Volume One, Chapter Two: I Want to Castrate You

“What are you doing?” Ye Yuntang traced circles on his ankle with a dagger, her voice sultry. “Naturally… I’m going to get rid of your brother!”

Xue Zimu’s handsome face twitched at her boldness. “Tang’er, now is really not the time for this…”

“When then?”

Seeing her so impatient, the fear in Xue Zimu’s eyes faded, replaced by a lecherous grin. He slowly approached Ye Yuntang. “I know you’re eager to have me, but don’t rush. Tonight, I’ll come to your room and show you some real affection.”

“Fine!”

Ye Yuntang suddenly stabbed forward with force. Xue Zimu screamed in pain and recoiled.

“What’s the matter, top scholar? Can’t handle it already? Seems like… you’re not up to the task?”

A playful smirk spread across Ye Yuntang’s face.

Xue Zimu broke out in a cold sweat. “Tang’er, what exactly do you want?”

“I want… to castrate you!” Ye Yuntang’s voice was icy.

Xue Zimu was stunned.

“Why so reluctant?” Ye Yuntang toyed with her dagger. “You swore your heart to me with heaven and earth as witnesses. To prove your loyalty, you should self-castrate before me. Then, maybe I’ll consider trusting you.”

Xue Zimu stared at her in shock. He had thought his previous insincere words would make her throw herself into his arms, sobbing, begging him not to leave. But instead of seeing her humbled, she dared to boldly propose to emasculate him!

It was utterly outrageous!

He wiped the sweat from his brow and blurted angrily, “You’re insulting decency! Truly, the daughter of merchants is coarse and arrogant! I only tolerated you because your mother entrusted you to my care on her deathbed, but you’re so venomous and ungrateful! Luckily, I’m now married to Yao’er. You’re unworthy of my status as a scholar favored by the emperor’s court, or the lady of the top scholar’s household…”

Smack!

Ye Yuntang slapped him hard across the face.

Xue Zimu covered his cheek, eyes blazing with rage. “How dare you hit me?”

It was an upheaval!

He was, after all, a favored scholar of the emperor!

“I hit you, so what?”

Just as Xue Zimu reached to strike back, he recalled the warning look from the chief steward earlier. He couldn’t act against her yet; she still had use.

Hmph!

Xue Zimu gave her a sinister smile, mocking, “Fine, consider that slap your venting. But don’t be too pleased. You’re only worth something as long as you have that body! Be careful in the future—don’t always maintain that proud, noble airs! Or you won’t even know how you died!”

Whether at the steward’s mansion or later in his official career, money and influence were indispensable. Keeping her in check meant he could still squeeze some wealth out of her. Once he married Ye Feiyao, the dowry would be hefty indeed.

Ye Yuntang looked at the malicious, scheming Xue Zimu and felt only scorn. Her mother had clearly misjudged people, wasting her life and leaving her with such a rotten scoundrel! Truly a fruitless effort.

Seeing her silent, Xue Zimu assumed she was frightened. Smiling, he stepped closer, looking down at her. “If youI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.