The embroidery tower stood in a remote corner of the Yao residence.
Guards were stationed outside at all times. To ensure she remained confined, Minister Yao had even ordered the doors locked. Every day, her meals were passed through a small window by the servants.
“Miss, these were specially prepared by the kitchen under Madam’s instructions. They’re all your favorite dishes.”
As usual, Tao Hong passed the food box through the opening.
Lifting her skirt, An Jin knelt on the floor and looked up.
“Where’s Mother? Why hasn’t she come to see me lately?”
These days trapped inside the embroidery tower had been unbearably difficult.
In her previous life, illness had confined her to small spaces as well. But back then, her family had always been with her.
Her mother cooked nutritious meals for her.
Her younger brother sat beside her reading fairy tales aloud.
Even her busy father would come to see her as soon as he finished work.
Now, however, she possessed a healthy body.
Yet she was imprisoned in this tower.
To preserve her flawless reputation, Minister Yao forbade anyone from entering. Only Madam Yao was allowed to come upstairs and keep her company for a while.
That brief visit had become the only thing An Jin looked forward to.
But recently, even Madam Yao had stopped coming.
The maids delivered meals and left immediately afterward.
She had barely spoken to another person in days.
A trace of sympathy flashed through Tao Hong’s eyes.
“Second Young Master’s engagement has been arranged. Madam has been busy exchanging birth records with the other family and discussing the wedding date.”
An Jin brightened slightly.
“Second Brother is engaged?”
“Which family’s daughter?”
Truthfully, even if she were told, she would not recognize the name.
She only wanted Tao Hong to stay and chat a little longer.
Tao Hong opened her mouth to answer.
Then she noticed a guard approaching.
“I’m… not entirely sure.”
After tossing out the excuse, she hurried away.
The light in An Jin’s eyes gradually faded.
Looking at the exquisite dishes laid before her, she suddenly felt nauseated.
[Host, at least eat something.]
The System’s voice sounded in her mind.
[You’ve lost a lot of weight lately.]
Not only had An Jin become thinner, but her complexion had also turned unnaturally pale.
She looked fragile enough to collapse in a strong breeze.
Fortunately, her delicate features remained exceptionally beautiful.
The faintly sorrowful air surrounding her only made her seem more pitiful and lovable.
An Jin sighed.
“But I really can’t eat.”
[Just endure it a little longer.]
The System sounded oddly encouraging.
[Gong Yue will be here soon.]
Her heart skipped a beat.
“He… he’s coming?”
The System immediately fell silent.
It offered no further explanation.
Yet a secret anticipation blossomed inside her.
When she had first learned about this world’s story, she had believed Yao Wei was simply reckless, running away for love.
She had assumed Gong Yue had lured her away and then failed to take responsibility.
Now, however, she understood more and more why Yao Wei had abandoned a life of luxury to wander the world with a swordsman.
It wasn’t simply love.
It was the desperate longing of a girl who had been imprisoned for far too long.
A yearning for freedom.
Perhaps because she finally had something to look forward to, An Jin managed to eat half a bowl more than usual.
That night, she was awakened by a commotion.
Hurried footsteps echoed outside.
Many people seemed to be moving through the courtyard.
Amid the noise, she caught fragments of conversation.
“…assassin…”
“…search immediately…”
Confused, An Jin threw off her blanket, draped a robe over her shoulders, and headed toward the window to investigate.
Suddenly, a strong hand clamped over her mouth.
Cold steel pressed against her neck.
“Don’t make a sound.”
A low voice spoke behind her.
“Or I’ll kill you.”
A scorching body pressed against her back.
The thick scent of blood filled her nose.
An Jin’s heart nearly stopped.
Her hands and feet instantly turned cold.
Terrified, she nodded repeatedly to indicate that she would remain silent.
The noise outside grew louder.
Torchlight flickered beyond the window.
“We are acting under imperial orders to hunt down an assassin. Stand aside immediately!”
“Gentlemen, our young lady is the only person inside the embroidery tower. There is no assassin here.”
The Yao family’s guards refused to move.
How could they allow a group of men into an unmarried young lady’s residence in the middle of the night?
If word spread, their mistress’s reputation would be ruined.
And Minister Yao would skin them alive.
“Whether there is an assassin or not can be determined by a search.”
“Do not obstruct official business.”
The confrontation outside was becoming increasingly tense.
An Jin gently placed her hand atop the hand covering her mouth.
Then she pointed toward the window.
She would handle this herself.
Her skin was soft and warm.
For a brief moment, Gong Yue seemed distracted.
To his own surprise, he loosened his grip.
Freed at last, An Jin instinctively turned around.
Moonlight streamed through the window.
Only then did she get a clear look at him.
The embroidery tower was so cramped that he had to lower his head to stand upright.
Dressed entirely in black, with a black mask covering his face, only his eyes remained visible.
Eyes that seemed strangely familiar.
An Jin did not miss the flash of surprise in them.
Remembering what the System had said earlier that day, she quickly guessed his identity.
“Is it you?”
The joy in her voice escaped before she could stop it.
Gong Yue lowered the sword from her throat.
Almost imperceptibly, he nodded.
“Mm.”
An Jin pointed toward the corner beside her bed.
“Hide there.”
Without hesitation, she added,
“Trust me. I won’t let them find you.”
Outside, the argument was escalating.
The officials seemed ready to force their way inside.
At that moment, An Jin pushed open the small window.
Her voice remained calm and steady.
“I am the only person inside the embroidery tower.”
“I have not seen any assassin.”
“I understand that the gentlemen are carrying out official duties, but this is a young woman’s private chamber. It would be inappropriate for so many men to enter.”
As she spoke, she deliberately shifted aside.
The cramped interior became visible through the window.
From that angle, nearly the entire room could be seen.
Nothing appeared unusual.
The commander frowned.
He knew there were still blind spots from this perspective.
The room could not be fully cleared of suspicion.
Raising his voice, he called out,
“Miss, there is no need to be afraid.”
“We are conducting a confidential operation, and all information will remain sealed.”
“The search will not affect your reputation.”
“This matter is of great importance. Please come downstairs, and I will send only a few men to inspect the room. It will be over quickly.”
No.
They absolutely could not come up.
Sweat dampened An Jin’s palms.
Just as she prepared to speak again—
“Commander Lin.”
A familiar voice interrupted.
Minister Yao had arrived.
An Jin immediately relaxed.
Of all people, her father would never allow these men inside.
“Minister Yao?”
Commander Lin’s expression changed.
The officers had followed the assassin’s trail without paying attention to which residence they had entered.
After exchanging formal greetings, Minister Yao spoke firmly.
“My daughter has lived in this embroidery tower for years.”
“My family’s guards stand watch outside day and night.”
“There is no possibility of an assassin entering.”
“Furthermore, my daughter was personally praised by the Empress Dowager as graceful and intelligent. She would never conceal a criminal.”
“Commander Lin, please leave.”
Commander Lin tightened his grip on his sword.
He hesitated.
In recent years, the Yao family had gained considerable influence.
He had heard plenty about the famous Yao daughter.
Many powerful families were already waiting for her coming-of-age ceremony and embroidered-ball marriage selection.
His gaze settled on An Jin.
Even from a distance, her beauty was remarkable.
For a brief moment, even a man of his age found himself distracted.
Most sheltered young ladies would have panicked in such circumstances.
Yet she had remained calm enough to negotiate with him directly.
A woman like this would undoubtedly marry into a powerful family someday.
There was little benefit in offending her.
Besides, if she truly were hiding an assassin, she would not appear so composed.
In the end, he relented.
“Minister Yao is correct.”
“The capital has been unstable lately, and the assassin remains at large.”
“I suggest strengthening security around the residence, especially for Miss Yao’s protection.”
“Thank you for the reminder, Commander Lin.”
The officers arrived with great fanfare.
They left the same way.
“Father.”
Seeing Minister Yao glance toward the tower, An Jin’s heart tightened.
She was afraid he would send someone to search the room anyway.
Instead, he merely snapped,
“Do not open the window so casually again.”
An Jin pressed her lips together.
The suffocating feeling inside her chest deepened.
“Your daughter understands.”
“I’m sorry for disturbing your rest, Father.”
“Please return and sleep.”
She quickly closed the window.
If she wasn’t careful, he might even seal up the one opening that connected her to the outside world.
After the disturbance, Minister Yao’s mood was naturally poor.
He ordered the guards to watch the tower carefully before departing.
Silence gradually returned.
Only then did An Jin turn toward Gong Yue.
The man sat on the footstool at the end of her bed.
One knee was raised.
His sword supported most of his weight.
His head hung low, loose strands of hair concealing his expression.
Carefully, she asked,
“Are you injured?”
No response.
She slowly approached.
Tentatively, she reached out and poked his shoulder.
“Are you alright?”
Suddenly, her wrist was seized.
She gasped.
Looking up, she found herself staring into a pair of cold, wary eyes.
Her dark hair flowed like silk.
She wore no makeup.
Her skin was smooth and luminous.
Startled, her eyes widened.
Her outer robe was only loosely draped around her shoulders.
With her wrist trapped in his grasp, she looked fragile and defenseless.
For a split second, An Jin felt as though she had been targeted by a dangerous predator.
Pain spread through her wrist.
Her eyes immediately reddened.
“Y-you… let go of me.”
Gong Yue released her at once.
Removing his mask, he revealed a face made pale by blood loss.
“Sorry.”
The heavy scent of blood still lingered in the room.
An Jin became even more certain something was wrong.
“You were hurt?”
“Mm.”
His brows remained tightly furrowed.
Sweat covered his forehead.
He clearly wasn’t in good condition.
“Is it serious?”
“Not really.”
An Jin didn’t believe him for a second.
Someone who could barely sit upright was obviously not fine.
She hurried to a cabinet and retrieved the medicinal powder left over from treating her own injuries.
“Where are you hurt?”
“I have medicine.”
Gong Yue avoided her gaze.
“My back.”
An Jin’s fingers tightened around the bottle.
His back?
That meant he couldn’t treat the wound himself.
Did that mean she would have to…
She paused.
Then sighed inwardly.
They were destined to be together anyway.
They would even have a child someday.
And she wasn’t repulsed by him.
Was she?
Taking a deep breath, she mentally prepared herself.
A harmonious family required loving parents.
This was also a good opportunity to grow closer to him.
Otherwise, why would he ever agree to take her away?
Gathering her courage, she bit her lower lip.
A faint blush crept beneath her ears.
“Lie down on the bed.”
“I’ll apply the medicine for you.”
The embroidery tower was tiny.
There was no couch or spare bed.
If he wanted to lie down, her bed was the only option.
Without the latter half of her sentence, the invitation would have sounded highly suggestive.
Gong Yue lifted his gaze slightly.
Surprise flickered in his eyes.
Yet he said nothing.
An awkward silence filled the room.
An Jin grew increasingly flustered.
What did that expression mean?
Quickly, she added,
“Consider it repayment for saving me.”
“Mm.”
Finally, he agreed.
After removing his bloodstained outer robe, he lay sideways on her bed.
The room was small, but everything inside reflected a young lady’s tastes.
The bedding was made from the finest silk.
The embroidered covers were soft and delicately scented.
Even the hanging curtains were pink.
Against such surroundings, Gong Yue looked completely out of place.
The fragrance lingering in the room was even stronger than when he had carried her through the forest.
His eyes darkened slightly.
His breathing became heavier.
When his upper body was exposed, An Jin forgot all about embarrassment.
A deep sword wound stretched across his back.
The injury was severe enough to expose bone.
She stared in shock.
The scrapes on her palms had hurt for days.
She couldn’t imagine enduring pain like this.
And he still claimed it wasn’t serious.
An Jin pursed her lips.
Men truly could not be trusted when discussing injuries.
Uncorking the medicine bottle, she said softly,
“This might hurt.”
The powder caused intense stinging when it touched open wounds.
Yet Gong Yue remained completely silent.
As she carefully applied the medicine, she noticed countless old scars scattered across his back.
Most had long since healed.
Yet the marks remained startling.
An Jin’s heart stirred.
[System, why were those officers calling him an assassin?]
[Someone paid a high price for a government official’s life. Gong Yue accepted the job.]
[It’s that simple.]
[Unfortunately, someone leaked the information. The target was prepared.]
[Although Gong Yue still completed the mission, he was outnumbered during his escape and ended up injured.]
An Jin fell silent.
His world was filled with bloodshed and danger.
He lived among blades and death.
Meanwhile, she spent her days confined to an embroidery tower, following rules and stitching wedding garments.
Her life was monotonous.
His was anything but.
They were complete opposites.
And now this dangerous man was lying on her bed.
One day, she would run away with him.
She would build a family with him.
No matter how hard she tried…
She simply couldn’t imagine what that future would look like.