Chapter 9: The Golden Bell

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Back in her room, Su Yao suddenly remembered the small embroidered box on the dressing table. She stared at it blankly, hesitating for a long time before finally deciding to open it.

Inside were three little clay figurines, charming in shape, each bearing her likeness.

A flood of emotions overwhelmed her. She once had five such figurines—starting from her tenth birthday, every year Lu Chiyao personally made one for her.

At first, she found them ugly and dismissed them, but over time, she treasured them like precious gems. However, when her family was destroyed, she couldn’t keep a single one.

Now, these three figurines must be to make up for the past three years’ gifts.

“So he still remembers,” Su Yao buried her face in the embroidered quilt, sobbing until she could barely breathe.

Chun Tao heard the noise from inside and quickly entered the room. “Miss, what’s wrong?”

Su Yao wiped her tears and waved her hand weakly. “Just missing my family.”

Chun Tao embraced her tightly, gently stroking her back. “Miss, I don’t know how to comfort you... I miss home too.”

The two wept together, the bond of master and servant forged anew in shared sorrow.

When she grew tired of crying, Su Yao suddenly paused.

“Chun Tao, did you hear something just now?”

Chun Tao listened intently. “What sound are you talking about, Miss?”

Su Yao stood and tried to trace the sound’s origin.

Eventually, her gaze dropped to her own feet.

She suddenly lifted her skirt to reveal a delicate chain of red gold wrapped around her ankle, adorned with a tiny golden bell.

When was this put on? Su Yao was momentarily stunned.

“Did the master come last night?”

Chun Tao nodded. “Master cared for you through the night and left only near dawn.”

Su Yao frowned slightly; she knew this must be his doing.

No wonder she had heard the tinkling sound earlier and thought it was a stray servant or animal. Unexpectedly, it was the bell on her ankle.

She tried hard to remove the chain, but the red gold was tight and unyielding.

As she kicked wildly, the bell rang incessantly.

Chun Tao was equally surprised. “Miss... don’t pull so hard, you might hurt yourself.”

“Forget it! Even if I take it off today, who knows what will be tied on tomorrow,” Su Yao muttered to herself.

This golden bell was a bit more pleasing than the copper one before. She had foolishly thought that when Lu Huaijin removed the copper bell last time, he was sparing her, but now...

Only a few days had passed, and he had replaced it with a new one.

In a daze, she vaguely recalled hearing the bell’s chimes accompanying the rocking of her bed last night. Now, she wasn’t sure if it was a trick of her mind or reality.

Tonight, snow was falling again outside.

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Lu Huaijin arrived.

Su Yao recognized his footsteps immediately but didn’t want to acknowledge him, calmly continuing to look through her picture book.

Lu Huaijin cleared his throat twice. Seeing she didn’t react, he frowned and walked over.

“What are you looking at?” he asked, taking the picture book from her hand.

“Give it back,” Su Yao reached for it, but Lu Huaijin sidestepped, and she missed.

He glanced at the book. It depicted a story of childhood sweethearts torn apart by fate, and his brow tightened.

“Do you usually read such things, Yao’er?”

“It’s just to pass time when I’m bored. You don’t care about what I look at, do you?”

“This book isn’t good. I’ll put it away for now. If you want to read, I’ll bring more books tomorrow.”

“Your books are dull. I don’t like them.”

Lu Huaijin sneered. “Su Yao! If you have too much free time, you might as well copy the ‘Woman’s Precepts’ ten times to learn some discipline.”

Su Yao bit her lip, confused by his sudden outburst. She had only been looking at a picture book—how did that anger him?

She slowly stood, her slender fingers lightly brushing the rice paper on the desk, eyes fixed on the ‘Woman’s Precepts’ on the bookshelf.

Lu Huaijin sat nearby, frowning slightly as he watched her take the book.

Su Yao picked up a brush, dipped it in ink, and began to write. Her delicate handwriting flowed like clouds and water, elegant and refined.

Lu Huaijin’s gaze never left her. Seeing her so focused, an inexplicable irritation arose in his heart. He reached out and pressed her brush down, with just enough force to stop her.

Su Yao’s wrist was held firmly. He gently pulled her toward him, and she fell into his arms.

“Wasn’t it you who told me to copy it?” Su Yao lifted her eyes. “Now that I’m doing it, why stop me?”

Lu Huaijin looked down at her, his eyes deep and dark. “Why are you angry?”

“I’m not angry.” Su Yao turned her head away.

“Are you mad because I haven’t come to see you these days?” His voice was cold but carried a hint of probing.

Su Yao said nothing, wriggling free and picking up the brush again to continue copying.

Lu Huaijin was cold by nature. He watched her stubbornly continue, his expression unreadable. To strangers, he seemed gentle, even-tempered.

“Do you like the gift I gave you?” he suddenly asked, his voice low and oppressive.

Su Yao’s hand trembled slightly; ink dripped onto the paper, spreading into a blot.

She frowned, crumpled the paper, and tossed it aside.

Spreading out a new sheet, she tried again, but the ink dripped once more, ruining the characters.

She put down the brush, unwilling to continue.

Lu Huaijin scoffed. “Finished already?”

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Su Yao looked up, casting him a cold glance. “My hand is tired. I’ll write more later.”

“You still haven’t answered me,” Lu Huaijin’s voice was low and slow, “Do you like the golden bell I gave you?”

It was indeed from him!

Su Yao sneered inwardly but kept her face calm. Meeting his gaze, she replied coolly, “No, I don’t.”

Lu Huaijin raised a brow, unconcerned. “Then I’ll have someone make you a silver one tomorrow.”

From gold to silver—he was surprisingly generous.

She met his gaze steadily. “Lu Huaijin.”

“Hmm?” He answered softly, eyes fixed on her face.

“Am I your pet?” Su Yao’s eyes held suppressed emotions.

Lu Huaijin’s expression darkened, his voice sharp. “Isn’t being a pet good? Good food, good shelter, pampered by someone.”

Like trying to explain ice to a summer insect—there was no use in arguing. Su Yao curled her lips and said lightly, “I understand.”

Lu Huaijin pulled her into his lap.

Su Yao reluctantly pushed away the large hand resting on her waist.

As she struggled, the bell on her ankle jingled.

If her earlier initiative was an irresistible poison to him, her resistance now stirred the fire in his blood.

Under thick lashes, his eyes gleamed with desire.

Words she hadn’t spoken were crushed between them.

Like water flowing deep and shallow in a river, like people drifting through the world.

...

Su Yao woke to find Lu Huaijin dressed neatly.

Well-groomed, dignified—like a distant flower untouchable and pure. It was as if he was not the same man who had just torn her apart.

He saw her open her eyes, the delicate blush of lingering passion still faint on her face.

Tenderly, he kissed her forehead. Su Yao frowned, clearly displeased by such intimacy.

Lu Huaijin was unbothered, his long, strong fingers boldly prying apart her fingers to entwine with hers.

Su Yao knew it was unwise to anger him now, so she closed her eyes and fell asleep again.

When the sun was high, Chun Tao pushed open the door and saw Su Yao awake.

“Miss, will you take the medicine again today?” she asked gently.