Chapter 6: A Night of Spring Is Worth a Thousand Gold

He kept his head lowered the entire time, oblivious to Hua Qinci hiding behind the door.

A perfect opportunity.

Hua Qinci’s eyes gleamed as she crouched in the shadows, raising a stone and hurling it at him.

Yet, contrary to her expectations, Qin Youtian did not collapse or even sway. He stood there, utterly motionless.

Hua Qinci stared at his back, blinking in confusion. She hesitated, then reached out, intending to test his reaction.

Suddenly, Qin Youtian spun around.

The shock sent a cold sweat down Hua Qinci’s spine. She stared wide-eyed, completely at a loss.

He said nothing, but his deep, frigid eyes locked onto hers, sending a tremor through even the proud Hua Qinci.

She had expected him to scold her, but to her surprise he remained silent. After a moment, he simply took the stone from her hand and placed it on the windowsill.

Unable to fathom his intentions, Hua Qinci seized the chance and tried to slip out while his attention wavered.

But seeing her attempt to leave, Qin Youtian caught her up in his arms and tossed her forcefully onto the bed.

“What are you doing?” Hua Qinci shouted in anger. Those eyes of his felt eerily familiar, yet the memory was clouded and indistinct.

“You are my wedded wife. Without my permission, you are not to go anywhere,” he said, his voice low and commanding, brooking no defiance.

“Who are you to order me around?” she retorted, backing away as he advanced menacingly.

She had never imagined that such a domineering man could exist in this remote mountain village.

It was a pity, she thought, that fate had not favored him—had he been born to a family of officials, he might have achieved great things.

“Hmph. I am your man—your husband,” he replied coldly, gripping her chin in his hand.

“Impossible. I do not consent,” she struggled, wrenching herself free from his grasp.

“Oh? You do not consent? And who gave you that right?” Qin Youtian looked down on her with contempt, his gaze sharp. “Let me make myself clear. In the Qin family, the man is the woman’s world. That is the rule. Do you understand?”

“So what? I am not a member of your family,” Hua Qinci replied, clenching her fists, lips pressed tight.

She was determined to see what sort of man Qin Youtian truly was.

“I will say it again: you are now my lawfully wedded wife. Having entered the Qin household today, you are a member of my family. Without my permission, you are not allowed to go anywhere. Is that clear?” His tone brooked no argument, his eyes bloodshot with anger.

Sensing that the situation was turning dangerous, Hua Qinci decided that discretion was the better part of valor.

Judging by the unsteady way Qin Youtian stood, he was likely drunk. She changed the subject, hoping to avoid provoking him further. “Alright, I understand. By the way, what year is it now?”

He raised an eyebrow, surprised. “What do you mean?”

“It’s nothing. I’ve lost my memory. I don’t remember anything from before and want to know what year it is now.”

Her sudden question piqued Qin Youtian’s curiosity. He had married her only to give his mother a grandson and brighten her remaining years.

Rumor had it that Old Han Hua’s daughter was beautiful and already eighteen.

But now, listening to her tone, watching her eyes and demeanor, she hardly resembled an eighteen-year-old girl.

Her features were indeed lovely, though her complexion was pale, but her eyes and bearing…

“It is the first year of Southern Moon’s founding,” he replied at last.

“The first year of the Xuan Emperor’s reign?” Hua Qinci muttered, then added, “What is the month and day?”

“It is the beginning of the fourth month,” Qin Youtian answered, though he was not sure why he indulged her questions. Still, he found himself strangely compelled. What kind of woman was Hua Qinci? And Old Han Hua—his behavior had always been odd. Could she have been sent by that person?

Hua Qinci pressed on, “And where is this place?”

“This is a small village on the border between Southern Moon and Northern Yan. The land is barren and remote, and the poverty keeps both nations at bay, but life here is peaceful.”

Southern Moon and Northern Yan? Intriguing.

The candle flickered, casting the humble room into an uneasy silence.

The dim light played over Qin Youtian’s face, his deep eyes suddenly shifting to Hua Qinci.

“You grew up here as well. Why have I never seen you before?”

“I don’t know. I told you, I remember nothing. And now I’m tired. I need to rest. You can leave.”

Her tone was commanding—she had no intention of sharing a bed with this man.

Qin Youtian narrowed his eyes. “There’s only one bed here, and since we’re married and this is my house, if anyone’s to leave, it shouldn’t be me, don’t you agree?”

As he spoke, he leaned closer, his slender fingers tracing her cheek.

Hua Qinci felt a surge of irritation and loathing. Her mind was filled with the entangled images of that woman and that man—utterly detestable.

Seeing her lost in thought, Qin Youtian’s lips curled into a faint, enigmatic smile. He leaned in, his breath warm against her ear, and whispered, “A spring night is worth a thousand pieces of gold. Does my lady not long for it?”