Jiang Yin gently opened his eyes and glanced at Gu Jia. Though not ugly in appearance, he now had a rare gentleness, and such a man evoked some feelings of tenderness that Gu Jia should not have.
She gave a cold laugh, her attitude stiff. "What, come to plead for your good little sister? Jiang Yin, don't even think about it."
Jiang Yin glanced at Dou Kou, who was standing to the side trembling all over. "Dou Kou, you go out first."
Dou Kou carefully looked at her young miss.
Gu Jia sneered. "What are you that you can make my maid leave—"
Her words were cut off halfway as Jiang Yin suddenly sealed her lips with his own.
Gu Jia glared furiously at Jiang Yin's deep eyes, her whole body burning with anger as she pushed against his chest, struggling violently to break free.
But Jiang Yin would not let her go. Though he did not know martial arts, he had considerable strength. He wrapped his arms around Gu Jia's waist, pressing her tightly against him so that she could not break free at all.
Gu Jia froze as she gradually softened under the man's overbearing, forceful caress.
Dou Kou was extremely embarrassed and did not dare to move.
"Now, can Dou Kou leave?" the man's low panting sounded by her ear.
Gu Jia's whole body was soft and limp, leaning against Jiang Yin. Her face flushed and eyes brimming with tears, she said to Dou Kou, "You, go out."
Dou Kou hurriedly ran out and closed the door.
Just as Jiang Yin was about to let Gu Jia go, Gu Jia came to him, breathing unevenly, pressing against him urgently. "You think this will make me let Jiang Ling'er off? Jiang Yin, don't even think about it."
Her eyes were red. "I'm telling you, don't even think about it."
A flash of disgust went through Jiang Yin's eyes as Gu Ying's smiling face appeared in his mind.
He closed his eyes for a moment, forcing himself to accept Gu Jia's seduction.
Fragmented, hurried breathing scattered throughout the room.
Jiang Yin endured for a while before taking over the lead, picking her up and throwing her onto the bed.
Gu Jia looked at him mockingly as he stood by the bed taking off his clothes. Her thin silky dress hung loose off her shoulders, looking extremely charming and seductive.
She had always been aggressive. Casting a charming glance at Jiang Yin, she said, "Jiang Yin, being able to marry me in this life is the blessing you've accumulated over several lifetimes. Don't ever think to take another woman in the future. If I find out, I'll make you regret it."
Jiang Yin looked at her coldly. Gu Jia was not as beautiful as Gu Ying. She was vulgar by nature, easily obtained.
Not like the otherworldly elegance of Gu Ying, emitting a sense of nobility that could only be admired from afar, not violated, that could evoke a man's desire to conquer and possess.
Thinking of Gu Ying, the fire in his heart burned even more fiercely.
Gu Jia stretched out her leg and pressed it against Jiang Yin's chest, mocking, "After kneeling all night, can you stand now?"
Jiang Yin's eyes darkened as he pressed down. "Whether I can stand or not, you'll find out soon."
Their foolishness continued until the afternoon before stopping.
Gu Jia lay limp in the man's arms, taking a long time to calm down.
She had to admit this Jiang Yin had his good points.
At least in matters between men and women he could make her feel unprecedented sensations.
The woman in his arms was already disoriented with desire. Jiang Yin's eyes remained clear. He detested Gu Jia and did not want to touch her at all. But he knew very clearly what he wanted. To achieve his goal, sacrificing himself was nothing.
"Ling'er is just my adopted sister. I only have sibling love for her. Why are you so jealous as to want to sell her?"
Gu Jia returned to her senses, recalling Gu Ying's pride recently, and felt very unhappy. "You're quite clear. Could it be for my Gu family's property?"
Jiang Yin smiled, but it did not reach his eyes. "What's yours is mine. We are husband and wife, one body. What's there to distinguish yours and mine? I only want to assist you. Don't you want to control the entire Gu household?"
Gu Jia was ambitious. Casting him a charming glance, her little hand nimbly explored downward.
"Then you'll accompany me all my life?"
Jiang Yin took her roaming hand and leaned in to blow at her. "Naturally. I will follow you unto death."
As he spoke, he bit down.
Gu Jia's body tingled, her soul nearly flying away. "You bad man, how can you be so skilled... Could you have been with women before?"
Jiang Yin embraced her soft body again, murmuring hoarsely, "Your husband is naturally gifted. No need to doubt."
Gu Jia was pushed back into the thick quilts, once more reaching out her arms to welcome him.
...
The matter of Jiang Ling'er was dropped.
Gu Jia finally sent an imperial doctor to diagnose and prescribe medicine for her.
Seeing her pitiful state, Gu Ying went to visit. "How did you get yourself in this state? Where's your brother? Why hasn't he come to see you?"
Jiang Ling'er's face was as pale as paper. She glared warily at Gu Ying, leaning against her pillow. "You...what are you doing here?"
She hadn't forgotten her injuries were caused by this woman.
Gu Ying smiled gently, taking Jiang Ling'er's rough, calloused hands. Slowly she said, "I heard you did embroidery work for many years and helped wash and mend clothes to support your brother's education. He's married now. How could he abandon you after you treated him so well?"
Jiang Ling'er's lashes fluttered. "Brother has not abandoned me."
Gu Ying said, "You don't understand my elder sister's temperament. She cannot tolerate others. Any maid who glances at your brother will be punished by her, let alone you having those unspeakable feelings for him."
Jiang Ling'er knitted her brows, staring anxiously at Gu Ying, wondering how she knew of her feelings for her brother...
Though confused, she couldn't help but think, now that brother had Gu Jia, would he no longer want her...
That future sister-in-law really was hard to get along with.
"Men since ancient times have had three wives and four concubines... Even if she's the legitimate daughter, she can't stop your brother from taking concubines..."
Gu Ying slowly persuaded her. "Do you only want to be your brother's concubine? Watching idly as the man you love spends his days with another woman amid flowers and under the moon? Miss Jiang, your brother now has an official post, and will continue rising in the future. By then, will you be willing to watch him take three wives and four concubines, while you remain only an insignificant adopted sister to him?"
Jiang Ling'er panicked immediately, helpless in her eyes.
She didn't want that!
She only wanted to be with her brother forever!
She absolutely did not want to see him with Gu Jia!
