Chapter 1: The Prey

Inside the chamber, white curtains swayed gently with the breeze. Sunlight poured in, piercing her eyelids.

Clink, clink~

The sound from beneath the covers roused Su Yao from her slumber. She slowly opened her eyes, a delicate hand covering her crimson lips as she lazily stretched.

Su Yao couldn't understand what had come over the old man yesterday—already past thirty, yet so devoid of restraint.

Lost in thought, she curled the blanket tighter, reluctant to rise; she was exhausted.

In the adjacent study, Lu Huaijin, reviewing official documents, caught the clear chime of a bell and knew his lady had awakened. He set down his brush and returned to the room.

As the chief minister and a powerful figure, though assisted by cabinet scholars, the young emperor trusted only him, and many memorials had to be personally examined by Lu Huaijin.

He sighed deeply, still hoping to delegate some authority to his son.

Now, wishing to stay by Su Yao’s side daily, he only reviewed documents while she slept. Today, he even skipped the morning court, having the palace send the papers to him.

Yesterday was his thirtieth birthday banquet. The thought of growing older while his beloved remained so young was enough to make him lose control—thus his recklessness.

The curtain fluttered.

Lu Huaijin half-crouched, squinting. "Yao’er, awake? Feeling unwell?"

His tall figure shielded the harsh light.

The man was in good spirits. Gazing at the woman curled on the bed, her cheeks flushed, hair loosened on both sides, freshly awakened and gazing faintly at him.

She never realized how enchanting she was.

Before Su Yao could answer, Lu Huaijin’s large hand rested on her forehead.

“Not bad, not hot.”

The heat from his palm was intense, and Su Yao instinctively leaned back, the sharp tinkling sound echoing.

His expression darkened, clearly displeased by her resistance.

Sensitive to his mood shifts after three years of entanglement, Su Yao’s heart tightened.

Her experience over the years had taught her one thing: to obey him.

“After you get up, have Physician Shi check your pulse,” he instructed.

“Why again? I’m not ill,” Su Yao retorted unhappily.

His brows knitted, voice colder, “Be good. Don’t be stubborn.”

Su Yao took a deep breath and sealed her lips. At times like this, any words would only provoke him.

She simply didn’t understand why the imperial physician had to check her pulse so often this month when she was clearly fine.

“Yao’er, why do you look so weary, so pale? Are you tired?”

Lowering her gaze slightly, her voice barely a whisper, she hesitated, “I... I want to... wash my hands.”

Such a thing was difficult to express.

Lu Huaijin swept her into his arms. “I’ll carry you.”

Startled by his sudden move, Su Yao quickly reached out to struggle, “Don’t... Lu Huaijin! Put me down. I can walk myself.”

But he paid no mind to her resistance, gripping her tighter.

His strength was formidable; he held her firmly, restraining her flailing legs.

Su Yao was quite displeased by his dominance—she was not disabled, so why be treated like this? Such care felt suffocating.

Clink, clink, clang.

The grating sound of jingling.

Su Yao glanced down at the bells strapped to her ankles.

Lu Huaijin had given them to her, claiming they would keep her safe. But she hated the noise—they let him know her whereabouts whenever she moved.

How many times had she tried to leave? She had lost count.

Yet each time, she was brought back in disgrace.

Lu Huaijin’s eyes seemed glued to her, always watching, only then could he feel at ease.

The annex was right beside the main chamber, just a few steps away. Closing her eyes, Su Yao whispered, “Turn around.”

He chuckled, “I’ve seen you enough times. What’s there to be shy about?”

Her cheeks burned hotter; she lowered her eyes. “I’m not used to this. If you watch me, I can’t finish.”

Seeing her flushed face and stubborn nature, Lu Huaijin, fearing she might hold it in too much, ceased his insistence and slowly turned his back.

The water stopped flowing, and he turned back. “You slept so soundly yesterday that I didn’t have you bathe. I’ll have someone boil water right away.”

“Bath water... in broad daylight? What kind of water is that?”

She barely spoke before it was too late.

Soon, maids’ light footsteps approached outside, heads bowed, skillfully carrying basin after basin of hot water inside.

White steam quickly filled the room; petals floated in the pool, faint floral scents drifting in the air.

Lu Huaijin’s strong hands lifted Su Yao into the bath.

The water was just right, relieving her fatigue and soothing her aching muscles.

But seeing the faint and deep marks covering her body, she frowned slightly.

“Comfortable?” Lu Huaijin’s breath warmed her ear as he massaged her shoulders.

No outsider would imagine that the austere, cold-faced Lu Huaijin could also serve someone so attentively.

He never expected this side of himself to emerge; even with his own son, he never personally bathed him.

But encountering Su Yao left him no choice but to surrender.

He reached to loosen his outer robe. Su Yao watched nervously. “What are you doing?”

“Bathing.”

“I haven’t finished yet.”

“I didn’t wash yesterday either.”

“Don’t—”

Before she could finish, his large hand covered her mouth.

Lu Huaijin was always domineering; if he wanted to hear her speak, she had to obey. Now, silencing her was only natural.

She wanted to leave.

Always wanted to leave.

To find her father and brothers at the border.

Did Lu Huaijin know?

Of course.

A man at the zenith of power like him had countless schemes.

He didn’t mind letting his prey run wild occasionally, like a cat playing with a mouse—watching her dart, never truly letting her escape far.

He stepped into the pool, causing ripples to spread and spill over the edge.

He twined her dark hair around his fingers, but Su Yao instinctively moved away, clutching the edge of the wooden tub.

Where could she escape in such a small place?

“Let me wash your hair.”

Her head was pushed underwater, then lifted, drenched, water droplets trailing down her face. Su Yao didn’t know how enticing she looked at that moment.

Lu Huaijin’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he murmured deeply, “What? Reject me?”

She shunned him like poison.

Suddenly, urgent knocks sounded on the door. “Father! Are you in there? Please open the door quickly!”