Inside a room at the far end of the side hall.
With a clang, the iron chain snapped taut and rang out.
Ouyang Nianci froze. Her descending palm stopped in midair, unable to move another inch.
Her face went deathly pale, and fury filled her eyes.
Sweat beaded on Li Aihui's forehead. His pupils had widened with the terror of imminent death. Then he realized the palm had stopped short.
He held his breath for a moment, not daring to breathe. Only then did he come to his senses.
And he burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! Young Miss Nianci, with all your potential, how could they not put a lock on you? I nearly forgot—you're chained up and can't move."
"Heh heh heh! The lofty young miss. That brat may have had you first, but who could resist your peerless beauty?"
"Besides, having my wish fulfilled with someone of your noble standing today is more than enough for me."
Ouyang Nianci's face darkened. She stopped struggling in vain.
"Aren't you afraid my father will settle accounts with you afterward?"
Li Aihui scoffed.
"Your father can't even recover his strength, and you're still counting on him? What a joke."
"My elders are still here. Aren't you afraid my uncles will kill you?"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk." Li Aihui laughed even harder. "Fanke's branch is about to take charge. Once they offer up some resources and County Town grants a precious medicine, I'll attain Internal Force. You'll be the goods they hand over to me."
"Enough talk. Cooperate, and you can still become my concubine. Refuse, and you won't even be worth that much."
Li Aihui walked toward her, smugness twisting his smile into something vile.
Ouyang Nianci stared him down, defiance plain on her face.
If it came to the worst and she