“Princess Anyang has come of age, so why does she still live in the palace?”
Even at the foot of the Emperor, the common people couldn’t suppress their innate love for gossip. They discussed it in hushed tones.
“That’s because the princess has been frail since childhood, suffering from a heart condition. She once shielded the Emperor from a calamity, so she’s been raised in the palace ever since, her health constantly maintained with precious medicines.”
Hearing this, a faint memory stirred in Li Ruoshui’s mind.
She seemed to recall a plotline like this. Back then, the princess had taken a liking to the unrestrained male lead, Jiang Nian. There’s no way she’d fall for Lu Zhiyao now, right?
After all, as the supporting male lead, his personality and way of doing things were vastly different from Jiang Nian’s. How could the princess suddenly set her sights on him?
“The person you saved last night… was it a woman?”
Li Ruoshui leaned close to Lu Zhiyao. He seemed in a good mood, having eaten most of his breakfast noodles.
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Warm breath was right next to his ear. Her usually clear, crisp voice was also lowered, making his ear tingle.
“We’re doomed. The princess has her eye on you. We’re about to get dragged into some cheesy melodrama.”
“…What do you mean?”
Lu Zhiyao’s attention was entirely on her right now. How could he have any mental space left to think about what ‘cheesy melodrama’ meant, or what ‘doomed’ signified?
He didn’t quite understand. Li Ruoshui was so soft to the touch. How had she managed to hold on back then and not get strangled to death by him?
Li Ruoshui paused. His tone seemed a bit dazed. She decided to explain it using a story he was familiar with.
“You’ve heard of Liang Zhu1[1] Liang Zhu (梁祝): Refers to the famous Chinese folktale “The Butterfly Lovers,” a tragic romance about Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai. It’s essentially chinese Romeo and Juliet., right? I’m Liang Shanbo, you’re Zhu Yingtai. That princess is Ma Wencai2[2] Ma Wencai (马文才): In the Liang Zhu story, Ma Wencai is the wealthy and persistent suitor to whom Zhu Yingtai is betrothed by her family. He’s the antagonist of the story., and she wants to marry you.”
Li Ruoshui glanced at the imperial notice seeking that person. While covering half his face with her hand, she began to imagine the future.
“The princess will snatch you into the palace. Of course, I’ll refuse. I’ll come after you. Amidst all this back and forth, we run, she chases, and neither of us can escape no matter what.”
Li Ruoshui was weaving an epic tale of their future. She was so into it that she continued even after they’d walked out onto the street.
“…And later, I’ll rise through the ranks, climbing up from a commoner to slap the princess’s face hard, finally winning my beauty and returning home in triumph.”
Li Ruoshui had already mapped out her entire revenge fantasy. The immersion was too strong. At this moment, she was the female lead.
Now all that was missing was for Lu Zhiyao to actually get taken away.
The streets were crowded with people. Lu Zhiyao wore a bamboo hat with a gauze veil to cover his face, attracting the attention of many passersby.
Just by looking at his bearing, one could tell he wasn’t bad-looking.
Li Ruoshui had rattled on and on. Lu Zhiyao just took it as a story. Now he only had one question.
“You mean that person from last night is going to cause trouble for us?”
Through the gauze veil, Li Ruoshui couldn’t see his expression. But she knew without thinking that he must be smiling.
She nodded, snapping out of her fantasy. A smile touched her lips as her gaze swept over the surrounding street vendors.
“I wouldn’t say ’cause trouble,’ but she’s probably got her eye on you.”
“What’s wrong with you?”
Lu Zhiyao stopped walking, bent down to get closer to her. A breeze lifted a corner of the veil, revealing his slightly reddened lips.
“Your tone is off. Are you unhappy? Why?”
Li Ruoshui let him approach without stepping back. She looked directly at Lu Zhiyao, then simply lifted the veil and stepped inside it with him.
Facing his countenance so close, her lips moved a few times before she decided to be honest.
“Because I’m not strong enough. What if the princess is serious? I can’t beat her.”
That was the truth.
If Lu Zhiyao was taken to the palace, how was she supposed to continue her strategy?
Of course, beneath this surface reason, there was also the jealousy she felt inside. She could sense this sour, acidic feeling.
Lu Zhiyao was taken aback for a moment, seemingly surprised. But then he understood her implication.
“Have you forgotten? I told you, no one can cause trouble for us.”
He touched Li Ruoshui’s cheek. His lashes trembled slightly. His half-open eyes held a glimmer of light.
“You still haven’t praised me. Didn’t I do well?”
An arrow seemed to pierce her knee. Li Ruoshui sucked in a breath and licked her lips.
“You did very well… But you don’t have to learn everything from me. If doing something makes you unhappy, you don’t have to do it.”
People all had their own will. Even if his was a bit twisted, she didn’t want Lu Zhiyao to feel like he had to force himself when he was with her.
Lu Zhiyao affectionately pinched her earlobe. His words carried a note of genuine delight.
“You always manage to say things that make me this happy.”
In this small world enclosed by the veil, he stopped precisely before her lips. His posture, asking for a kiss, was devout yet restrained.
Lu Zhiyao was always like this. He rarely initiated, as if he feared that if he did, Li Ruoshui would reject him.
Li Ruoshui sighed and gave him a light, butterfly-like kiss.
Right now, her own mindset was off. She needed to adjust it. She didn’t want to take her emotions out on Lu Zhiyao. But as she pulled away, she couldn’t resist giving him a little bite.
“Harder.”
He chased after her, savoring the moment, but Li Ruoshui blocked him.
“…You should be grateful I’m not a twisted person who enjoys tormenting others.”
Having said this, ignoring his regretful sigh, she withdrew from under the veil.
The veil parted and then closed again, hiding the person inside. It made the hearts of the passersby who had stopped to watch itch with curiosity.
Li Ruoshui met their gazes. She paused for a moment, then turned and quickly dragged Lu Zhiyao away.
Oh my god! What was she just doing in public!?
“Please, come in.”
A’Tao stood at the entrance. It seemed she had known they would come, waiting there for them since early morning.
Just emerging from that awkward atmosphere, Li Ruoshui led Lu Zhiyao inside. As they walked, she couldn’t help but look around.
The place was filled with flowers and plants, with winding covered walkways. It was very much Bai Qingqing’s style.
The thought that she would soon have the Gu poison cured immediately pushed the lingering sourness from Li Ruoshui’s mind to the back burner.
She still hadn’t figured out how to prove to Lu Zhiyao that she wouldn’t leave him.
This wasn’t just about the ‘locked room.’ It was a knot in his heart. Only by untying it could their relationship progress further.
Sigh, so worrying.
She looked around. No wind chimes hung here. Just clusters of flowers, blooming too lushly, huddled together.
…Wait, wind chimes?
Li Ruoshui’s steps faltered. Something flashed through her mind. Her eyes gradually widened, and a smile curved her lips.
“What is it?” Lu Zhiyao paused, as if guessing something, then spoke. “Did you see some flowers you like?”
He could tell Li Ruoshui liked courtyards full of flowers, but he’d never asked what kind she preferred. Now was a good time.
“No.” Li Ruoshui turned to look at him, her eyes sparkling. “I thought of a way. I don’t have to be locked up!”
“The locked room?”
Lu Zhiyao understood what she meant. His features relaxed, and even the corners of his eyes crinkled with a smile, warmer than the sunlight outside.
How could it be a locked room?
He would build her the courtyard she would love most, one that would make her never want to leave it, in any season.
“What method did you think of?”
“I can’t say that. You’ll know later.”
She patted his shoulder. His long, dark hair trembled with the movement. Lu Zhiyao pressed his lips together in a smile and nodded.
Since she wouldn’t say, he wouldn’t ask. He had promised before, and he wouldn’t break his word.
“So, do you want the silk cord or the fine silver chain? I need to prepare it in advance, just in case.”
“…” Li Ruoshui paused. “The silk cord, then. Even a fine chain still has some weight.”
“Alright.”
Lu Zhiyao curved his eyes, his smile like a spring breeze. Anyone who saw it would unconsciously let down their guard, immersed in this gentleness.
A’Tao, walking ahead: ?
She felt like she’d just heard something she shouldn’t have?
However, just by looking at their expressions: Relaxed and harmonious. It didn’t seem like what she initially thought.
A’Tao stared intently at Lu Zhiyao’s profile. Then she reconsidered: what they were discussing really did sound like… imprisonment.
Everyone in the household who had seen Lu Zhiyao knew in their hearts that he was the child of those two.
Although it was never said aloud, although their interactions seemed like strangers, although Lu Zhiyao had appeared suddenly… faces don’t lie.
Bai Qingqing had reduced Chu Xuan to his current state. They had all seen it with their own eyes. A’Tao didn’t doubt for a second that she had heard the conversation correctly.
This Miss Li… was probably about to follow in Chu Xuan’s footsteps.
She looked at Li Ruoshui, beaming from ear to ear, and silently sighed.
“This is the place. The madam is inside waiting for you.”
A’Tao glanced at them one last time, her expression pitying, but she still turned and left.
Li Ruoshui took a deep breath, then pushed open the door.
After all, she was about to face Bai Qingqing. She was afraid that if she couldn’t control herself and threw another punch, negotiations would fall through.
They stepped into the room. The moment they entered, they were startled by the explosion of flowers inside.
Vases filled with blooms were everywhere. The room was like a small garden.
“You’re here?”
Bai Qingqing sat by the bed, wiping sweat from the forehead of Chu Xuan, who was asleep on it.
This time, her hair wasn’t tied up. It was simply loose, cascading down her back. It made her seem less inscrutable, a bit more approachable.
“Miss Li seems quite carefree. You punched me for no reason last time. I’m stupid, I still haven’t figured out why. Can you enlighten me?”
“No.”
Li Ruoshui refused very directly. She even felt like she could throw another one.
A smile lingered in Bai Qingqing’s eyes. She didn’t press for the reason, instead turning her gaze to Lu Zhiyao.
“Did you bring the medicine?”
They sat at the table. Lu Zhiyao placed the pills on it. “When will you cure her Gu?”
Bai Qingqing took the pills to inspect them. Confirming they were indeed the Cold Fragrance Pills, she stood and walked to the bed.
“If he’s fine after taking them, I will naturally cure Miss Li’s Gu.”
Bai Qingqing woke the sleeping Chu Xuan. In his confused, childlike gaze, she fed him the pre-prepared medicinal liquid along with the pills.
After a moment, Chu Xuan, who should have been improving, suddenly began to tremble violently. His eyes twitched uncontrollably, showing their whites. Nothing could stop it.
Bai Qingqing was greatly alarmed. She hurriedly stuffed a handkerchief into his mouth and reached out to feel his pulse.
“Qingqing… it hurts…”
His voice was halting, his grip wrinkling Bai Qingqing’s dress.
“It’s alright, Chu-gege. I’ll help you.”
She pulled aside his clothes to acupuncture him. Her hands trembled uncontrollably. The rims of her eyes reddened. She looked like any ordinary woman trying to save her beloved.
Bai Qingqing hadn’t understood medicine at first. Even the Gu arts she’d learned halfway, just to control Chu Xuan.
Now, she could only stop his trembling, get him through the pain. She couldn’t find the root cause.
“Where did it go wrong…”
Fine beads of sweat dotted the tip of her nose. Bai Qingqing laid the now-sleeping Chu Xuan back on the bed and turned to leave.
But a sword with fine cracks barred her way.
“I brought you the medicine. Cure the Gu.”
Lu Zhiyao curved his eyes. He looked as relaxed as if discussing a game of chess. But the blade had already touched Bai Qingqing’s neck, drawing a thin red line.
“I told you. Once he’s fine, I will cure Miss Li’s Gu.”
Lu Zhiyao chuckled softly. The smile on his lips flattened slightly. The arch of his brows lowered.
“Once he’s dead, then he’ll be fine.”
He turned to the bedside, raised his sword, and unhesitatingly stabbed downward. But the tip stopped just before piercing him.
A strange bell tone echoed in the room. A faint moan reached his ears. Lu Zhiyao immediately reversed his sword and swung it back.
In a flash of cold light, the bell in Bai Qingqing’s hand was pinned firmly to the wall.
The blade cut the back of her hand, leaving a long bloody gash.
“One bell gone, there’s always another. Once my husband is better, I will naturally cure her. If you don’t believe me, then stay in my residence.”
Bai Qingqing glanced down at Li Ruoshui, then turned and left the room. “Keep that mad dog on a leash.”
Li Ruoshui clutched her abdomen, kneeling on the floor. Sweat beaded on her temples, large as beans.
She knew how easily she could affect Lu Zhiyao. So she didn’t dare cry out. She could only endure it silently.
Lu Zhiyao walked over to her. The hem of his robe swayed. His fingertips trembled slightly. It was very clear that his state of mind was off.
“Does it hurt?”
He crouched before her, reaching out to touch her abdomen.
“Just a little. Not as bad as when you choked me before.”
She tried to joke, tried desperately to control herself, but the tremor in her voice betrayed her true feelings.
“She was talking nonsense. You’re not a dog. You’re just you.”
Lu Zhiyao was silent for a long time. Suddenly, Li Ruoshui reached up and placed a hand on his shoulder, pressing down on his slightly trembling arm.
“I want to rest for a while. Stay with me.”
“…Alright.”
Li Ruoshui didn’t know what he was thinking at that moment. But she knew she had to hold him back.
This was still Bai Qingqing’s territory. They couldn’t act rashly.
Lu Zhiyao pulled the curled-up Li Ruoshui onto his back. Slowly carrying her, he paused at the doorway to pull his sword from the wall as they left.
A’Tao, standing not far away, was greatly startled to see them emerge. She hurried over.
“Miss Li, you…”
“It’s nothing. Just feeling a little unwell.” Li Ruoshui forced a smile. “Could you find us a guest room?”
“Yes, follow me.”
After a brief moment of shock, A’Tao turned and led the way.
She was too familiar with Li Ruoshui’s state. It was the pain of the Gu worm being activated—like needles piercing the heart.
But…
She looked at Lu Zhiyao’s expressionless face and suddenly changed her mind.
He seemed… different from Bai Qingqing.
A’Tao looked at Li Ruoshui, frowning and enduring the pain, and understood something in her heart.
[1] Liang Zhu (梁祝): Refers to the famous Chinese folktale “The Butterfly Lovers,” a tragic romance about Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai. It’s essentially chinese Romeo and Juliet.
[2] Ma Wencai (马文才): In the Liang Zhu story, Ma Wencai is the wealthy and persistent suitor to whom Zhu Yingtai is betrothed by her family. He’s the antagonist of the story.
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