Han Rui's strikes echoed sharply through the training courtyard—each movement sharper, faster, angrier than the last. His fists met the air with ruthless precision. The tension in his body crackled like thunder.
Zijun stood a few paces back, his presence careful.
> "Young Master... I've gathered the details about her," he said cautiously.
Han Rui paused mid-pose, turning his face toward Zijun, eyes like steel.
> "Speak," he ordered.
Zijun swallowed, but then asked quietly,
> "May I ask something before that?"
Han Rui narrowed his eyes.
"What is it?"
> "You're known to be ruthless, Young Master. Then... why didn't you send her to prison?" Zijun tilted his head slightly. "Why ask about her at all?"
A beat of silence. Han Rui looked away, his face unreadable, his mind clearly elsewhere.
Zijun took that silence as permission and continued,
> "She's from Taihe. Middle-class roots. Her mother died when she was four. Her father remarried… the stepmother turned out to be cruel. When her father passed, the woman tried to marry her off to a 45-year-old man to seize her inheritance. Liyu refused. They tried to kill her."
Zijun's voice softened,
> "The town remembers. It's a known story. She barely escaped. Her childhood was hell."
Han Rui's fists slowly unclenched, but his expression remained grim.
> "Young Master… forgive me, but… do you like her?"
Han Rui's glare returned sharply.
> "Seems like you've got too much free time. Maybe I should deduct your pay."
Zijun bowed instantly.
> "I apologize! I'll leave now." He retreated, not daring to meet his master's eyes.
Alone again, Han Rui stood still for a long moment. His jaw tightened… and then, quietly, he made a decision.
He sent a message through a maid.
That evening, Liyu was cleaning the counter when a maid arrived, scanning the shop.
> "Who is Miss Liyu?"
> "That's me. What is it?" Liyu asked politely.
The maid handed her a folded letter and walked off without a word.
Liyu opened the note. Her hands trembled.
> "Meet me tonight at 7 o'clock near the lake. There's something I want to talk about. Don't tell anyone.
If you're thinking of not coming—remember, it won't take much to shut your shop down.
—Han Rui"
Her stomach dropped.
> "What the hell is this now?" she thought bitterly. "Threats again? But… if I don't go, and he really follows through… Master will be devastated."
I noticed the change in her face.
> "Liyu? You look pale. What's wrong?"
She quickly folded the letter and hid it in her sleeve.
> "Nothing, Master. I… I just have work tonight. I may not be back early. Maybe you and yilin can enjoy the festival together."
> "Really? What kind of work?" I asked gently.
> "I… I can't say. Sorry, Master."
> "Alright," I nodded. "If you don't want to say, I won't ask. But I bought a dress for you. If you wear it tonight, it'll make me happy."
She smiled faintly.
> "Okay, Master."
Evening came. The lanterns outside flickered gold as the wind picked up.
> "Our sales today were so profitable," I said to Liying.
She nodded, her eyes bright.
Then Liyu entered, dressed in the outfit I had given her. The fabric shimmered under the lanternlight.
> "You look beautiful," I said, unable to stop smiling.
Yilin clapped lightly.
"Miss Liyu, you're glowing!"
> "Thank you… Master. Yilin," Liyu replied, bowing slightly. "I'll take my leave now."
As she left, yilin leaned in with wide eyes.
> "Where is Miss Liyu going? It's the festival! How can she leave us?"
> "She had some work. Don't worry," I said with a soft smile.
I pulled out a second dress. Yilin gasped.
> "Oh! Miss Liu, it's gorgeous!"
She threw her arms around me.
"You're so kind! I love you, Miss Liu!"
I laughed,
"You really love it? Then wear it. Let's make the most of tonight."
An hour later, Liying returned in the dress, beaming. She handed me a mooncake, warm and fragrant. I took a bite.
> "Mmm! This is delicious!" I grinned.
Yilin giggled with pride.
> "Let's close up and enjoy the night," I said.
Yilin nodded eagerly and we stepped into the market.
The smell of grilled dumplings and sweet incense swirled in the air. Lanterns floated above us like stars. Yilin dragged me through the stalls, bouncing with excitement.
Suddenly—
Someone seized my wrist and pulled me aside.
I turned.
> "Lei Cang?"
His face was serious.
> "Princess Fengxi. I found you. I need to speak with you. Urgently."
> "How did you find me?" I asked, wary.
> "Not here. Come. It's serious."
We walked quickly through the crowd, and he began,
> "During the fire… I wasn't there. But later, when I returned, something about the Master felt… wrong. Cold. Different. Like he wasn't himself."
I narrowed my eyes.
> "What do you mean?"
> "I've known him since childhood. He's never trusted anyone else as his bodyguard. Never. But when I came back… he had someone else. And he avoided me."
My heart sank.
> "So where have you been staying?" I asked quietly.
> "In the jungle," he replied grimly. "He's had people following me. I can feel it. That's why I've been hiding."
I paused. Then softly said,
> "Come with me."
He followed.
And the moment he turned his back—
I struck.
Lei Cang fell to the ground, unconscious.
I stood there, breathing hard. I stared at him for a long second—then bent down, lifted his body, and carried him to a small, quiet room.
There, I tied him up gently but firmly.
The moon outside drifted behind the clouds.
And silence wrapped the night.