As the first light of dawn began to filter through the window, heralded by the distant crowing of a rooster, Suyin stirred from her slumber, the remnants of sleep clinging to her like a soft shroud.
Her body still ached the memory of Qin Fuhua's gentle touch mingling with the discomfort that lingered on her back. With a start, she blinked her eyes open, the sudden awareness of her surroundings jolting her upright.
Instinctively, she pulled the covers tighter around herself, a shield against the uncertainty that gripped her.
A flurry of questions raced through her mind like startled birds taking flight.
Had Qin Fuhua taken advantage of her vulnerable state? Panic surged within her as she scanned the room, searching for any trace of his presence.
Yet, he was nowhere to be found, leaving behind only his outer robe, a silent testament to his care. Tentatively, she reached out, her fingers brushing against the fabric, a tangible link to the man who had tended to her wounds.
Despite the lingering soreness that gnawed at her back, there was a flicker of gratitude within her.
With a soft sigh, she allowed herself a small, weary smile, her fingers tracing the contours of Qin Fuhua's robe. The lingering scent of his fragrance enveloped her like a comforting embrace. It was a reminder of the comfort she had found in his presence.
"Miss, your mother and father would like to talk to you."
The intrusion shattered the fragile calmness of the moment, the smile fading from Suyin's lips as she turned to face the maid. A knot of apprehension tightened in her chest, anticipation mingled with dread. What did they want from her now? Were they conspiring to wed her off to that elderly old man? The thought sent a shiver down her spine, igniting a fierce resolve within her.
"Tell them that I do not wish to see them," Suyin instructed the maid, her voice tinged with defiance. Outside her door, the maid hesitated, concern etched upon her features.
"Your parents will come here if you do not listen--"
"Forget it," Suyin's father's voice cut through the air like a sharpened blade, his footsteps echoing down the hallway as he approached her courtyard. "If you do not want to see us, then we will see you."
The tension crackled in the air like electricity, a palpable force that seemed to fuse the very atmosphere. Suyin stood her ground, her resolve unyielding despite the tumult that raged within her.
"If you wish to push me into the arms of another man, I will not bother," she declared, her voice unwavering. The mere thought of such a fate filled her with a cold dread, a primal fear that clawed at her heart.
"My dear, please listen to what we have to say. This person has good intentions--"
"I don't care about his intentions!" Suyin's words rang out, a call of defiance. She would not be swayed, not by her parents' pleas nor by the promises of a stranger.
"If you do not wish to see your daughter suffer, then I suggest you leave me be."
"I apologize for intruding, but is there something wrong?"
The air crackled with tension as the familiar voice intruded upon the charged atmosphere, its familiarity sending a jolt of recognition through Suyin's senses.
It was a voice she knew well, a voice that resonated deep within her memories like an echo from the past.
"I apologize, young sir. It seems she's not in the mood to..."
With a surge of determination, Suyin mustered all her strength to rise, her movements fueled by a potent mix of curiosity and apprehension.
Sliding the door open with a determined push, she stepped out into the courtyard, her eyes widening in surprise at the sight that greeted her.
There, amidst the familiar figures of her mother and father, stood a face she had not expected to see.
It was him—the man who had crossed her path time and again, leaving an indelible mark upon her heart.
A smile tugged at Suyin's lips, her eyes alight with a sparkle of recognition as she rushed forward to embrace him.
"It's you!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with unbridled joy. In that moment, the world seemed to shrink around them, leaving only the two of them locked in a tight embrace.
"My dear, you shouldn't..." Qin Fuhua's protest was cut short by Suyin's hug, his own surprise evident in the way he hesitated before returning her embrace.
"Fu Ren," Suyin's father interjected, amusement dancing in his eyes as he addressed the man before them.
"Fu Ren? What kind of name is that?" Suyin had laughed it off in her head. Was he wearing his mask and faking his name here? Maybe it was a way to keep Qin Fuhua's identity hidden, but Suyin was sure that it was him.
"Suyin, must you embarrass us in front of our guests?" Qin Fuhua chided gently, though there was a warmth in his gaze.
Caught up in the moment, Suyin laughed off his reprimand, her eyes dancing with mischief as she glanced between her parents and Qin Fuhua.
"But of course," she replied with a mischievous grin, her heart lighter than it had been in days.
As the realization dawned upon her, a flicker of uncertainty crept into Suyin's mind, a nagging doubt that refused to be ignored.
"Wait..." she began, her voice trailing off as the pieces of the puzzle fell into place.
"My dear child, is this the gentleman of whom you spoke?" Suyin's mother's voice broke through her, words laden with curiosity and a hint of teasing.
Caught off guard, Suyin glanced at Qin Fuhua, her mind racing as she struggled to make sense of the situation. With a gentle nudge from him, she found herself nodding in agreement, her heart pounding with excitement.
"Yes... yes, he is."
The weight of her father's words hung heavy in the air, casting a pall over the courtyard as he spoke with a tremor in his voice that betrayed his remorse.
"My dear child," he began, his voice thick with emotion. "I have failed you as a father. To have raised my hand against you, my own flesh and blood... it is a sin for which I can never atone."
Suyin's heart clenched at the raw anguish in her father's words, the sting of tears threatening to blur her vision. Yet, amid the turmoil of emotions that threatened to engulf her, there was a glimmer of unexpected hope—a lifeline extended in the form of the man who stood before them.
"To make amends," her father continued, his voice wavering with uncertainty, "this young man has come seeking your hand in marriage. Is this... is this what you desire?"
Suyin's mind raced, her thoughts swirling with confusion and disbelief.
Was this truly happening? Was Qin Fuhua, the cold-hearted Prince who had entered her life like a whirlwind, offering her a chance at escape?
Summoning all her strength, she mustered a semblance of a smile, her lips trembling as she nudged Qin Fuhua subtly.
What game was he playing at? It was a risky chance, one that she had not anticipated, yet there was a glint of determination in his eyes that she could not ignore.
At that moment, Suyin realized the depth of Qin Fuhua's cunning, the keen intellect that lay hidden beneath his composed exterior. He was a master strategist, weaving a web of intrigue that ensnared her parents in its intricate threads to set her free.
With a voice that quavered with uncertainty, Suyin forced out her response, her words barely above a whisper as she glanced at Qin Fuhua for reassurance.
"Y-Yes," she stammered before looking at Qin Fuhua.