Song Yuner was thrown onto the ground, her forehead collided against the corner of a coffee table, leaving her seeing stars.

A crimson stain of blood slowly seeped from her forehead.

The atmosphere in the private room was somewhat chaotic, filled with a mix of smoke and alcohol.

A corpulent man sat on the couch, his lascivious eyes fixed on Song Yuner with intense lust.

Taking a puff of his cigar, a calm voice echoed, "Women, it's more appealing when you're obedient."

"I'm sorry, but I'm not your princess," Song Yuner gazed at him, her voice calm yet firm.

A thick layer of white smoke left his full lips, a peculiar, sinister grin played at the corner of his mouth.

His plump face was twitching, appearing grotesque with every laugh.

"So what?" The man coldly stared at her, his tone overtly arrogant, "Once you're through this door, you belong to this young master."

His gaze felt like that of a venomous cobra, sinister and chilling.

"I'm not your princess," Song Yuner repeated once again, her tone resolute.

Qiao Shao, the young master, smirked, tossing the cigar onto the coffee table. He spoke slowly, "I am in a good mood today. If you want to leave, it is not impossible."

He grabbed a wine glass nearby, selected a few bottles of wine, and began pouring them into the glass.

Instantaneously, the color of the wine became peculiarly strange. He then slid the glass towards Song Yuner, uttering nonchalantly, "Drink up, and I'll let you go."

Song Yuner stared at the glass of wine, and responded in a low voice, "I'm sorry, but I don't drink."

Joe raised an eyebrow, laughing with an unabashed arrogance, "It doesn't matter if you can't drink. You can ask for help from anyone present. If they're willing to drink for you, you can still leave. This includes me, of course!"

Song Yuner took a deep breath, surveying the room. Suddenly, her pupils violently constricted, her gaze falling on a dark corner.

Bathed in shadows, a man reclined. His face was as cold as ice, eyes dark and foreboding. He emanated a chilling aura, reminiscent of the Lord of Death himself, eliciting feelings of extreme dread.

Song Yuner's heart clenched in pain. She had never imagined that five years later, she would meet him in such a manner.

With his slender hands, the man held a wine glass, half-filled with red wine. The crimson fluid ebbed against the smooth glass, a rhythmic sway. It contrasted starkly with the bloody smear on Song Yuner's forehead, creating a sense of eerie foreboding.

Song Yuner clenched her hands into tight fists, her palms wet with sweat. A feeling of suffocation spread through her body, every single cell seemed to be gnawed on by countless ants, the pain like a deep bone bite.

The man, however, didn't even glance in her direction, disregarding her existence, remaining aloof and unapproachable, his aura repelling all who dared approach. It was as if his whole demeanor screamed "Strangers, keep away. Those who approach, be prepared to be slain."

Song Yuner forcibly closed her eyes and forcefully pulled her gaze away from him. She made every effort to conceal her emotions, speaking to Joe with respect, "I'm sorry, I don't know anyone here."

The man in the corner brought the wine glass to his lips, taking a dignified and graceful sip.

He was an exquisite masterpiece of God, with a chiselled face. His eyes, as intense as a hawk's, always looked down upon everyone else.

The icy aura radiating from him was like a cold winter pond in December, almost freezing people into ice sculptures.

"Oh," responded Qiao Shao in an indifferent tone, "it's okay, I'm in a good mood today. I'll give you a second choice."

There were a few women on both sides of him. Each one of them had long legs, slim waists and beautiful faces.

They were gazing at Song Yunei disdainfully with their cool and mocking eyes. The way their eyes scrutinized her was as if they were looking at a monster.

"It's your honor to be chosen by Qiao Shao!" one of the women told Song Yunei condescendingly, "Don't play smart. You can't afford to offend Qiao Shao!"

"Do whatever Qiao Shao tells you to! What's with the pretense of nobility? You've come to the imperial palace. Stop pretending virtue!" scoffed another woman, her tone filled with scorn.

Qiao Shao let out a wry smile. His chilly eyes travelled up and down Song Yunei before eventually resting on her exquisite swan-like neck.

Song Yunei was stunning, a creature that seemed to have walked right out of a painting, constantly stirring desire in men.

She was wearing a white silk blouse, which accentuated her alluring figure even more.

Her delicate collarbone peeked out from under the collar of the shirt.

"Unbutton one, take one step," Qiao Shao suggested casually. "If by the time you reach the door and haven't undone all your buttons, I'll let you leave. However…"

His tone took a sudden shift and, after a brief pause, he stroked his chin. A glint of undeniable lust shone from his eyes, "If all the buttons on your shirt are undone before you reach the door, then… I won't be courteous."

This was indeed an impossible task.

There were only five buttons on the shirt, but from here to the door, it was way more than just five steps!

Thus, he clearly had no intention of letting her go; he was simply making things difficult for her.

The two women by his side were snuggling affectionately into his burly arms, while his hands rested on their shoulders. He was peering directly at Song Yuner with an intriguing 'waiting-for-the-show' expression, looking extremely expectant.

Song Yuner couldn't help casting her gaze towards the corner, yet the man seemed oblivious to her, idly swirling the red wine in his glass.

To Song Yuner, his actions added more salt to the wound; it was as if he was relishing in her misfortune.

Song Yuner knew, she had fallen into a turmoil she couldn't escape from. And the one who pushed her into this mess was still her closest kin.

She shouldn't have trusted their words again, let herself fall into this hell-hole, and even more so, let him witness it all.

Her heart ached inch by inch, just like being pared slice by slice with a knife.

This intense, bone-grinding pain was worse than death.

Her miserable scene was completely caught in his sight, and she was powerless to resist.

Stubbornly refusing to look in that direction, the tears welling up in her eyes were barely held back.

"So, what will it be?" A satisfied smirk expanded on Qiao Shao's face as he looked at her, "Will you do it yourself, or should I assist you?"

Song Yuner gripped the hem of her shirt tightly while biting her lower lip.

"It seems like you want me to help you out," said Qiao Shao coldly, slowly getting up.

In a reactive fright, Song Yuner backed away, "No! I'm not the princess here!"

"*Shiiizzzz!*"

"*Bang!*"

A loud noise.