Chapter 421: Yun Han’s Grievance
Chapter 421: Chapter 421: Yun Han’s Grievance
Ning Xuan untied the red silk ribbon covering his eyes and reached out to lift his bowed head.
"Why the long face? Do you feel you’ve been wronged?"
"Yun Han wouldn’t dare." He was forced to tilt his face up, his long neck stretched taut, revealing the elegant line of his throat. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and a liquid light shimmered in his amber eyes.
The words left his lips as if coated in a thin layer of frost. When the box had been opened, Yun Han had shifted from a sitting to an upright kneeling position, his posture remaining impeccable. His hands were bound behind his back with a red silk ribbon. Beneath his crimson, translucent robes, the sharp outline of broad shoulders and a narrow waist was faintly visible, hinting at the elegant musculature beneath.
Ning Xuan gripped his chin, forcing him to meet her gaze. Yun Han was compelled to look into Ning Xuan’s eyes, but after a moment, he squeezed them shut and turned his head away.
This silent resistance made Ning Xuan let out a derisive scoff.
The red silk ribbon Ning Xuan had just removed now lay draped across Yun Han’s collarbones, making his pale skin seem all the more striking.
Ning Xuan’s thumb traced his lower lip while her other fingers caressed his cheek. "Wouldn’t dare? Yun Han, there’s nothing wrong with feeling aggrieved. But you also need to understand just who is making you suffer this way."
"Yun Han understands. I am aware of my sins. This is all something I deserve," Yun Han replied, his gaze lowered and his tone detached.
"Then what is there to feel aggrieved about? Why are you being so difficult? You look completely defiant," Ning Xuan said, frowning at him.
"Family Head, before the Contract ceremony, I sent you a message. Since you intend to establish a family and expand your influence, you should seize every ounce of power you can. I’ve already persuaded my father and mother. As long as you grant me the status of a Contractor, the Seven Star Divine Mountain will be at your disposal. Is that not a sufficient show of sincerity? The Seven Star Divine Mountain is stronger than even Five Maples City. I don’t understand—is humiliating me more important than strengthening your own forces?" Yun Han suddenly looked up, his gaze dark as he questioned Ning Xuan.
"You speak of sincerity? Your father hired assassins from the Slaughter Pavilion to kill me. I’m only alive because I’m hard to kill. It was fate that spared me, not your father showing any mercy or holding back. With that incident between us, how could I possibly interact with them as if nothing happened? Wouldn’t that just be telling the whole world that they can call for my blood and I’ll still forgive them? You tell me, if you were in my shoes, would you?" Ning Xuan released him, stood up straight, and turned her back to him.
Ning Xuan’s pointed questions made Yun Han’s face turn pale. He understood her meaning perfectly. As long as the matter of his father sending assassins to kill her existed, he could never hope to be treated kindly by her in public.
Fifteen days ago, he had received notice that Ning Xuan would be holding a Contract ceremony with Yu Mingche. He would be required to attend and pay his respects to the new husband and the other Contractors in his capacity as a Contracted Slave.
In the past, his official status had been ambiguous. Although he was a Contracted Slave, his background and standing were anything but ordinary. Aside from Yu Mingche and Ying Yaoshi, no one else would have dared to act out of line in his presence.
He only needed to be obedient in front of Ning Xuan.
But in the future, once his status was officially confirmed, how could he ever hold his head high in front of others, in front of the entire world?
Just as Yun Han was growing distraught, his father and mother had come to him. They said that as long as Ning Xuan made him a Contractor, the Seven Star Divine Mountain would henceforth follow her commands.
Hearing his parents’ offer, Yun Han had actually felt a sense of relief. He had thought that Ning Xuan was at least somewhat fond of him and would agree to the terms, seeing the sincerity offered by the Seven Star Divine Mountain.
But who would have thought that he would never receive a reply from her? Instead, with ten days still to go before the Contract ceremony, he was taken away by the Controller Protection Association to be instructed on the proper etiquette for the event.
"Cat got your tongue? You mentioned the strength of your Seven Star Divine Mountain. I recall that when your mother begged me to treat you, not only did she give your father a harsh beating, she also made me a promise. She said she would do one thing for me with the full power of her clan, a clan that includes both the Seven Star Divine Mountain and the Zhu Family. I haven’t cashed in on that promise yet," Ning Xuan said suddenly, her eyes narrowing.
"Since my mother made a promise, she will certainly honor it. You have only to give the order," Yun Han said.
"There’s nothing for now. However, you’ve been contacting them in private again, so brazenly. It seems your past punishments were too light. And all this time in the army has made you forget your place. Perhaps it’s best you don’t go back. How about I send you to the Training Institute to learn the rules again? I recall there’s still quite a lot in that thick rulebook that you haven’t studied yet." Ning Xuan’s hand rested on top of Yun Han’s head, her fingers carding through his hair.
A deathly chill spread through Yun Han’s heart at Ning Xuan’s words. He suddenly realized that his ability to command respect in the army—where his every call was answered and his authority was absolute—was, in fact, a privilege granted by Ning Xuan. A privilege she could revoke at any moment.
"Master, please don’t be angry. I know I was wrong. I’m begging you, please give me another chance." A distinct tremor entered Yun Han’s voice. His hands reached for Ning Xuan’s waist as he slowly pulled himself upward, burying his head against her.
"You don’t want to go to the Training Institute? Are you daring to disobey my order?" Ning Xuan asked, looking down at him.
"I wouldn’t dare, Family Head. I’m willing to accept any punishment you give me, but I can’t leave your side."
"I received a message from General Ying," Yun Han said. "He said that Lan Xin, Di Youlin, and I are to take turns guarding you. We are not to let our guard down for the next year. He seems to believe someone means you harm."
"I have no place by my side for someone who doesn’t follow the rules," Ning Xuan said, glancing at him.
"Family Head, I will follow the rules. I wasn’t thinking straight before. You know I’m the most obedient," Yun Han said, suggestively taking Ning Xuan’s hand and placing it on his own cheek.
Ning Xuan looked at him, and couldn’t help but recall what Yun Han used to be like by her side. He really had been very obedient back then.