"Always like what?"
The woman was taken aback, her almond-shaped eyes showing no awareness of the issue at all.
Yan Zheng gritted his teeth, each word forced through clenched jaws: "Always risking your life, never valuing yourself! Always refusing to ask for help, not even once!"
Chu Ruoyan instinctively retorted, "I haven’t..."
"Haven’t you? The Hall of Worship, the polo field, today’s investiture ceremony, and the upcoming banquet at the Princess’s estate—did you think of me even for a moment?"
The man scoffed coldly.
Chu Ruoyan averted her gaze guiltily.
She truly hadn’t considered it...
"I... I thought I could handle it..."
Her weak defense only made Yan Zheng’s brows arch higher. "Oh? Your way of handling it is to get beaten? Poisoned? Or today, if I hadn’t sent Meng Yang over, would you have just let that Lu family scoundrel tarnish your reputation?"
Chu Ruoyan opened her mouth to speak, but he cut her off with another icy remark, "I know what you’re going to say—‘Reputation is just an external thing, at worst I’ll be accused of heartlessness, but it won’t harm me in the slightest.’ Right?"
His relentless rebuttal left her speechless.
Chu Ruoyan sighed helplessly. "Yan Zheng, what exactly are you trying to say?"
The man’s expression turned solemn, his gaze sharp. "Ruoyan, you always accused me of being secretive, of hiding things from you. But in the end, it’s you who keeps your guard up!"
"You appear gentle and approachable, but your heart is heavily guarded. You’ve never truly trusted anyone... Back then, you asked me, ‘Does all this hardship not earn me a single honest word from you?’ Now I return those words to you. Ruoyan, what exactly are you thinking in that heart of yours?"
As he spoke, his upper body leaned closer.
The soothing scent of medicinal herbs enveloped her like an inescapable net, trapping her against the bed and sweeping away all distractions...
"I want to help you!"
The words burst out almost instinctively, and a brilliant light flashed in Yan Zheng’s eyes.
"Yan Zheng, it’s not that I don’t trust you. It’s just... I’ve never been in the habit of asking for help since childhood. I don’t know why—my father doted on me, yet I always felt uneasy. Maybe it’s because my mother left too early..."
Her voice softened into a troubled murmur, her downcast expression especially pitiable under the candlelight.
Yan Zheng could no longer suppress the surge of emotion within him. Bracing his hands against the bed, he moved to pull her into his embrace—
"Young Miss? Are you speaking to someone?"
Yulu’s voice chose that exact moment to ring out.
Chu Ruoyan hurriedly reached to blow out the candle, but Yan Zheng flicked his wrist, extinguishing the flame before she could.
The room plunged into darkness. She quickly replied, "No, you must have misheard. Go back to sleep!"
But Yulu persisted, "No... Brother Chu Zhong came by this afternoon with strict orders. The Duke said if any outsiders enter your courtyard, he’ll sell off all the servants..."
The maid spoke while relighting her lantern and approaching.
Chu Ruoyan groaned inwardly, but before she could react, a small object flew through the air.
"Ah!"
Yulu yelped as she tripped and fell, her lantern snuffing out instantly.
Chu Ruoyan shot Yan Zheng a glare.
He merely shook his head innocently, as if to say this was the only way to avoid detection.
She tried to check on Yulu, but Yan Zheng blocked her path. "Are you hurt? Where does it hurt?"
Yulu grumbled as she got up, "No... I must’ve been half-asleep. How could I trip over the threshold..."
"If you’re fine, go rest. There’s no one here—"
Before she could finish, the man leaned in, his warm breath brushing her ear as he whispered, "Am I not an outsider?"
The sensation sent a shiver down her spine, but she forced herself to keep her voice steady. "Tell Nanny Zhou and the others not to come. I’m tired and don’t need any attendance tonight."
Yulu acknowledged and shuffled away, her footsteps fading into the distance.
Silence returned to the room.
Chu Ruoyan exhaled in relief and glared at the man now mere inches away. "Still not leaving?"
Yan Zheng chuckled lowly, his voice husky. "Can’t bear to."
Even in the dark, she could feel the heat radiating from him. A smirk curled her lips as she suddenly reached for his waist—
Her delicate fingers abruptly diverted to the wheelchair behind him, giving it a forceful push!
His thoughts shattered as he was sent stumbling back, barely managing to engage the brakes before colliding with a table.
When he turned back, the woman had already burrowed under the covers.
Yan Zheng: "..."
This vixen was truly cunning—never willing to suffer even the slightest disadvantage!
"Regardless, we’ll discuss the Princess’s matter later. You are not to endanger yourself!"
With that, he left. Only then did Chu Ruoyan emerge from the blankets to catch her breath.
This Yan Zheng... how dare he barge into her chambers in the dead of night!
The memory of what had just transpired made her cheeks burn anew.
That devil... why was he becoming even more irresistible?
The next morning, she slept until noon. Nanny Zhou entered with a smile. "Young Miss—no, I should say County Lady now—have you heard the news outside?"
"What news?"
"About the Yongding Estate. The family betrothed to the Lu family’s eldest daughter came to break off the engagement early this morning!"
Chu Ruoyan smirked.
No surprise there. After yesterday’s spectacle, the Lu family had lost all face and standing.
With the Lu heir dead, who would rush to marry a daughter from a ruined household?
Just then, Yulu limped in. Chu Ruoyan frowned. "Was your injury from last night that bad? Should we call a physician?"
Yulu shook her head, muttering, "Not from last night. It was Fubao! When I returned, that dog was sprawled by the door, and I tripped over him again! County Lady, let’s sell him!"
Fubao, who had been basking lazily in the sun, immediately sprang up and barked at Yulu twice.
Chu Ruoyan burst into laughter, and cheerful voices soon filled the courtyard.
The day passed uneventfully. But the following morning, the gatekeeper announced an unexpected visitor—someone from the Princess’s estate.
Chu Ruoyan was startled to see the same maid who had accompanied Princess An Sheng walk in gracefully.
"Greetings, County Lady of Changle. This servant, Gong Shang, has been sent by Her Highness to invite you to the estate."
Chu Ruoyan studied her silently.
The Princess’s household employed only deaf-mute servants. This maid’s ability to speak marked her as one of An Sheng’s most trusted.
Gong Shang continued, "The County Lady need not worry. I’ve already delivered Her Highness’s invitation to the Duchess. The letter assures your return by noon. The carriage awaits. Shall we go?"
Her tone left no room for refusal.
Chu Ruoyan mused that this wasn’t her choice—the Princess had forced her hand.
Yan Zheng couldn’t blame her for this!
"Then I thank Her Highness for her thorough arrangements. Nanny Zhou, weren’t you planning to go out later? Perfect timing—retrieve that jewelry set I commissioned from Eight Treasures Pavilion."
Nanny Zhou understood.
Eight Treasures Pavilion was in Changping Lane... right next to the Hundred Insights Pavilion.
"Rest assured, County Lady. This old servant will not forget."
