Chapter 4

Su Qingluo panicked instantly. To be caught crying by him twice in one day—how utterly embarrassing. She had glanced at the pavilion earlier and thought it was empty. Now she realized he must have been hidden behind a column.

A breeze passed, carrying the faint scent of wine from the man’s robes. He had just returned to the Lu household today, and it was only natural that each branch would host banquets in his honor. He must have come here to rest after drinking—and she had inadvertently disturbed his peace.

His mood was clearly sour. Su Qingluo didn’t dare provoke him and quickly bowed. “I didn’t know Third Master was here. Forgive my discourtesy. I’ll take my leave.”

“Stop,” Lu Hengzhi said coolly. His tone carried the unmistakable authority of someone used to commanding others. Su Qingluo halted instinctively.

His voice was cold: “I’m asking you—why are you crying again?”

Su Qingluo pressed her lips together. How could she explain such a thing to a man outside her family?

She remained silent. Then he added, “What is it? Twisted your ankle again?”

Su Qingluo’s face flushed red. She wished she could disappear into the ground.

Fortunately, Song Wen arrived just then. He came running with a glass lantern in one hand and a food box in the other. “Master, you drank quite a bit earlier. You should have some hangover soup.”

Turning his head, he spotted Su Qingluo and froze. “Miss Su? What are you doing here?”

Su Qingluo lowered her gaze and didn’t respond.

Lu Hengzhi gestured for Song Wen to place the food box on the stone table in the pavilion, then took the lantern from him. “Wait outside.”

Song Wen was stunned but quickly obeyed.

Ever since his master had topped the imperial exam, noble families across the capital had flooded him with marriage proposals—some even from royalty. Many women had tried to win his favor, yet he’d never shown interest in any of them. And now, this was the second time he’d made an exception for Su Qingluo.

But wasn’t Miss Su already engaged? Could it be…?

The thought made Song Wen’s knees go weak. He glanced back into the pavilion. The two figures seemed to be standing closer than before.

Lu Hengzhi lifted the lantern slightly and said evenly, “Come up.”

Under the light, Su Qingluo’s pale face showed a hint of stubbornness. Her eyes were red at the corners, but she didn’t move.

Lu Hengzhi added, “So you want me to come down?”

Su Qingluo’s lips pressed into a faint line. After a moment, she lifted her skirt and stepped up into the pavilion. Once inside, she bowed to him again.

Lu Hengzhi removed the lantern’s cover and placed it on the round stone table. He sat down, opened the food box, and slowly drank the bowl of hangover soup before finally speaking.

“How did Lu Yan bully you?”

Su Qingluo was slightly startled.

Unlike earlier in the day when he’d asked, “Who bullied you?”, this time his tone was certain. No wonder he was someone who could stir clouds and rain in court—he’d already guessed the truth.

Su Qingluo lowered her gaze and didn’t respond right away.

Lu Hengzhi waited a moment, then said, “Tell me. I’ll stand up for you.”

His tone was unexpectedly patient.

Su Qingluo was even more surprised. After a brief hesitation, she merely whispered, “He didn’t.”

He was from the main branch of the Lu family—what right did he have to speak on her behalf? The only person who could truly stand up for her was her grandmother, but her health had declined. Su Qingluo couldn’t bring herself to trouble her with this. Besides, given the man before her, even if she said nothing, he’d likely uncover the truth on his own. To speak openly might even invite criticism for being immature.

Years of living under others’ roofs had taught Su Qingluo exactly how to navigate situations like this.

Lu Hengzhi rose and took a step forward. His presence was commanding, almost oppressive. Su Qingluo instinctively stepped back and looked up.

Dressed in a moon-white robe, Lu Hengzhi stood like a cold, aloof moon on a snow-covered mountain—untouched by dust. His face was like carved jade, his sideburns sharp as if cut by a blade. His brows and eyes were cold and distant. His voice was faintly cold: “You don’t trust me?”

There was unmistakable displeasure in his tone.

Su Qingluo didn’t respond.

Lu Hengzhi’s gaze darkened slightly. “Why not give me a chance?”

Su Qingluo lowered her eyes. “I wouldn’t dare. Truly, it’s nothing. I just… miss home.” The words were half true, half deflection—not entirely insincere.

Lu Hengzhi studied her for a moment, neither confirming nor denying whether he believed her.

Su Qingluo bowed again. “It’s late. Third Master should rest.”

Lu Hengzhi finally said nothing more. He handed her the lantern. “Be careful on your way back.”

Su Qingluo wanted to refuse, but when she saw the deep, unreadable look in his eyes, she instinctively accepted the lantern.

“Thank you, Third Master. I’ll have someone return the lantern tomorrow.”

“No need,” Lu Hengzhi replied. “I’ll send someone to retrieve it.”

Su Qingluo let out a quiet sigh of relief. That was much more convenient. It wouldn’t be appropriate for her maid to go to the front courtyard looking for him—it would only invite gossip.

Her sorrow had been interrupted by Lu Hengzhi’s presence, and she felt much better. Back in her room, she lay down and quickly fell asleep.

The next morning, Su Qingluo rose early to pay respects to her grandmother. Several ladies were present, including Madam Liu.

Old Madam Lu had caught a chill the night before and looked a bit groggy, wearing a forehead wrap. Still, she smiled warmly when she saw Su Qingluo. “Qingluo, come here. It rained yesterday—did you sleep well? Did you catch a cold?”

Su Qingluo’s eyes grew misty. She nestled into the old lady’s arms. “I’m fine. I should be asking you that. Did you sneak out for some cool air and end up catching a chill?”

Old Madam Lu couldn’t help but laugh, poking her cheek. “Listen to this little rascal—what nonsense are you saying?”

As usual, Su Qingluo stayed to eat breakfast with her grandmother.

Old Madam Lu forced herself to perk up. “I’ve lived a long life, and it’s nearly time to go. But I must live long enough to see our Qingluo married.”

A pang of bitterness rose in Su Qingluo’s chest.

Madam Liu quickly chimed in, “Nonsense! Mother, you’ll live to a hundred. Not only will you see Qingluo married, you’ll help her raise her children too!”

Old Madam Lu burst into laughter. “Look at you, lazy women—asking me to help raise grandchildren when you’re the mother-in-law. What kind of logic is that?”

Everyone laughed.

Su Qingluo said nothing. She knew Madam Liu had said all that deliberately—to pressure her into marrying Lu Yan without protest.

After leaving her grandmother’s room, Madam Liu smiled and pulled Su Qingluo into her own quarters.

Sure enough, Lu Yan was already waiting inside. When Su Qingluo entered, he slapped himself lightly across the face.

“Sister Su, yesterday was all my fault. I deserve punishment.”

The slap didn’t even make a sound.

He reached out to take her hand, but Su Qingluo pulled away.

Lu Yan quickly tried to appease her, producing a translucent jade pendant.

“Sister Su, I picked this out just for you. Consider it an apology. In my heart, you’ll always be number one.”

Su Qingluo took the pendant. It was engraved with an orchid motif.

She didn’t like orchids. She loved peonies. She didn’t like jade either—too fragile. Gold and silver were sturdier.

Only now did Su Qingluo realize: all these years, he’d given her many gifts, but not a single one she truly liked. And yet he claimed she was his top priority.

Seeing her accept the pendant, Lu Yan was secretly delighted. He hurried to explain, “I just pitied Yanran’s situation. Her father died early, and she lives in poverty. She cried and told me she was about to come of age, but didn’t even have a proper hairpin. That’s why I took her to the jewelry shop.”

“Don’t worry. I only want to marry you.”

Madam Liu saw her take the pendant and quickly grabbed her hand with a smile. “That’s more like it. Yan’er was just confused for a moment. Qingluo, be generous—don’t hold it against him. You’re about to be family. Couples shouldn’t quarrel every day.”

Su Qingluo suddenly let out a cold laugh and hurled the jade pendant to the ground, shattering it into pieces.

Madam Liu and Lu Yan were both stunned.

Su Qingluo said icily, “Too bad—I don’t want to marry you. I will break off this engagement. You both know the reason. If we keep talking, it’ll only damage what little goodwill remains. I’ll give Aunt half a month. If she can’t resolve this, I’ll have no choice but to ask Grandmother.”

Madam Liu shouted, “Nonsense! You’d trouble your grandmother over something so trivial? Her health is poor—how could you be so unfilial?”