Chapter 26:Castle Stories 26 Writing Brush

Seeing the Young Lady’s face so close, Xu Nian’s guilt deepened.

“Why won’t you look at me?”

The Young Lady leaned closer, her shimmering eyes brimming with possessiveness, waiting for Xu Nian to open hers.

Xu Nian kept her eyes shut, lips pursed, brow furrowed, as if this could shield her from their intimate history.

The Young Lady, seeing her reaction, touched her own delicate features—arched brows, pale lips, red teeth.

A pang of sadness hit. Xu Nian didn’t like her face.

“No looking? Then it’s punishment time.”

She released Xu Nian. The pressure lifted, and Xu Nian’s heart eased—until she heard a box clink.

Peeking with one eye, she saw the Young Lady holding a box.

Her clue-sharp instincts prompted, “What’s that?”

“You’ll see.”

Unseen by Xu Nian, the box held bells, glass beads, a brush—all new.

The Young Lady took out a brush, its soft bristles drooping, unlike any ordinary one.

Xu Nian tensed, mind racing. What did it mean?

Something the Duchess used?

But it looked new.

No leads.

The Young Lady closed the box, turning with a half-smile.

Xu Nian’s unease grew, fingers clutching the sheets. “What are you doing?!”

The Young Lady’s voice was slow, teasing. “Guess.”

She advanced, heightening Xu Nian’s anxiety.

Eyes darted between the golden-haired woman and the object, a terrifying possibility dawning.

Xu Nian scrambled back, trapped against the headboard. “No, not that…”

Cool, soft bristles grazed her jade-like skin, sending tingles everywhere, a shiver racking her body.

“Mmm… no…”

Her soft moans echoed in every corner, the room thick with pink, intimate haze.

The fluffy brush teased sensitive spots, each swirl tugging her heartstrings, skin flushing pink, body burning.

“Mmm… hmph…”

Her body trembled, chained limbs weakly resisting, chains clanking.

Her pale arm was caught by cool fingers, intertwining, locking hands.

A chuckle in her ear sparked another shiver. Physiological tears welled, eyes red, lips bitten as she forced out, “You’re… really bad…”

“Mmm… jerk~ ugh…”

Her complaints were silenced. The Young Lady’s only warm spot—her lips—pressed against hers. A brief touch turned invasive, claiming every breath.

Xu Nian’s mind spun, gasps and moans fading into air.

Head buzzing, she lost even the strength to moan, her last thought before passing out: How’s the Young Lady getting stronger every day…

In the sealed room, curtains blocked all light.

On the crumpled bed, two figures embraced under the covers.

Or rather, the Young Lady clung like a sloth.

In the dark, Xu Nian, seemingly asleep, opened her eyes, shifting to test her.

The ache lingered, bearable.

Her chained hand, red-marked, moved cautiously, clinking softly, waving before the Young Lady’s closed eyes.

No reaction. Asleep.

Relief.

She reached for the bedside bear, pulling it close.

Fumbling, she felt a hard lump.

She knew it.

Sewing the bear earlier was to check this, the room’s only unique item. She’d sensed something off but couldn’t act with the Young Lady watching.

The gate was always on her.

An arm stirred, pulling her closer.

Xu Nian froze, bear in hand, not daring to move.

Steady breathing continued. She felt the lump—a slot.

The keyhole.

Suppressing joy, she placed the bear back, settling into the embrace, eyes closed.

Half an hour to lunch, the Young Lady woke on cue.

Sensing movement, Xu Nian opened her eyes, meeting her gaze.

The Young Lady raised a brow. “Why not sleep more?”

She’d carry her to the table anyway.

Xu Nian averted her eyes, guilty. “Not sleepy.”

Lunch.

Fu Ruxue shivered, seeing a lifeless Xu Nian carried to the table, fed bite by bite.

So mushy.

No time for that—she signaled Xu Nian frantically with her eyes.

Xu Nian caught her gestures, attention drawn.

Fu Ruxue wanted to say something, glanced at Li Hua, then the Young Lady, but stayed silent.

Li Hua watched her, expression unreadable, fingers tapping the table.

Fu Ruxue, desperate, mimed a cross, pointing at Li Hua.

Xu Nian got it.

The key was with Li Hua.

Why Fu Ruxue gave it to him, she didn’t know. Her reasons, probably.

Fu Ruxue wasn’t sure if Xu Nian understood—Li Hua stole the key!

After the Young Lady took Xu Nian, Fu Ruxue bent for the key. A hand snatched it first, lightning-fast.

“You…” She looked up, seeing only Li Hua’s fleeing back.

Stunned, she forgot to chase.

Did he know the gate’s location?

Xu Nian hadn’t said…

Li Hua ran, panting, raising the black cross to a keychain.

He wouldn’t let Fu Ruxue escape.

He didn’t know what Cheng Li told her. Without Xu Nian’s Young Lady protection, he’d have eliminated Fu Ruxue.

No one could know what he did here.

Especially dismembering Zhang Zhuanghao.