Chapter 38: The Grand Secretary's New Flame

She laughed at her own foolishness. She also laughed at her own naivety.

In a state between dreaming and waking, she fell once again into that familiar embrace. Her nostrils were instantly filled with that cold, sharp scent of cedar. The man held her tightly, as if she were the most precious treasure in the world. But Su Yao knew in her heart that she was not. She was nothing more than a poor, helpless soul.

She did not want to dwell on it, so she closed her eyes and let herself drift back to sleep.

It was unclear how much time had passed when, in the darkness, that man’s low, hoarse voice sounded by her ear. "Yao’er, stay by my side and be good. Whatever you want, I will give you."

He was spouting such nonsense to deceive her again. He knew perfectly well what she wanted. She wanted to find her father and brother and reunite with her family. She wanted to break free from his control, leave him, and never see him again. What she wanted, he could never give her. He only ever gave her what he wanted to give, yet he always spoke more sweetly than he acted.

The man tightened his hold, yet he was always cautious, fearing that he might make her uncomfortable. Sometimes, Su Yao simply could not fathom Lu Huaijin’s thoughts. Since she could not understand them, she decided to let it be; she would stop thinking about it.

The next day.

Sunlight spilled into the room, and Su Yao slowly awakened. The first thing she saw was Lu Huaijin personally simmering a pot of pear soup. Her brows furrowed slightly. Look, it was like this again! He was always this way, controlling every aspect of her life.

After she finished washing, she saw that the bowl of pear soup had already been placed on the table, steaming hot. Since he wanted her to drink this bowl of soup, she would drink it obediently.

Chuntao then handed her a bowl of medicinal decoction.

"I can't drink anymore," Su Yao said, her brows tightly knitted, her face showing distress.

Chuntao looked troubled. "But the Master said you must drink it while it’s hot, Miss."

Su Yao helplessly took the porcelain bowl; her fingertips touched the cold surface of the bowl, feeling a slight chill. "What medicine is this?"

"They say it’s to replenish energy and blood."

Su Yao did not think much of it and drank it in one gulp. The bitter medicinal juice slid down her throat, leaving a trace at the corner of her mouth. She froze.

"Chuntao? You said the Master asked you to brew this to replenish energy and blood?"

Chuntao blinked her eyes, looking innocent. "Yes, the Master gave it to me this morning. Does the Miss find it difficult to drink?"

"I just feel that this taste is somewhat similar to the medicine you brought back from Chongren Hall last time..."

"I think these herbal decoctions all taste about the same when brewed, Miss."

"Is that so?" Su Yao hesitated, the suspicion in her heart growing heavier.

"You are just overthinking things, Miss."

Su Yao was dazed. "Perhaps that is the case."

"Miss, the sun is beautiful outside today. Why don't we go into the courtyard to enjoy it?"

"Where is the Master?"

"The Master went out early to handle official business. I heard that many rioters were captured yesterday."

Su Yao arrived in the courtyard; the sunlight spilled over her, feeling warm and comforting. This courtyard had been specially arranged by Governor Wu for Lu Huaijin. Although it was not as luxurious as the Grand Secretary’s mansion in the capital, it was elegant and serene. The garden was filled with blooming flowers, and the air was thick with fragrance.

"Su Yao? Why are you in Tongzhou too?"

Su Yao recognized this voice—it was Zhao Zhifu. She turned around to see her standing before her in a dress of red. Her heart gave a start; it turned out the person from yesterday was indeed her.

"So... it's you..." Zhao Zhifu looked Su Yao up and down, her eyes filled with disdain. She had only heard from the Empress Dowager that Lu Huaijin was not indifferent to women, and that there was now a maid serving by his side. Such service was an unspoken matter; it was nothing more than those shameful, hidden affairs.

"I remember your sister used to be the number one noble lady in the capital. It seems the young ladies raised by the Ministry of Rites mansion are nothing more than this. I thought you were so noble."

Zhao Zhifu’s voice was sharp and grating, each word a blade piercing Su Yao’s heart. How could she insult her older sister? Her sister was such a gentle and kind person! If her sister hadn't protected her, she wouldn't have died so miserably there...

Su Yao’s fingers curled unconsciously, her nails digging deep into her palms. She was trying her best to endure.

"And where is your sister? Is she like you, serving as a concubine or a bed-warmer in some high-ranking household?" Zhao Zhifu covered her mouth and chuckled. "Or perhaps the kind without even a status."

*Slap!*

Su Yao could no longer contain the fury in her heart. A slap landed hard across Zhao Zhifu’s face. Zhao Zhifu was stunned by the sudden blow; her eyes widened in disbelief.

"You bitch, you dare hit me? What kind of status do you think you have now!" Zhao Zhifu shrieked, the anger distorting her originally delicate face. She viciously slapped Su Yao across the face in return.

This slap was even harder. Su Yao was knocked to the ground, her hair disheveled, and a trace of blood spilled from the corner of her mouth.

"How can you hit someone?" Chuntao had only gone back inside to fetch a handkerchief, and upon returning, she saw her mistress knocked to the ground. She was frantic and hurried forward to help her up.

"A bunch of lowly wretches." Zhao Zhifu snatched the handkerchief from Chuntao’s hand, wiped her own reddened palm, and said with disgust, "I feel dirty just touching you."

With that, she threw the handkerchief on the ground and turned to leave, looking triumphant.

"Miss, who is that woman?" Chuntao asked anxiously, looking at Su Yao with heartache. Su Yao covered her face and did not speak, which made Chuntao even more worried. "Miss, your face is swollen. We must tell the Master about this."

"Chuntao, why do you think the Master keeps that woman by his side?"

Chuntao was startled, pondering to herself: The Master keeps a woman by his side? Previously, there was only Miss Su, but now there is that woman too? Is she the Grand Secretary's new favorite? If so... will the Master... still care about what happened today?

Seeing Chuntao’s expression, Su Yao knew she understood her implication. She sighed. "That woman is the daughter of a General’s mansion and a person favored by the Empress Dowager. You must not offend her. Perhaps, in the future, she will be the mistress of the Lu household."

Su Yao knew she would eventually leave, and Chuntao would have to remain in the Lu household. She could not be so selfish as to let Chuntao fall into trouble because of her.

Chuntao looked at Su Yao in surprise. "Miss, you mean..."

Su Yao nodded and said nothing more. Chuntao dared not make another sound.

After Lu Huaijin finished his official duties, he came to her room. Su Yao was bowing her head, busy with embroidery. The moment she heard the door open, her body stiffened—she had been startled, and her sewing kit fell to the floor.

Lu Huaijin stepped forward to pick it up. "Why are you so careless?"

Su Yao kept her head down and did not reply. He knew that Su Yao had always been reluctant to engage with him, and today he was truly too exhausted to pick a fight with her. He sat beside her and reached out to wrap his arm around her waist, but she dodged him. His hand hung in mid-air for a moment, then he lowered it awkwardly.

"What did you do today?"

"I merely enjoyed the flowers in the courtyard; I did nothing else."

"Then did you see anyone?" Lu Huaijin continued to ask.

Su Yao’s heart tightened, and the needle in her hand accidentally pricked her fingertip.

"Sss—!"

The pain rushed from her fingertip instantly. Since the fingers are connected to the heart, the piercing pain made her gasp out loud. A few beads of blood dripped onto the embroidery, staining it a deep crimson.

Lu Huaijin frowned. "Why are you so careless?"

As he spoke, he took her finger into his mouth. Then, he took out a handkerchief to cover the wound. Su Yao merely lowered her eyes, not responding.

Lu Huaijin felt that she was exceptionally quiet today. Even when she didn't want to talk to him before, she would occasionally scold him a few times. Today, she was exceptionally cold, which made him feel a sense of dread.

He couldn't help but lift Su Yao’s chin, wanting to see what was wrong, only to see that the left side of her face was severely swollen. The clear imprint of a slap stung his eyes.

"Who did this?"