Chapter 36: This Woman Seems to Be…

"Who are those people outside?"

"Scholars."

"Why aren't scholars in the academy?"

Lu Huaijin scoffed but offered no reply. Prefect Wu’s guards had already begun making arrests, and the streets were descending into chaos. Hearing the clash of steel, Su Yao gripped the carriage railing nervously.

Lu Huaijin patted the back of her hand. "Don't be afraid. Is there any struggle that doesn't involve bloodshed?"

His face remained composed. Once again, he spoke of life-and-death matters with such indifference. In his eyes, the lives of others were perhaps no more than ants, unworthy of note. Su Yao had seen Lu Huaijin kill before. The blood-soaked scene remained vivid in her mind to this day. She feared him—feared his coldness and his ruthlessness.

The carriage wheels rolled on, kicking up a cloud of dust. Suddenly, Changting’s voice came from the front. "My Lord, someone is blocking the carriage ahead."

"If they are causing trouble, kill them!" Lu Huaijin said calmly, without a moment's hesitation.

"But that person is a woman."

"A woman?" He leaned back against the carriage wall, tapping his fingers against his knee, seemingly lost in thought.

"The woman insists on seeing you, My Lord."

Lu Huaijin remained indifferent, sitting quietly inside the carriage. Outside, the sounds of the riot began to swell again.

"My Lord, it seems the woman is in trouble," Changting’s voice sounded slightly strained. "She seems to be..." He hesitated, leaving the thought unfinished.

Lu Huaijin lifted the curtain for a brief look. "Bring her along."

Su Yao couldn't help but reach out to lift the curtain, catching only a glimpse of a figure in red...

The carriage slowly pulled up to the Prefect’s Yamen, where officials of all ranks stood waiting on both sides. Clad in their official robes with respectful expressions, they had come to welcome the Chief Councilor, a man whose power held sway over the entire imperial court.

Prefect Wu Yuebai was all smiles, stepping forward personally to guide the way for Lu Huaijin. Su Yao and Changting followed silently behind. Hesitant, Su Yao slowed her pace, and as the maidservants arrived behind her, she quietly merged into their ranks.

Stepping inside, a lavish welcome banquet had already been prepared. Lu Huaijin was ushered by the crowd to the seat of honor. Seated beside him were the Prefect and other local officials, along with several prominent figures of Tongzhou. Such scenes were second nature to Lu Huaijin. He nodded slightly, accepting the obsequious flattery of the guests.

Before long, a group of singing girls filed in. Dressed in thin, translucent gauze, their shoulders partially bared and their bodies swaying, they brought a lively energy to the room the moment they entered. The sound of stringed instruments, laughter, and toasts filled the air.

Su Yao, along with Chuntao and a few other young maids, stood quietly at the back, feeling utterly out of place in the surrounding noise. Su Yao was unaccustomed to such scenes. Back at the Shangshu manor, she had lived a secluded life, never stepping out of the inner chambers, and had never been exposed to such occasions. Later, as the hidden woman kept by Lu Huaijin’s side, she had been confined to deep mansions and had never seen anything like this either.

She watched as the dancers, in their revealing attire, twisted their waists to the sound of the pipa. The bolder dancers would approach the men, smiling coyly as they poured wine and served food. With every lean, their bosoms were exposed, yet the men seemed not to care at all. Some dancers even held wine in their mouths to feed the men—such intimate, wanton displays made Su Yao’s face burn with shame.

So this was how those women served men. She frowned slightly. It was her first time seeing high-ranking imperial officials, usually so self-righteous, behaving so lewdly and despicably in private. Her hands twisted her handkerchief unconsciously, and her disgust for Lu Huaijin and these men deepened.

Seated at the head of the table, Lu Huaijin caught Su Yao’s expression and frowned slightly, signaling Changting with a glance. Changting understood immediately and walked quickly to Su Yao and Chuntao, leading them to a side table to dine.

Once seated, Su Yao couldn't help but steal cautious glances at the main table. Seeing Lu Huaijin surrounded by beauties, she couldn't describe the feeling in her heart.

After the meal, the observant Prefect Wu noticed that Su Yao’s attire was different from that of a common maid and asked, "Lord Lu, where is this young lady staying?"

Lu Huaijin swept a cold glance at Su Yao. "She is merely a servant; Prefect Wu may arrange it as you see fit."

"Understood. I shall have someone take them to the rear courtyard. Lord Lu, I have already ordered hot water to be prepared for you."

Lu Huaijin gave a soft grunt of acknowledgment and walked away. Looking at Su Yao, Wu Yuebai wondered to himself, *With such a charming woman, how could I have overlooked her?*

Then, Changting spoke, neither servile nor overbearing: "My master is rather particular and is used to his own people. Please arrange for the two of us to have a room next to his."

Upon hearing this, Wu Yuebai grasped the implication immediately. He nodded quickly and led Su Yao and Changting in a direction away from the other servants.

Back in his own room, Lu Huaijin heard movement in the room next door, and a smile finally touched his lips.

Su Yao was truly exhausted. After a full day of bumpy carriage travel and witnessing the riot upon entering Tongzhou, she was drained. Lying on the bed, she tossed and turned, the scenes from earlier replaying in her mind. Surely, Lu Huaijin’s departure from the capital had something to do with these riots.

As she drifted into restless thoughts, she heard footsteps outside the door, followed by a soft knock. Su Yao quickly got up, smoothed her clothes, and went to open it. She was stunned to see the servant standing there.

"Brother Changfeng?" She hadn't seen him since leaving the small courtyard on Furong Lane.

"Miss Su, you still remember me."

"Have you returned to the Lu manor?"

"The Master has transferred me back to serve at his side."

"That’s good. What is this?" Su Yao noticed he was holding a steaming bowl of porridge.

Changfeng handed it to her quickly. "The Master noticed you didn't eat much this evening, so he specifically ordered the small kitchen to prepare some sea cucumber porridge."

Su Yao declined, "That’s too much trouble; I shouldn't burden the hosts."

"Miss, don't worry about that. The sea cucumbers were brought from our own manor; it’s no trouble to the hosts here. The Master was afraid you wouldn't be used to the local flavors, so he even brought along our own cook from the Lu manor to prepare your meals personally. Don't rush; take your time. Just leave the bowl at the door when you're finished, and I’ll come back to collect it."

Having no further reason to refuse, Su Yao thanked him repeatedly. She took the porridge and closed the door. She sat by the table, staring at the bowl, her heart full of complex emotions. She truly hadn't eaten much earlier; the sight of the greasy pork knuckles and roasted chicken had killed her appetite. A familiar, faint discomfort rose in her stomach.

Su Yao took a few small sips of the porridge. The gentle liquid slid down her throat, easing the discomfort in her stomach, and the urge to retch slowly faded. Her stomach felt much better now. She set down the spoon and sighed helplessly.

*Just what kind of man is this Lu Huaijin?*

Next door, the candles flickered. A woman in red stepped forward to meet Lu Huaijin’s gaze...