast, a line of maids and guards entered carrying bouquets and embroidered boxes.

Once again, the room was filled with flowers, dozens of fragrances, and various jewelry and trinkets—exactly like the items from the day they shopped, with similar substitutes if the exact ones couldn’t be found.

Jingyu stepped forward from the group, lowering her head. “The young master said, if madam is reluctant to use these, he will send another set tomorrow. If madam still does not like them or grows tired, he will send all the new goods from the shop.”

Yuli felt as if needles were pricking her back, unable even to force a fake smile.

She remained silent for a long moment; Jingyu lifted her head and saw Yuli furrowing her brow.

This was a sign of displeasure and unhappiness.

A flash of panic crossed Jingyu’s eyes, but she quickly composed herself and said, “The young master only has madam’s best interests at heart. Please, madam, do not upset him.”

Yuli took a deep breath. She dared not offend Xie Yao. Seeing her expression caused Jingyu to worry. Fortunately, it wasn’t Xie Yao himself delivering the gifts; otherwise, the outcome might have been worse.

He wanted her to use what he gave her; she couldn’t refuse outright.

But this time, Yuli really wanted to decline. It wasn’t just that he bought things she couldn’t afford without consulting her. The way he forced her to accept and like them wasn’t just about controlling her physical freedom but also her preferences.

In her previous life, Yuli was a person with strong boundaries. She disliked owing others favors. Even when short on rent, she wouldn’t borrow from friends or family but would take out a bank loan.

If colleagues or friends bought her a milk tea, she would find an opportunity to repay them.

Every transaction was clear and accounted for. When she received something, she had already calculated how to repay it in her mind.

Now, with Xie Yao’s behavior, forcing her into an unrepayable debt, it seemed he not only wanted to consummate their marriage but also sought to control her mind.

Yuli finally felt resentment.

She never showed Jingyu a smile.

After Jingyu left, Yuli didn’t touch the items in the room. She planned to wait for Xie Yao to come and tell him to take them away.

She would make it clear that her entire being was under his control, that she had no intention of leaving, and he need not dictate her tastes.

Yuli naïvely believed that sincere communication would get through to him.

That night, Xie Yao came. The main room of Mingyue Residence was filled with possessions. Yuli ate in the small pavilion, playing with Xue Mi outside the door when he arrived. She hadn’t gone to meet him.

Xue Mi bolted first upon his arrival.

Yuli stood outside, watching him walk step by step, his gaze fixed on the crowded main room.

Under the flower-adorned door, Jingyu and two maids lowered their heads even further. Xiyun sensed the unease and chose to stand with Yuli.

For a moment, Yuli imagined the grim fate of Jingyu and the maids. Originally, Xie Yao disliked bloodshed. He either fed victims alive to dogs or strangled them with ropes, leaving no blood but whole bodies.

The original owner, Song Yi, had stubbornly resisted him, unhappy every day. Once, after she smashed his gifts, Xie Yao executed all the maids present.

Yuli shuddered. Xie Yao’s expression was terrifying. But what had she done wrong?

She had accepted his gifts and even used them in front of him, giving him some emotional value. Why was he so unreasonable as to force her to keep using them? They had been together for some time. If not lovers, they were at least friends. Did she not even have the right to silently refuse?

Yuli felt wronged, wanting to run away, refusing to speak, sulking in silence.

But she could not displease him.

If she were angry and silent, he wouldn’t harm her, but it would endanger Xiyun, Jingyu, and the others.

Her thoughts raced. As Xie Yao approached, she called softly, “Husband.”

Her voice was heavy and trembling at the end.

Xie Yao stopped and looked at her profile, seeing her pressed lips and the ground she stared at.

“If you don’t like it, I’ll take it back,” he said. “Tell me if you want anything else later.”

Yuli turned to face him, surprised.

“Don’t keep things from me,” he said, staring at her.

Yuli studied his expression and said, “I don’t need any of this. Can you have them taken away?”

“All right,” Xie Yao said, then ordered Jingyu to clear everything out.

Yuli felt a burden lift. She looked at Xie Yao, whose expression remained inscrutable, emotionless.

But Yuli knew him well enough: if he didn’t smile in front of her, he was displeased. The only difference was how displeased he was.

Earlier, Yuli thought he was quite angry, but now he seemed somewhat better.

He suddenly asked, “Anything else?”

Yuli thought that was enough. The rest had been used and would be hard to return.

She shook her head.

Xie Yao looked at her for a moment. “That’s good. II'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.