A teahouse outside Shuntian Prefecture.
Su Tingyun gazed at the veiled woman seated across from him, his expression tinged with apology. "Tingyun was thoughtless. I’ve wronged County Princess Changle..." Had he known she would come, he would have chosen an elegant restaurant with fine views rather than this humble teahouse.
But Chu Ruoyan didn’t seem to mind. "You flatter me, Lord Su. It is I who have come to trouble you with an urgent matter."
She cut straight to the point, and a flicker of disappointment passed through Su Tingyun’s eyes. He forced a smile. "Regarding the matter you inquired about, I’ve already gathered information. Deputy Commander Tong of the Five City Military and Police Office confirmed that Southern barbarian spies have indeed infiltrated the capital recently. However, they move only at night and avoid the vicinity of the Ministry of War. It seems less like espionage and more like they’re searching for someone."
Chu Ruoyan’s heart tightened.
As expected—these Southern barbarians were after Yan Zhao!
"Last night, their traces were spotted on South Street. Deputy Commander Tong immediately led men there, but they arrived too late. The spies seem to anticipate every move, slipping away each time just before capture... But rest assured, County Princess, their objective remains unfulfilled. They’re still hiding in the capital, and the Five City Military and Police Office has increased patrols."
Chu Ruoyan exhaled slightly in relief. Yan Zhao was still injured—avoiding capture was the best outcome.
She pressed her lips together, silent. Su Tingyun, too, said nothing, pouring her a cup of tea instead. "This year’s new harvest, with a strong orchid fragrance. I wonder if it suits your taste?"
His composed demeanor finally wore her patience thin. "Lord Su, you’ve gone to such lengths to help me, yet you don’t even ask what Changle intends to do?"
Su Tingyun lifted his gaze, his smile gentle. "If the County Princess wished to speak of it, she would. If not, then she must have her reasons. Why should Tingyun press further?"
Such consideration, such restraint.
Chu Ruoyan could only rise and offer a deep curtsy. "Thank you, Lord Su. Your heart is as clear as the moon—a true gentleman."
Su Tingyun hastily returned the gesture, masking his fluster by sipping his tea.
A gentleman?
Perhaps not.
Had he truly been one, he could have relayed this information through Nanny Zhou earlier.
But he had insisted on meeting her in person—all for the sake of a selfish desire he dared not voice...
His gaze lingered on her wrist, fair as jade, and the heat in his chest grew unbearable.
Abruptly, he stood. "Miss Chu!"
Startled, Chu Ruoyan stared as he lowered his voice. "Forgive my boldness, but... have you and the Marquis of Anning truly severed all ties?"
Chu Ruoyan: "?"
Had she misheard? Since when did this paragon of propriety pry into personal affairs?
Before she could respond, a cold voice cut through the air.
"Whether her ties with this Marquis are severed or not is none of your concern!"
The next moment, Yan Zheng entered, pushed in his wheelchair by Meng Yang. His frosty glare swept past Su Tingyun before settling on Chu Ruoyan.
"I’ve told you before—do not leave the manor without reason. The streets are dangerous. What if you’re hurt?"
As he spoke, he reached out as if to adjust her collar, but the height difference made it awkward. Instinctively, Chu Ruoyan caught his hand. "It’s fine. I came to see Lord Su. I’m perfectly safe."
The warmth of her touch softened Yan Zheng’s expression briefly—until her words reignited his irritation.
Su Tingyun, meanwhile, stared at their joined hands, stunned. "County Princess, you two—"
Chu Ruoyan snapped back to her senses and tried to pull away, but Yan Zheng tightened his grip.
Deliberately, he laced their fingers together, then tilted his chin defiantly at Su Tingyun. "What? Never seen a married couple before?"
Chu Ruoyan’s face flushed crimson. Su Tingyun’s outrage erupted. "Unhand her!"
"Ridiculous!" Yan Zheng arched a brow, lounging lazily in his chair. "Since when does a man need permission to dote on his own wife?"
Su Tingyun’s voice shook. "Yan San! You’ve already divorced! Stop forcing yourself on her!"
Yan Zheng smirked. "And what if I do?"
"You—you brute!" Su Tingyun trembled with fury. "Have you no shame?"
"Shame is for scholars like you. Since I’m already a ‘brute’ in your eyes, why bother?" With a dismissive glance, Yan Zheng tugged Chu Ruoyan toward the exit.
Su Tingyun moved to block them, but Meng Yang smoothly intercepted. "Lord Su, please! The Marquis and the County Princess have urgent matters to discuss—"
"Urgent matters? Does he look like he’s here for ‘urgent matters’?" Su Tingyun had never met anyone so shameless. Worse, the man was both the last surviving heir of the Yan family and confined to a wheelchair—making any physical retaliation seem dishonorable.
Fuming, he slammed the table. "I’ll have him charged for harassment!"
Meng Yang offered a stiff bow. "By all means, my lord. But such a lawsuit would only tarnish the County Princess’s reputation."
Su Tingyun froze. A roar of frustration erupted from the teahouse:
"YAN ZHENG!!!"
Outside, Yan Zheng pulled Chu Ruoyan to the carriage. Sensing his simmering anger, she stayed silent, helping him board before climbing in herself—only for him to yank her wrist, sending her tumbling into his lap.
"Yan Zheng!"
She gasped, scrambling to steady herself, but he shoved her firmly into the corner.
Her back hit the hard wall, and she winced. He ignored it, leaning in until his icy eyes blazed with stormy intensity.
"How many times?"
"Wh-what?"
"I said, how many times?!"
Each word seemed gritted through clenched teeth.
Chu Ruoyan’s mind raced—he must be asking how often she’d met Su Tingyun. An easy question!
"After returning from Cuiping Mountain, this was the only time I’ve seen him—ah! No!"
He braced his arms against the carriage walls, caging her in. Panicked, she pressed the back of her hand to her mouth—she hadn’t forgotten how he’d bitten her last time like a rabid dog.
Foiled, Yan Zheng paused, then pressed his lips to her palm instead.
Cool mouth, scorching skin—
Her eyes widened like a startled deer’s.
Some of Yan Zheng’s fury dissipated. He nipped her palm lightly, sending a shiver down her spine.
"You scoundrel!!" She shoved him away, trembling.
Now smug, he straightened. "Ah Yan, honesty is a virtue. How many times have you met him? How many times have I seen Second Miss Rong?"
"What does Second Miss Rong have to do with this? You’re just petty!" Still bristling from his teasing, she glared. "Besides, I met Su Tingyun for official business! It’s nothing like that ‘Third Brother Yan’ nonsense she calls you!"
The jealousy in her tone amused him. His mood lifted instantly. "You’re right. I was wrong to doubt you."
Chu Ruoyan: "?!"
She’d been ready to unleash her fury—since when did he turn so agreeable?
