Chapter 9

Su Qingluo was more shocked than anyone else—she had never imagined that her aunt’s greed for her dowry could be exposed from this angle. She had arrived in the capital at the age of ten. At first, her grandmother had managed the shops for her, calling her over each month to review the accounts. Later, as her grandmother’s health declined, Madam Liu volunteered to take over.

For the first six months, Madam Liu still reviewed the accounts with her. Then she began using busyness as an excuse, switching to quarterly reviews. Eventually, she stopped altogether, claiming that as her aunt, she would never harm her, so there was no need to go over the books.

Su Qingluo, soft-spoken and shy, had always considered money a worldly concern. She also believed Madam Liu, as family, treated her well. So for all these years, she had said nothing.

Madam Liu’s face flushed red, then pale. After a long pause, she stammered, “Qingluo was still young. I only took over the shops to protect her, afraid she’d be misled by the staff…”

But in front of so many people, even she struggled to keep up the lie.

Lu Hengzhi spoke evenly, “Miss Su is sixteen now. The engagement is canceled. The shops can be returned, yes?” His tone left no room for argument.

Madam Liu was visibly shaken by the force of his presence. She murmured, “Of course…”

Lu Hengzhi said calmly, “Have everything transferred within a month.”

Then his gaze swept across the crowd. “Today’s matter concerns a young woman’s reputation. No one is to speak of it further. Anyone who does will be expelled from the Lu family.” His voice carried undeniable authority.

Everyone responded in unison: “Understood.”

Lu Hengzhi added, “We’ve kept vigil all night. Everyone’s tired—dismissed.”

Madam Liu shot Su Qingluo a venomous glare, then stormed off.

The crowd slowly dispersed, but Su Qingluo remained where she was, standing behind the screen, looking toward Lu Hengzhi. She had thought that simply breaking off the engagement would be the best outcome. As for the shops tied to her dowry, she assumed Madam Liu wouldn’t relinquish them until she married. She never expected that Lu Hengzhi would retrieve them for her so effortlessly. Moreover, the world was rarely kind to women. Even if she had reason on her side, today’s events—if spread—could still damage her reputation. Yet Lu Hengzhi had thoughtfully forbidden anyone from speaking of it. For a moment, she didn’t know how to thank him.

Lu Hengzhi hadn’t moved either.

They stood on opposite sides of the screen, gazing at each other. At last, it was Lu Hengzhi who spoke first: “Is there anything else?”

His voice was no longer cold—it carried a trace of warmth, a hint of concern.

Now that all the men had left, and he had just done her a great favor, continuing to speak to him from behind the screen felt too distant.

Su Qingluo thought for a moment, then slowly stepped out from behind the screen. She bowed to him with solemn sincerity. “Thank you, Third Brother.”

She wore a pale yellow dress, her slender waist delicate and graceful. As she lowered her head and bowed, her every movement was soft and charming.

Lu Hengzhi looked at her for a moment and said, “You call me Third Brother, yet still act so formally?”

His voice was quiet, but in her ears, it carried an unexpected gentleness. For a moment, she wondered if she was imagining things—was this stern-faced man truly being gentle?

Unconsciously, she lifted her gaze to see what he looked like at that moment. He was dressed in his usual blue robes, a jade belt cinching his waist. Refined and elegant, he stood in the courtyard like a tree of jade and orchid—noble and untouchable.

A strange feeling surged in Su Qingluo’s chest, unfamiliar and intense. Her heartbeat quickened uncontrollably. Before she could make sense of it, her vision blurred, and her body swayed—she was about to collapse.

A strong hand caught her arm just in time.

Lu Hengzhi supported her and guided her to a seat inside the hall. His voice was low and steady: “Bring a bowl of brown sugar water.”

Su Qingluo’s head was spinning, her breathing uneven. The faint scent of agarwood mixed with a trace of wine from his robes—it was unexpectedly pleasant. Cool fingertips gently lifted her chin, and the warm sugar water touched her lips. Gradually, her mind began to clear. She glanced down and saw Lu Hengzhi’s hand still firmly holding her arm.

He looked down at her for a moment and asked, “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. I must’ve stayed up too late last night and haven’t eaten anything this morning. I’ll be okay after a short rest,” Su Qingluo replied, her voice growing softer. Her gaze fell on his long, elegant fingers—so strikingly beautiful.

The spot where he touched her arm felt like it was burning, even through the fabric. She instinctively tried to pull away, but Lu Hengzhi’s grip was strong, and she couldn’t free herself.

Su Qingluo glanced around, worried someone might see. She softly called out, “Third Brother…”

Only then did Lu Hengzhi slowly release her hand.

He said calmly, “Let Imperial Physician Song take a look at you later.”

Su Qingluo quickly replied, “That’s not necessary. Grandmother is far more important—I’m really fine.” She immediately tried to rise. “I’ll go check on Grandmother first.”

Lu Hengzhi said, “I’ll go with you.”

As a registered grandson of the main branch, he rarely interacted with Old Madam Lu—typically just paying respects during holidays. But her sudden illness had coincided with his birthday banquet. If mishandled, it could be used against him by those with political motives. More importantly, she was the person Su Qingluo was most worried about right now.

The two walked side by side toward the rear courtyard.

Lu Hengzhi was tall, dignified, and carried a cool, refined air. Song Wen had always thought no woman could truly match his master. But now, seeing Miss Su walking beside him—just a head shorter, graceful and gentle, her every step elegant—he found the sight genuinely pleasing. They looked remarkably well-matched.

As they entered the inner courtyard, they passed many servants and maids. All of them couldn’t help but glance in surprise—no one had ever seen Third Master Heng accompanied by a woman. But out of respect for Lu Hengzhi’s authority, no one dared stare. They only stole a glance before quickly looking away.

Su Qingluo, focused entirely on her grandmother, hurried forward, completely unaware of the attention.

Soon, they arrived at Old Madam Lu’s quarters.

Aside from Lu You, the male members of the main and third branches were waiting outside.

Lu Hengzhi stopped there—inside were only women, and it wasn’t appropriate for him to enter. He lowered his gaze and happened to meet Su Qingluo’s wide, anxious eyes—so full of worry they tugged at the heart. As if knowing what she wanted to say, Lu Hengzhi gave a small nod. “Go on in.”

Su Qingluo bowed to him and the others, then quickly entered.

After what had happened earlier, Madam Liu didn’t dare show her face. Madam Qian Wenling waited outside with several daughters-in-law and young ladies, while Imperial Physician Song was inside examining the patient.

Qian Wenling’s maid, Xin Fang, whispered something in her ear. She looked at Su Qingluo in surprise, but Su Qingluo was unaware—her eyes fixed only on the inner room.

No one knew how long they waited before Imperial Physician Song finally emerged.

The women immediately gathered around him. He stroked his half-white beard and said, “Fortunately, the most dangerous phase has passed. She should wake within the next day or two. Just be sure to care for her closely.”

Su Qingluo let out a long breath of relief. Her body nearly gave out—she almost fainted, but Zi Yuan caught her in time.

Madam Qian Wenling quickly came to support her, speaking gently. “Good child, you’ve been through a lot last night. Go rest in the guest room next door. I’ll keep watch here—you can be completely at ease.”

Su Qingluo truly felt weak and planned to return later to care for her grandmother. She didn’t refuse, went in to see her grandmother briefly, paid her respects, and quietly withdrew.

Outside, the sun had risen, and the light was already quite harsh.

Su Qingluo instinctively raised her hand to shield her eyes—only to see Lu Hengzhi standing in the courtyard, speaking with Imperial Physician Song. He stood tall, bathed in golden sunlight, as if wrapped in a divine glow—like an immortal descended to earth.

The other men, by comparison, faded into the background.

Sensing her gaze, Lu Hengzhi slowly looked up—and their eyes met.