The servants swept the courtyard, the brooms scraping the ground with a slightly harsh but rhythmic sound.
But Su Qin only heard her own heartbeat.
Thump thump thump, one beat after another, pounding violently as she processed the shocking secret she had overheard.
Su Mei had truly gone mad and even regarded the Lin family’s third master of concubine-born status as her husband.
Su Mei was clearly not at the Lin family to recover from her injuries. Most likely, the Lin family was afraid she would speak recklessly outside, so they had confined her as if she were a prisoner.
Su Qin immediately connected this revelation to her own situation. Amidst her shock, a strange sense of satisfaction welled up in her heart.
Even daughters of a noble household had to endure the same restrictions. No, Su Mei’s situation was even worse. Especially if this secret were to be spread.
Su Mei would be forced to marry that useless concubine-born third master.
The position of the young mistress of the Wei Duke’s Household would not be hers, and Su Mei would not be able to attain it either.
Su Qin had been listless for days, but this news made her feel reborn. The clouds of grief and despair that had weighed over her seemed to part for the first time.
She had to find a way to tell her mother. Perhaps this information could even help her secure the chance to marry Lin Henglǐ.
That evening, Su Qin used her discomfort as an excuse to request hot water before sunset. She bathed early and went to bed.
Her personal maid had been assigned other tasks by the two housemaids and was not allowed to attend to her closely. Each day, the maid would collect her undergarments for washing.
Today was no different. When the maid went to collect the garments, she noticed characters written in blood on the inner clothes. Alarmed, she recognized a few of the characters and quickly rolled up the clothes and waited for a chance to leave the courtyard.
Sunset slowly faded as Su Mei walked through the corridor and reached Lin Yian’s door once again.
She knocked and asked if her husband had woken up.
Inside, it was still quiet. She pursed her lips in displeasure and strained to listen for any sound.
The evening breeze passed through the courtyard, lifting strands of her hair. She stood at the door with perfect posture, and after some time with no response, she raised her hand to knock again. The sunlight on her face highlighted her stubborn expression.
She refused to believe that he would not open the door today.
Earlier, Lin Yian had said he needed to change his dressing, so she had left. When she returned later, Stone said he was asleep and would not let her in.
She was careful not to disturb his recovery, so she had left. After several attempts, she still could not push the door open.
After knocking two more times with no response, she grew frustrated and felt wronged. Why would her husband suddenly ignore her?
Wu Zisen saw the mist forming in her eyes and felt a pang of worry.
Although he was glad Lin Third had taken the initiative to create boundaries, it did not mean he could watch Su Mei cry. Wu Zisen hurriedly comforted her. He explained that Lin Third had probably not woken yet since he had slept almost the entire day yesterday.
Su Mei pouted, tears welling up in her eyes.
Just then, the door creaked open.
Stone peeked his head out and was startled by Su Mei’s tearful eyes.
Su Mei did not speak. She dashed into the room, rushed to the side of Lin Yian sitting by the head of the bed, scanned him up and down, and immediately began rummaging around the room.
Lin Yian had been worried when he heard she had cried. Seeing her red-eyed and rushing to him without a word, wandering and searching, left him confused.
What was she looking for, he asked.
A fox spirit. Where was the fox spirit she claimed he had hidden?
Lin Yian was momentarily stunned. A fox spirit? What was going through her mind?
She continued, upset, asking why he suddenly disappeared. In stories, a fox spirit seduces the scholar, changing his temperament. Her tears fell freely along her fair cheeks.
When Lin Yian saw the tears fall, he froze, desperately searching for a handkerchief.
He had just changed his dressing and put on fresh clothes, so there was no handkerchief in reach.
He rolled up his sleeves and still could not find one. Hearing her sniffle, he hurriedly used his sleeve to wipe her tears.
Do not cry, he said, there is no fox spirit. I did not intentionally disappear. My wounds are severe and exposed. I was afraid to scare you.
She stood while he sat, and the gesture strained him. Just as he leaned forward, she pulled closer, clutching his hand to wipe her face. She cried while insisting that as husband and wife, there was nothing she could not see or be afraid of.
The more she cried, the more his heart ached. Wu Zisen looked on grimly from the side.
Do not cry, Lin Yian urged. In the future, when I change the dressing, you will wait outside. I will speak to you from the other side of the door and read the storybook aloud.
In her presence, he could not help but be anxious. He was completely flustered. He had never made a girl cry before. This must be heaven’s way of humbling him.
Although he had intended to create distance in the morning to allow Wu Zisen to safely bring her out, her current condition could not be rushed. He had to wait until the swelling at the back of her head subsided before testing boundaries again.
Thus, he had no intention to push her away today. The real reason was his leg injury. He needed to remove the splint to check, fearing she would enter and see what she should not. He had barely slept the previous night and had spent the afternoon writing a letter to Liu Si regarding the marriage issue. Stone had likely fallen asleep and missed her knocking.
Regardless of the reason, Lin Yian regretted it deeply.
He was flustered, but Su Mei suddenly stopped crying. She still held his sleeve and asked softly, asking him to promise.
Lin Yian nodded repeatedly.
As long as this little ancestor did not cry, he would give anything.
Su Mei finally smiled, reached out her hand, and said they should give a high five as a promise not to go back on it.
Lin Yian breathed a sigh of relief. Their palms met and she held his hand, pressing her cheek against it and saying sweetly, my husband is so good.
Lin Yian felt his heart jump. Looking at her tear-stained face, he laughed and touched her head.
No, he said, you are the good one.
Even if her affection was fleeting, it filled the void in his life.
Those who should feel grateful were he.
He smiled, and the awkwardness disappeared in his gentle expression. The warmth in his eyes spread to Su Mei’s heart.
She unconsciously pressed her hand to her chest. Her heart raced, and it felt hard to breathe.
She sat on the edge of the bed, leaning on his shoulder, and whispered she felt dizzy.
Lin Yian looked down at her flushed face, as red as a lotus flower, and his heart raced as well.
That evening, Su Mei stayed in his room for dinner.
Since she had kicked Lin Henglǐ away, he had not returned to the courtyard. Lin Yian’s meals were no longer restricted and were comparable to Princess Jiaxi’s portions.
Su Mei ate happily while Jiaxi slammed her chopsticks in anger.
The words ran through Jiaxi’s mind, she could not stand that anyone dared manipulate her or her household.
She instructed her aides to investigate and take action regarding Su Qin and Su Mei. She was experienced in palace intrigue and knew exactly how to handle the situation.
Meanwhile, news arrived that the young master of the Wei Duke’s Household, Lin Yizong, reported that Prince Yu had been punished by the emperor and would spend the night under care.
Jiaxi’s heart leapt in anxiety. Only when news arrived that Su Qin had been taken into the household did her worry ease slightly.
Su Qin sat in the carriage, both anxious and expectant.
The moon quietly emerged from the clouds, casting silver light through the windows and illuminating the chess pieces in front of Su Mei.
A move on the board is irreversible, said Lin Yian, pressing his finger on a piece she attempted to take.
She acted quickly, taking his white piece and giggling.
Lin Yian looked on helplessly, realizing he could not argue with her. Following her lead was the only option.
Tomorrow, I will have someone buy a storybook for you and read it aloud, he promised.
Su Mei cheered softly, her eyes curved in joy. Wu Zisen could no longer watch and warned her it was time for acupuncture.
It was too late to delay. Lin Yian agreed and began putting the chess pieces away.
Later, Liu Si was expected to arrive.
Su Mei pouted and insisted on performing acupuncture there.
Wu Zisen argued it was inconvenient. She countered confidently, insisting her husband had nothing inconvenient about it.
She glanced at his legs, blushing, and said she should assist him at night as his pillow companion.
Lin Yian’s hand trembled, spilling the chess pieces on the ground.
He was injured and could barely stand. Her words were outrageous and reckless.