Chapter 92: Throwing the Snake But It Still Wraps Around the Neck [1]

Chapter 92

Throwing the Snake But It Still Wraps Around the Neck [1]

That night, Kang Wang read some books and intended to retire early. Tomorrow, he would have to deal with the Mu family. He had already received news from Nie Shuang that the Mu family had come to visit her at the mansion, where she revealed everything as instructed by him. It was expected that they would send an invitation to Kang Wang’s palace by the next day.

Kang Wang enjoyed peace and quiet and disliked having servants constantly attend to him in his bedchamber. He was just about to extinguish the lantern when he heard someone reporting outside his room.

"Your Highness, the young miss staying in the guest quarters is requesting an audience."

No one in the palace knew the name of the female guest, and those who served within the palace of Kang Wang kept their mouths shut, refraining from gossip. Though Kang Wang was kind, he was also strict with rules, and few were fortunate enough to serve such a generous master. The servants dared not act beyond their duties.

Kang Wang frowned. It was already late; why would she be requesting a meeting now? Could it be an urgent matter? Thinking this, he grabbed a robe to cover himself and gave orders.

"Let her wait in the main hall. I will come out shortly."

As he was putting on his outer garment, the sound of commotion from the servants outside reached his ears.

"You cannot go in there, Miss! His Highness has ordered that you wait in the main hall. This is the bedchamber; no outsiders are allowed to enter."

Kang Wang frowned deeper and pushed the door open. The servants, seeing him appear, paled, realizing their failure in allowing the female guest to barge in. However, Kang Wang waved them away before turning to address Mu Rongying.

"Young Miss Mu, what business brings you here at this late hour? If it’s not an urgent matter, wouldn’t it be better to discuss it tomorrow?"

Mu Rongying’s hands trembled as she bit her lip, trying to suppress her fear before speaking.

"I fear that tomorrow may be too late, Your Highness. Please forgive me. I feel uneasy about the assistance you’ve offered and would like to speak with you for a brief moment."

Kang Wang sighed inwardly. This young girl was indeed quite stubborn. Even now, she refused to accept his help. Tomorrow, her family would arrive, and here she was, likely spending the night agonizing over whether or not to reject his offer of goodwill. Still, he stepped aside and allowed her into the room, closing the door behind them before facing her.

Mu Rongying stood there, hands clasped tightly in worry. He led her to a cushion and poured himself some tea.

"Whatever it is, just say it. It’s late, and tomorrow you’ll have to deal with your family coming to fetch you."

It was already past the hour when the lanterns should have been extinguished. Mu Rongying was dressed simply, her long hair tied back with only a jade hairpin, yet she still looked graceful and sweet. Kang Wang now noticed the tension in her demeanor—the way her full lips pressed together, and the slight trembling of her slender frame.

"What has happened? Speak freely; there is nothing to fear."

Mu Rongying knelt before him, bowing her head to the ground and staying there, speaking without lifting her face.

"I have made my decision, Your Highness. Since you have stepped forward to help me, I, Mu Rongying, have nothing worthy to offer in return. Tomorrow, when I meet my family, I may not even know if I will be taken back. I may never have the chance to see you again in this lifetime. Your kindness is too great, and I have no way to repay it. Therefore, tonight, I intend to serve you, Your Highness."

The teacup in Kang Wang’s hand slipped and shattered loudly on the floor. Silence hung between the two for a long moment. Initially, Kang Wang had assumed that Young Miss Mu’s unexpected late-night visit was due to an urgent matter. Confident in his own moral restraint, he had allowed her into the outer part of his bedchamber. But the words she just uttered shook him to the core, leaving him speechless for a moment.

Kang Wang was a man, and matters of this nature were not something he was immune to. However, he had always kept a firm grip on his desires. Now, with a beautiful woman kneeling before him, offering herself in the middle of the night, how could he not be moved? His face flushed slightly, but when he spoke, his voice was stern and firm.

"Nonsense! Young Miss Mu, do not say such things that would make me look down upon you."

His words were cold and harsh. Mu Rongying remained prostrate, her tears flowing freely. She had expected this; she knew he would reject. She was humiliated, unable to face him. In truth, aside from wanting to repay his kindness, she had hoped he might remember her in the future. She also knew her family well—she suspected that the people they had brought with them this time might include Momo[2] to inspect her purity. If possible, she wanted to ruin their plans by losing her virginity, ending their hope of sending her into the palace.

But it seemed Kang Wang found her repulsive...

Mu Rongying wept, her tears streaming like a river.

She heard the rustle of clothing and the sound of his footsteps approaching. He stood before her, his voice as cold as ever.

"I helped you without expecting anything in return. You don’t need to do this."

Mu Rongying looked up, her body still collapsed on the ground, as tears streamed down her face. Her long lashes were wet, and her face resembled a delicate pear blossom soaked in rain—a heartbreaking yet enchanting beauty.

"I was wrong. I apologize for disturbing you so late, Your Highness."

She slowly sat up, her eyes now filled with resolve. Since Kang Wang refused her, she resolved to return to the guest quarters and take matters into her own hands, using whatever she could find to break her own purity. That way, when inspected, there would be no question of her virginity. As she rose to leave, Kang Wang’s cold voice stopped her.

"What are you planning now?"

Her determined gaze did not escape his notice. Kang Wang knew this stubborn young woman was about to make another reckless decision. She was far more headstrong than her soft and delicate exterior suggested. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have run away from home like this. If he let her slip through his fingers tonight, who knew what foolish thing she might decide to do next.

"Please don’t worry, Your Highness. I will not do anything that brings trouble to you."

However, the more she tried to reassure him, the less Kang Wang could trust her. She bowed gracefully, then turned to leave. But just as she made to step out of the room, she felt a sudden pressure at her waist. Before she could even react, she found herself pulled into Kang Wang’s strong arms.

"What you’re planning to do is clearly not in your best interest. You didn’t come to me just to repay a favor, did you? You’re looking for someone to destroy your purity, aren’t you?"

The young woman’s eyes widened in shock, realizing that Kang Wang had accurately read her thoughts. Seeing her reaction only confirmed his suspicions. If she left his chamber, she might seek out some man—perhaps even one of the guards in his palace. With her beauty, who could possibly refuse her? For a chance to be with her, those men would probably accept any consequence, even death.

Kang Wang closed his eyes slowly, releasing a breath that had been trapped in his chest. The softness of her delicate form, her sweet fragrance, ignited a fire within him.

He had always been a man of honor, maintaining his restraint and living without blemish. But now, the long-suppressed strength and desire within him surged uncontrollably.It seemed he would have to break his own rules, just this once...

[1] A Thai proverb means doing things that will have negative effects on oneself.

[2] Elder maids (嬷嬷, mómo); sometimes use to address the wet nurses.