Lu Huaijin had never liked others barging into his courtyard uninvited.
The person outside continued knocking restlessly, “Father, it’s me, I’m back!”
Su Yao immediately recognized the voice as Lu Chuyao’s.
Lu Huaijin’s son, who had been sent to Jingzhou over two years ago to train under General Zhao.
Lu Huaijin clearly recognized the visitor as well.
He abruptly covered Su Yao’s mouth, then swiftly rose from the bathtub, grabbing his outer robe and draping it over himself.
Outside, Lu Chuyao grew impatient and reached out to push the door open.
With a sudden “whoosh,” Lu Huaijin yanked the door open.
Seeing his father, Lu Chuyao froze.
His usually aloof and proud father now stood with disheveled clothing, his long, damp hair loosely scattered.
“Father, why are you bathing in broad daylight?”
Lu Huaijin’s gaze swept over him coolly as he replied in a calm tone, “Why have you returned?”
Lu Chuyao craned his neck to peer inside but was blocked by Lu Huaijin.
“I just arrived. The Emperor granted me permission to return for the New Year. It’s been years since I last set foot in Jingcheng.”
Only then did Lu Huaijin recall the memorial on his desk. He had been too preoccupied with capturing Su Yao to pay it any mind.
He merely gave a soft “Hmm.”
Lu Chuyao persisted, “Father, is there someone inside?”
Lu Huaijin frowned. “Don’t ask unnecessary questions.”
Inside the room, Su Yao listened to the exchange, her heart heavy with bitterness.
Lu Huaijin stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his posture straight and imposing, radiating an oppressive aura.
His brow furrowed as he stared coldly at Lu Chuyao. “You’re no longer a child. Stop acting so recklessly!”
Lu Chuyao tensed, about to defend himself.
But Lu Huaijin intensified his tone. “From now on, if you come to my courtyard, have someone announce you first. Don’t be so abrupt again!”
Faced with his father—the Grand Secretary of the court and a figure of immense authority—Lu Chuyao’s unruly demeanor instantly receded.
“Father’s reprimand is justified. I was too hasty just now and forgot my manners,” Lu Chuyao quickly replied, adopting a respectful smile.
Lu Huaijin nodded slightly and said in a low voice, “You must be weary from the journey. Go freshen up, change into clean clothes, and rest properly.”
Suddenly, Lu Chuyao grinned. “I’m not tired. I want to go to the Su Family to see Sister Ayao.”
“Nonsense!”
Lu Huaijin’s face paled as he glared disapprovingly at Lu Chuyao.
“Father, you know Sister Ayao and I have been childhood sweethearts since we were young, and our bond is deep. It’s been over two years since we last saw each other, and I miss her terribly. I came back this time specifically to see her, to exchange a few words with her. I promise I’ll return early for dinner tonight.”
“You are not to go! Something has happened to the Su Family.”
“What happened?” Lu Chuyao’s expression changed abruptly, his voice urgent.
“Don’t ask what you shouldn’t. Go back to your room now.”
With that, Lu Huaijin turned and reentered the room.
Inside.
Su Yao was dressing.
Her rounded shoulders were partially exposed as she sat before the bronze mirror.
Her raven-black hair cascaded like a waterfall, not yet fully dry.
With delicate fingers, she tucked a stray lock behind her ear, her gaze sweeping lazily, instantly exuding a bewitching allure.
Just then, a figure in dark brocade approached.
Su Yao instinctively furrowed her delicate brows.
Lu Huaijin reached out, and Su Yao abruptly turned her head, glaring at him angrily. “What are you doing now?”
He pinched her chin, forcing her to look up and meet his eyes.
Those icy eyes held an unfathomable abyss, concealing any true emotion.
Su Yao forcefully shook off his hand.
“Has Brother Chuyao returned?”
Hearing this address, Lu Huaijin’s expression instantly darkened.
He said coldly, “Remember your position. You should know what titles are appropriate to use and which are not!”
Su Yao pouted, “He’s your son, not mine.”
He gritted his teeth, “My son is your son. From now on, you’re not allowed to call him that. This is absurd!”
Su Yao found these words utterly ridiculous.
For over a decade since childhood, she had always addressed him that way.
Moreover, if not for the sudden upheaval in her family, she would have married Lu Chuyao and should have been calling him…
Now, he actually came to lecture her about titles? Accusing her of being absurd?
How could he even bring it up?
Lu Huaijin looked at Su Yao and said solemnly, “Today, I will arrange a residence for you. You will stay there for the time being.”
Su Yao raised her eyes, confusion in her gaze. “Why?”
Lu Huaijin averted his gaze. “Chuyao still doesn’t know about us. He won’t be staying in Jingcheng for long. Once the New Year passes, I will send him back to Jingzhou. Then, I will come to bring you back.”
Su Yao was surprised and secretly delighted.
She had thought that after being captured by Lu Huaijin this time, she would never regain her freedom.
But this old man before her seemed to offer a glimmer of hope.
Lu Huaijin seemed to see through her little thoughts.
“What, still thinking of leaving me?”
Su Yao’s face paled. She shook her head, the ruby earrings swaying on both sides, looking quite lovely.
“I won’t run anymore. There’s no point in trying.”
Lu Huaijin seemed rather satisfied with her answer. He gently pinched Su Yao’s chin.
“You are not to see him.”
Su Yao naturally understood that “him” referred to Lu Chuyao.
“When will you send me away?”
“Are you in such a hurry?” Lu Huaijin raised an eyebrow slightly.
“Aren’t I afraid your son will discover our relationship? I’m not exactly presentable.”
Lu Huaijin’s brow furrowed slightly. He rarely showed his emotions outwardly.
Yet, at this moment, Su Yao could clearly sense the turmoil within him.
“After Physician Shi examines your pulse, I will arrange everything.”
Before Su Yao could react, Lu Huaijin had already gently lifted her onto his lap.
His large, bony hand lightly brushed over her ankle, and the grating sound rang out again.
But this time, there was only a single “click.”
The bell had actually been removed.
Lu Huaijin gently massaged Su Yao’s ankle, where a faint red mark marred her jade-like skin.
In recent days, Physician Shi had been arriving almost every three or four days as promised, to examine the mysterious woman in the residence of the powerful Chief Grand Secretary.
He wondered privately what kind of stunning beauty could captivate such a high-ranking official so deeply.
“Please extend your hand, miss.”
Lu Huaijin held her pale wrist and pressed it onto the medicine pillow. As the silk covered her skin, blue veins became visible.
Su Yao had always remained behind the curtain, so Physician Shi had never seen her true appearance.
Physician Shi took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and focused entirely on the pulse beneath his fingertips.
The room was silent, save for the occasional soft sound of breathing.
Curious, Su Yao couldn’t help but want to peek out.
Suddenly, everything went dark—Lu Huaijin’s large hand covered her eyes.
“What’s so interesting about another man?”
Upon hearing this, Physician Shi couldn’t help but feel awkward. He was already past fifty, yet here he was, forced to listen to such intimate whispers.
“Have you felt enough?”
“The young lady’s pulse is weak and floating…”
“That’s not what I want to hear.”
Physician Shi hurriedly cleared his throat a few times to break the awkward atmosphere.
“Lord Lu, rest assured, this young lady is not seriously ill. She merely has a slight deficiency in her spleen. With a few days of proper recuperation, she will recover.”
Su Yao thought to herself that she could hardly bear to swallow those bitter medicinal brews. If not for Lu Huaijin supervising her daily, she would have long discarded them like worn-out shoes.
Once she returned to the new residence, she would pour out and throw away all those bitter medicines—she absolutely refused to drink them.
Lu Huaijin’s voice was calm: “Prescribe the medicine so she can bear me a child.”
Su Yao suddenly lifted the curtain and threw the medicine pillow to the ground: “Madman!”