Volume One, Chapter Six: Once More Held Beneath in a Dream

Page 1/3

When Yuru Shen appeared at the pawnshop holding the seal, the shopkeeper’s every nerve was on edge. He carefully cradled the seal, pretending to examine it closely, but his gaze kept drifting over the counter to Yuru’s face.

Yuru had no idea of the deeper implications; she simply thought he was curious about how she came to possess such a treasure. Clearing her throat, she delivered the rehearsed explanation she had prepared long ago.

“This seal is a family heirloom. If I weren’t in urgent need of money, I wouldn’t part with it. Please examine it carefully, shopkeeper!”

Unexpectedly, that single sentence completely revealed her true situation. The shopkeeper, who had hesitated moments before, was now utterly convinced. Such exquisite mutton-fat white jade could only be imperial property. How could an ordinary commoner like her own such a thing?

His eyes darted cunningly as he quickly replaced his tense expression with a smile.

“Madam, this is indeed a fine item. In my opinion, it’s worth ten thousand taels of gold, but alas, I don’t have that much ready cash in the shop right now.” Lowering his head in thought, he said, “How about this: come back in three days, and I’ll gather the funds for you, alright?”

Three days should be enough time to send the message and receive a reply.

He stroked his beard, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Yuru was startled to hear the seal was worth ten thousand taels of gold. She hadn’t imagined such a small item could be so valuable. But the shopkeeper’s insistence on waiting three days before the transaction was troubling.

“That won’t do. I’ll check with another shop,” she said.

As long as the item was valuable, another shop would offer the same. The important thing was to get the money quickly and resolve the immediate problem.

Hearing this, the shopkeeper panicked. Grasping the box that held the seal, he dodged her outstretched hand and softened his tone.

“Madam, please don’t rush. Let’s discuss further. Ten thousand taels is no small sum. Or perhaps you…”

He hesitated, pondering how to keep her there.

Seeing his hesitation, Yuru gained confidence. After all his words, he was just trying to negotiate a better price.

With a casual step, she sat on a nearby chair, adopting the right posture, and spoke again.

“Since you recognize its value, I won’t hide anything. The shop next door offered me this amount.”

She held up two fingers, waving them in the air, then fixed her gaze on the shopkeeper, waiting for his response.

Cold sweat beaded on his forehead. Hastily lifting the curtain, he came out from behind the counter, bowing as he poured her a cup of tea.

“What nonsense are you talking, madam? We can negotiate the price. How about this: I’ll give you twenty thousand taels. If you need money urgently, I can pay you a thousand taels as a deposit now, and the rest when you return with the item in three days.”

Yuru was surprised at how easily the deal was settled.

Then the shopkeeper added, “But if I pay your deposit, I need your address. What if you don’t come back in three days? I’d lose a lot.”

Page 2/3

His request was reasonable, so Yuru left the shop’s address and happily walked away with one thousand taels of gold.

Now she had the compensation money, the funds to expand the shop, and even enough if her parents wanted to rebuild their residence.

With the major matter settled, Yuru finally felt at ease.

That night, a letter from Zhian Xie arrived as expected.

Sitting by candlelight, Yuru unfolded the letter. The elegant handwriting greeted her: “Tossing and turning deep into the night, yearning until ill with longing...”

Her cheeks flushed instantly.

Pressing the letter to her chest, she struggled to calm the pounding of her heart.

In their three years of correspondence, only this time did her husband’s words become so frank.

“Yearning until ill”—wasn’t she feeling the same?

Qiuyue teased her from the side, watching Yuru’s expressive face.

“Miss, are you blushing? What exactly did the master write?”

Startled, Yuru asked, “When did you come in?”

Qiuyue chuckled, glancing at the letter.

“Right when Miss was dreaming of spring.”

Yuru, feeling caught, hid the letter behind her back, heart racing uncontrollably.

Qiuyue laughed softly, “Don’t worry, Miss. I saw nothing, nothing at all.”

With a tinkling laugh, Qiuyue left.

Yuru was alone again in the room.

She reopened the letter and savored every word, feeling as if immersed in honey.

That night, Yuru fell asleep clutching the letter.

She dreamed of her husband, Zhian Xie.

The bridal canopy swayed, red candles flickered.

She moved in time with him, rising slowly to the clouds.

Suddenly, a thunderclap shattered the moment; candlelight went out.

The touch upon her body ceased to be gentle.

Unable to endure, Yuru trembled and pleaded, “Hu-husband, slow... please, slow down!”

In the darkness, the figure ignored her pleas and grew rougher.

Yuru pushed him, “Husband?”

“Who’s your husband?” came a dark voice, harsh and unlike Zhian’s gentle tone.

Page 3/3

A cold sweat broke over Yuru as she struggled to rise.

“Who are you? Let me go!”

The man easily pinned her back down.

“Don’t move! Give! Me!”

Domineering and ruthless, leaving no room for refusal.

Rough hands slid to her twisting waist, caressing and squeezing.

A familiar sensation surged within her. The sharp pain returned.

Yuru recognized him—the arrogant thief who had once forcibly taken her body!

Shame and fury surged together.

She flailed her arms and legs, summoning all her strength to strike the man atop her.

But the mountain of a man didn’t budge an inch—instead, he pressed down harder.

Yuru, suffocated, finally broke down crying.

“Let me go! Let me go!”

“Please!”

“It hurts so much!”

“Release me!”

“Miss! Miss! What’s wrong? Wake up, wake up!”

Qiuyue entered and heard Yuru’s cries. She gently patted her, hoping to rouse her from the nightmare.

Yuru heard Qiuyue’s soft call in the dream—a guiding light pulling her from the darkness.

Tear-streaked eyelashes slowly opened. Yuru stared at the canopy above the bed, still dazed.

Her face was cold as ice. She wiped her hand over her face—wet with tears.

“Miss, what’s wrong? Don’t scare me!”

Only then did Yuru notice Qiuyue sitting by the bedside.

She forced a smile. “It’s nothing. Just a dream.”

Qiuyue exhaled and handed her a warm cloth.

“What kind of dream made you cry like this? Wipe your eyes quickly—soon they’ll swell.”

Yuru took the cloth and pressed it over her eyes, calming herself.

The dream had been so real that her body still trembled slightly.

But fortunately, it was only a dream. Everything had passed.