Chapter 19: The Swindler

Could this man be mad? This was the imperial palace, bound by countless rules and regulations! Moreover, they had only just met last night, and now he summoned her again with such urgency—what on earth did he want this time?

She dared not provoke him. Gritting her teeth, she forced herself to follow behind Changting with unsteady steps, silently praying that no one would see them along the way. Otherwise, who knew what rumors might spread?

Changting led her out of Cining Palace, through a small bamboo grove, and arrived at a secluded hall. The place was tranquil and silent, seemingly seldom visited. Su Yao glanced around cautiously, and only when she saw no one did she dare to lift her hand and push open the door.

Inside, Lu Huaijin maintained his usual aloof demeanor, standing tall by the window with his hands behind his back. The moment Su Yao stepped inside, the door behind her creaked shut.

“Sir, what do you wish to ask of me?” Anxiety twisted like vines around Su Yao’s heart.

Lu Huaijin tilted his head slightly and beckoned her closer with a curl of his finger.

Su Yao cursed her fate inwardly; her feet felt as if filled with lead.

Step by step, reluctantly, she approached him.

As she drew near, Lu Huaijin suddenly reached out and pressed her down into the grand armchair.

“Were you just choosing a wife for me?” His voice was low and unreadable.

“Your wife should naturally be the best one you choose yourself.” Su Yao kept her head lowered, afraid to meet his gaze.

She understood all too well: though he appeared gentle, his heart was wild and untamed. The marriage was arranged by the Empress Dowager—what did it have to do with her? She did not want to wade into such troubled waters.

Lu Huaijin scoffed, “But you seemed quite serious just now with the Empress Dowager. Which family’s daughter was it again?”

Su Yao hurriedly shook her head. “It was the Empress Dowager’s order. How dare a mere servant like me disobey? Besides…” Her voice grew softer.

“Besides what?”

“I never mentioned the daughter of the Minister of Personnel… and anyway, since you’re going to marry, whether it’s her or another noble lady, it makes no difference.” Rarely did she speak so plainly to him, tinged with dissatisfaction and complaint, her tone rising slightly with a hint of grievance. Once the words left her mouth, regret gnawed at her heart. She wasn’t sure if he would believe her.

After all, she had lied to him many times before. How much trust could he really place in her?

Lu Huaijin’s expression remained indifferent, unreadable as to whether he believed her. He gazed at her quietly, secretly enjoying this glimpse of her small moods. Until now, she had never shown any jealousy over him.

“You’ve spent so much effort interrogating me here. You’d be better off going to the Empress Dowager to take a good look at that Minister’s daughter. I caught a glimpse just now—her looks and figure are truly top-notch.”

Footsteps approached from afar, and Changting’s respectful voice came from the doorway.

“Sir, as you ordered, the evidence of the Minister of Finance’s embezzlement has already been handed over to the Censorate.”

Su Yao’s breath caught, her heart immediately tightening, yet she forced herself to appear composed.

Lu Huaijin narrowed his eyes slightly, reached out, and gently pinched her chin, compelling her to meet his gaze.

“Next time you take a liking to someone on my behalf, inform me first.”

She dared not say more. Lu Huaijin was utterly relentless. When he set his mind on something, not even the heavens could stop him.

He bent down, the scent of cedar drawing near. Su Yao instinctively tried to evade, but he held her firmly.

His lips descended.

Su Yao was forced to endure him, swallowing all the words she had yet to speak.

Long after, Lu Huaijin slowly released her.

Her lips were flushed crimson as she gasped for breath. “Not anymore…”

“I thought you weren’t satisfied yesterday.”

Hearing this, Su Yao was instantly at a loss for words. This man dared to say anything—truly a spiteful little tyrant, lacking the demeanor of a virtuous gentleman.

Her face flushed deeply as she whispered, “It hurts.”

Indeed, last night Lu Huaijin had been overwhelmed by longing and lost all restraint.

“Seems the one who wasn’t satisfied was me.”

He grabbed her wrist tightly, his eyes darkening with a thick haze of desire.

...

Changting’s voice rang out again after noon. “Sir, His Majesty summons you.”

Lu Huaijin appeared not to hear, leisurely taking out a silk handkerchief from his chest and methodically wiping her pale fingers.

Su Yao frowned tightly, not daring to look at her own hand.

Lu Huaijin’s mood seemed better. “Tired?”

“I must return. The Empress Dowager will summon me to serve tea soon.” She instinctively tried to pull her hand away.

But Lu Huaijin gently held her fingertips, slowly stroking them. “Your hand still has strength?”

Su Yao’s eyes widened, shooting him a sharp glance filled with complaint. She was trapped in this deep palace, utterly powerless. If he refused to take her out, that would be one thing—but to torment her so, her hands would surely tremble uncontrollably when serving tea later.

“Rest, then. The Empress Dowager won’t summon you today.”

Lu Huaijin’s voice was cool and detached.

“Really?”

He released her hand unhurriedly. “When have I ever lied to you?”

If that were true, it would be good.

Originally, she had hoped to hide inside the palace to avoid him, but his power was overwhelming. Even within this heavily guarded palace, he could find her anytime, anywhere.

Moreover, the Empress Dowager’s temper was unpredictable. Every encounter made Su Yao’s heart tremble.

Now that the Empress Dowager planned to arrange a marriage for Lu Huaijin, it was actually a blessing for Su Yao.

Imperial orders could not be defied; Lu Huaijin would have no way to refuse.

Once he married, she could finally break free from his control.

She had to seize this moment and find a way for Lu Huaijin to send her out of the palace.

“Changting, escort her back.”

“Sir…” Su Yao bit her lip, hesitating before calling after him, “I don’t want to stay in the palace anymore…”

Lu Huaijin raised an eyebrow. “So now you want me to protect you?”

Su Yao felt deeply insulted by his words; they pierced her heart.

“Please, sir, for the sake of the longstanding friendship between our families, help me.”

Even if Lu Huaijin did not love her, he had known her father for over a decade, their ties were strong. Otherwise, their families would never have been so close.

“Su Yao, do you still have feelings for me?”

His gaze was profound and inscrutable.

Without hesitation, Su Yao nodded firmly.

“Hmph!”

Lu Huaijin laughed lightly, full of disdain.

“Liars are never to be trusted.”

Unable to hold back her fury any longer, Su Yao almost shouted, “Lu Huaijin, what exactly do you want me to do?”

“You chose this path yourself long ago.”