Chapter 30: If You Do Not Like That Woman, I Shall Not Marry Her

Lu Huaijin suddenly interrupted her, his voice icy, as if warning her not to ask any further.

"Let’s go."

Lu Huaijin stood up and looked down at Su Yao from his height.

"Are we leaving now?"

"Why? Do you still wish to stay in this palace for a few more days?"

He took a step forward, closing the distance between them, the pressure he radiated making it almost impossible for her to breathe.

Su Yao whispered, "I have to wait for Chuntao to return..."

Lu Huaijin replied dismissively, "I traded her for you. You are leaving, so she will stay in your place."

Su Yao’s eyes widened, unable to believe her ears. "No!"

She had never expected Lu Huaijin to be so cold-blooded, willing to sacrifice Chuntao just to get her back.

Lu Huaijin sat down, crossing his legs, his expression unchanging. He watched Su Yao with cold eyes, as if her resistance were merely a tedious farce.

Su Yao knew she could not afford to provoke him now. She softened her voice and said, "My Lord, I am very fond of that girl, Chuntao. You gave her to me when you first brought me here..."

Lu Huaijin remained unmoved, stating coldly, "I’ll give you a better one later."

Su Yao felt a chill run through her. Looking at him, she felt an even deeper sense of revulsion. Lu Huaijin was truly cold-blooded; in his eyes, servants were not people at all, but mere tools to be used and discarded at will.

"I just want Chuntao." Su Yao’s face turned stern.

Lu Huaijin curled his lips slightly; he actually enjoyed Su Yao’s petulance. He loved watching her resist him for the sake of those she cared about, as such defiance made him feel his control over her was all the more absolute.

Su Yao took a deep breath and tugged at his sleeve. "Can’t you bring Chuntao along as well?"

Lu Huaijin did not speak this time, merely watching her in silence.

Su Yao’s heart grew frantic. The man before her was so heartless, and his continued silence left her clueless as to what he was thinking. She bit her lip, looking at him with a pitiable expression, and pleaded again, "I want Chuntao to come with us."

Suddenly, Lu Huaijin pulled her onto his lap with a forceful motion. He neither refused nor agreed; he simply held her there. Su Yao struggled in his arms but found she could not break free, her frustration and helplessness reaching a breaking point.

Her temper flared up again. She shouted, "If Chuntao doesn't go, I won't go either!"

Lu Huaijin looked at her and replied blandly, "Are you certain?"

Su Yao froze. She had only been speaking out of anger; she did not want to spend another day in this palace. Seeing her fall silent, the corners of Lu Huaijin's mouth lifted slightly. He glanced at the bundle on the table; it was thin and appeared to contain nothing of importance.

"Are you packed? Then let’s go."

He stood up, holding Su Yao in his arms, and walked toward the door. Su Yao looked up and met his cold, indifferent gaze.

"Wait a moment longer..." she said, clutching her skirt tightly.

"Wait for what else?"

Lu Huaijin stopped, looking at her with a complex expression—a mix of confusion and impatience.

"I have something else to ask you."

Su Yao gripped her skirt even harder, as if holding onto a final lifeline. Lu Huaijin frowned slightly, then set her down. He stood firmly before her and watched her with a serious expression. He was curious to see what else she might stir up.

Once she was standing on her own, Su Yao instinctively took a small step back. She gathered her courage and spoke: "Is the Miss Zhao from General Zhao’s estate the one the Empress Dowager intends for you to consider tomorrow?"

As soon as these words left her lips, Lu Huaijin’s expression darkened, his dark eyes filled with coldness.

"Since when has Ya'er become so concerned with my marriage?" he asked, his voice low. He paused, his gaze locked onto her eyes as if to see right through her. "Or is there some other scheme you are plotting?"

Su Yao felt her heart race, as if it might leap from her chest. She struggled to maintain a calm facade, though her hands trembled beneath her sleeves. She bit her lower lip and said with forced composure, "What scheme could I have? You are about to take a wife; I must at least make some plans for myself."

"Plans? And which patron are you looking to rely on this time?" Lu Huaijin narrowed his eyes slightly, his fingers stroking the jade pendant at his waist.

Su Yao was stunned. When she had first entered the palace, she had indeed been naive enough to believe the Empress Dowager would be her shield against Lu Huaijin, but she had seen the result—it was nothing more than self-inflicted humiliation.

At this thought, her eyes reddened, and her voice choked with emotion. "How can I not plan for myself? I need to know under whose mistress's watchful eye I will have to scrape by..."

Her tone was aggrieved, her voice trailing off, her eyes filled with an inescapable sorrow. Watching her, Lu Huaijin’s heart softened. He sighed, reached out to tilt her chin upward, forcing her to look him in the eye.

He said softly, "If you do not like that woman, I will not marry her."

"Truly?" Su Yao asked skeptically.

Lu Huaijin did not answer. He only gazed at her intensely before slowly leaning down and pressing a kiss to her lips. The kiss was light, as if it were both a comfort and a promise.

"Can we go now?"

Su Yao came to her senses, nodded in a flurry, and whispered, "I will walk myself."

Seeing her flushed cheeks, Lu Huaijin did not force her further and began to walk away. Su Yao watched his back, following him at a distance. After a while, Lu Huaijin stopped and turned back to look at her.

"I have some matters to attend to, but I will return shortly. Be good and wait for me at the palace gate."

Su Yao nodded obediently and walked toward the palace gate alone.

The night deepened, and the surroundings were shrouded in darkness. Su Yao walked in a hurry and, not paying attention, nearly collided with someone.

The person stood with his hands behind his back, his tall figure silhouetted against the dark. There was no moon tonight, and without a lantern, she could not see his face clearly; she only caught a glimpse of his python-patterned robe. The robe shimmered with a cold light in the darkness.

"The night has grown dark. Perhaps I should escort you, miss."

The man’s voice rang out. Su Yao looked up, startled, and quickly said, "That won't be necessary, my Lord."

Although she did not know who he was, anyone wearing a python robe was either a powerful minister or royalty. She could not afford to offend either.

The man said nothing, merely watching her retreating figure. However, she had not walked far before she heard rapid footsteps behind her, approaching quickly until they stopped just behind her.

Su Yao stopped, her spine stiffening as she slowly turned around.

"Miss, take this lantern."

Su Yao was taken aback. By the faint light, she examined the man before her. She did not know where he had produced the lantern from; it had been so dark earlier that she had almost run into him.

"Then I thank you for your kindness, my Lord."

She bowed slightly and accepted the lantern politely. The man curled his lips into a smile, his phoenix-like eyes fixed steadily upon her. "Do not dwell on it, miss. It was merely a small favor."

Su Yao dared not linger. She offered a hurried bow, turned, and quickened her pace. The lantern swayed in her hand, casting a soft, dim halo of light.

Finally, she reached the palace gate. Changting was already waiting with the carriage and immediately lifted the curtain when he saw her approaching.

Not long after, Lu Huaijin returned with Chuntao. At this sight, Su Yao’s eyes grew red. She looked up at Lu Huaijin. "Did you go specifically to find Chuntao?"

Lu Huaijin gave a soft "hmm" in response. Su Yao was moved; at the very least, Lu Huaijin had yielded on this matter. Chuntao, being sharp-witted, saw the situation and conscientiously took her place on the driver's seat next to Changting.

Inside the carriage, Su Yao lowered her head, not daring to look at Lu Huaijin. Lu Huaijin glanced at the lantern beside her, his brow furrowing.

"Where did this come from?"