Chapter 16: Indescribable Matters

Qi Yunyan soaked in the wooden tub for a long while before the heat in his body finally subsided and he began to recover.

He sat in the tub, spread his hands out, and looked down at himself. Why were his clothes soaking wet? Where was he?

Shen Mengli waved her hand in front of the man’s face. "Qi Yunyan, are you back to your senses?"

Right, he remembered being drugged by his mother, and now he was in Shen Mengli’s room.

Qi Yunyan grabbed Shen Mengli by the wrist. "Nothing happened between us, did it?"

"What exactly would you like to have happened between us?" Shen Mengli raised an eyebrow.

"You didn't take advantage of me while I was drugged to do anything unspeakable, did you?" Qi Yunyan asked, looking unconvinced.

Shen Mengli glared at him. "What kind of person do you take me for? You’re worried I might do something improper to you, but I’m actually worried that your lust might get the better of you."

"Did you know about my mother drugging me? Were you in on it with her, hoping to force a consummation?" Qi Yunyan demanded.

"It really has nothing to do with me," Shen Mengli said, raising three fingers to swear. "I was just minding my own business, taking a bath in my room, when you suddenly burst in. I’m the one who should be settling scores with you!"

"Let me tell you again: you are not my type. Even if you were to lie next to me completely naked, I wouldn’t spare you a second glance."

"As if I have any interest in looking at you," Shen Mengli muttered to herself, rolling her eyes.

"Shen Mengli, what are you muttering about?" Qi Yunyan frowned.

Shen Mengli quickly waved her hands, forcing a smile. "Nothing, you misheard."

"It better be nothing. If I find out you’re badmouthing me behind my back, I won't let it slide."

"Heh, I wouldn't dare," Shen Mengli said, her smile not reaching her eyes.

"Someone, bring me a change of clothes," Qi Yunyan shouted toward the door. He felt damp and uncomfortable, his wet clothes clinging to his skin.

"Don't waste your breath. No one is going to listen to you."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

Shen Mengli glanced at him. "Don't you know? There are two sentries standing guard outside our door. The servants wouldn't dare come in."

The man looked confused.

"My mother wants us to consummate the marriage, so she’s got people guarding the door."

"Consummation? That’s impossible."

"I have no interest in you either, but if we don't consummate, we aren't getting out of this room," Shen Mengli said, shrugging helplessly.

"You have no interest in me?" Qi Yunyan looked her up and down, disbelieving. "Don't try that 'hard to get' routine on me. I’m telling you, I’m not falling for it."

Shen Mengli: "..."

Was that the point? Shouldn't the point be how they could get out of the room without consummating?

"Even if I never leave this room, I will not consummate this marriage with you," Qi Yunyan declared, his face full of resistance.

Shen Mengli rolled her eyes in silence, as if she were the one dying to consummate anything.

"I have an idea. We can get out without actually consummating."

"What kind of idea?"

Shen Mengli beckoned for Qi Yunyan to come closer, and the man leaned his ear toward her lips.

"We pretend," Shen Mengli said solemnly. "We just go through the motions."

"Is that something you can even fake? How exactly are we supposed to do that?" Qi Yunyan asked, curious.

"Don't you frequent brothels all the time? How can you not know something so simple?"