Chapter 11

That coolness, like mountain spring water, seeped all the way into Su Qingluo’s heart. Startled as if scalded, she instinctively pulled her hand back, nearly tipping over the bowl of millet porridge—fortunately, Lu Hengzhi caught it steadily.

Su Qingluo’s face flushed crimson in an instant.

Their brief interaction, seen by others, might have seemed a touch intimate.

Lu Hengzhi handed the bowl back to her and said calmly, “Careful, it’s hot.”

With that explanation, her earlier reaction suddenly seemed perfectly reasonable.

Su Qingluo accepted the blue-and-white porcelain bowl. “Thank you, Third Master…”

As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized she’d called him “Third Master” again. She had promised just that morning to remember to call him “Third Brother,” and now she’d already forgotten. Would he be annoyed?

She slowly looked up—only to see a fleeting smile in Lu Hengzhi’s weary eyes. She’d called him the wrong thing, and he smiled?

Su Qingluo didn’t understand but had no time to dwell on it. She turned back and patiently fed the porridge to her grandmother, one small spoonful at a time.

After drinking most of the bowl, the old madam asked for water to rinse her mouth. Su Qingluo turned, and Lu Hengzhi was already holding out a cup of tea. She was gradually getting used to him handing things to her. She took it, helped her grandmother rinse, then took the cup back and handed it to Lu Hengzhi—without daring to meet his eyes.

After finishing the porridge, the old madam seemed more alert and began to speak.

Madam Qian Wenling said warmly, “This time we truly have Hengzhi to thank. He personally invited the head physician from the Imperial Medical Bureau and stayed by the old madam’s side for a full day and night. Such filial devotion is rare.”

The old madam looked at Lu Hengzhi in surprise. He replied evenly, “Mother flatters me. Serving Grandmother is my duty as her grandson.”

Though she didn’t know why Lu Hengzhi had suddenly become so attentive, the old madam accepted his gesture and said, “Good child. Thanks to you. You must be exhausted—go rest. You still have court tomorrow.”

Only then did Su Qingluo remember—Lu Hengzhi had to attend court. He had barely a few hours left to sleep. She couldn’t help but glance at him—why had he stayed so long?

Madam Qian Wenling’s gentle voice sounded beside her. “Qingluo, go see Hengzhi off for me. I’ll stay and chat with the old madam.”

Su Qingluo nodded, rose, and followed Lu Hengzhi out with her head lowered. Inside, the room gradually dimmed. Yue’e lit the lamps, and the firelight stretched his shadow long across the floor. His footsteps were light, and as he walked, the hem of his robe swayed gently. The golden embroidered clouds shimmered faintly in the light—truly beautiful.

He lifted the curtain and stepped outside but didn’t let it fall—almost as if he were waiting for her.

Su Qingluo pressed her lips together and walked out. Her heart was pounding. Just the thought of passing beneath his arm made her blush.

Outside, night had fallen.

Song Wen stood at the door holding a glass lantern.

Lu Hengzhi, seemingly unused to others lighting his way, reached out and took the lantern himself.

The lamp was delicate and translucent, with a hint of jade green—just like the one he had lent her before. His hand gripped the end of the lantern’s handle, right where she had once touched it.

Su Qingluo felt as though her face might burn up entirely tonight. Thankfully, the darkness helped conceal it. She bowed and said, “Third Brother, take care on your way.”

She didn’t dare look up at his expression, keeping her head lowered. Yet her gaze involuntarily fell on his hand holding the lantern. It was a beautiful hand—long fingers, distinct knuckles, elegant and pleasing to the eye. She also noticed the green thumb ring he wore. In the dim light, she couldn’t be sure if it was the one she had given him. Lost in thought, she was startled when his voice drifted down from above—soft and cool: “Still afraid of me?”

Su Qingluo quickly replied, “No.”

Lu Hengzhi asked slowly, “Then why won’t you look up?”

“I’m not afraid of you, Third Brother, I just…” She hesitated, nervous. “Earlier, inside, I accidentally touched you…” She paused. “It wasn’t intentional. I hope you’ll forgive me.”

She’d heard he was indifferent to women. She truly hadn’t meant it and wanted to explain—just in case it left a bad impression.

Lu Hengzhi looked down at her for a moment and said, “It’s fine. I wasn’t careful either.”

Su Qingluo finally let out a breath of relief.

He said nothing more, turned with the lantern in hand, and walked away—his tall figure like a pine tree, gradually disappearing into the night.

Only then did Su Qingluo fully relax.

Lu Hengzhi’s presence was overwhelming. She couldn’t help but feel tense around him—not fearful, but undeniably nervous. Yet once she relaxed, a strange feeling bloomed in her chest. It was like the candy she’d eaten as a child—fine threads of sweetness spreading from her heart, endlessly winding. She stood outside for a moment, waiting for her emotions to settle, then lifted the curtain and went back in.

Madam Qian Wenling was comforting the old madam. “With Imperial Physician Song here, you can rest easy.”

The old madam smiled and nodded. When she saw Su Qingluo enter, she beckoned her over. “You must be tired too. Go rest in your room. There’s nothing serious here—just stay and chat with me tonight.”

Madam Qian Wenling gave Su Qingluo a warm look. “I’ll come back tomorrow to take your place.”

After she left, the old madam’s smile faded. “Yue’e, have someone guard the door. No one is to come near.”

Yue’e quickly agreed.

The old madam took Su Qingluo’s hand and looked at Yue’e, her voice solemn. “You two are the ones I trust most. Qingluo, tell me honestly—how many days did the physician say I have left?”

Su Qingluo stiffened. Before she could answer, the old madam continued sternly, “I want the truth. Even Lu Hengzhi was alarmed by my illness—it must be serious. While I’m still clear-headed, I need to make arrangements.”

Yue’e’s eyes reddened with fear.

Su Qingluo quickly said, “Grandmother, please don’t overthink. Though your illness came on fiercely, Imperial Physician Song said that once you get through this, careful treatment will restore you. As for Lu Hengzhi…”

Her voice dropped slightly. “Perhaps it’s because your illness happened to coincide with his birthday banquet. He might be worried… about impeachment?”

It was a reasonable guess. In this dynasty, filial piety was taken very seriously. Yet deep down, she had a thought she didn’t dare believe—that perhaps Lu Hengzhi’s concern for the old madam had something to do with her.

The old madam pondered. Even if he feared impeachment, keeping vigil for one night would’ve sufficed. Why stay a full day and night? But she couldn’t think of a better explanation, so she simply said, “Perhaps.”

After a pause, she looked at Su Qingluo again. “Qingluo, Lu Hengzhi is a man of deep calculation and ruthless methods. When he’s in the household, you must be cautious. Don’t provoke him.”

Su Qingluo wanted to ask why everyone said Lu Hengzhi was ruthless, but seeing her grandmother still recovering, she knew it wasn’t the right time. She obediently replied, “Yes.”

The old madam suddenly narrowed her eyes. “Why did your aunt ask you to see Lu Hengzhi off?”

Su Qingluo was startled. She hadn’t even considered that question herself and was momentarily speechless.

Yue’e smiled and said, “Old Madam, the only one in the room at the time was Miss Su. Who else could she ask?”

The old madam chuckled and shook her head. “True. I must be getting muddled.”

Su Qingluo helped her grandmother take her medicine, ate her own meal, and then lay down on a rattan chair nearby to rest. Yue’e stayed in the outer room. The medicine must have had a calming effect—her grandmother soon fell into a deep sleep.

But Su Qingluo couldn’t sleep. Her mind kept replaying the events of the day.

Lu Hengzhi had specifically asked Imperial Physician Song to examine her. Though everyone was hungry, he’d given her his food first. He’d stood behind her while she cared for her grandmother, handing her things. He’d lifted the curtain for her when they left. And this was the man rumored to be indifferent to women.

Madam Qian Wenling had deliberately asked her to see him off—could she have noticed something? Could it be that Lu Hengzhi had feelings for her?