Chapter 22

The courtyard was silent. Due to the earlier argument between the two, the servants had kept their distance. Lu Minghua flung her sleeves and closed the door, sitting in front of the dressing table, lost in thought. Such parents, such parents—

Outside, a maid cautiously knocked on the door, bringing Lu Minghua back to reality. She realized that her face in the bronze mirror was already covered in tears.

“What is it?”

“Miss, it’s time for lunch,” the maid said respectfully.

“No need,” Lu Minghua refused outright.

Outside, the old maid frowned at the tightly closed door, glanced at the food box, and had it set aside. She then ordered the maid to bring tea, silently adding some powder to it.

The mistress didn’t eat, and Xiao Chun initially wanted to send the kitchen staff away, but the old maid insisted on waiting, worried that the mistress might get hungry later. Xiao Chun didn’t think much of it, assuming the old maid just wanted to slack off, so she didn’t say anything.

The old maid seemed to be idly wandering around the courtyard. When she passed by the tea room, she glanced at the tea stove, praised it a bit, and silently sprinkled some powder into the teapot. She then stayed in the courtyard until she saw the maid bring the tea inside, feeling reassured.

Lu Minghua was indeed thirsty, but recalling what Madam Qin had said earlier, she resisted the urge to drink, not wanting to touch anything the Earl’s family had prepared. She called a few trusted servants and gave them some instructions in a low voice, then asked for water to wash up. After that, she called for a carriage and prepared to leave.

“What are you doing?” Lu Chengsong blocked the courtyard gate with his men, his face stern as he questioned Lu Minghua.

After Madam Qin had informed him of Lu Minghua’s reaction, Lu Chengsong knew his daughter would cause trouble and wouldn’t listen easily. So he had someone drug her, but she was fine and even wanted to leave!

He glared at the old maid hiding nearby, thinking she was useless.

“After thinking it over, I realized that watching my former husband marry my sister would be a joke, so I’m leaving,” Lu Minghua said calmly, not even bothering to put on a facade for her father.

“Nonsense! Your sister’s wedding is a joyous occasion. No one will laugh. You stay home and don’t go anywhere,” Lu Chengsong waved his sleeve, ordering his men to guard the gate, and prepared to leave.

“Father, haven’t you noticed that a few people are missing from my side?” Lu Minghua reminded him calmly.

Lu Chengsong paused, frowning as he looked around.

“I’ve already sent people to the government office. If I can’t leave, they’ll beat the drum and tell everyone about our family’s affairs,” Lu Minghua said with a smile.

“You, unfilial daughter! Aren’t you afraid of being ridiculed?” Lu Chengsong pointed at Lu Minghua, incredulous. He had always known his daughter had a rebellious streak but hadn’t expected her to go this far.

“Father, you’re ready to sell me off. Why should I care about that?” Lu Minghua sneered.

She was already struggling to survive, so why should she care about filial piety? Even if she was scorned, she didn’t care anymore.

“Get out, get out, get out!” Lu Chengsong glared at Lu Minghua, seeing the determination in her eyes, and finally ordered his men to step back.

Lu Minghua strode out, not heading outside the mansion but to Lu Chengwen’s study. Without delay, she told him what Lu Chengsong had done.

“What?! How absurd!” Lu Chengwen trembled with anger, throwing his favorite wolf-hair brush and calling for his men, heading straight to the second house.

In the Suxian Courtyard, Lu Chengsong was still furious when he saw his brother stormed in. Without a word, he ordered his men to tie him up and take him to the ancestral hall.

Confused, he looked up and saw Lu Minghua behind Lu Chengwen, her eyes cold. He understood everything in an instant.

“Unfilial daughter, you unfilial daughter.” The anger he had barely suppressed surged again, making his chest ache.

“Scoundrel!” Lu Chengwen struck his hand and went straight to the ancestral hall. After dismissing the others, he turned to Lu Chengsong, who was kneeling on the ground.

“Where did all your learning go? How could you send Minghua to be mistreated by Prince Changping? She’s your own daughter!” Lu Chengwen almost beat his chest in frustration, unable to understand how he had such a brother.

“She’s divorced and at home. No one dares to marry her. Isn’t it good enough for her to become a princess?” Lu Chengsong said indifferently.

“You, you,” Lu Chengwen couldn’t believe his brother showed no remorse.

“Brother, don’t blame me. Think about your granddaughter. Having a divorcee aunt will surely cause trouble for her future marriage prospects. Marrying her off is good for everyone,” Lu Chengsong said confidently. “I’m arranging a marriage for Qi Ge’er. The other party hesitated when they heard she was at home. But since she was previously married to Marquis Ningguo, no ordinary person dares to marry her. Only Prince Changping doesn’t mind, so it’s perfect.”

“Shut up!” Lu Chengwen roared, unable to hold back any longer. “Minghua’s divorce, whose fault is it? Those who care are foolish and unreasonable, but you, you’re her biological father, and you treat Minghua like this?”

“We’ve been educated since childhood, taught about propriety and shame. Have you forgotten? Selling your daughter for glory is despicable!” Lu Chengwen understood that his brother’s real reason was the benefits promised by Prince Changping. Otherwise, officials might hesitate to marry her, but with Minghua’s qualities, she could easily marry into a scholarly family that wouldn’t care about her past. But he didn’t care about Minghua, eager to trade her for benefits.

Lu Minghua stood quietly aside, not feeling sad—

Compared to her mother, who had shown her some tenderness, this father had never cared for her as his eldest daughter.

Lu Chengsong, exposed by Lu Chengwen in front of Minghua, stiffened. But he didn’t think he was wrong. It was only a daughter, and Prince Changping promised to arrange an official position for Qi Ge’er in exchange for her. It was a profitable deal.

Seeing his indifferent brother, Lu Chengwen grew increasingly disappointed and called for the family law.

“Brother?!” Lu Chengsong was shocked. At his age, being spanked? How humiliating.

“Beat him!” Lu Chengwen ordered.

Lu Chengsong couldn’t move. When the board hit his back, the pain made him howl.

“Brother, no, no, I know I was wrong.” He quickly begged for mercy, “Mingxi is going out tomorrow, and I need to attend, brother!”

“No problem, just say you’re sick,” Lu Chengwen said indifferently, ordering the beating to continue.

Lu Chengsong howled again, “Stop, stop. ” He looked at Lu Chengwen, desperately trying to plead, but he saw Minghua’s satisfied expression, and his anger surged.

“Unfilial daughter, it’s all your fault, all your fault, you wretch!” he said, trembling with rage.

“What does this have to do with Minghua? If you weren’t an unkind father, would it have come to this?” Lu Chengwen stepped forward, blocking Minghua, and said.

Another strike and Lu Chengsong was too weak to scream.

A pampered person couldn’t endure the bamboo board. It didn’t injure him, but each strike was excruciating.

In the end, under Lu Chengwen’s insistence, Lu Chengsong was beaten ten times and was finally sent back to the Suxian Courtyard, crying in pain.

Seeing him like this, Lu Minghua sneered, knowing that he wouldn’t be able to enjoy the praise and glory when the groom came to pick up the bride the next day.

“You shouldn’t have come,” Lu Chengwen said, realizing that Lu Minghua had followed him to the ancestral hall and watched the entire punishment. His feelings were complicated.

“He’s still your father,” he finally said.

Watching her biological father being punished, she didn’t even say a word, let alone offer to take his place. This was truly unfilial, and though he wanted to reprimand her, he couldn’t. An unkind father couldn’t expect filial children.

“I don’t have such a father,” Lu Minghua said coldly. Her anger slightly dissipated after watching Lu Chengsong’s punishment, but it remained simmering.

Sensing Lu Chengwen’s disapproval, she felt a chill in her heart. Did even her uncle think she was wrong?

“If today’s events become known, people will criticize you. You can’t do this again,” Lu Chengwen sighed, feeling pity for this unfortunate child, and spoke softly.

Lu Minghua was stunned, looking at Lu Chengwen in disbelief. Was her uncle… guiding her?

“People’s words can sometimes kill. You have a long life ahead, and you must restrain yourself,” Lu Chengwen said gently.

Lu Minghua had always been alone, driven by a fierce determination to stand her ground. She agreed with Lu Chengwen’s words. But she had endured and retreated repeatedly, and those people were never satisfied, wanting to drag her down. Since that was the case, she decided to fight back. But facing her uncle’s concern, she nodded silently without saying much.

“And Prince Changping, I don’t know when he noticed you, but you must be careful,” Lu Chengwen said, feeling ashamed. “Your uncle is useless and can’t protect you.”

The Earl family had declined, and even though Prince Changping had lost favor with the emperor, he was still a noble. The Earl family couldn’t afford to provoke him.

“Minghua will be careful, don’t worry, uncle,” Lu Minghua said with a faint smile.

After parting with Lu Chengwen, who didn’t try to keep her and advised her to come back less often, she felt touched by his concern and obediently agreed.

As she left the study, the carriage was already prepared. Lu Minghua was about to leave when she encountered the flustered Madam Qin and Lu Mingxi on the road. She stopped and looked at them. Lu Mingxi glanced at her, a smirk of schadenfreude on her lips.

“Minghua, what happened just now? Why was your father punished?” The mansion was full of festive cheer, decorated with lanterns and red lights. Madam Qin didn’t want to ruin her daughter’s happiness on such a joyous day. Holding back her tears, she approached Lu Minghua and reached out to take her hand.

Lu Minghua lowered her hand and stepped aside to avoid her.

Madam Qin paused.

“Minghua?” She looked at her daughter in confusion.

Lu Minghua didn’t want to waste time. She briefly explained what had happened and then tried to leave.

“Minghua! How can you be like this?” Madam Qin was shocked, and even Lu Mingxi’s eyes flashed with surprise. They hadn’t expected Lu Minghua to be so resolute.

“What else should I do?” Hearing Madam Qin’s disapproving tone, Lu Minghua’s suppressed anger surged again. She stopped and turned back with a cold smile, saying, “Should I just let my father sell me?”

“What are you saying! We’re doing this for your own good…”

“Thank you, but no thanks,” Lu Minghua interrupted, looking at Madam Qin expressionlessly. “First marriage follows the husband, second marriage follows oneself. My future is no longer your concern, Madam Qin and Second Master Lu.” Saying this, calling her by the title she had long wanted to use, felt like a heavy stone finally lifted from her heart. She felt a deep sense of relief.

“Did you just call me Madam Qin?” Madam Qin was stunned.

“Madam Qin, I bid you farewell,” Lu Minghua said with a slight bow and turned to leave.

“Sister,” Lu Mingxi called out, but Lu Minghua ignored her and walked away, leaving Lu Mingxi feeling disappointed.

In the past, Madam Qin would have comforted her, but now, even after a long pause, no one moved. Lu Mingxi glanced at Madam Qin, who was staring blankly in the direction Lu Minghua had left, looking lost.

Lu Mingxi’s eyes turned cold, and she sneered, gripping Madam Qin’s arm and coughing lightly.

Madam Qin immediately snapped back to reality, showing concern as she led Lu Mingxi back, but her mind was elsewhere.

Seeing this, Lu Mingxi nearly ground her teeth in frustration.

Leaving the Earl family behind, the carriage passed through the bustling streets and headed towards the mountain retreat. Before dusk, Lu Minghua saw the retreat in the distance and breathed a sigh of relief.

After getting off the carriage and entering the mansion, Mama Li happily prepared for her to wash up. Sitting in the room she had personally decorated, Lu Minghua’s heart finally began to race. Fueled by anger and grief, she hadn’t felt anything before. Now, feeling safe, she realized what she had done.

Threatening her father, complaining to her uncle, watching her father punished without a word…

At the time, she even felt it wasn’t enough. Now, looking back, she realized how dangerous it had been and how bold she had been. If she had hesitated, she would have been confined to a small courtyard. Her uncle couldn’t easily intervene, and she might have been kept there until she was sent off in a bridal sedan chair.

Complaining to Lu Chengwen was even bolder. What if she had misjudged him and he agreed to send her to the Prince’s mansion?

She stood there in a daze for a while, breaking out in a cold sweat from scaring herself. Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, Lu Minghua called for water to bathe, intending to wash away the bad luck she had picked up at the Marquis’s residence.

Next door, hearing the sudden commotion after a day of silence, Yan Yuanhua put down his military book.

“What’s all the noise outside?” he asked loudly.

A personal guard inquired and reported that the neighbor had returned.

“So soon?” Yan Yuanhua was a bit surprised. He stood up, thinking about Lu Minghua’s expressionless face that morning, and couldn’t help but wonder how she was doing now. Visiting her seemed inconvenient, but before he knew it, he found himself by the wall separating their courtyards.

The two courtyards were similarly arranged, both with three sections, the main house naturally in the second section. From there, he could even see a corner of the small building next door. Several times before, he had vaguely seen Lu Minghua’s figure inside. She seemed to like that small building.

Tonight, the moonlight was beautiful. After bathing, Lu Minghua couldn’t calm her mind, so she prepared food and wine in the courtyard, intending to drink away her sorrows under the moonlight.

By the stone table, a peach tree was planted. Its branches were already budding with tiny pink flowers, hinting at the lively bloom.

Lu Minghua drank the wine, one sip after another, unknowingly finishing a whole pot.

“Miss, you shouldn’t drink any more,” Mama Li gently advised.

Next door, Yan Yuanhua, who had just arrived, paused. The breeze carried the faint scent of wine, and he realized Lu Minghua was drinking.

“Bring another pot,” Lu Minghua ignored Mama Li. After today’s events, she couldn’t calm down and just wanted to get drunk.

Seeing her insistence, Mama Li had no choice but to comply.

The servants had long been dismissed, and Lu Minghua, no longer maintaining her usual composure, leaned on the stone table, her body relaxed.

Tears fell unknowingly. She tried hard to hold them back, but her stinging eyes wouldn’t listen. Emotions churned in her heart, and she finally couldn’t hold it in, sobbing on the stone table.

Her sobs were quiet. For someone who was never valued, even crying was silent—

Anyway, no one cared, and no one would comfort her. However, the intermittent sobbing carried by the wind to the neighboring courtyard made the usually smiling man lose his smile.

She hadn’t cried even when she encountered villains and was scared, but today she cried. What happened during this return to the capital?

“Miss, oh my, what’s wrong?” Mama Li returned with the wine and was startled to see her mistress crying. She hurried over, holding her shoulders and asking repeatedly.

“Mama, I’m fine,” Lu Minghua bit her lip to steady her voice, holding back her sobs.

“You’re like this and still say you’re fine! Did the master and madam mistreat you again this time?”

“I… really, I’m fine.”

“Miss! Tell this old servant, don’t keep it to yourself. It will be better if you talk about it,” Mama Li patiently coaxed, worried she might fall ill from holding it in.

Lu Minghua leaned against her, not wanting to speak.

After a long silence.

Yan Yuanhua leaned against the wall, looking up at the night sky. The moonlight was beautiful tonight, though there weren’t many stars. Yet, in his mind, he saw those star-filled eyes.

Those eyes were now filled with tears, and he wondered what they looked like.

“Mama, today when I returned home, my mother said that Prince Changping wanted to marry me as his second wife, and my father had already agreed.” In the quiet night, with the sounds of insects and birds interwoven, Lu Minghua’s voice was calm, revealing no emotion.

Or perhaps, her heart had long turned to ashes.

Yan Yuanhua suddenly thought. Prince Changping’s reputation was well-known in the capital. Any family that cared for their daughters would stay far away from him. But what had he heard? Lu Minghua’s father wanted her to marry such a person as his second wife???

“What?” Mama Li’s shocked voice pierced the night, followed by her urgent words, “This can’t be, it can’t be, Miss, this is absolutely unacceptable.”

“I know. My father was going to lock me in the courtyard. I had to threaten him to get out.”

“Unbelievable, unbelievable!!!” Mama Li gritted her teeth, almost wanting to curse, but held back.

“I complained to my uncle, and he enforced the family law on my father,” Lu Minghua continued.

It should have been a satisfying event, but hearing her speak flatly, one could only feel her exhaustion.

“Miss…” Mama Li, shocked by her state, softened her voice, forgetting her anger.

“The Earl family is no match for the Prince’s mansion. Even if I hide here, it may not be safe,” Lu Minghua said, slightly tipsy but seemingly more clear-headed. “If something happens to me one day, take the indenture contract and leave with Xiao Chun and the others.”

“Miss!” Mama Li was terrified by her tone, as if she were arranging her affairs, and quickly interrupted, “I won’t leave. If that day comes, I’ll save you even if it costs my life.”

“What nonsense are you talking about, Mama?” Lu Minghua seemed to chuckle lightly.

“I’m serious,” Mama Li said softly.

Lu Minghua didn’t respond, continuing to drink.

Even the nanny knew to care for and protect her, but her parents… no, they didn’t deserve to be called her parents.

Mama Li didn’t stop her anymore. After such a big event, getting drunk and having a good sleep might be a good thing.

The jade pot tilted, and the wine trickled into the jade cup, the sound continuing intermittently until the night deepened.

Even when drunk, Lu Minghua was quiet. She didn’t speak or act out. Yan Yuanhua only heard the nanny sigh deeply and curse softly before two sets of footsteps, one light and one heavy, faded away. Only then did he move slightly, leaving the wall he had leaned on for so long and heading back to his room.

Zhao Shiyi had been hiding in the shadows and followed.

“Give the order to investigate this Prince Changping thoroughly,” Yan Yuanhua said.

“Yes.” Zhao Shiyi, usually smiling and playful, became serious and immediately turned to leave after seeing Yan Yuanhua’s look.

Yan Yuanhua’s smile was faint, but he felt a nameless anger burning inside him, making him very uncomfortable.

Lu Minghua’s calm, lifeless voice echoed in his ears. That emotion was very familiar to him, indicating that she had already prepared herself for death. Would she rather die?

Yan Yuanhua usually looked down on those who gave up on life, but thinking about Lu Minghua’s experiences, he could only sigh and feel pity.

*

In the morning, the sunlight was bright, streaming through the window and casting large patches of light on the floor.

Lu Minghua woke up from her hangover feeling uncomfortable and unable to move. She turned over and lay on the bed, looking around the room.

Sunlight, window, soft couch. On the couch was her embroidery frame, with a kite in the shape of a swallow. She reached out, and the sunlight fell on her fingertips. All the gloomy, weary, and resentful emotions seemed to fade away in this light.

She stared blankly for a while until the sunlight moved away, and the warmth disappeared. Only then did she come back to her senses.

Lying on the bed for a while, she gently smiled.

Why should she wallow in self-pity? If no one loved her, she would love herself twice as much. If others mistreated her, she would return the favor. Accidents and harm could come at any time, so she would enjoy every day before that.

After all, she had already prepared for the worst, hadn’t she?

Lu Minghua got up, called for someone to help her wash, and chose a peach-pink dress she loved but had been kept at the bottom of the chest. She styled her hair in a beautiful flying fairy bun and adorned it with a butterfly hairpin with dangling pearls.

The person in the mirror turned slightly, the pearl tassels swaying gently by her ears, the dress vibrant. She smiled lightly, captivatingly.

She had always known she was beautiful. But Lu Minghua had never seriously showcased this beauty. There was no need in the Lu family, and in the Wei family, she was too lazy to bother. But now, she wanted to show it off, only to please herself.

After finishing her late breakfast, Lu Minghua went out, intending to walk in the mountains. Unexpectedly, after a few steps, she encountered Yan Yuanhua.

Yan Yuanhua had gone out early, wandering around casually. Seeing that Lu Minghua didn’t seem to be coming out, he decided to return, but unexpectedly, they met.

Seeing the meticulously dressed woman before him, with smiles in her eyes and at the corners of her mouth, he was momentarily stunned.

She was already beautiful, but she had always been dressed plainly. Now, suddenly dressed up, she looked refreshingly stunning.

“Young Master Yuan,” Lu Minghua greeted him, unaware of these thoughts. She felt she had just changed her clothes and greeted Yan Yuanhua, who had helped her several times.

“Miss Lu,” Yan Yuanhua’s gaze lingered on Lu Minghua, then gradually softened, and even his smile faded a bit. He felt that the current Lu Minghua was like a flower in full bloom, releasing all her life force. When the flower withered, it would be her end.

“How is your health, Young Master?” Lu Minghua began her routine inquiry. Initially, she felt a bit uneasy seeing Yan Yuanhua, but that feeling quickly faded.

It was an unintentional incident, so why dwell on it?

“Better,” Yan Yuanhua turned and walked up the mountain with Lu Minghua, smiling as if in surprise, “Miss Lu, you look radiant today. Is there something joyous?”

“Did I look weary before?” Lu Minghua laughed, making a joke.

After her divorce and return home, she had put all her bright and beautiful clothes at the bottom of her chest to avoid gossip. Now, thinking back, it wasn’t worth it.

“Not at all, just different today,” Yan Yuanhua didn’t hide his curiosity.

“Maybe it’s because I woke up today and saw this beautiful scenery, which lifted my spirits,” Lu Minghua said, looking at the spring scenery ahead and smiling.

“I see. Well, it seems I was blind not to notice the splendid view in your eyes,” Yan Yuanhua had thought of many ways to comfort Lu Minghua, but he hadn’t expected to see her like this.

This gentle and elegant young woman showed incredible resilience at this moment, but he didn’t feel comforted. What had she gone through to develop such a character—

Yesterday’s incident was probably not the first. Only after countless experiences and becoming numb could she calm down quickly like this.

Thinking this, Yan Yuanhua couldn’t help but feel pity. There were many hardships in life, but none compared to the hurt from one’s parents. He had never experienced it, but just thinking about it made his heart tremble.

Lu Minghua smiled lightly, “There’s no splendid view, just occasional feelings.”

She looked up, her eyelashes suddenly fluttering.

Seeing the pity in his eyes—

Yan Yuanhua’s gaze shifted to the side, and he laughed, “Indeed. By the way, a few days ago, I saw an orchid in the mountains behind. I wonder if Miss Lu would be interested.”

She must have been mistaken. Lu Minghua calmed her trembling heart. For a moment, she almost thought the person in front of her knew about her situation.

“An orchid? Where?” she asked, flustered.

“Over there, but it’s a bit secluded, hard to describe,” Yan Yuanhua pointed in a direction.

The mountain path was difficult to traverse. Every time Lu Minghua went out, she followed the small paths that had been cleared. But the direction he pointed to was in the forest, a place she had never been. Seeing this, she couldn’t help but frown.

“Two days ago, I saw an orchid budding. If you’re interested, Miss Lu, why don’t I take you to see it?” Yan Yuanhua suggested.

Lu Minghua thought for a moment and nodded.

She had never seen a wild orchid before, only those grown in pricey pots.

Yan Yuanhua led the way, guiding them into the forest.

The fallen leaves from last year had decomposed, and green wild grass formed a carpet. Lu Minghua was worried about the path, but it wasn’t as bad as she had imagined; it was only uneven. As long as she was careful, it was manageable. After passing through the forest, they reached a narrow path along the cliff. Walking cautiously close to the mountain wall, Lu Minghua quickly realized that the mountain path was indeed difficult.

Not long after, Yan Yuanhua moved towards the cliff edge, holding onto a small tree and stepping down.

Lu Minghua was startled, but when she looked up, she saw Yan Yuanhua standing steadily. There was a path there.

Seeing her usual smiling face now wide-eyed with surprise, Yan Yuanhua found it amusing and laughed.

“Don’t worry, there’s a small path here leading down. The orchid is there,” he said.

Feeling a bit embarrassed by his laughter but seeing no malice, Lu Minghua smiled lightly and approached the cliff edge with the maid’s support. Upon closer inspection, there was indeed a narrow, steep path. Without Yan Yuanhua pointing it out, she wouldn’t have believed it was a path.

To go down, the maid’s support was unnecessary. She would have to hold onto the branches herself.

Hesitant, Lu Minghua had never experienced such an undignified situation.

Seeing her hesitation, Yan Yuanhua didn’t rush her; he only stood there smiling.

After some thought, curiosity won over, and Lu Minghua signaled Xiao Chun to let go. She carefully held onto the tree and began to descend.

“Miss,” Xiao Chun and the other maids were worried.

“It’s fine. You can come too, but be careful. If you’re afraid, wait here for me,” Lu Minghua said, feeling an inexplicable joy as she took the first step. Her eyes brightened, and she reassured the maids.

The maids, not daring to let her go alone, followed.

“Just follow my footsteps and don’t step anywhere else,” Yan Yuanhua said, leading the way.

The winding path clung to the cliff. Lu Minghua, focused on following Yan Yuanhua’s footsteps, had no time to look around.

Yan Yuanhua glanced back. Seeing her embroidered shoes peeking from under her skirt and stepping into his footprints stirred his heart.

After a while, they rounded a protruding rock, and the view opened up to a mountain stream. Large rocks, taller than a person, were piled in the mountains. The stream flowed down the rocks, forming a small pool before trickling down the mountain. The orchid was on the opposite side. They had to step on the large rocks in the stream to reach it. Green grass and moss grew on the mountain wall beside the rocks, and a slender orchid with long leaves was rooted there.

“Look, there it is,” Yan Yuanhua patiently waited for Lu Minghua to recover from her amazement and pointed.

Lu Minghua looked and, after a moment, smiled brightly. “Nature’s creation, indeed,” she sighed.

Who would have thought such a beautiful, serene hidden spot existed in these remote mountains?

She had seen more beautiful scenery, but those were man-made. This place had a natural charm.

“Would you like to go over and take a closer look?” Yan Yuanhua, sitting on a large rock, asked with a relaxed smile.

Lu Minghua, initially just looking around, was captivated by the scene. She had seen many people, but none combined elegance and casualness like Yan Yuanhua.

Seeing her gaze, Yan Yuanhua looked back, meeting her eyes.

They both paused.

“Let’s go,” Lu Minghua said, avoiding his gaze.

Since they were here, they should go.

The orchid was on the opposite cliff. They had to step on the large rocks in the stream to reach it. However, the rocks stood in the water, and it was unclear how stable they were.

“Miss, let me fetch it for you,” Xiao Chun offered, concerned.

“There’s no need to pick it. I just want to see it,” Lu Minghua said. If it were a potted flower, she could take it home, but this wild orchid belonged here. She didn’t want to uproot it for her own pleasure.

Carefully lifting her skirt, Lu Minghua stepped onto the large rock. Balancing herself, she smiled. She had never done anything like this before, and the novelty brought unexpected joy.

One rock, two rocks, three rocks, Lu Minghua steadily crossed the rocks, finally reaching the other side.

Yan Yuanhua, now standing by the stream, watched her cross. Seeing her take a deep breath, he smiled, realizing he had also been holding his breath.

Shaking his head, he chuckled.

The stream was lined with small rocks. Lu Minghua quickly reached the orchid, which grew on the wall at her shoulder height. She only needed to look up slightly to see it clearly.

Among the long leaves, several flower buds with tiny green tips were emerging. She didn’t know much about orchids but was curious.

“Is this a jade orchid?” she asked.

She turned back to look at Yan Yuanhua, her eyes full of curiosity and joy, her brows arched, and her gaze radiant.

Yan Yuanhua’s gaze fixed for a moment, then he snapped back to reality and smiled, “No, this should be a white orchid. The buds are green now but will fade as the flowers bloom.”

“Amazing,” Lu Minghua, who had always been a flower admirer, was learning this for the first time. She couldn’t help but admire Yan Yuanhua, surprised that he knew this.

Yan Yuanhua smiled without speaking, relieved that he had seen it earlier and looked it up in a book.

Unaware that someone else was also half-knowledgeable, Lu Minghua looked at the orchid for a while longer before reluctantly heading back.

The moss on the cliff felt damp under her fingers, and the water polished the small, smooth stones underfoot. The stream splashed down from the large rocks, creating ripples on the water’s surface, and the sound of the flowing water echoed as it made its way down the mountain.

Everything was new and interesting to her, and she was full of smiles, feeling completely relaxed. Stepping on the large rocks, she walked back, her steps becoming lighter.

“Be careful!” Yan Yuanhua suddenly called out. Lu Minghua looked at him in confusion and saw him staring intently at something by her foot. She instinctively followed his gaze and felt a chill.

A long, thin shadow was moving in the water—it was a snake. Her breath caught, and she froze.

“Ah!” Several maids gasped, nearly collapsing.

“Quiet, don’t startle it,” Yan Yuanhua said sternly, his smile gone.

The maids covered their mouths, looking at Lu Minghua in panic, not daring to speak.

“Don’t move, don’t startle it. Just wait,” Yan Yuanhua said softly, trying to calm her.

Lu Minghua bit her lip and nodded.

Time seemed to stretch on, but the snake finally slithered past the rock under her foot and moved away.

No one spoke, and even their breathing slowed.

When the snake was a good distance away, Yan Yuanhua threw a stone, hitting its head. The snake thrashed for a moment and then lay still.

Lu Minghua watched, still tense, unable to relax even when the snake stopped moving. She had only seen snakes from a distance, never this close.

“It’s okay, it’s dead,” Yan Yuanhua said, picking up a stick to toss the snake far away. He turned back to Lu Minghua, his eyes gentle and reassuring.

“Come on, let’s go.”

Seeing the snake was truly dead, Lu Minghua finally exhaled deeply and tried to move. But after standing tense for so long, her legs were numb, and she stumbled. She closed her eyes, bracing for a fall into the water, but was suddenly caught and pulled into a faintly medicinal embrace.

She heard a slightly fast heartbeat and instinctively opened her eyes to see a blue robe.

“Are you okay?” Yan Yuanhua asked, helping her stand.

The maids hurried over to support her, not daring to let the man hold their mistress any longer.

With the maids’ help, Lu Minghua finally stood, her heart still racing. She shook her head, suppressing her embarrassment, and smiled, “I’m fine. Thank you, Mr. Yuan, for saving me.”

She looked over and saw Mr. Yuan standing in the water, his pants soaked, but he didn’t seem to mind, his eyes full of concern.

“It’s good you’re okay. It was my oversight, bringing you here and almost causing you harm,” Yan Yuanhua said, feeling guilty.

He had wanted to bring Lu Minghua here to relax and clear her mind but had forgotten the hidden dangers in the wilderness, no matter how careful he was.