Chapter 31

Lu Qihuai sat in the seat on the right side below, listening to the conversation. He paused for a moment, holding his teacup. But in just that brief moment, he quickly regained his composure. He still held the teacup, and after taking a sip of the hot tea, he lifted his eyelids and glanced at the young woman sitting on the imperial concubine’s couch.

Under the warm candlelight—

The young woman wore a moon-white long robe, which made her figure even more graceful.

Lu Qihuai had never seen the previous wife of the Duke of Rong, but since entering the Duke’s residence that day, he felt that this woman before him was more pleasing than any other woman he had seen before… this sense of pleasure came not from her appearance but from her demeanor.

Shen Wei had a charm that other women did not possess.

In her eyes, there was a carefree and resilient spirit, and a soul unlike anyone else’s, all of which drew him in, making him eager to continue exploring.

Lu Qihuai suddenly felt a sense of anticipation, a thrill he had never experienced before. In all these years, he had never felt such intense interest and curiosity about anything. But now, he was deeply looking forward to the day when he could strip away the facade of this woman and uncover her true face.

If that day ever came, what would she be like? Would she be flustered, or would she remain as calm as she was now?

Upon reflection, he realized he had never seen Shen Wei flustered. She was always so composed, even when faced with the sharp glares and questioning of the Hou family that day. She remained unshaken, calmly saying, “Trust him.”

A woman like this, if he could ever glimpse a different expression on her face…

It would truly be something to look forward to.

Shen Wei had not yet heard a response from Lu Qihuai. Seeing his unblinking gaze fixed on her, she began to feel uneasy. She couldn’t explain why, but today, Lu Qihuai seemed a little different. Despite his eyes showing no emotion, she couldn’t shake the discomfort as though, under his gaze, all her pretenses were futile.

Before she could speak—

Lu Qihuai had already set down his teacup, lowered his gaze, and replaced the lid on the teacup. After wiping the smile from his lips, he raised his face and looked at Shen Wei, saying with an indifferent smile, “Mother, what do you wish to say?”

Shen Wei heard this and, though she noticed his tone was different today, didn’t think too much of it.

She placed her teacup on the high table, then, with the flickering candlelight, turned her eyes toward Lu Qihuai and casually said, “Miss Yang has been visiting frequently, accompanying me and Mizhī. However, her intentions aren’t purely for our company—you’re smart, you should be able to see that.”

When she finished speaking, Lu Qihuai didn’t immediately respond. She continued, “Miss Yang is of good character, and since she’s taken an interest in you, I’d like to know your thoughts. If you like her too, I’ll shamelessly bring it up with your grandmother. With her support, this marriage should not be a problem.”

She paused, studying his face carefully before asking, “What do you think?”

As Shen Wei spoke, her gaze remained fixed on Lu Qihuai, trying to discern what he was thinking. However, no matter how she looked, his face remained unchanged.

Although she had long known about Lu Qihuai’s deep schemes, she couldn’t help but feel discouraged, thinking about how, after so many years in the workplace, she still couldn’t figure out the thoughts of a fifteen-year-old boy.

But no matter what she thought, her face showed no excess emotion. She simply sat there, still, waiting for him to speak.

Lu Qihuai leisurely sat in his chair, wearing a gentle smile. His gaze was always soft, but after hearing her speak, he smiled and said, “Let’s not talk about the fact that I am still in the mourning period and not interested in such matters. Besides, I don’t like her…” After finishing, he smiled again and added, “Mother, you needn’t worry about this in the future.”

His smile never changed, but if one listened closely, there was a hint of coldness in his words.

However, the perceptive Shen Wei didn’t catch it at that moment—

Her face displayed a clear look of surprise, as if she had misheard. She remembered that in the book, Lu Qihuai and Yang Shuoyan had been very close, and everyone could see their affection for each other. How could Lu Qihuai now say he didn’t like her? If he didn’t like Yang Shuoyan, then who did Lu Qihuai like?

Before Shen Wei could ask further, Lu Qihuai had already stood up.

He gave a respectful bow to Shen Wei and said, as usual, “I have to go to school tomorrow, and there is still some homework to do, so I won’t stay to talk with you.” With that, he didn’t wait for Shen Wei to speak but turned and walked toward the door. Just as he was about to step out, Lu Qihuai suddenly stopped.

He held the brocade curtain, his handsome face slightly turned towards Shen Wei, who was standing behind him.

Under the candlelight, the young woman no longer had the previous look of hesitation. When she noticed his gaze, she also raised her eyes to meet his… Lu Qihuai gazed at Shen Wei, and in her eyes, there was an undeniable charm. He wasn’t sure why, but his hand holding the curtain paused for a moment.

He simply stood there, watching her, and after a while, he spokely: “I know my mother doesn’t like her…”

After he said this, he noticed Shen Wei’s expression stiffen for a moment. Then, with a smile, he added, “Don’t worry, she won’t come to the house to bother you again.” After saying this, Lu Qihuai nodded at someone and then lifted the curtain to leave. This time, he didn’t linger.

Shen Wei watched his retreating figure, her expression wavering under the candlelight, unclear and faintly troubled.

She didn’t know how Lu Qihuai could tell she didn’t like Yang xuangyan. But when she thought of his previous words, her brows furrowed… Yang Shuangyan won’t come to the house again. Could it be that he had a way of controlling whether this young lady came or went? Also, if she hadn’t heard wrongly, Lu Qihuai didn’t use formal language with her earlier.

Mo Qi waited until Lu Qihuai left before pulling back the curtain and entering. As soon as she walked in, she saw Shen Wei sitting on the couch, her brows lightly furrowed, her expression somewhat clouded.

Mo Qi was startled at the sight, and after lowering the curtain, she walked towards Shen Wei and tentatively asked, “Madam, what’s wrong?”

Shen Wei shook her head when she heard Mo Qi’s voice. She picked up the teacup on the table. The tea was only slightly warm, and she took a few sips before she said: “It’s nothing.”

—-

At Yang’s residence in Zuo’an Alley.

Yang xuangyan was combing her hair in front of the mirror by candlelight. The night had darkened, but the room was brightly lit by the candles. She carefully combed her long hair with a jade comb. After a moment of thought, she didn’t turn around but spoke to the person behind her: “Has the stuff for tomorrow’s visit to the Lu family been prepared?”

The maid standing behind her softly responded, “It’s all ready.”

After hearing this, Yang xuangyan nodded, but hesitation flashed across her face. Eventually, she couldn’t help but speak softly: “Miss, why go to such lengths? Lately, you’ve been running to the Duke’s residence often, and even spending so much time teaching that seventh young lady… I really can’t understand your intentions. What are you trying to do?”

She paused, then spoke more quietly: “That Lu family’s eldest son, does he deserve all this from you?”

Hearing this, Yang Shuangyan’s hand holding the jade comb stilled. She didn’t turn around but kept her gaze fixed on her reflection in the mirror. After a moment, she smiled softly at her reflection: “What do you understand?”

That man, of course, deserved her to humble herself like this.

If she had no other choice, she wouldn’t go to the Lu residence every day to teach that little girl needlework, and she wouldn’t have put so much effort into pleasing the Duchess. She did all this just to see him a few more times.

But recently, she noticed that his behavior towards the Duchess and the seventh young lady was somewhat different. That man was always indifferent, but when facing these two, he acted a bit differently.

Even though this difference was slight, it was already rare for him.

Perhaps—

She could use these two to make him see her in a different light?

When Yang xuangyan thought of this, there was a hint of determination in her expression. Of all the men in the world, none of them caught her eye… Only that man was different. She remembered overhearing a conversation between her father and Lu Qihuai when she was passing by her father’s study. That was when she learned that her father, who had always been loyal to the emperor, had such thoughts.

And that man…

Yang xuangyan seemed to recall the scene from years ago. Her fingers lightly traced her delicate and long neck.

Back then, that man had strangled her, and even after all these years, she still remembered how cold his fingers were.

If her father hadn’t intervened, that man might have killed her that day.

But this memory of near death didn’t make her fear him. Instead, it made her unable to forget him… His coldness and indifference deeply attracted her. Every time his indifferent eyes looked at her, she couldn’t help but want to offer him everything she had.

He was a god, a supreme existence…

No one in this world could compare to him. Not the Crown Prince, not the Duke of Jin, and not even the man sitting on the dragon throne today had the right to compare to him…

If such a man belonged to her, it would be the most exciting and exhilarating thing in the world.

Yang xuangyan’s usual calm face was now filled with excitement and madness. She could even picture what it would be like to stand side by side with him in the future… All the women in the world would envy her.

Before Yang xuangyan could refine her vision of the future any further, a maid’s soft voice came from outside: “Miss, the master is calling you to the study.”

Hearing this, Yang xuangyan immediately reined in the excitement in her eyes. She paused in her movement with the jade comb, and a trace of confusion appeared on her face. She glanced out of the window at the night sky. Why was her father calling her to the study at this time? However, she didn’t think much about it and simply placed the jade comb in the dressing box. After instructing the maid to do her hair in a simple style, she stood up and walked out.

—-

The Yang family’s study was a restricted area. Only a few trusted confidants and the family members could approach.

Years ago, Yang xuangyan had accidentally come here when no one was guarding the place, and that was when she overheard the conversation between Yang Ji and Lu Qihuai… Now, she instructed her maid to wait outside, while she walked down the corridor towards the study. Outside the study, Yang Ji’s confidant was waiting. When he saw Yang xuangyan coming, he didn’t say anything but lowered his eyes and opened the door to invite her in.

Yang Shuangyan remained silent upon hearing this.

She simply stepped forward and walked inside. The large study was only lit by a few candles, likely left burning too long without being replaced, making the room seem dim and obscure. Yang xuangyan furrowed her brow as she scanned the room before finally spotting the man sitting in the armchair.

Yang Jijin, in his forties, was dressed in green robes. His face was gentle, and though his features bore the marks of time, his demeanor was still very pleasant. Most striking were his eyes, which, though showing signs of age, reflected a depth of wisdom that others didn’t possess.

Whether in the court or outside, Yang Jijin was highly respected by all.

The Emperor trusted him with important tasks, all the officials respected him, and even the scholars outside revered him as a teacher.

However, at this moment—

The expression on the Chief Minister’s face was somewhat grave.

Yang xuangyan immediately noticed her father’s unusual mood. A sense of unease arose in her heart, but she didn’t stop walking. When she reached him, she softly asked, “Father, did you call me here so late because of something important?”

Yang Jijin didn’t respond immediately. He simply raised his eyes to look at her. He studied her calm face under the candlelight for a long time before speaking, “Do you know who came to our house earlier?”

“Who came?” Yang xuangyan was stunned for a moment. After a brief pause, she seemed to understand and asked, “You mean he came? Where is he?”

She spoke while looking around the study.

Yang Jijin observed her reaction and his heart sank. For many years, he had never seen his daughter so excited. He recalled the shock he felt when someone had come earlier to deliver a message. He thought it was just a misunderstanding, but seeing Yang Shuangyan’s expression now, he wondered if he had been too busy with state affairs and had overlooked his daughter’s feelings.

Yang xuangyan, not hearing a response, turned to look at her father. Seeing the look in his eyes, she froze. After a moment, she regained her composure and, softening her voice, asked, “Father, why are you looking at me like that?”

Yang Jijin sighed lightly. He withdrew his gaze from her face and spoke, “That person told you not to go to the Lu family’s house anymore. Xuangyan, do you understand what that means?”

When the words left his mouth—

He saw the shock in Yang xuangyan’s face, and his heart ached. After all, she was his only daughter, and he didn’t want her to get hurt… If anyone else liked her, he wouldn’t stand in the way.

But not him.

That person had been through too much, and his heart had long been sealed off. It was hard to imagine anyone ever opening it again. Moreover, from what that person had said, it seemed like he had grown to loathe xuangyan. If it weren’t for their past bond, he might have already taken action.

With that in mind, how could he allow his daughter to like such a person?

He could no longer keep his composure and said in a stern voice, “The only reason that person spared your life is because of me. Shuangyan, you’ve become increasingly bold. If others find out, do you know this could bring disaster not only to him but also to our Yang family, with the potential for a nine-generation punishment?”

“Father—”

Yang xuangyan softly interrupted him, “Do you think I am so naive? I understand the importance of this matter, and I would never let anyone find out. As for him…” She paused for a moment, and when she spoke again, her voice carried a gentleness that was different from before, “He has the grace of a dragon and phoenix. Don’t you want to be his father-in-law?”

Yang Jijin hadn’t expected his usually obedient daughter to say such things.

He stared at her, as if seeing her for the first time. Before he could speak, Yang xuangyan continued, “If I win his heart, wouldn’t it be a great thing for you and our Yang family? So why are you trying to stop me?”

Yang Jijin, hearing this, was momentarily stunned.

He admitted that what Yang Shuangyan said was indeed tempting. For all these years, he had worked for that person with the hope that one day it would lead to a better future for the Yang family. But such thoughts were fleeting.

Having worked with that person for so long, he knew his nature better than anyone else.

If that person found out about his intentions, with his methods, it was likely that the Yang family would face destruction in the near future.

Yang Jijin quickly suppressed the fleeting moment of temptation. He refocused his gaze on Yang Shuangyan, his expression darkened, and his tone brooked no argument, “I’m not discussing this with you. Do you think someone like him would allow you to covet him? From now on, not only should you not go to the Lu family, you should also stay away from others outside.”

If he continued to allow his daughter to act recklessly, it would only harm the Yang family.

After finishing his words, he ignored Yang xuangyan’s disbelieving expression and sternly called out, “Liu mengxian, take the young lady back to her room. She is not to go out without my command.”

This was essentially placing Yang xuuangyan under a form of house arrest.

Yang xuangyan opened her mouth to protest, but before she could speak, the door was pushed open, and a servant entered. After greeting Yang Jijin, he turned to Yang Shuangyan and, though his tone was respectful, his expression remained neutral, “Miss, please.”

Yang xuangyan refused, but she knew her father was truly angry today. If she went against him now, she might not even be able to stay in the Yang family.

Clenching her fingers in her sleeves, she said nothing. After offering a bow, she turned and walked out. Looking at the clear moonlight outside, Yang xuangyan couldn’t help but think of that person’s face.

The person—

Her fingers, hidden beneath her sleeve, dug deeper into her flesh.

She didn’t believe that this person truly felt nothing for her. He was so intelligent—how could he not know that, in this world, in this city of Bianliang, no one but her was worthy of him?

She believed that one day, he would understand.

Only she…

Was the one truly deserving of him.

Beside her, Liu mengxian noticed the hint of madness flashing in Yang xuangyan’s eyes. He couldn’t help but furrow his brows, but when he looked again, her face had returned to its usual composure.

Seeing this, he chose not to comment.