She knew exactly who it was from the familiar sound of footsteps.
Under the candlelight, Lu Huaijin stood in white robes, looking exceptionally aloof.
The bed beside her dipped slightly as a warm hand gently rested on her body.
“Asleep?”
Su Yao didn’t want to acknowledge Lu Huaijin, keeping her eyes tightly shut and pretending to be deep in slumber.
Lu Huaijin let out a helpless smile.
Looking back on the past, he had been ruthless, decisive, and merciless—those who displeased him would vanish from this world without a trace.
But now, facing Su Yao, he had become hesitant and cautious.
As long as Su Yao didn’t stubbornly insist on leaving him, he was willing to agree to anything she asked.
“Are you trying to suffocate yourself to death?”
He reached out to lift the embroidered quilt.
Su Yao remained with her eyes closed, her long eyelashes pressed tightly against her eyelids, trembling faintly.
Lu Huaijin’s scorching breath brushed against Su Yao’s sensitive ear, his burning palm gently caressing her flat abdomen.
“Yao’er…” His voice was hoarse, laced with desire.
Su Yao’s heart trembled. She knew that Lu Huaijin, despite his cold exterior, was deeply driven by desire. Once his interest was piqued, he wouldn’t stop until he had his way.
Soft, lingering kisses fell on her earlobe, carrying Lu Huaijin’s unique warmth and scent.
Su Yao shivered and opened her eyes.
Lu Huaijin smiled, gently smoothing the disheveled strands of hair on Su Yao’s forehead.
“What, not pretending anymore?”
Under the candlelight, the man’s features appeared even more defined, his eyes deep and unfathomable, as if capable of devouring everything.
It was undeniable that he was indeed handsome, and time seemed to have been particularly kind to him. Despite being past thirty, there was no trace of age on him.
Moreover, his power, appearance, and wealth were all exceptional, making him the ideal husband countless women in the capital dreamed of.
Su Yao couldn’t understand—if he wanted children, there were plenty of women outside willing to bear them for him. Why wouldn’t he just let her go?
Lu Huaijin sneered, gripping the back of her head.
“Don’t…”
Su Yao’s delicate brows furrowed, her face pale as a dull ache still lingered in her abdomen.
“I’m really tired today.”
Lu Huaijin’s hand paused, his expression darkening as his fingers traced her cheek.
Su Yao’s heart tightened abruptly.
Lu Huaijin was clearly a civil official, so why did the calluses on his palms and the base of his thumb feel so rough, slightly stinging her cheek?
The man spoke hoarsely, “Really tired?”
Su Yao lowered her gaze and softly hummed in agreement.
Lu Huaijin frowned irritably, but recalling how Su Yao had indeed endured much hardship today and seeing her delicate, fragile state now, even a heart of stone would find it hard to remain unmoved.
Suppressing the desire within him, he gently pulled her into his embrace.
“Then sleep early.”
Su Yao’s body squirmed slightly, trying to break free.
His cold voice rang out, “Don’t move. I’m just holding you like this.”
Su Yao took a deep breath in resignation, not daring to make another move.
“Why did you come here?”
“I can’t sleep without you by my side.”
“Aren’t you afraid he won’t be able to find you?”
Lu Huaijin grew impatient. “Close your eyes and sleep.”
Su Yao wanted to ask more, but the man’s deep voice interrupted her.
“If you don’t sleep now, you won’t be sleeping at all tonight.”
Su Yao’s face paled, and she bit her lip. “I really can’t sleep.”
Lu Huaijin suddenly opened his eyes, took out the small box from his embrace, retrieved the sachet, and placed it under her nose. Su Yao immediately quieted down upon smelling the medicinal fragrance.
This sachet was extremely precious—it was a calming incense passed down through the Lu family for generations.
The medicinal ingredients contained within were rare treasures of the world. With just a gentle sniff, it could swiftly lull a person into slumber.
Moreover, this medicinal fragrance not only caused no harm to the body but instead allowed one to relax completely and forget all worries.
In the past, those who could use it were the successive generations of matriarchs forced to remain in the Lu family’s rear courtyard.
It was evident that the domineering nature ingrained in Lu Huaijin’s bones was also inherited—an authoritarianism that had begun to rot from the very roots.
He held her even tighter, whispering softly by her ear, “Yao’er is so well-behaved.”
The next day, Su Yao slowly opened her eyes, only to find the space beside her already empty.
She sat up, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders, her eyes dazed and still heavy with sleep, unable to gather her thoughts for a moment.
“Young lady, you’re finally awake?” Chun Tao entered the room carrying a steaming basin of water.
Su Yao gently rubbed her temples, unable to recall how she had fallen asleep.
Yet, this sleep had truly left her feeling refreshed.
As Chun Tao attended to her washing, Su Yao gazed at her reflection in the bronze mirror, overwhelmed with emotion.
After the New Year, she would be eighteen.
Outside, the festive atmosphere of the New Year was already in the air; some households had hung red lanterns.
In the past, the Ministry of Personnel’s residence had also been lively during the New Year. Her mother would always decorate the house festively and personally make red bean cakes for her and her sisters.
Now, she was like a drifting leaf, carried along by the currents, with no one to rely on.
She let out a long sigh. Though the surroundings remained the same, the people were gone, and a wave of sorrow washed over her heart.
“Let’s go out for a walk today. The New Year is approaching; we must buy some provisions. It’s too quiet here.”
Chun Tao hesitated, looking troubled, and finally couldn’t help but speak up, “But, young lady, the master instructed me to watch over you at all times. This…”
“Your master only told you to keep an eye on me; he didn’t say I couldn’t go out, did he?”
Chun Tao felt there was some logic to Su Yao’s words. As long as she didn’t leave Su Yao’s side for even a moment, it wouldn’t truly violate the master’s orders.
Thus, she gave a slight nod.
Once outside the small courtyard, Su Yao tightened the white fox fur cloak around her. The biting cold wind was truly freezing!
Su Yao took Chun Tao to the pastry shop she used to love, selecting several boxes of pastries.
Just as they stepped outside, a carriage suddenly stopped at the entrance.
A young man emerged from the carriage, his long hair tied high, looking dashing and heroic. The dark red robe he wore made his already handsome face appear even more radiant.
The young man spotted Su Yao standing not far away at a glance, and a smile instantly spread across his handsome face. He hurriedly rushed forward.
“Sister Ayao! Long time no see!”
Seeing Lu Chuyao, Su Yao felt a slight sting in her nose. Two years had passed since they last met—he had grown taller and darker.
“Brother Chuyao, why have you suddenly appeared here?”
Lu Chuyao, excited, wanted to take her hand, but she avoided it.
“I just returned to the capital yesterday. My father told me something had happened to your family. I thought I would never see you again.”
Su Yao blushed shyly, lowering her head slightly, not daring to meet Lu Chuyao’s gaze directly.
Lu Chuyao chuckled softly. He circled around Su Yao, examining her carefully from head to toe.
“Little girl, still so shy? It’s been two years since we last met. Look at you—you’ve grown into a young lady.”
Su Yao’s cheeks grew even hotter. Shyly, she smoothed her hair.
Lu Chuyao’s gaze fell on the pastries in Chun Tao’s hands, and the corners of his mouth lifted.
“It seems Sister Yao’s taste hasn’t changed—still so fond of the pastries from that old shop in the east of the city. I came here hoping to run into you by chance, and it seems luck was on my side.”
Just as the two were immersed in the joy of their reunion, a deep male voice suddenly sounded behind them.
“What a coincidence.”
Upon hearing it, Su Yao’s face paled, and she dared not turn to look at the speaker.
“Father?”
Lu Chuyao turned slightly and bowed respectfully to Lu Huaijin, unable to conceal the joy on his face.
“Look who I’ve run into—it’s Sister Yao. I was planning to take her around for a stroll.”
Lu Huaijin raised an eyebrow and looked at Su Yao. “Oh? A stroll?”
Su Yao’s heart was in turmoil. Unconsciously, she clenched her hands tightly into fists beneath her sleeves, her fingernails digging into her palms with such force that a sharp pain shot through her.
Yet it was nothing compared to the turmoil raging within her.
“I won’t go. I should head home.”
“Don’t want to stroll?”
The smile on Lu Chuyao’s face instantly froze.
“You must be tired. Let me take you back. Wait for me—I’ll go call the carriage over.”
Only after he had walked away did Su Yao dare to meet Lu Huaijin’s icy gaze.
“Do you like him?”