Chapter 4: How to Express Gratitude

"Someone," driven by anger, Jiang Wu spoke fiercely, "cut down all these trees."

The maids were taken aback. One tried to reason, "Madam, these peach blossoms have been planted for many years and look so beautiful. Why cut them down?"

Planted for many years? Jiang Wu sneered coldly; of course she knew they had been there for years.

"What? My words carry no weight in this household anymore?"

Her words startled the maids once more, clearly recalling the fates of previous mistresses.

Jiang Wu’s bad mood, upon seeing the ruined peach blossoms scattered across the garden, finally eased sharply. Her frustration seemed to find an outlet at last.

But once the anger subsided, fear and regret crept in.

Was she foolish to stubbornly hold her ground? What would happen when Chu Ling returned? Would he kill her?

***

Jiang Wu could not predict how Chu Ling would respond. She refused to admit that part of her still clung to hope.

She accepted that she was no match for Chu Yan, but surely, she could at least outmatch a few trees?

Yet when she saw Chu Ling, she knew the truth—she was truly no match.

The man sat in the grand armchair. Even though seated, he lacked his usual towering presence, and though Jiang Wu was slightly taller standing next to him, she still felt as if he was looking down on her.

His eyes held the calm before a storm.

"Why did you cut down the peach trees?" he asked.

The moment Chu Ling spoke, Jiang Wu’s knees buckled.

She was terrified because she clearly sensed his anger. His hands clenched tightly on the armrests, betraying his effort to restrain his fury.

The situation was far graver than she had imagined.

Chu Ling was a man who never showed his emotions openly. If even she could perceive his anger, then she was surely doomed today.

It was likely that Chu Yan was returning, and Jiang Wu was now utterly worthless. Before Chu Yan left, Chu Ling had not even wanted to touch her.

Now, having crossed his line once again, he would surely kill her. If it were Chu Ling, he would do exactly that.

Tears streamed down Jiang Wu’s face in fear.

She did not beg. She had witnessed too many plead with Chu Ling, and it never worked. Chu Ling never even furrowed his brow.

Jiang Wu wanted to keep some dignity in her final moments.

Yet she could not stop crying. She still longed to see her child, to see Yang Zhou and Ming Zhu.

***

Her sudden sobs made the man sitting above slightly startled, and the icy aura around him softened a little.

But Jiang Wu, lost in her tears, did not notice.

She felt death was imminent. The terror and unwillingness to die made her reckless with words, retreating as she shouted things she had never dared say before: "Then kill me! Just kill me!"

Her voice grew more impassioned, something raging wildly in her mind, pounding a fierce headache: "Kill me, and make way for her. But Nian Yin and A Ye will never forgive you. You kill their birth mother—they will never forgive you."

Jiang Wu imagined how ugly she must look now—angry, terrified, powerless, completely pitiful.

Chu Ling moved slightly, and Jiang Wu was too frightened to utter another word. She thought she was about to die, but instead, the man reached out and pulled her into his embrace.

The armchair was large. Chu Ling’s frame was imposing, and while sitting alone he seemed fine, holding Jiang Wu made it cramped.

Her entire body pressed tightly against his.

They rarely shared such closeness outside the bedroom. Jiang Wu was stunned when a hand gently patted her back twice.

"Calm down," Chu Ling’s voice carried a subtle helplessness. "When did I say I was going to kill you?"

Jiang Wu cried again, "Aren’t you angry? When you’re angry, don’t you kill?"

The hand on her back withdrew. She realized Chu Ling was looking down at her. That profound gaze was inscrutable, as always—Chu Ling was a man no one could ever understand.

This time, for the first time, he avoided her eyes.

Jiang Wu could no longer see his expression, only the resolute line of his jaw as he spoke softly:

"If only it were that simple with you."

The light sentence sounded more like a sigh, devoid of clear emotion.

But at least Jiang Wu heard this much: he would not kill her.

Why? Well, she was his lawful wife, the mother of his child. So even in anger, he would not take her life.

Jiang Wu clung to these reasons, although she knew if Chu Ling truly wished it, no excuse would stop him.

At least, her life was spared.

Just as she relaxed, she heard Chu Ling say, "Chu Yi."

Chu Yi was Chu Ling’s secret guard. Hearing that name filled Jiang Wu with fear. Sure enough, the next moment, the man issued a calm but merciless order:

"Deal with those who cut down the trees today..."

Before he could finish, Jiang Wu pressed her lips over his, blocking any further words.

Tears streamed down her face again, furious. She had forgotten: Chu Ling was never merciful. Even if he spared her, he would never easily forgive others.

He would only heap more sins upon her.

***

In her panic, Jiang Wu thought of only one desperate measure. If he finished his command, Chu Yi—the executioner—would carry it out without hesitation.

She was forcing herself to touch the man she found repulsive. Realizing this, her body trembled. The soft touch on her lips made her fight the urge to bite hard.

Chu Ling’s order was interrupted. Chu Yi glanced over and saw the two clinging together.

Chu Ling’s sharp gaze swept past him. Chu Yi immediately lowered his head. Before bowing, he saw the man’s hand at the armrest ready to give further orders but hesitated, unsure what to command.

The master seemed to hesitate—rare, since he was always decisive and ruthless.

After a moment, Chu Ling’s hand moved slightly.

It meant, "Stand down."

Chu Yi understood that the master had yielded to the madam’s plea and silently disappeared.

His departure was so quiet that Jiang Wu, still clinging to Chu Ling, did not notice.

She only saw Chu Ling’s unreadable face and slowly parted her lips.

"It was my order," she pleaded softly, no need to soften her tone deliberately—her naturally delicate voice, trembling with fear, barely more than a whisper. "Master, please don’t trouble them, okay?"

As she spoke, she nuzzled her nose against Chu Ling’s cheek, pressing her body even closer.

Chu Ling’s hand gripped the armrest tightly. His phoenix eyes narrowed, and the woman in his arms seemed like a coquettish kitten.

After a long silence, he finally spoke:

"Let this be the last time."

Jiang Wu exhaled completely, her body limp with relief. But as she realized how close they were, her muscles stiffened again.

"Thank you, Master," she whispered cautiously, trying to create some space.

But Chu Ling had pulled her closer; without his permission, she dared not fully rise. And without his support, she couldn’t hold herself up, so she pressed against him again.

After several attempts, the man seemed unable to bear it any longer. His hand at her waist swiftly encircled her, restraining her completely.

Jiang Wu dared not move. She was truly frightened.

Gradually, his grip loosened, shifting from restraint to something more suggestive.

"What’s there to thank me for?"

The husky undertone and implication in his voice left no room for denial. Jiang Wu closed her eyes. Great, yet another unlucky day.