In the side chamber, with Lu Changning absent, Yun Wan removed her outer garments, leaving only a thin gauze underrobe.
Yue Ya brought in hot water and couldn't suppress a gasp upon seeing the marks on Yun Wan’s body.
Remembering this wasn’t their own courtyard—with Old Madam and Concubine Zhong living next door—she quickly covered her mouth to avoid drawing attention.
Setting down the copper basin of hot water, she approached Yun Wan, staring at the red marks on her shoulders and collar, torn between embarrassment and concern.
"Madam, these marks on you... were they from this afternoon?"
She studied Yun Wan’s expression, asking cautiously.
In a flash of realization, she suddenly remembered something and blurted out, "Was it that Seventh Master in blue robes? Did he harm you?!"
Yun Wan parted her lips. "It was him."
Seeing her composure, Yue Ya found the title oddly familiar, as if she’d heard Yuezhi mention it before.
Ah, yes—the nobleman who had escorted Madam back during the Cold Food Festival! Yuezhi had said he was called 'Seventh Master'!
So, he must be someone Madam was acquainted with.
"Madam, who is this Seventh Master? How could he...?"
Yue Ya’s gaze fell again on the scattered marks across Yun Wan’s body. She knew exactly how such marks were made.
Back when Third Master was still alive, he and Madam had been deeply affectionate. Even with his frail health, Madam would occasionally bear similar marks every few days.
But never this many. At a glance, one might think she’d been swarmed by mosquitoes all afternoon.
Yun Wan beckoned her closer, and Yue Ya leaned in.
After a whispered exchange, Yue Ya’s face paled in shock, frozen in place.
Stunned, she grasped the gravity of the situation and immediately vowed, "Madam, rest assured—this servant will take this to the grave. Not a word will escape me!"
Yun Wan gave a faint hum. "Yue'e is a bit excitable. Find a moment to speak with her privately, so she doesn’t slip up."
Yue Ya nodded firmly. "Understood."
Under the soft glow of candlelight, Yun Wan sat plain-robed and bare-faced, ethereal as a fairy—save for the faint red marks on her exposed neck, lending an unintended air of intimacy.
Yue Ya wrung out a hot cloth to wipe Yun Wan’s face, then murmured, "This servant will fetch some soothing balm to apply, so the marks don’t darken by tomorrow and raise suspicions."
Especially with the sharp-eyed Concubine Zhong, who already disliked their Madam. If she grew suspicious, it would spell trouble.
Thankfully, Yue Ya had been standing far enough away at the gate earlier, and it was nighttime—otherwise, she might have noticed something amiss.
"Go ahead."
With permission, Yue Ya hurried out to retrieve the medicine from their luggage.
For a moment, the room was silent, Yun Wan alone at the dressing table, gazing at her reflection in the bronze mirror.
Jet-black hair, snow-pale skin, cheeks flushed peach-pink, lips swollen and cherry-red, her entire being radiating vitality.
She didn’t look like someone recovering from illness—more like she’d overindulged in some potent tonic.
A sigh escaped her lips.
......
At the mountain peak, after Yun Wan’s departure, the moon gate returned to stillness.
Emperor Jingxuan sat clothed in the hot spring, his broad back resting against the jade wall—the very spot Yun Wan had occupied earlier.
His ink-black hair spilled into the water, his sharp, handsome features relaxed, lips crimson, brows shadowed with untamed desire. His dark eyes lowered, studying a scrap of pink fabric in his hand.
Jiang Fusheng, dressed in plain attire, appeared silently by the folding screen on the shore and bowed. "Your Majesty, the Black Dragon Guards have safely escorted Madam Lu back without drawing attention."
A soft splash followed as Emperor Jingxuan shifted his long legs.
"Good work," he acknowledged.
His robes were thoroughly drenched, the open collar revealing a set of scratches—now more pronounced from the water, edges inflamed. The emperor seemed indifferent.
His gaze drifted to the moon hanging in the night sky, its cold light spilling over the mortal world, gentle yet aloof—much like Madam herself.
"What if I brought Madam into the palace? Would she be pleased?" Emperor Jingxuan mused abruptly.
He already knew the answer.
But Jiang Fusheng dared not voice it outright. Hesitating, he replied, "This servant cannot presume to speak for Madam Lu, but serving the Emperor is an honor no woman would refuse. Surely Madam would be happy."
"However, if Your Majesty truly wishes to treat her well... perhaps it would be best to ask Madam’s own wishes?"
The emperor’s lips curled in a humorless smile, his eyes fathomless. "She would never agree."
That woman’s heart belonged only to her late husband.
Jiang Fusheng’s mouth twitched, his nerves fraying.
If you already know, why ask?
Emperor Jingxuan lowered his gaze, murmuring as if to himself, "I want Madam by my side, yet I cannot bear to break her heart. What should I do?"
Forcing her into the palace would make him no better than a brigand—not what he desired.
But staying apart from her was unbearable.
Jiang Fusheng ventured, "This servant recently heard that a perfumer in the Incense Bureau had to return home due to an ailing parent, leaving a vacancy... temporarily unfilled."
The implication was clear.
Emperor Jingxuan shot him an amused glance. "You know everything, don’t you?"
Jiang Fusheng smiled obsequiously. "It is this servant’s duty to ease Your Majesty’s burdens."
Mention of incense reminded the emperor of something. He lifted the pink fabric to his nose, inhaling lightly.
Was it his imagination, or did it carry a faint, familiar scent?
But how?
Jiang Fusheng, witnessing this, hastily averted his eyes.
Unless he was mistaken, that was a lady’s undergarment in His Majesty’s hand.
And there was no guessing whose.
......
Surprisingly, Yun Wan slept soundly that night—no nightmares, no disturbances—so deeply that she didn’t wake until nearly noon the next day.
Overnight, the marks had faded only slightly, still glaringly obvious against her jade-smooth, porcelain-pale skin.
Yue Ya: "This servant will fetch powder to cover them."
But the powder could only do so much. Even layered, it couldn’t fully conceal the marks on her neck, forcing Yun Wan to change into a high-collared gown.
Freshly groomed, she stepped out—only to run into Concubine Zhong at the door. The latter, still stewing over last night’s incident, shot Yun Wan a glance before turning away.
Yun Wan ignored her.
Looking up, she saw Yue'e trudging along with a large basket. "Madam, someone sent fresh peaches and pomegranates!"
Yun Wan glanced at the flawless fruit. "Who sent them?"
Yue'e hesitated, then whispered, "Someone from the mountain villa. Said it was for Madam to enjoy. He dropped the basket and ran the moment he saw me."
As if afraid they’d refuse.
Yue'e asked, "Should we keep them, Madam?"
"Keep them."
Why not?
Yun Wan instructed, "Sort them out and send some to Old Madam and Second Sister-in-law’s quarters."
After handling the fruits, Lu Changning finally returned, having been absent all night.
