The Double
Chapter 136 - 136 82 Attracting Disaster_3

136: Chapter 82: Attracting Disaster_3 136: Chapter 82: Attracting Disaster_3 The more unattainable, the more Zhou Yanbang found himself longing for Jiang Li, day and night.

Later, he even boldly proposed to Madam Ningyuan to break off his engagement with Jiang Youyao and be with Jiang Li instead.

But Madam Ningyuan rejected the idea without a second thought, pointing out the pros and cons of the marriage arrangement and making Zhou Yanbang see the reality: the Jiang Family would never allow Youyao to be wronged.

Knowing that it was impossible to break off the marriage, and that his deepest wishes could never be fulfilled, Zhou Yanbang was greatly disheartened.

He told himself to let go of this thought, but when he saw Jiang Li again at the royal banquet, his heart immediately stirred with desire.

Jiang Li was like a flower just out of his reach, blooming high above.

He loved how pure and unblemished she looked, yet feared someone else might get to her first, so he wished he could pluck her right away and claim her as his own.

He never considered that once the flower was plucked, it wouldn’t last long.

Even though Zhou Yanbang plainly knew that secretly meeting Jiang Li in the palace was dangerous and against propriety, especially since she was Youyao’s sister, if discovered, Jiang Li would bear the accusations of thousands.

Despite the risks, Zhou Yanbang still sent the note.

Zhou Yanbang didn’t think Jiang Li would come, but deep down he harbored a faint hope.

After all, Jiang Li had once thrown herself into the lake on Green City Mountain for his and Youyao’s sake, which clearly showed that she wasn’t completely indifferent to him.

Perhaps she still harbored some old affection for him.

Seeing Jiang Li appear before him, alive and well, Zhou Yanbang couldn’t express the joy in his heart and felt a secret pride, as if boasting to himself that he had won the beauty’s heart first.

Jiang Yue was stunned when Zhou Yanbang suddenly grabbed her hand.

She didn’t dare to speak for fear that he might discover her true identity.

Nevertheless, as Zhou Yanbang held her hand, Jiang Yue felt it grow more and more hot, and the pleasant fragrance coming from him made her head spin and her legs go weak, nearly causing her to collapse into his arms.

Zhou Yanbang also noticed how hot Jiang Yue’s body was and exclaimed in wonder, “Why is your body so hot, Second Miss, you…”

A soft moan escaped Jiang Yue’s throat, and her footing became unsteady.

Instinctively, Zhou Yanbang reached out to support her, with his hands perfectly placed around her waist.

The soft and fragrant warmth in his arms, and the scent of her hair drifting to his nose made his thoughts wander.

He already had designs on Jiang Li, and having drunk quite a bit that day, men are all the same after all, unable to control themselves.

In Zhou Yanbang’s mind, if not for the accident, Jiang Li would have already been his, and as it was a mutual desire, he felt there was no need for restraint.

He smoothly pulled her closer into his embrace and said tenderly, “Lili…”

Even such an intimate name rolled out effortlessly.

Jiang Yue only felt itchiness where Zhou Yanbang’s hands brushed past.

Initially, she intended to set him up but now her mind was hazy, and she instinctively wanted to press closer to him to soothe the burning restlessness inside.

Jiang Yue leaned against Zhou Yanbang, letting out a satisfied sigh.

Zhou Yanbang was first taken aback but then, seeing her wavering stance, realized what was happening.

It seemed Jiang Li had drunk a lot that night, likely buzzed and unaware of her actions.

Zhou Yanbang was immensely relieved; it was fortunate that it was him who encountered Jiang Li.

If other men were to see her in such a state, they might harbor unchaste thoughts.

As Jiang Li squirmed in his embrace, Zhou Yanbang felt a certain carnal desire rising within him.

He was no ignorant youth, having had a chambermaid at home to teach him about carnal matters, which left him without hesitation in the dark room, as he pressed “Jiang Li” down behind a screen onto a small couch.

The room was filled with the “creak creak” of the shaking bed, interspersed with other sounds that could make one blush.

…

In the water pavilion of the palace, Ji Shuran, Jiang Youyao, and others were still peacefully admiring the lotus.

Madam Liu, not seeing Jiang Li anywhere, asked Liu Xu, “Why is Miss Jiang the Second not here?”

Liu Xu said, “She mentioned feeling dizzy and went to the teahouse to rest for a bit.” She then shook her head in puzzlement, “She hasn’t drunk much today; why is her tolerance so low?”

Madam Liu frowned.

For some reason, she felt uneasy.

Yet seeing no immediate cause for concern, she continued to converse and joke with others as usual.