Iron Dynasty - Chapter 38: Concubine Zhen

A conversation with a handsome stranger leaves Ariane chained in a cellar with a strange affliction. She soon discovers that the darkness of the nineteenth century’s Deep South hides many dangers. Mages, wolf shifters and the humans who hunt them play a risky game where to stumble is to die, all under the amused gaze of the apex predators of the supernatural world: vampires.

It is never healthy to attract the gaze of the aristocracy of the night. It takes much to survive in this merciless world, but Ariane will not let that deter her. The southern belle has a bite, and she is willing to learn and to grow in this hostile new world. She will use whatever means necessary to reclaim her freedom, be it guile, charm, or those intriguing new instincts that make blood so delectable.

This is a story of vampires as I believe they should be, with their strengths and weaknesses, with their remnants of humanity and the beast inside. Updates every Friday. Mind the tags.

Cover by Antti Hakosaari: https://www.artstation.com/haco

Special thanks to Svensonsen for getting me started, as well as Omi Nya, Hesketh, Rhaegar, Yaksher, Selkie and Raven for proofreading my stuff. Thanks to my patrons and you dear readers, for the support. I could not do it without you.

Journey is on Amazon, both in ebooks and audio. here is a link to the first one:

https://www.royalroad.com/amazon/B08DK6G8Y8

The story probably exists in your local marketplace as well of I can tempt you.

One day when I was working as a low-ranking civil servant in a hopeless imperial palace department, I realized that I had reincarnated in a novel.“Oh my god, the villain is about to start a war, right? If a war breaks out, people like me will be the first to die!”An imminent war as per the original setting.If I want to live, I must first save the crown prince!To save the crown prince who dies first in the original story, I leaked the original’s information to catch the villains.Suddenly, I became the youngest minister.I didn’t really mean to get ahead, but there’s nothing wrong with that!Let’s just catch the villain.* * *It’s a lot of fun to ab*se the villains, and the taste of power is also very sweet.However…“His Highness the Crown Prince has a great sense of responsibility, but since he has nowhere to focus, he may want to run away sometimes.”The strange new intern is talking nonsense.No, how did I save the prince!“What? Run awaaaay?”With a glint in my eyes, I said grimly.“If His Highness runs away… I will personally chase him to the end of the continent. I will somehow drag him by the collar, stick tight next to him, and keep an eye on him.”Hmm?But intern, why are you shaking? Why are your ears red?

“Look at me,” he said, voice barely above a whisper, like he wasn't just asking her to see him—but to choose him.She did.And oh God.The moment her eyes met his, it was like the floor tilted. His gaze wasn't cold anymore. It wasn't guarded or teasing. It was raw. Fierce. Wrecking. Like he saw through every layer she'd tried to hide.She swallowed hard. Her legs trembled.Her heart betrayed her, pounding so hard against her ribs it seemed like it wanted to break free.Why did his eyes soften like that, as if she was delicate glass, and he'd do anything to keep her from shattering?She swore she was going to melt right there.And he didn't even kiss her.Didn't have to.That one look—his fingers brushing against her skin like he owned the right, it was more than any kiss she'd ever had. More dangerous. More intoxicating.Her lips parted, maybe to speak, maybe to breathe, but nothing came out. Nothing could.The tension between them tightened—thick, electric, blinding.If he moved even an inch, it would be over.But he didn't.And that restraint? That maddening, infuriating, goddamn beautiful control made her want him even more.“Let me handle this,” he whispered. “You don't have to trust Conor. Just trust me.”Her eyes dropped to his lips. They were so close now she could feel the whisper of his breath. Her heart pounded harder, like it wanted to escape.“Please stop doing that,” she murmured. For a fleeting second, nothing moved, then he dropped his hand.His brows drew together. “Doing what?”“Touching me,” she whispered. “Especially when you're trying to make a point. You did it in the restroom too.”“Why do you think I'm doing that?” he asked, voice husky now, softer.Synopsis:At an elite college, falling for the rich, cold son of a bi-llionaire wasn’t part of the plan, especially when his brother is tied to her mother’s mysterious death.But from the moment Merlina steps onto campus, the chemistry is undeniable. He’s detached, arrogant, and everything she should stay away from. Yet no matter how hard she tries, she can’t ignore the pull.She’s here for a degree, but her real mission is uncovering the secrets of her mother’s past at this very school. As sparks fly between her and the guy she should keep her distance from, she’s torn between two things: exposing the truth and protecting her heart from falling for him.The deeper she digs, the more dangerous things get. Anonymous threats, dark secrets, and a guy who’s starting to think her obsession with the past could ruin everything. When the truth finally breaks free, it threatens everything she’s worked for—the truth, her heart, and the fragile bond she shares with him.With everything at risk, she must choose: expose the truth, or hold on to the one person who makes her feel truly alive.

The Yan family and the Song family have a commercial marriage.
Song Nianying’s fiancée, Yan Chuyu, is known as a vampire on earth.
She has a feminine beauty, fair skin, bright red lips, and always has a seductive fragrance on her body. She has been educated by the heirs since she was a child.
But when two people try marriage together.
It was only then that Song Nianying realized that her wife was so cute.
She would actually blush because of a small approach of hers, and would often stare at her slender neck in a daze.
When she teased her again and again, Yan Chuyu would say coldly and arrogantly, “Don’t get too close.”
Song Nianying smiled and continued to approach, Yan Chuyu stared at her with eyes like ink: “This is the first time I have warned you.”
…
When she received the 320th warning, Song Nianying was ready to move, and decided to overturn the warning and take her down.
But that day.
Thunder and lightning flashed in the sky.
Yan Chuyu sat at the highest point of Xuanming Pagoda, her eyes were bright red.
Beside her, a maid with a pale face and blue eyes lowered her head and asked, “Wang, what is it about the house that makes you so afraid to go back?”
She has been with the king for so long, and she has never seen her so anxious and terrified. Could it be that she is a wolf clan?
Yan Chuyu raised his left hand and caught a bolt of lightning, forming an electric ball, and slowly replied: “My wife.”

Content tags: under the year, blood race, ability, whimsical, fantasy, mutual attack
Search keywords: Protagonist: Song Nianying, Yan Chuyu┃Supporting role: ┃Others:

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