Chapter 22

Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW

Chapter 22: Title

As soon as Gu Hengbo entered the room, she saw Gu Cheng sitting in a chair with a gloomy expression. She was curious. "Brother, why are you here? Do you need something from me?"

Gu Cheng remained silent, his hands gripping the arm of the chair tightly as soon as Gu Hengbo walked in. Gu Hengbo poured herself a glass of water. "Look, I don’t know who upset you, but don’t give me that face here. Either say it out loud or leave."

"I’m getting married."

Gu Hengbo paused while pouring water. "That’s good news! Why do you still look so unhappy?"

"I don’t like her."

Gu Hengbo clicked her tongue. "Brother, it’s not enough to just say you don’t like someone. Even if you like Gu Meisheng, you still can’t marry her, right? What’s the point?"

"Who is the girl?"

"Zhao Le."

"Who is Zhao Le?" She didn’t know her.

"The daughter of General Zhao from Zhenyuan."

Gu Hengbo pretended to cough. She still didn’t know who she was, but she thought, "The daughter of General Zhao must be the type of graceful beauty who rides well."

“She’s not even a third of Meisheng.”

“Uh, what’s going on?”

Gu Hengbo was lost in thought when Gu Cheng suddenly looked up at her, his handsome face showing signs of exhaustion, with bloodshot eyes that clearly suggested he hadn’t slept all night. He looked seriously at Gu Hengbo. “Meisheng, will you come with me?”

Gu Hengbo was taken aback. Has her brother gone crazy? Does he want to elope with his own sister?

“Brother.”

Gu Cheng suddenly stood up and pulled Gu Hengbo into his arms. “Come with me, please, I beg you.”

“Well, that doesn’t seem right,” she stammered, still unsure. She would rather elope with Madam Dou.

“Why not?” Gu Cheng asked, confusion evident in his voice.

Gu Hengbo pushed him away. “Brother, we can’t.”

“You said before that you would be willing to go with me.” Gu Cheng’s voice was filled with unspeakable sadness.

Gu Hengbo took a step back, feeling uncomfortable. “I meant, once you marry someone, it’ll be fine. Feelings develop slowly.” Who said she was going to go with him? It’s Gu Meisheng, not her.

“I don’t care. You must come with me. We’re leaving now.” Gu Cheng said, picking up Gu Hengbo and leaping outside.

“Put me down!” Gu Hengbo exclaimed in shock.

“Be good, Meisheng. I’ll take you to a place no one can find, a place just for us siblings.” Without caring for anything else, Gu Cheng leaped several times, leaving the Prime Minister’s residence behind. At that moment, Gu Cheng seemed almost possessed, wanting to escape with her, so he didn’t notice the person quietly following them.

After some time, Gu Cheng finally stopped. Gu Hengbo struggled to keep her stomach settled, trying not to throw up as she looked at the somewhat secluded courtyard. “Where are we?”

Gu Cheng set her down and pulled her inside. “This is our residence. It may be run-down, but it’s quiet, and we’ll live here from now on.”

Who wants to live with you? Gu Hengbo added silently in her mind. She looked at Gu Cheng’s back, feeling a chill run down her spine. This version of Gu Cheng felt unfamiliar; she sensed that something was off about him today.

“Brother, let’s go home.”

Gu Cheng set the table with dishes, smiling at Gu Hengbo. “You just returned from the palace and must be hungry. I’ve prepared your favorite food, and look, I brought you lotus paste. You’ve been asking for it, so come here.”

Gu Hengbo cautiously stepped forward two steps, then retreated. “I’m not hungry. Let’s go back.”

Gu Cheng ignored her and served himself some wine. “Meisheng, be a good girl and sit down.”

Gu Hengbo reluctantly sat down. Gu Cheng placed some food in her bowl and then continued drinking silently.

Minutes ticked by, with Gu Cheng silent and Gu Hengbo too afraid to speak, worried that any wrong word might provoke him. However, this silence was driving her crazy. That Qingfeng girl, too, how could she not send someone to find her?

“Um, I need to use the bathroom,” Gu Hengbo said, her voice trembling slightly.

Gu Cheng, clearly having drunk a lot, looked at her. “Do you need to use the restroom?”

Gu Hengbo nodded vigorously.

“Go ahead,” Gu Cheng said, returning to his drink.

Gu Hengbo felt a surge of relief. She tried to act casual as she stepped outside. Just as her foot crossed the threshold, Gu Cheng’s voice called out from behind, “Come back quickly.”

“Okay, got it,” Gu Hengbo replied, shivering slightly as she walked out. Once she was sure she was out of Gu Cheng’s sight, she dashed toward the door.

Just as she reached for the doorknob, Gu Cheng’s voice rang out, “Meisheng, are you leaving?” His tone was hard to read, making her ears tingle. She turned around, her smile stiff. “Brother.”

Gu Cheng’s face flushed slightly, his voice hoarse. “Come here.”

Gu Hengbo shook her head. “I want to go home.”

Gu Cheng said nothing and walked towards Gu Hengbo. Before she could react, he had thrown her over his shoulder. She panicked and pounded his back with her hands, "Gu Cheng, put me down quickly!"

Ignoring her, Gu Cheng entered the room and headed for the bed, making Gu Hengbo feel a rush of fear. "What are you going to do?"

He threw her heavily onto the bed, causing her to grimace in pain. "What the hell are you doing?" Before she could finish, Gu Cheng had already pressed down on her.

"Gu Cheng, I’m your sister! You’re such a jerk!" Gu Hengbo kicked and punched him, ignoring her dignity.

Gu Cheng’s bloodshot eyes were filled with despair. "Meisheng, please, don’t do this. I don’t want you to be my sister. I want you to be my wife."

Panic was clear in Gu Hengbo’s eyes. "Whatever you have to say, say it after you get up. You’ve drunk too much."

"No! I don’t want to get up. If I do, you’ll run away," Gu Cheng said, leaning down to kiss her.

Gu Hengbo turned her head away from his alcohol-laden breath and said coldly, "Gu Cheng, I’m really angry. Get up."

His lips brushed gently against her neck, and his breathing grew heavier. "Meisheng, you are mine. Even if I marry someone else, you will still be mine. What I cannot have, no one else will get."

"You…"

Gu Cheng tightened his grip, forcing Gu Hengbo’s head back, and his alcohol-scented lips came crashing down onto hers, his tongue roughly pushing into her mouth.

Gu Hengbo stared wide-eyed, momentarily taken aback.

Seeing that she no longer resisted, Gu Cheng’s hands moved to untie her clothes. Alarmed, Gu Hengbo realized the seriousness of the situation. He was serious! Gathering all her strength, she pushed him away and slapped him hard across the face. "Gu Cheng, you jerk!"

Gu Cheng was momentarily stunned but quickly regained his composure. His gaze at her grew pained. "No, I won’t let you go." Saying this, he flipped over and pinned Gu Hengbo down, losing his previous patience. He lowered his head and bit down on her white neck, his hands unhesitatingly tearing at her clothes.

Just as Gu Hengbo felt utterly hopeless, a loud clapping echoed through the room.