Chapter 108: Dignity

The Ninth Prince was deeply infuriated by Yan Yan. A powerful, oppressive aura radiated from him, causing the air in the Qimeng Garden to stagnate. The atmosphere became so stifling that even Cui’er and Nanny Song, who were pacing downstairs, felt a terrifying pressure.

"Say that again," the Ninth Prince said, his voice dripping with menace.

Yan Yan was truly afraid, but the emotions surging within her had rendered her reckless. It is often said that a woman in love is not herself, and a jealous woman is particularly formidable. At that moment, Yan Yan was unaware of how stubborn her expression appeared or how her eyes radiated a desperate, tragic resolve.

"I said, you need not come here ever again," Yan Yan replied, gritting her teeth. "I have no desire for your cheap affection."

Consumed by fury, the Ninth Prince kicked a rattan chair aside with a thunderous crash. Yan Yan instinctively closed her eyes, but when she opened them again, only defiance remained.

The Ninth Prince gripped her tightly and slammed her against the wall, his expression so vicious it was as if he intended to kill her. Terrified, Cui’er and Nanny Song rushed upstairs, but before they could speak, the Prince roared, "Get out! If you dare come up again, you shall be executed!" Startled by the horrific scene, the two women retreated downstairs, trembling. They had never seen the Ninth Prince so enraged.

Seeing them leave, a mocking smile touched Yan Yan’s lips. This expression pushed the Ninth Prince over the edge. He lunged and bit her lip—a genuine, painful bite that drew a cry from her.

He seized her jaw, snarling, "What did you say? Repeat it!"

Pain shot through her jaw. Realizing this was his way of punishing her, her stubborn temper flared again. She glared at him and shouted, "I said I don't want your affection! No matter how many times you make me say it, my answer will not change."

She struggled violently, striking his chest. The Ninth Prince, his face ashen, pinned her hands against the wall in a fit of rage. Desperate, Yan Yan stomped hard on his foot. As he winced in surprise, she lunged forward and bit him back, the metallic tang of blood filling the space between them.

He shoved her away, wiping his mouth with his sleeve. Seeing the bright red blood, his eyes burned with fury. "You dare bite me?" Yan Yan panted, glaring back at him with equal intensity. "Why shouldn't I? I’ve already told you—I don't want your cheap affection! There are plenty of women in this manor waiting for you; go vent your frustrations on them. I am not at your beck and call!"

The Ninth Prince looked at her distorted, defiant face and suddenly broke into a cold, chilling laugh. Yan Yan took an involuntary step back; this version of him was truly terrifying. Yet, refusing to yield, she held his gaze with icy resolve.

"Fine. You don't want my affection? I’ll show you exactly what that means!" With a sinister smile, he hoisted her onto his shoulder, plunging her into a nightmarish ordeal.

When Yan Yan awoke the following afternoon, she stared at the bruises covering her body and finally collapsed into tears, clutching her quilt. Standing by the bed, Cui’er whispered, "The Ninth Prince has ordered that you are to go to his study as soon as you wake up."

***

Yan Yan looked up, her eyes wide with shock. Cui’er recoiled; she had been horrified when she rushed into the room after the Prince’s departure, finding it in shambles and Yan Yan shattered on the bed.

Cui’er had initially feared the worst, only relaxing when she felt Yan Yan’s breath. She had spent the time cleaning up the battlefield-like room, hoping to spare Yan Yan further distress. Seeing Yan Yan’s hollow expression now, Cui’er’s heart ached. How had things spiraled so far just because of a visit to the Primary Wife’s quarters and the news of another concubine’s pregnancy?

"Secondary Consort..." Cui’er prompted softly when Yan Yan remained silent.

Yan Yan stirred, her body aching with soreness. She bit her lip and said coldly, "Pass the word. From today on, Qimeng Garden is closed. No one is to leave."

Cui’er gasped in disbelief. "Secondary Consort! What are you doing?"

Yan Yan offered a tragic smile. "If I lock myself away, perhaps I can regain a shred of dignity."

"But, my lady, what about the Sixth Miss and the others?"

Yan Yan’s expression hardened. "They are my children; it is their lot to suffer with me. Besides, it is merely staying within the garden. It is not so difficult. Do not worry; the Ninth Prince will not let us starve."

Cui’er knew this wasn't just about seclusion; it was a total banishment of the Prince. She sighed deeply and approached her. "My lady, why must you do this to yourself?"

Yan Yan tilted her head, a single tear tracing a path down her cheek. "Cui’er, I only wish to live with some dignity. Is that so wrong?" Cui’er pulled her into an embrace, offering no further argument. Perhaps this woman was no longer the mistress she had once known.

An hour later, the Ninth Prince, upon hearing of Yan Yan’s decree, smashed his study to pieces and stormed toward Qimeng Garden. Seeing her sitting listlessly by the window, his rage subsided slightly, but he still demanded, "What are you doing? When will this farce end?"

Yan Yan did not turn around. Staring out the window, she replied weakly, "I agree it is a farce. If it is a farce, then punish me. I do not wish to leave this garden, nor do I wish to be lectured. You may let me wither away; it does not matter."

"Yan Yan!" the Ninth Prince roared, pulling her to her feet.

Her eyes remained unfocused. "You should have understood me by now, shouldn't you? This is who I am—I would rather be a shattered jade than a whole tile. Just grant me this wish!"

The Ninth Prince stared at her, his anger warring with a lingering sense of reluctance. He wanted to pry open her mind to see what she was thinking, but found himself speechless.

Perhaps this woman was a curse sent by the heavens to torment him; otherwise, why would he have yielded so much only for her to remain so ungrateful? He suddenly found the entire situation futile and lost the desire to argue.

He released her, letting her collapse back into her seat. "If you are so determined, then so be it."

Yan Yan smiled faintly. "Very well. I thank you for your compliance."

The Ninth Prince took one last look at her before storming out, his face dark with fury. Upon returning to his study, he officially decreed that Yan Yan was to be confined to Qimeng Garden; no one was to enter or leave without his express command.

The news spread like wildfire. Many in the manor rejoiced, some already plotting to bribe the servants to make Yan Yan’s life miserable, ensuring she would no longer be blinded by her own arrogance. Most, however, gathered at the residence of Lady Donggo. Since they were of low status, they needed her to act against Yan Yan. Lady Donggo, having already heard the news, received her guests with calm composure, subtly fueling their resentment while wearing a satisfied smile.

As Nanny Dong served her tea, she whispered, "This is excellent news. We truly owe the Eighth Consort a debt of gratitude."

Lady Donggo smiled thinly. "The Eighth Sister-in-law is truly clever; she grasped Yan’s weakness so quickly." She sighed. "No wonder she and the Eighth Prince have been in such harmony all these years."

The Ninth Prince, hearing the rumors, laughed bitterly to himself. If he told anyone, they would never believe that this war had been started—and ended—solely by Yan Yan.

Yan Yan cared nothing for the petty squabbles of the inner court, nor did she care for his favor. In her words, she only cared for her dignity. The Ninth Prince sighed, his irritation growing. This was the first time he had ever lost control of his emotions over a woman. He glanced once more in the direction of Qimeng Garden, sighing heavily. He decided to let it be for now. Perhaps, after a taste of hardship, she would finally shed that stubborn temper of hers.