[Middle of the Night — Fengxi's Point of View]
A cold breeze rustled through the hallway as I stepped toward the room where Lei Zi was locked. The night was quiet, yet something in the air felt heavy.
When I opened the door, he was already awake—his forehead beaded with sweat, his eyes wide with confusion and fear.
"Princess," he gasped, struggling slightly against the ropes. "Why did you lock me up? I came to serve you, to help you! Not to be treated like a prisoner—"
I cut him off coldly, my voice sharp but steady.
> "And why should I trust you so easily?"
Lei Zi's face twisted, caught between desperation and sincerity.
> "Because… because you're my master's fiancée."
His words hit something deep. I froze.
Suddenly, memories began flooding back—
His voice.
His gaze.
The way he used to smile when we talked under the moonlight.
Now we were like strangers… colder than ice.
I looked away, forcing the emotion down.
> "Enough. Tell me the real reason you're here."
He lowered his voice, eyes pleading.
> "I am telling the truth… I thought you were someone I could trust. But now… something's wrong with the master, Princess Fengxi. Please, I beg you—help him."
I scoffed bitterly.
> "Help you? So you can kill me the moment I turn my back? Or throw me at Bai Long's feet?"
His expression crumbled into panic as he tried to speak, but I was done.
Before he could scream, I moved fast—one sharp hit, and he collapsed, unconscious.
I stood there for a moment, watching him, then quietly stepped out and closed the door behind me.
I returned to my chambers. A strange unease stirred inside me.
Liyu… she should be back by now.
I went to check her room, but it was empty.
A chill crept down my spine.
> Where are you, Liyu?
But I had no answers, and no one to ask. Helplessly, I went back to my room and fell into a restless sleep.
[The Next Morning – Fengxi's POV]
Sunlight peeked through the silk curtains. I rose, still troubled. My first instinct was to check on Liyu again.
But her room was just as empty as last night.
I turned to yilin, who was tidying the outer chamber.
> "Yilin, where is Liyu?"
She looked up, surprised
> "I don't know, Miss Liu. She didn't come back last night."
> "I see…" I nodded outwardly, but inside, my chest tightened.
> Where did you go, Liyu?
[Elsewhere – Liyu's POV]
The room was unfamiliar.
Dim light poured in through carved wooden screens. The bedding was soft, the fragrance unfamiliar. My head throbbed painfully. I sat up slowly, my mind foggy.
> Where… am I?
Just then, a maid entered, carrying a bowl of soup.
> "Miss, you're awake," she said gently, bowing. "The young master asked me to give you this."
Liyu blinked in confusion.
> "Young master? Who? And… where am I? What time is it? Why am I here?!"
The maid smiled patiently.
> "The young master said if you have questions, you should ask him directly. Please follow me."
Still dazed, I followed her down a quiet hallway.
She knocked lightly on a door, then opened it.
Inside, the room was calm. A figure lay in bed, blanket pulled over his head. I stepped inside hesitantly.
> "Hey—who are you? Where am I?"
The blanket shifted.
Han Rui pulled it down just enough to reveal his face.
Liyu's breath caught in her throat.
> Him?!
He sat up, brushing his hair back lazily.
> "So… you finally woke up."
> "No," she replied dryly. "This is just my soul sleepwalking."
> "You're quite dramatic in the morning," he said with a laugh. "Welcome to my house."
> "Your… house?!"
> "Well, technically," he shrugged. "Just a private place I use sometimes."
> "Why am I here?"
He leaned forward, amused.
> "Because you were drunk. I thought Miss Liu would be furious if she saw you like that. So I brought you here."
Then he added, voice teasing—
> "You know… you were getting very naughty last night. Tried to get close to me too."
She shoved him hard, cheeks burning.
> "You're lying!"
But Han Rui didn't look offended—only mildly entertained.
> "Really? Then how do you explain this?" He tilted his collar down, revealing a small red mark—clearly a love bite.
Liyu's eyes widened.
> What…?
She stared at it in disbelief. Could it be…
> "You… made that up," she stammered. "Anyone could've—"
> "Ah, but there's more," Han Rui smirked.
He held up a hand mirror.
Liyu took it, her heart racing—and froze.
On her neck, unmistakably, were two light red marks.
Her fingers grazed them, and memories flickered back. Her lips, his breath, the blurred closeness inside the carriage…
> No… it can't be…
Han Rui raised an eyebrow, watching her carefully.
> "Hmm? Looks like something is coming back to you?"
She snapped the mirror shut.
> "I don't remember anything," she muttered quickly. "And even if something happened… I don't believe you."
He leaned back on the bed with a lazy grin.
> "Suit yourself. But you might want to be careful around wine next time."
Her heart pounded—but she turned away, trying to hide her flushed face.