You're Crazy

"You're insane, you'll break me like that."

Ye Yunxi's voice trembled. She was truly terrified; Qian Renxue's manic nature meant that whatever she said, she would absolutely do.

"Break you? Wouldn't that be exactly what I want?"

"Staying obediently by my side, never able to run away again, with your heart and eyes filled only with me—that is the version of you that is best."

Her fingertips moved downward, precisely grazing the most sensitive spot on her waist and abdomen. Ye Yunxi arched her back as if struck by lightning, her entire body shivering uncontrollably.

"Don't... don't do this, I was wrong, I won't run away ever again..."

"Too late."

"My dear consort, you have such a stubborn mouth. If I don't grind you down until you submit, how could I justify your repeated attempts to escape?"

Qian Renxue leaned in close.

"I have plenty of ways to make you listen, would you like to try them one by one?"

Ye Yunxi felt icy cold, a chill racing from the soles of her feet to the top of her head. She knew this madwoman wasn't joking.

In the stalemate, Ye Yunxi was worn down until she had no temper left.

"Hus... Husband, I really know I was wrong, please spare me this once..."

This "husband," light as a gnat's hum, still fell clearly into Qian Renxue's ears.

She had waited far too long to hear this.

Released from her bonds, Ye Yunxi collapsed onto the bed, her body limp and aching, gasping for air.

Tears continued to fall uncontrollably, her long ink-black hair scattered across her shoulders, her lips swollen and red—looking both wretched and alluring.

Qian Renxue leaned over, her fingertips gently wiping the tear tracks from her cheeks.

Her movements were uncharacteristically soft, the paranoia in her eyes fading, replaced only by an indulgent dominance. Her voice was hoarse and low: "If you had been this obedient earlier, you wouldn't have had to suffer."

Ye Yunxi turned her face away, pouting as she thumped the silk couch, her eyes rimmed with red, whimpering in grievance.

"You're just bullying me on purpose! You lunatic!"

Her fist landed on the couch softly, lacking any deterrent force; it looked more like an act of coquetry.

"I only bully you. Others aren't even worth the effort."

Before the words faded, a crisp mechanical sound suddenly exploded in Ye Yunxi's mind.

[Ding! Triggered fun side quest: Counter-seduce the manic Crown Prince]

[Quest Requirements: Use Nine-Tailed Charm on Qian Renxue, make her voluntarily unseal thirty percent of your soul power, and cause her to show a bashful expression.]

[Quest Reward: One Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone of Charm, Lingbo Microsteps upgrade: Snow-Treading Trace-Free, and a direct increase of two levels in soul power!]

[Failure Penalty: Soul power seal increased by another ten percent]

Ye Yunxi's heart skipped a beat. The grievance in her eyes vanished, replaced by a glimmer of cunning.

She nestled into Qian Renxue's arms, raised her hand to hook around her neck, and toyed with her earlobe.

Warm breath brushed against her ear, the mist in her peach-blossom eyes still lingering, yet the corners of her lips curled into a soul-stirring, seductive smile.

Her voice was soft and sweet, carrying the innate charm of the Nine-Tailed Sky Fox.

"Husband has bullied me for so long, and you only offer a verbal apology? If you don't give me some compensation, Yunxi will feel wronged."

Her fingertips lightly traced over her Adam's apple, the touch flirtatious and provocative.

Qian Renxue stiffened, caught off guard by this sudden, proactive counter-seduction. A faint, unprecedented flush crept up her handsome face.

Even her earlobes were dyed crimson. The dominance in her eyes faded, leaving only a flustered palpitation; even her breathing lost its rhythm.

The dignified, manic Crown Prince was actually rendered helpless by a counter-seduction.

She swallowed hard, turned her face away, and spoke in an unnaturally hoarse voice.

"What compensation do you want?"

The smile in Ye Yunxi's eyes deepened. She pressed her fingertips against her chest and said softly.

"Unseal thirty percent of my soul power, nothing more."

Qian Renxue remained silent for a moment before finally compromising. Her fingertip condensed a wisp of soul power and channeled it into her dantian.

A wave of warm energy erupted. The sealed soul power loosened by thirty percent, and a warm current surged through her meridians. Ye Yunxi felt completely refreshed.

[Ding! Quest complete! Reward issued! Soul power has broken through to level 55 Soul King! Ten Thousand Year Soul Bone successfully bound! Lingbo Microsteps upgrade unlocked!]

Ye Yunxi was secretly delighted, but on the surface, she maintained a pitiful appearance, rubbing against Qian Renxue's chest once more.

Qian Renxue held her, feeling the soft curves of the person in her arms. The possessiveness in her eyes surged again, but she didn't lash out, only saying in a low voice.

"Behave yourself. In three days, there is a banquet at the Heaven Dou Moonlight Pavilion. You will attend with me. If you dare to play any more tricks, the soul power seal will be doubled."

"Understood, Husband."

Ye Yunxi replied obediently, though she was already plotting a new escape plan in her heart.

So what if she's a lunatic? She has plenty of ways to handle her.

Night fell, and the bedchamber was bathed in the warm, golden glow of candlelight.

A faint shimmer from the system flickered, and the old dress on Ye Yunxi vanished, automatically replaced by the epic-tier outfit, the Fox Flame Flowing Clouds Gauze Dress.

The door creaked open as Qian Renxue stepped inside, carrying a luxurious court gown embroidered with gilded foxes, intending to have her change for the banquet.

But the moment her gaze landed on Ye Yunxi, she froze. Her handsome brows arched in sheer astonishment, and she tossed the court gown aside.

Qian Renxue approached slowly, her eyes filled with wonder, a playful curve tugging at her lips.

"The Imperial Concubine is truly all bark and no bite. Despite saying you wouldn't, you've obediently changed into new clothes after all."

Ye Yunxi's mouth twitched violently. With her peach-blossom eyes veiled by thin gauze, her gaze was cold and indignant. Her tone was sharp, leaving no room for pleasantries: "Whether I change or not has nothing to do with you. Stop being so self-absorbed and narcissistic."

Deep down, she cursed the system and Qian Renxue a thousand times over. This wasn't her choice at all; the system had forced it on her!

Qian Renxue chuckled softly. She was growing increasingly fond of this little vixen. Did she change into this outfit suddenly to curry favor, fearing she might be broken if she didn't?

At most, she was only trying to scare her. A genius with Twin Martial Souls—if she were to ruin her, she would regret it to death.

"Imperial Concubine, there will be many people at tomorrow night's banquet. I hope you behave yourself; I will take you there personally."

"No need to tell me. Who else will be at this banquet?" How important could a banquet possibly be?

"Besides those from the palace last time, there will also be people from the Four Elements Academies. It is for my Imperial Father to boost morale for the upcoming Academy Tournament," Qian Renxue said.

"To be blunt, that sort of thing is useless. It would be better to offer some practical rewards, like spirit bones, titles, or a manor."

Ye Yunxi hated these things the most. A banquet? The mere thought of facing so many people triggered her social anxiety, making her want to avoid it entirely.

She lay listlessly on the bed, her jade-like feet dangling off the edge, swaying slightly.

Suddenly, her feet were caught by a pair of warm hands. A touch to the soles made Ye Yunxi's entire body go limp.

Instinctively, she raised her head and glared. "Xue Qinghe, what are you doing? Let go of this young lady!"

"Imperial Concubine, the night is cold, be careful not to catch a chill. Your husband will warm them up for you."

Qian Renxue offered an explanation, though she was just as bewildered herself; she had found herself clutching them before she even realized it.

"Xue Qinghe, if you have a fetish, just say so."

Ye Yunxi gave a mocking laugh, her eyes filled with disdain as she stared at Qian Renxue. "This young lady won't say anything."

"Are you mocking me?" Qian Renxue asked.

"I am not. It is your own conscience that is guilty."

Ye Yunxi offered a foxy, seductive smile.

Qian Renxue felt a surge of agitation from being mocked.

Her palm tightened, gripping Ye Yunxi's jade-like feet firmly. She refused to let go, her thumb rubbing harshly against the soft flesh of her soles, while her fingertips deliberately tickled the arches with a precision that was cruelly exquisite.

"Do you think this Crown Prince has been too gentle with you?"

Ye Yunxi kicked out wildly, her fingers clawing at the silk quilt, but she lacked even a shred of strength to resist. She was pinned down on the bed by Qian Renxue's looming frame.

With her back pressed against the soft bedding, she had no room left to struggle.

"Imperial Concubine, I see I'll have to make you pregnant with this Crown Prince's child before you'll learn to be obedient."

Ye Yunxi's eyes misted over, her peach-blossom eyes swimming with tears, yet she stubbornly held her head high. Her crimson lips parted, and every word was defiant.

"If you have the guts, do it! Stop just trying to scare me with your words. This young lady is not afraid!"