The Typhoon's Dangerous Wife

As if on cue, Alcina saw her grandfather sitting on a wheelchair, and beside him standing were Mo Jiang, his longtime caretaker, Zhang Boyan, the heir of the Zhang family, Zhang Ming, her grandfather's advisor, and a few more significant people from the Zhang family. 

When they saw Alcina coming towards them, Zhang Ye Bo gestured everyone except for Zhang Boyan and Mo Jiang to leave. 

"Grandfather." Alcina bowed respectfully, observing that her grandfather's face was red from anger. His hands were trembling. His old face had aged twice in a single day. It was clear that she was holding back his real feelings. She truly wondered this time as to which 'big sin' she had committed this time. 

When was the last time he was this angry? 

Ah, it was the time when she came back to the Zhang family, disappearing for more than two years. During that period she had given birth to Faye. Her body had taken more than five months to recover and so, she wasn't able to come back to the Zhang family. Moreover, in her vulnerable condition, it was impossible for her to run away from Ryuu. Thinking about this, she remembered how he took care of her and their daughter during that tough time when they were under attack and were hiding in Southeast Asia. 

Coming back to Zhang…. 

"Alcina, I will ask you the questions and you will answer me truthfully," Zhang Ye Bo said, his white beard twitching with anger. 

Oh, old man, you are angry? What a coincidence. So is she! You were the reason why she couldn't confess to his man. 

"Yes grandfather, " Alcina obediently replied. Alcina's relationship with her grandfather was similar to her relationship with Tang Reine. 

The only difference was that despite her hatred for Tang Reine, she respected her the most but when it came to this old man, she had no words to describe her feelings. All she could say was that she hated this old man with every fiber of her being, but because he was the reason why she was alive today, she owed him. She would endure all the mistreatment as long as he didn't cross her bottom line. And everyone knew that her bottom line was Faye and Ryuu. 

"Where were you from the last two months?"

"Beijing."

"Who were you staying with?"

"A friend." 

"Were you taken here without your will?"

"Yes." 

"Did you meet Long Shaoming?"

Alcina hesitated for a moment but then replied, "Yes." 

Zhang Ye Bo clenched his shaky hands in a fist. "Did you tell him that you are Elena's daughter with his bastard brother?"

"My father doesn't deserve to be called names, Grandfather," Alcina softly whispered but still loud enough to be audible. 

"Did you tell him or not!" Zhang Ye Bo said in a harsh and loud voice. How could he not hate Long Ah Shaan when that bastard was the reason why his beloved daughter was dead? The only reason why Alcina was precious to him --- Alcina looks exactly like her mother. 

"Yes," Alcina murmured. 

"Who are you now to the world?"

Alcina paused for a long while and then decided to say the truth," Long Alcina." 

Behind them, Zhang Boyan closed his eyes in despair. He wouldn't be able to bear what was going to happen next. He pondered when would she leave this stubbornness of hers?!

"ZHANG ALCINA!! Do you know what you have done? Since you so badly want death, why don't I give it to you myself?" Zhang Ye Bo's voice was heard in the whole Zhang residence. The servants were trembling like dried leaves hearing the angry voice of their old master. Everyone knew how much he treasured this only granddaughter of his. However, his love alone for her wasn't enough to save her from the cruel punishment she would be going through for breaking the rules of the clan. "Do you at least feel ashamed of yourself, Alcina?"

"I'm sorry, Grandfather, for hurting you. But no one will answer my questions. That's why I took the matter into my own hands," Alcina replied to him. Her head was no longer hanging low. Instead, she was staring right into his old eyes which were the same color as hers. The chillness and lack of fear in her green orbs weren't something they were unfamiliar with. Instead, Alcina was infamous for her stubbornness and rebellious streak. She was what your parents warned not to befriend. She was walking and talking juxtaposition of hardheadedness.

 "I'm ready for any punishment. Just forgive me," She then added. Her words made clear to him that he or any of his cruel punishment couldn't stop him from seeking answers. And she was not begging his forgiveness for going to the Long family but for the emotional pain, she had caused him. 

"MO JIANG!! Bring it out!" Of course, the old man refused to accept that he wouldn't be able to change her mind. But Zhang Boyan standing beside him knew that no force in the world could change Alcina's decision. Perhaps, Zhang Ye Bo failed to see how much she loved her father or perhaps, he didn't want to see it. 

"Master?" Mo Jiang's teary eyes urged his master to think once again. How could he see his master hurting the delicate and fragile Young Miss? Just look how thin her arms are? 

"Do you wish to be as willful as her?" Zhang Ye Bo was beyond mad this time. Why must everyone submit to this willful girl? 

"I will bring it out immediately." Mo Jiang knew the more he delayed it, the more angry the old man would be, and the crueler the punishment would be. 

Alcina's eyes darted to Zhang Boyan who was looking at her coldly. Both of them knew what was about to come. But Alcina was the last person on the planet to be scared of punishment. She was numb to her grandfather's punishment. After all, it wasn't the first time… she was not getting punished for being Long Ah-Shaan's daughter for the first time…. And it won't be last either…. 

When Mo Jiang came with a lash, Zhang Ye Bo spoke, "Hit her till she agrees to cut all her ties with that damned family."

Alcina just smiled coldly at the three of them. "Start Mo Jiang, I have to leave in the morning.. The earlier you finish, the quicker I will be back to my destination."