Chapter 68: Are You Going to Punish Me?

Hearing Jiang Chenbi’s words, Cui Wangshu belatedly realized that her inexplicable disgust toward Feng Gan might have stemmed from his affection for her.

Though she hadn’t consciously noticed it, her body had instinctively recoiled.

Her gaze lingered darkly on Jiang Chenbi’s face, taking in the dissatisfaction and jealousy in her eyes. Cui Wangshu’s lips curved as she cooed, “I didn’t know before. Sorry for making you upset.”

Jiang Chenbi turned her face away, refusing to look at her. Her voice was stiff. “Who’s upset?”

She simply couldn’t stand seeing others eye Cui Wangshu with such possessive desire.

A soft laugh bubbled from Cui Wangshu’s throat. The sound reached Jiang Chenbi’s ears, intensifying the irritation in her heart.

What was she laughing about? Was she happy that someone liked her? Or did she want even more admirers?

Jiang Chenbi frowned and turned to scold her, but her lips were suddenly sealed.

The woman’s cool, clear fragrance enveloped her senses. Cui Wangshu had somehow drawn close, capturing her lips the moment she turned.

Jiang Chenbi didn’t respond. After a moment, Cui Wangshu pulled back and settled into her seat, chuckling lightly. “Looks like you really are angry.”

Jiang Chenbi narrowed her eyes, staring into those bright black pupils. Suddenly, she grabbed Cui Wangshu’s collar with one hand and pressed down on her shoulder with the other.

She forced her to kneel in the carriage, looming over her from above.

Cui Wangshu didn’t get annoyed at being made to kneel on the floor. Instead, she watched with keen interest, excitement flickering in her eyes. Her voice came out husky. “Are you going to punish me?”

Jiang Chenbi’s lips twisted into a cold smile. She leaned in close, her hot breath fanning across Cui Wangshu’s face, her tone laced with seduction. “Cui Wangshu, will you be a good girl and obey?”

She didn’t call her “Little Lord Cui” or “Lord Cui the Minister.” She used her full name directly.

Cui Wangshu licked her lips, realizing with a thrill that hearing Jiang Chenbi say her name like that inexplicably excited her. Her gaze dropped to those red lips, and she leaned in slightly.

Slap—

Jiang Chenbi’s palm landed on Cui Wangshu’s cheek—not hard, more like flirtation. She stared coldly. “Answer me.”

Cui Wangshu straightened her head, which had been knocked askew. Far from angry, she laughed, her pupils dilating as she fixed her gaze on Jiang Chenbi. “Yes,” she rasped.

Jiang Chenbi’s pupils trembled. She scrutinized that cool, noble face, her lips curling into a smirk. The back of her hand slid across Cui Wangshu’s cheek as she murmured, “Such a good girl…”

Cui Wangshu’s throat bobbed. Her eyes were locked on those parting red lips, a secret thrill of submission surging through her heart. Compelled by impulse, she said, “If I’m obedient… can I earn a reward from my master?”

Jiang Chenbi’s pupils contracted, her breath hitching as she stared for a long moment.

Suddenly, a low laugh escaped her throat, growing into something that sent shivers down the spine. Her gaze slid meaningfully to Cui Wangshu’s lips.

With a yank of her wrist, she pulled Cui Wangshu to her feet and crushed their lips together. Her sharp teeth wickedly bit the corner of the other’s mouth.

Cui Wangshu’s breathing grew heavy. She raised a hand to grip her waist, but Jiang Chenbi slapped it away. She could only kneel and accept the kiss bestowed upon her.

The carriage had silently stopped at the entrance to the Shangshu Residence at some point, but the occupants showed no sign of emerging.

After what felt like an eternity, a figure leaped from the carriage, followed by Cui Wangshu’s tall, elegant silhouette descending the steps slowly.

Staring at the lighthearted back ahead of her, Cui Wangshu’s eyes darkened inscrutably.

She paused, then followed her into the room.

Once the door closed, Jiang Chenbi lounged in a chair, smiling at her as she arched a brow. “Didn’t I already reward you? Why are you still looking at me like that?”

Cui Wangshu removed her cloak and hung it aside. Turning, she fixed her with a resentful stare. “Not enough.”

Jiang Chenbi was in high spirits now, reclining relaxedly. She laughed. “What more do you want, then?”

Cui Wangshu stepped in front of her, staring intently. “You.”

Jiang Chenbi met her gaze, the amusement in her eyes cooling into a skin-deep smile. “Are you negotiating with me?”

Cui Wangshu’s emotions churned darkly in her eyes. She bent at the waist, hands braced on the armrests, leaning close to her ear. Her voice was low and deliberate. “Can’t I? Master.”

This was the second time Cui Wangshu had called her “master.” Jiang Chenbi narrowed her eyes and turned to face her, scoffing deliberately. “You want to call me master too?”

Cui Wangshu’s gaze roamed her face, her expression suppressing displeasure, her eyes turning sinister. “Does anyone else call you that?”

Jiang Chenbi pressed a finger to her lips, rubbing gently, and lifted her gaze. “Lots of people want to.”

Cui Wangshu’s eyes darkened, a surge of violent possessiveness rising in her chest. Her voice dropped, cold. “And you… you hit others like that too?”

Jiang Chenbi laughed at her. “Don’t tell me you only let me hit you.”

Cui Wangshu lowered her lashes, falling silent, her emotions hidden beneath.

If Jiang Chenbi had done this to others, did that mean many people coveted her?

Cui Wangshu slowly raised her eyes, staring unblinkingly. After a long moment, her deliberately slowed voice carried a dangerous edge. “Lots of people must be obsessed with you like that, right?”

The emotions in Cui Wangshu’s eyes turned off-kilter, her voice dry and hoarse. “Can’t you be mine alone?”

Jiang Chenbi tilted her chin up slightly, staring. The speculation in her eyes shifted to understanding.

She hadn’t expected this…

Jiang Chenbi crossed her legs, creating distance, her eyes never leaving Cui Wangshu’s displeased expression.

As expected…

“Being too greedy… isn’t very obedient,” the woman said with dissatisfaction.

Cui Wangshu lowered her gaze, lost in thought.

Having confirmed her suspicion, Jiang Chenbi watched her with fascination, like she’d found a new toy.

Suddenly, Cui Wangshu looked up, her eyes dark and oppressive. Though in a submissive position, her words were defiant. “But I’m greedy… I want to be disobedient and have all of you too.”

She didn’t want to share with anyone, didn’t want to see Jiang Chenbi give even a single humiliation or slap to another.

Cui Wangshu’s brows arched slightly, the ends drooping, her gaze fixed downward on Jiang Chenbi. A smile played on her lips, giving her an eerie, sickly air.

Her hand caressed Jiang Chenbi’s knee, leaning closer. “If I can’t get what I want, is being obedient even useful?”

In the past, Jiang Chenbi might have bolted, but today she didn’t want to. There were many ways to seduce someone—playing hard to get, feigning weakness… or this.

Slap—

This was the second slap Cui Wangshu took that night.

Jiang Chenbi narrowed her eyes, withdrawing her hand to rest on the armrest, glaring coldly at Cui Wangshu.

Cui Wangshu touched her lip corner, feeling the burning sting. Her face itched and hurt, but she was thrillingly excited.

“You get one chance.” The woman’s voice held an irrefutable command.

Cui Wangshu’s eyes curved, though no mirth reached them. “Alright.”

She licked her lips, her tongue glistening them. Slowly, she said, “I’ll cherish this chance immensely.”

The one begging for scraps had no right to control the master, but every breath and gasp was dictated by her, every shudder and daze under her power.

Cui Wangshu’s gaze bored into Jiang Chenbi. Though kneeling in submission, the covetous hunger in her eyes was anything but subservient.

Jiang Chenbi’s eyes reddened at the corners, dried tear tracks on her face. She bit her knuckle, turning her head away from that blatant, scorching stare below.

Clearly the dominant one, yet trapped miserably in the chair. Jiang Chenbi swallowed the sound in her throat, rasping, “That’s enough…”

Cui Wangshu’s lips curved wickedly. She swallowed the sweetness in her mouth and pulled back, but her hand climbed the woman’s thigh. She chuckled lowly. “Master’s had her fun… now it’s my turn…”

Jiang Chenbi’s neck arched back sharply. She didn’t dare look, clenching her teeth and squeezing her eyes shut.

Cui Wangshu pulled her into her arms, red lips seeking her flushed earlobe. She nipped it, chuckling. “You’ll chase them all away and leave only me, right…?”

Jiang Chenbi gasped, trying to speak, but Cui Wangshu covered her mouth with her other hand, murmuring, “I don’t want to hear it…”

Jiang Chenbi bit down hard on the web of her hand. Cui Wangshu paused; her loose grip turned to pinching her cheeks, forcing her to release.

Blood welled from the bite on her hand. Cui Wangshu sought her eyes, only to see Jiang Chenbi lick the blood from her lip corner, staring wolfishly.

Untamable wildness.

Cui Wangshu’s gaze glued to her lips, dark and profound. Her thumb brushed the corner. “Biting hands… is no fun.”

A possessive kiss landed on Jiang Chenbi’s lips. Fingers pinched her cheeks, holding her still.

Jiang Chenbi couldn’t respond, only endure as Cui Wangshu ravaged her mouth domineeringly, claiming every inch, imprinting her mark and taste.

Seizing the moment, Jiang Chenbi bit her tongue tip. Cui Wangshu frowned slightly and withdrew, staring, lips pulling into a wicked smirk. “Can there be more…?”

Jiang Chenbi licked her lips and shoved her onto the bed, looming over her with a low laugh. “Want to mark me? Is that it…?”

Cui Wangshu lay there, staring up. Suddenly, she yanked her down, wickedly saying, “I’m curious… what will you do?”

Danger brewed in Jiang Chenbi’s eyes. Her fingers hooked Cui Wangshu’s collar, intending to undo it.

A pale hand with prominent knuckles covered hers. Cui Wangshu snapped back to clarity, gently stopping her. Huskily, she said, “Let me…”

Her chest wound hadn’t healed yet. Cui Wangshu didn’t want Jiang Chenbi to know. Taking control, she flipped them over, pinning her beneath.

Jiang Chenbi arched a brow. “You don’t want to?”

Cui Wangshu’s throat bobbed. Of course she did, but not now. “I want you more…”

…

On the eve of the New Year, fireworks and firecrackers echoed through the night, but the din didn’t disturb the two entwined on the bed.

They’d only rested at dawn. Cui Wangshu carried Jiang Chenbi to clean up, then back to bed. She fell asleep the moment her head hit the pillow.

Cui Wangshu buried her face in her neck, inhaling her familiar scent, and drifted into deep slumber.

New Year’s Day meant no morning court, so they slept until afternoon. Cui Wangshu rubbed her brow and slowly opened her eyes.

Jiang Chenbi was still asleep. Cui Wangshu’s lips curved tenderly, her gaze falling on those slightly swollen red lips.

Her throat bobbed. She shifted, and a rustle came from under the covers.

Jiang Chenbi’s eyes snapped open, flashing with “Are you done yet?“

But soon, that was overtaken by haze. She raised a hand, back over her eyes, the other threading into Cui Wangshu’s hair, gently massaging her scalp.

After a long while, Cui Wangshu emerged from under the covers, her face flushed from the heat, eyes sparkling as she looked at Jiang Chenbi. “You’re awake?”

Jiang Chenbi steadied her breathing, too lazy to glance at her. “…”

Cui Wangshu wedged between her legs, sprawling atop her, nipping lightly at her chin like a puppy.

Jiang Chenbi laughed, playfully shoving her face. “Not done playing?”

Pillow on her chest, Cui Wangshu grinned. “Nope.”

Jiang Chenbi eyed her, noting she still wore nightclothes. Unable to resist, she flicked her forehead. “Dress yourself. Too stingy to help me?”

Cui Wangshu paused, then chuckled lightly. “Easier without them.”

Jiang Chenbi laughed and cursed. “Pervert…”

They lingered in bed a bit longer before rising. Cui Wangshu tended to her washing up.

Jiang Chenbi teased, “What? Really going to treat me like your master?”

Yesterday’s mood had been perfect; Jiang Chenbi had done it on purpose, and Cui Wangshu had gone along, letting them taste something new.

Sober now, Jiang Chenbi didn’t think Cui Wangshu would stay that way. Lost in desire, she was one person; normal, another.

Cui Wangshu pursed her lips, coughed lightly, ears tinting red. “Can’t I?”

But Cui Wangshu did not resist this mentality at all. She had indeed always harbored such thoughts, but in the past, Jiang Chenbi had rarely been dominant in their intimate affairs, so she had seldom shown it.

Jiang Chenbi looked at her, shook her head, and said with a complicated expression, “You’re truly a beast in every conceivable way.”

Cui Wangshu ignored her. Hadn’t it been Jiang Chenbi who provoked this side of her in the first place?