Suyin found her gaze fixed on the delicate interplay of threads at the edge of her cloth.
Wu Fei, the child entrusted to her care, sat nearby, her small fingers weaving intricate patterns through the fabric's fringe. Meanwhile, Weizhe had departed to relay their latest discoveries to the Prince, leaving Suyin alone with the child.
The room enveloped her in silence, broken only by the soft rustle of fabric and the occasional creak of floorboards.
Suyin's thoughts circled back relentlessly to the rose-shaped key they had uncovered—could it truly be the object of Qin Fuhua's relentless pursuit? And if so, what significance did it hold? Was the key, in some inexplicable twist of fate, linked to the riddle that Wu Fei had mentioned?
Resting her head upon her right hand, Suyin leaned wearily against the smooth surface of the tea table. Lost in her reverie, she scarcely noticed Wu Fei's playful chatter as the child toyed with the hem of her garment.
"Miss Suyin?" The child's voice cut through the haze of Suyin's thoughts, her head cocked to one side inquisitively. Startled from her reverie, Suyin blinked, her gaze snapping back to the present.
"Yes?" Suyin replied, her hand falling away from her face as she turned her attention to the child.
Wu Fei's laughter danced through the air, a melodic sound. "You're quite the strange one, Miss Suyin," she remarked, her shoulders lifting in a small shrug.
The child's playful demeanor melted away, replaced by a solemn gravity as her gaze dropped to the floor. "The other children, they never quite understood me," Wu Fei confessed, her voice tinged with a hint of sorrow. "While they dreamed of fairy tales and princesses, I yearned to be their protector. But for wanting to shield them from harm, I was branded as 'strange,' 'different.'"
Suyin's brow furrowed in empathy, her guard momentarily lowered as she listened to the girl's heartfelt admission. There was a sincerity in Wu Fei's words that resonated deeply with her, a shared experience of being misunderstood and judged.
"My father, he's not the gentlest soul," Wu Fei continued, her finger tracing a pattern on her clothing.
"But he taught me the importance of self-defense, of standing strong against those who would do us harm." With a gesture towards her attire, she illustrated the practical lessons imparted by her father.
"Ba showed me how to fight, to protect myself and those I hold dear."
A smile graced Wu Fei's lips as she lifted her gaze to meet Suyin's, admiration shining in her eyes.
"And then I met you," she said softly, the warmth of her words filling the room. "You were so fearless, so resolute in your actions. I've never encountered a woman quite like you before, willing to risk everything to save another."
Wu Fei's mention of odd expressions struck a chord within Suyin, stirring memories of the skeptical glances and stifled whispers she had endured.
In a world constrained by rigid expectations of femininity, Suyin knew all too well the suffocating confines of societal norms. The disapproving stares, the unspoken judgments—they formed an invisible cage, constraining her spirit and limiting her freedom.
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"May I come in?"
The gentle tap on her door drew Suyin's attention, and the soft voice that followed was immediately recognizable. It belonged to none other than Qin Fuhua, known presently as Tienzheng. With a composed demeanor, Suyin granted him entry, her curiosity piqued by his unexpected visit.
As the door creaked open, revealing Qin Fuhua's imposing figure, Suyin shifted slightly to catch a glimpse of him. There he stood, a towering presence in the doorway, his features softened by the dim light filtering through the room.
Wu Fei, ever the picture of politeness, offered a respectful bow, her hands clasped together in a gesture reminiscent of Weizhe's courtly manners.
But Tienzheng, in a display that surprised even Suyin, extended a gracious invitation, insisting that Wu Fei rise from her deferential posture. "I apologize for the intrusion. I must see if Miss Suyin was really alright--"
"If you are a friend of Suyin's, then you are a friend of mine," Tienzheng declared with a faint smile, his actions imbued with a warmth that belied his regal bearing. Suyin, momentarily taken aback by his unexpected kindness, quickly composed herself, determined not to be distracted by his uncharacteristic behavior.
Turning her attention to Qin Fuhua, Suyin greeted him with a measured tone, her gaze steady as she awaited his explanation for his visit. Without a word, Qin Fuhua stepped into the room, shedding his navy-blue robe and draping it carefully over a nearby desk. The room, divided into three distinct sections by sliding doors, bore witness to Suyin's modest accommodations—a bedroom, a tea room with a small table adorned with delicate porcelain, and a study area cluttered with documents and vases.
"There's nothing I would need, my dear. After all, I just came back from a long, tiring bath after our first night, right?" It was referenced that Qin Fuhua was mentioning their wedding night.
Wu Fei's demeanor shifted subtly, her head bowed once more in deference to Qin Fuhua's presence. His remark about their supposed "first night" elicited a flush of embarrassment from Suyin, her cheeks tinted crimson as she struggled to maintain her composure. Stammering slightly, Suyin hastily assured Qin Fuhua of Wu Fei's well-being, her words tinged with a hint of discomfort. "I-I'll have the maids arrange a room for the child," she stuttered, avoiding Qin Fuhua's gaze. "There's no need to worry about her. She was just concerned about me."
Wu Fei nodded in agreement, her expression serious as she regarded Qin Fuhua. Unbeknownst to the others, his presence here held a deeper purpose—a subtle test of Wu Fei's sincerity and allegiance. Weizhe's report of their encounter with the old man during the journey to the wedding weighed heavily on Qin Fuhua's mind, adding another layer of complexity to their interactions.
"I just need a day," Wu Fei spoke earnestly, her eyes meeting Qin Fuhua's with unwavering resolve. "I wanted to ensure Miss Suyin's happiness, but seeing your concern, I can see that you care for her deeply."
A flicker of surprise crossed Qin Fuhua's features before he masked it with a tender smile, his gaze softening as he reached out to pat Wu Fei's head gently. "You needn't worry, little one," he reassured her, his voice tinged with warmth. "I would never forgive myself if I caused Miss Suyin any harm."
With the tension momentarily diffused, Qin Fuhua turned his attention to Suyin, his playful tone cutting through the awkwardness that hung in the air. "It's getting late," he remarked, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Would you like to bathe alone, or shall I offer my assistance?"
Suyin's cheeks flamed scarlet at his suggestion, her embarrassment palpable in the air. "I-I'll go alone," she exclaimed hastily, pushing herself up from her seat and hastily pulling down her sleeves. "I have to arrange for the child's accommodations anyway."
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Suyin hurried through the corridors of the manor, the echo of her footsteps mingling with the rustle of her damp hair as it trailed behind her. The golden-yellow hanfu she wore clung lightly to her frame, the fabric swaying with each hurried step she took.
Her mind, however, was far from the simple act of drying her hair; instead, it buzzed with the weight of Qin Fuhua's words and the unsettling implications they carried.
As she entered the dimly lit bedroom, her gaze fell upon the sight that greeted her—a figure reclined upon the bed, his form softened by the gentle embrace of slumber. Confusion flickered across Suyin's features as she approached, her brow furrowing in bewilderment at the unexpected sight.
"What are you doing here?" she questioned, her voice tinged with a mixture of surprise and curiosity. Qin Fuhua stirred at the sound of her voice, his eyes fluttering open to meet her gaze. With a faint sigh, he beckoned her closer, his expression a mix of resignation and determination.
"Just come sleep," he murmured softly, his tone coaxing yet firm.
Suyin hesitated, uncertainty gnawing at her resolve. This act, this delicate dance they were engaged in—shouldn't it have ended by now? But before she could voice her protest, Qin Fuhua's frustration boiled over, his features contorted in a rare display of anger.
With a swift yet gentle motion, he lifted her into his arms, carrying her princess-style to the other side of the bed. Suyin's breath caught in her throat as she found herself seated beside him, her pulse quickening at the proximity of their bodies.
"We didn't finish earlier. We had interruptions, didn't we?" he whispered, his voice a warm caress against her ear. Suyin shivered involuntarily, her cheeks flushing with heat as she struggled to maintain her composure in the face of his undeniable presence.