Inside the Side Chamber, the white Curtain swayed with the wind.
Sunlight spilled in, stinging her eyelids.
Jingle~!
The sound from within the bedding roused Su Yao’s senses.
She slowly opened her eyes, her fair hand lightly covering her red lips as she stretched languidly.
Su Yao couldn’t understand. The old man must have gone mad yesterday. He was already past thirty, so how could he be so unrestrained?
As her thoughts wandered, she clutched the quilt tighter, dawdling and unwilling to get out of bed. She was too tired.
In the study next door, Lu Huaijin, who was reviewing official documents, heard the crisp jingle of the bell with his sharp ears and knew his girl was awake.
He set down the Wolf Hair Brush in his hand and returned to the room.
He was the Grand Secretary, a Powerful Minister. Although he had the assistance of the Grand Secretariat Academicians, the current Son of Heaven was young, and the Empress Dowager trusted only him. Thus, Lu Huaijin had to personally review many of the Memorials.
He sighed deeply, still wanting to hand over some of his power to his son.
These days, he wished to stay by Su Yao’s side day after day, only taking the chance to read some Memorials while she was sound asleep. Today, he had even skipped Morning Court, having the documents sent over from the palace instead.
Yesterday was his thirtieth Birthday Banquet. The thought that he was another year older while his beloved was still so young made him lose control, leading to his reckless behavior.
The Curtain was parted.
Lu Huaijin half-knelt, squinting his eyes. “Yao’er, you’re awake? Are you feeling unwell?”
Lu Huaijin’s tall frame blocked the glaring light.
The man was in a good mood at this moment, gazing at the woman curled up in a ball on the bed. Her cheeks were flushed, and her hair was disheveled on both sides, the very picture of someone who had just woken up, looking at him with a somber gaze.
She never knew just how bewitching she was.
Before Su Yao could answer, Lu Huaijin’s large hand was already on her forehead.
“Good, not hot.”
The heat from the man’s palm was too scorching, and Su Yao couldn’t help but shrink back, causing a jarring jingle.
Lu Huaijin’s expression darkened, clearly displeased by Su Yao’s resistance.
Su Yao keenly sensed the shift in his mood, and her heart tightened.
In the three years they had been entangled, the old man’s volatile temperament had truly made her suffer a great deal.
The lesson she had learned over these many years was to obey him.
“After you get up, I’ll have Physician Shi give you a Health Pulse Check.”
“Why another Health Pulse Check? I’m not sick,” Su Yao said, displeased.
Lu Huaijin’s brow furrowed slightly, his voice growing colder. “Be good. Don’t be willful.”
Su Yao took a deep breath and consciously shut her mouth. Saying anything more at a time like this would only displease him.
She just didn’t understand why he insisted on calling a physician to check her pulse for no reason. He had already done it so many times this month, and there was clearly nothing wrong with her body.
“Yao’er, why do you look so tired, and your complexion is so pale? Are you exhausted?”
Su Yao lowered her gaze slightly, her voice as soft as a mosquito’s buzz, finding it hard to speak. “I… I want to… Wash Hands.”
It was truly a difficult thing to bring up.
Lu Huaijin scooped her up. “I’ll carry you.”
Startled by his sudden action, Su Yao quickly reached out, trying to break free. “Don’t… Lu Huaijin! Put me down, I can walk on my own.”
But Lu Huaijin ignored her struggles, instead holding her even tighter.
The man was very strong, able to lock her in his arms with one swift motion and press down on her wildly kicking legs.
Su Yao was very dissatisfied with his domineering ways. She wasn’t disabled, so why did she need to be waited on like this? Such care was too suffocating.
Jingle, jangle.
The grating sounds of friction echoed.
Su Yao saw the bells on her ankle.
They were a gift from Lu Huaijin, who claimed they would keep her safe. But she truly hated the sound, because as soon as she moved, the man would know where she was.
She couldn’t remember how many times she had left him.
Only that this time, she had been brought back by him in a wretched state once again.
Lu Huaijin wished his eyes were attached to her body; he always liked to watch her at all times, as only then could he feel at ease.
The Side Room was right next to the Main Room, just a few steps away. Su Yao closed her eyes. “You… turn around.”
The man scoffed, “Is there any part of you I haven’t seen? What’s there to be shy about?”
Su Yao’s cheeks grew even hotter, and she lowered her gaze. “I’m not used to this. I can’t go with you watching me.”
Seeing her face flushed crimson, Lu Huaijin knew she had a stubborn nature. Fearing she would hold it in and hurt herself, he didn’t insist, slowly turning to face away from her.
Only when the sound of water stopped did he turn back. “You were sleeping so soundly yesterday that I didn’t even bathe you. I’ll have someone heat the water now.”
“It’s broad daylight, why call for water?”
She had just spoken, but it was already too late.
A moment later, the sound of Maids’ brisk footsteps came from outside. With their heads lowered, they deftly brought in basins of already-prepared hot water.
White steam quickly filled the air, and flower petals were scattered in the tub, a faint floral fragrance lingering in the air.
Su Yao was lifted into the tub by Lu Huaijin’s pair of strong hands.
The water temperature was just right, perfect for relieving fatigue. Her sore muscles began to relax.
But when she saw her body covered in marks of varying shades, she couldn’t help but frown slightly.
“Is it comfortable?” A warm breath tickled Su Yao’s ear. Lu Huaijin was massaging her shoulders.
Outsiders could never imagine that a lofty figure like the Cold-faced King of Hell would ever wait on someone.
Lu Huaijin himself had never thought he had such a considerate side. He had never even personally bathed his own son.
But who could he blame for meeting Su Yao? He could only accept his fate.
Lu Huaijin reached to undo his outer robe. Su Yao watched him nervously. “What are you doing?”
“Bathing.”
“I’m not done yet.”
“I didn’t wash yesterday either.”
“Don’t…”
Before she could finish, a large hand covered her mouth.
Lu Huaijin had always been domineering. When he wanted to hear her speak, she had to open her mouth obediently. Now that he wasn’t allowing her to say more, she naturally had to keep quiet.
She wanted to leave.
She always wanted to leave.
She wanted to go to the Border Pass to find her father and brother.
Did Lu Huaijin know?
Of course.
How could a man at the pinnacle of power like him not have a thousand schemes in his mind?
He didn’t mind letting his prey run wild occasionally, like a cat toying with a mouse—watching her run, but never truly letting her get far.
He stepped into the tub, entering the warm water. Instantly, ripples spread across the surface, spilling over the edge.
He twirled her black hair around his fingertips, but Su Yao instinctively moved away from him, clinging tightly to the edge of the wooden tub.
But in this small space, where could she possibly escape?
“Wash Hair.”
Her head was pushed into the water. When she lifted it again, her beautiful hair was completely soaked, and droplets of water trickled down her face. Su Yao had no idea how delectable she looked at that moment.
Lu Huaijin’s Adam’s apple bobbed, his voice low and deep. “What? Rejecting me?”
She avoided him as if he were the plague.
A series of urgent knocks sounded at the door. “Father! Are you in there? Open the door, quickly!”