Chapter 1054: Bound

Chapter 1054: Chapter 1054: Bound

What is even more heart-wrenching is that her mouth is brutally stuffed with a silk scarf embroidered with exquisite patterns, allowing only deep whimpering sounds.

Qin Yue’s clothes are in disarray, her eyes filled with anger and helplessness, yet the once cold and determined gaze is now consumed by the flames of fury. She struggles desperately, trying to break free from the restraints, but no matter how hard she tries, the ropes bind her body like iron chains, immobilizing her.

Jiang Qi slowly walks to the bedside, a chilling smile in his eyes.

He’s dressed in a deep purple brocade robe, the hem embroidered with intricate gold thread patterns, hands clasped behind him, exuding an air of control over everything.

Approaching Qin Yue, he lowers his head, gazing down at her with a cruel smile.

"Qin Yue, no matter how stubborn you are, today you’re still tied up here, aren’t you?" Jiang Qi’s voice is low and mocking, filled with pride and sarcasm. "You always pride yourself on being noble, don’t you? But look at you now, unarmed, bound on this bed. No matter how you struggle, you cannot change the fact that you’re about to become mine."

After his words, a sinister glint flashes in his eyes, and he continues, "However, if you start listening now, I promise not to hurt you." His tone is filled with malice, like a cat toying with a mouse, carrying a sense of delight in controlling others’ fates.

Qin Yue’s chest heaves violently, the fire in her eyes nearly tearing Jiang Qi’s image apart.

She glares at Jiang Qi angrily, trying to convey her inner defiance and resistance through her gaze.

She struggles desperately, trying to break free from the restraints, but each effort seems futile, only making the ropes tighten further. Her body trembles slightly due to the intense struggle, sweat trickling down her forehead, soaking her temples.

However, with her mouth stuffed, she cannot make any sound other than low, angry whimpers.

This sense of powerlessness makes her suffer even more, her gaze growing sharper, as if trying to kill Jiang Qi with her eyes.

Seeing Qin Yue’s anger and helplessness, Jiang Qi unexpectedly feels a thrill.

He enjoys seeing others surrender at his feet, especially someone like Qin Yue who was once high and mighty, now so vulnerable before him.

He reaches out to gently stroke Qin Yue’s cheek, the action seemingly gentle, but the cruelty in his eyes is not concealed.

"Stop struggling, Qin Yue," Jiang Qi says softly, "the more you do, the more fascinated I become with you." His words are as cold as a serpent, carrying a chilling malice. Qin Yue desperately turns her head, trying to avoid his touch, but the more she struggles, the deeper Jiang Qi’s smile grows.

Jiang Qi’s face bears a cruel smile as he slowly approaches Qin Yue. He reaches out, his fingertips lightly sweeping across her cheek, feeling the cold and trembling of her skin.

Qin Yue’s eyes are still filled with anger and contempt, deepening Jiang Qi’s smile.

He lifts his other hand slowly, unwrapping the silk scarf from Qin Yue’s mouth.

His actions seem gentle but carry a chilling control.

The scarf unwinds from Qin Yue’s mouth circle by circle, eventually tossed casually by Jiang Qi to the bed.

With the scarf removed, Qin Yue can finally breathe freely, her lips pale from prolonged restraint, yet she doesn’t hold back despite her newfound freedom; instead, she immediately glares at Jiang Qi.

"Jiang Qi, you are a complete bastard!" Qin Yue curses without hesitation, her voice full of anger and defiance. "You despicable, shameless thing, how dare you do this to me! Just wait, Ye Qingchen won’t let you get away with this; he’s definitely coming to rescue me!"

Qin Yue’s voice is resolute, as if her anger is her only weapon now.

She pours all her fury onto Jiang Qi, as if trying to tear apart the cruel man before her with her words. Yet, instead of anger, Jiang Qi’s smile grows even more rampant.

He bursts into laughter, the sound echoing throughout the room, piercingly harsh.

He laughs unabashedly, as if hearing something utterly ridiculous. After his laughter slightly subsides, Jiang Qi leans towards Qin Yue, gazing down at her, eyes full of ridicule and triumph.

"Qin Yue, even at this moment, you still rely on that Ye Qingchen?" Jiang Qi sneers, his tone full of contempt and sarcasm. "Let me tell you the truth. That guy is currently on my turf; where can he possibly go? Do you actually think he has the capability to rescue you from my grip?"

Speaking each word, a trace of venom flashes in his eyes. He looks at Qin Yue’s stubborn expression, full of disdain for her resistance.

In his eyes, Qin Yue’s persistence at this moment is nothing but a dying struggle. Ye Qingchen is utterly incapable of escaping his control, let alone rescuing Qin Yue.

"Did you know, Qin Yue?" Jiang Qi continues, his tone ever more malicious. "Ye Qingchen, in my eyes, is nothing more than an ant I can crush at any moment. He won’t save you; he’ll only implicate himself. When he witnesses you surrender before me, that’s when true despair sets in."

Qin Yue’s heart sinks instantly, though she refuses to give in, Jiang Qi’s words pierce her inner self like a sharp sword.

She stubbornly believes Ye Qingchen will come to rescue her, but Jiang Qi’s words mercilessly remind her that she is already in captivity, and Ye Qingchen is also in peril.

Seeing the flicker of wavering on Qin Yue’s face, Jiang Qi becomes even more triumphant, relishing the feeling of controlling others’ fate. It seems like everything is going according to his plan, with Qin Yue and Ye Qingchen merely pieces in his game.

Outside, Ye Qingchen presses against the palace’s wall, quickly contemplating his next move.

At this moment, he’s only a few dozen steps away from several experts at the palace entrance. An abrupt approach may alert them.

However, he knows time is of the essence; swift action is required. He surveys his surroundings, finally opting for a more cautious strategy.

Ye Qingchen bends down, picks up a small pebble from the ground, and with a gentle flick of his fingers, sends the pebble arching through the air, landing precisely in a nearby thicket.

The pebble hits the leaves, creating a soft "rustle," as if something is moving within the bushes.

The experts at the entrance immediately become alert, one swiftly turning, brows furrowed, towards the source of the sound. "There’s movement over there," he says in a low voice, tinged with unease. "I’ll go check it out."