The Marquis doesn't support his beloved wife's ambitions, so I'll take the imperial e

The voice was like iron tempered with ice, each word striking her very bones.

Humiliation and pain, like two intertwined poisonous vines, instantly tightened around her heart.

But even more intense than that was the raging fury!

She transmigrated here not to relive the experience of being treated as a man's possession, subjected to wanton slapping and humiliation!

Abusive novels? To hell with abusive novels!

Just when Xiao Qingyan thought she would be stunned by the slap as usual, and then start crying and begging for mercy—

Jiang Zhenxue moved.

Without any warning, she used all her strength to lift her head and slam it hard into his chin!

A muffled thud!

Xiao Qingyan winced in pain and subconsciously loosened his grip slightly.

It's now!

A fierce glint flashed in Jiang Zhenxue's eyes. She broke free of one hand, her fingers forming claws, and her nails mercilessly scratched at his handsome face!

She's going to ruin his face! She's going to make him taste what it's like to be humiliated and branded!

Xiao Qingyan reacted incredibly quickly. He turned his head to dodge, and the sharp nails only left a few shallow white marks on the side of his face.

Even so, the stinging sensation completely enraged him.

"You dare!"

He grabbed her flailing wrist with his other hand, the force so great it seemed he wanted to crush her bones.

Jiang Zhenxue was like a mother wolf driven to the brink of despair. She didn't beg for mercy or shed a tear. She continued to struggle with her other hand and kicked wildly with her legs. Her whole being exuded a kind of madness that was determined to perish together with her.

If we can't win, we'll die together!

It would be best if she died! If she died, she could go back in time! It would save her from wasting time here with this madman!

She wouldn't let him go even if he were a ghost!

"Xiao Qingyan! You pervert! You madman! If you have the guts, kill me!" she roared, her voice hoarse but full of life. "Kill me! Otherwise, one day I will kill you!"

Xiao Qingyan was completely stunned.

He had seen her cry, he had seen her laugh, he had seen her try to please, he had seen her act coquettishly.

He had never seen her like this before.

Like a wildfire burning fiercely, it spreads like wildfire, threatening to incinerate everyone who gets close.

He held her hands, looking at her face flushed with anger. In those eyes that were always shimmering with tears, a flame he had never seen before, called "hatred," was burning.

He suddenly realized that this was somewhat interesting.

Compared to that weeping canary, Jiang Zhenxue, who was baring her teeth and claws and clamoring to kill her, seemed... more interesting.

He loosened his grip, no longer wrestling with her, but simply pinned her down with his legs, letting her struggle in vain.

"Kill me?" He laughed, enraged by her harsh words, a cruel smile curving his lips. "By what right? By your pathetic skills, or by this mouth of yours that only knows how to shout?"

Jiang Zhenxue was breathing heavily, her chest heaving, and her eyes were fixed on him as if she wanted to burn two holes in him.

She stopped talking.

Because she knew that trying to reason with this madman was the most foolish thing in the world.

What he enjoys is the thrill of being in control and watching his prey struggle in his hands.

Seeing that she had quieted down, Xiao Qingyan felt rather bored.

His gaze fell on her swollen cheek, where the five clear finger marks stood out starkly against his fair skin.

He frowned.

He can hit her, but there can't be any blemishes on her face.

She is his, and she must be perfect from head to toe.

"Fu'an," he called out to the door without turning his head.

"My lord, this servant is here," Fu'an replied tremblingly from outside the door.

"Get an ice pack."

"Yes."

Jiang Zhenxue sneered when she heard the words "ice pack".

A slap followed by a candy?

This is his usual tactic.

That's how the original owner was; she was repeatedly deceived by his hypocritical gentleness, which led her to sink deeper and deeper until she was doomed.

But she wasn't the original owner of this body!

Soon, Fu'an handed the ice pack in through the door.

Xiao Qingyan got up, picked up the ice pack wrapped in silk, and put it back on her, pressing the cold thing against her face.

"Don't move, your face is swollen like a pig's head, it looks awful." His tone carried a condescending impatience.

Actually, he didn't put in much effort at all; he was just deliberately trying to scare her. He was just furious.

Just as the ice pack was about to touch her cheek, Jiang Zhenxue suddenly turned her head and used all her strength to smash the ice pack away!

*Smack!*

The ice pack fell to the ground, scattering the ice cubes all over the floor.

"I don't need your fake kindness!" She looked at him, her eyes filled with undisguised disgust and contempt. "Xiao Qingyan, stop with your disgusting tricks! Do you think I'll still be moved to tears by your little favors like before?"

Xiao Qingyan's expression finally darkened completely.

"Jiang Zhenxue, don't be ungrateful."

"I'm just ungrateful!" Jiang Zhenxue sat up abruptly in bed to confront him, her aura surprisingly even. "What? Does Your Excellency think that slapping me and then applying a face mask is enough to make things go smoothly?"

She laughed, but the laugh was more painful than a cry.

You're wrong.

"I'm telling you, I'll remember this slap."

She pointed to her face, speaking each word clearly and distinctly.

"You hit me once, I'll hit you ten times, a hundred times. Just because I can't beat you today doesn't mean I can't tomorrow. As long as I live, I won't let you have a good day."

"You like to play, don't you? Okay, I'll play with you."

"I'd like to see whether you'll kill me first, or I'll drag you into hell first!"

Her words were like poisoned knives, piercing Xiao Qingyan's heart with precision and ruthlessness.

For the first time, he found himself somewhat... speechless.

He could handle her tears, her pleas for mercy, and even her resistance.

But he didn't know how to deal with her... complete disdain, which showed she didn't take him seriously at all.

"Who led you astray?" He narrowed his eyes, trying to find traces of those "wild men" in her. "Was it that bookworm surnamed Kang, or that reckless little beggar?"

"Them?" Jiang Zhenxue exclaimed as if she had heard the biggest joke in the world. "They are a million times better than you! At least they know what respect is! Unlike you, a coward who only knows how to use violence and power to cover up his inner emptiness and incompetence!"

The word "coward" completely touched Xiao Qingyan's sore spot.

He suddenly stood up, and the oppressive aura emanating from him exploded outwards.

"very good."

He looked at her with a gaze that seemed to want to devour her whole.

"Jiang Zhenxue, you've successfully angered me."

He did not make another move.

He just stood there, looking at her with the eyes of someone looking at a dead person.

"Didn't you want to leave?" he suddenly asked.

Jiang Zhenxue was taken aback.

"roll."

He uttered a single word, stepped aside, and made way for the doorway.

Jiang Zhenxue could hardly believe her ears.

He... let her go?

What new trick is this?

She watched him warily, afraid to move.

"What?" A cold, mocking smile curled at the corner of Xiao Qingyan's lips. "You don't dare anymore? Afraid that I've laid a trap for you outside Yingxian Tower?"

"Or is it that your 'new favorite' who's protecting you is still unconscious, and you can't bear to leave him alone?"

Jiang Zhenxue's heart clenched at the mere mention of Shen Yu.

She didn't know how Xiao Yu was doing now, or how badly he was injured.

She saw Xiao Qingyan's kick clearly; he showed absolutely no mercy.

She has to go back and check!

"Xiao Qingyan, you'd better pray he's alright." She stood up and coldly uttered these words, "Otherwise, I swear, even if it costs me my life, I will make you pay the price."

She straightened her disheveled clothes, straightened her back, and walked step by step toward the door like a female general about to go to battle.

Her hand grasped the doorknob.

There was no sound coming from behind.

He really just let her go like that?

Instead of feeling relieved, Jiang Zhenxue felt a deeper unease.

She flung the door open.

Outside the door, Fu'an and several guards stood with their hands at their sides. When they saw her come out, they all subconsciously lowered their heads, not daring to look at her.

The corridor was empty and unobstructed.

Jiang Zhenxue didn't turn around. She took a deep breath and was about to step out of the threshold.

"Jiang Zhenxue".

Behind him, his cold voice rang out again.

Did I let you leave?