Chapter 2

In the bitter cold of winter in Ningzhou, the crows’ harsh cries filled the night, their piercing calls carried by the cold wind, sending chills down one’s spine. The carriage slowly made its way through the streets and only stopped in front of the Wu residence near midnight.

The coachman spotted those waiting outside from a distance and quickly jumped down cautiously. Lowering his voice, he warned, “Steward Rong, the master seems to have fallen asleep.”

Rong Tan stepped forward and gently lifted the carriage curtain. Wu Ciyun, who had been resting with eyes closed against the carriage wall, immediately opened her eyes sharply.

Her expression bore a faint displeasure, brows furrowed. “Why have you come?” she asked.

At such a late hour, Rong Tan was clad in a simple white robe. Upon opening her eyes, Wu Ciyun had mistaken her for some wandering spirit. Yet, this ghost was rather a captivating one.

Rong Tan’s appearance was striking, with a pair of alluring peach blossom eyes. By rights, she should be considered charming, but she always preferred plain colors and carried herself with a gentle demeanor, bearing the refined grace of a young scion of a noble family. Even strangers would only praise her as elegant and noble.

She was not overly affected by Wu Ciyun’s cold words. Instead, she reached out to help her down from the carriage and gently said, “Mistress, it’s cold outside. Let’s head back inside.”

“Don’t come out to wait next time,” Wu Ciyun replied.

Her fingers brushed against his cold fingertips as she added casually, “If I didn’t return tonight, would you have waited the entire night?”

Rong Tan lowered his gaze without speaking. His heart had been restless all night, only settling upon seeing Wu Ciyun safe and sound. Had she not returned, he would have waited until dawn without hesitation.

Seeing Rong Tan’s persistence, Wu Ciyun stopped trying to persuade him and instead inquired about her two younger siblings at home.

“How are Mingzhu and Liangyu today?”

“All is well. Their studies are done,” Rong Tan answered softly. “They didn’t wait for you at dinner and insisted on playing with firecrackers, so I stayed with them for a while.”

The two children had just turned seven and were at their most mischievous age. Busy with official duties, Wu Ciyun often left their care to Rong Tan. Thinking of the siblings’ innocent smiles, the tension she had felt all night relaxed ever so slightly.

The hearth fire inside burned brightly, and as Wu Ciyun entered, the rich fragrance of flowers from jade stands and golden cups enveloped her, blending with the warmth inside, in stark contrast to the biting cold outside, making the room feel like spring.

Rong Tan helped her remove the heavy cloak and detected a faint scent of alcohol on her. He softly said, “I’ll prepare some soup to sober you up...”

“No need,” Wu Ciyun interrupted him wearily. The memory of the absurd banquet left her feeling disgusted. Were it not for fear that Prince Pingnan harbored other schemes, she wouldn’t have dared mention the rebel army today. She was also fortunate that Xiao Boming had forced the troublesome Fufeng upon her; otherwise, she’d be embroiled in even more trouble.

Wu Ciyun had a mild aversion to being touched without consent. The eagerness of Xiao Boming to kiss her tonight and Fufeng’s clinginess both made her feel sick.

At this thought, she lost all patience. She ordered water brought in and began to undress for a bath by herself.

Seeing the troubled look on her face, Rong Tan understood something had happened again tonight. He didn’t press but quietly picked up the clothes she had thrown onto the floor.

Wu Ciyun did not hide her female identity before Rong Tan. Aside from the system, he was the only one who knew her secret of disguising herself as a man.

Years ago, she was framed and nearly killed, but Rong Tan happened to pass by and saved her. Wu Ciyun originally intended to kill him to keep her secret, but the system interfered repeatedly, forcing her to temporarily keep Rong Tan in the household as steward to help manage affairs.

***

She had investigated Rong Tan’s background, but all they found was that he came from a fallen official family, orphaned and without siblings—truly alone.

Because of this, Wu Ciyun once suspected Rong Tan might be the system’s spy. But after multiple denials by the system, she abandoned the idea for the time being.

Submerging herself slowly into the warm water, the discomfort on her body finally eased.

She pondered whether to keep Rong Tan after the matters in Ningzhou settled.

[During the day, Rong Tan manages your household and cares for the children; at night, he warms your bed and attends to your needs,] the system said, feeling wronged by her baseless suspicion.

[You use people up and then want to throw them out. Do you know that’s capitalist behavior? Paying little while making others do a lot.]

[I don’t. He volunteers,] Wu Ciyun replied slowly, adding, [Besides, I never gave him any money.]

System: [...]

Paying out of pocket to work! Isn’t that worse?!

Wu Ciyun ignored the system. She closed her eyes and carefully reviewed her plan in her mind, even imagining possible complications and solutions.

After a long moment, she opened her eyes and spoke, “Rong Tan, come in.”

Rong Tan had been quietly waiting outside. Hearing her voice, he finally moved forward and entered slowly.

Wu Ciyun looked at him calmly, the water’s surface and mist beneath making her appearance vague and unclear.

To be cautious, she always bound her chest except when sleeping. The cloth left bright red marks on her skin like tiny red snakes slithering through snow.

Rong Tan suddenly realized, feeling as if such a snake had burrowed into his flesh and bitten his heart sharply, sending a tingling sensation through every vein.

He lowered his lashes, afraid to meet her gaze, lest she see the darkness in his eyes.

“Why stand so far? Come closer,” Wu Ciyun said abruptly.

Rong Tan obediently lowered his eyes and stepped beside her. Before he could ask why, she entwined herself like a soft vine around him.

His heart skipped a beat. Afraid she might fall, he instinctively held her tightly, only to find her skin still wet and slippery, like holding a swimming fish.

He staggered back a few steps, grabbed a nearby silk cloth, and wrapped her to carry her back to the room.

Wu Ciyun, still restless in his arms, slowly began untying his robe belt.

“Ah Yun, what’s wrong with you today?” Rong Tan’s heart fluttered. Recently, she had been distant, and now her pale face flushed faintly.

He gently kissed her earlobe, but her gaze rested on his collarbone.

There was a glaring whip mark extending down to his chest—an injury inflicted by Xiao Boming last month in a jealous rage, still unhealed.

Wu Ciyun frowned slightly, lightly touching the wound. “Does it still hurt?”

“Very much.”

Rong Tan held her hand as it explored beneath his clothing, his eyes shimmering as he softly said, “Ah Yun, help me take a careful look.”

“I’m a little tired,” Wu Ciyun abruptly stopped, pushing him away and dressing herself in soft nightwear. “Let’s sleep first.”

Rong Tan didn’t understand her sudden change in attitude. He stood still for a long moment, then silently wrapped himself up.

***

The candlelight was extinguished, plunging the room into darkness. Rong Tan lay quietly beside Wu Ciyun, only able to make out her silhouette beneath the covers.

He tentatively reached out to pull her into his arms from behind.

But she seemed to anticipate this and spoke first, “Stop it. Just sleep.”

His hand froze mid-air. He bit his lip hard and after a long pause whispered, “…Do you despise me?”

“No, I’m just very tired today.”

“Then can I just use my lips?” Rong Tan persisted, overwhelmed by panic. He reached again for her robe belt and softly said, “I’ll make you comfortable...”

“Another day,” Wu Ciyun brushed his hand away decisively, irritation faintly showing.

Though Rong Tan always obeyed her, he was overly clingy in bed. Ningzhou was rife with tension, and trouble could erupt at any moment.

Wu Ciyun was not particularly lustful, but between being interrupted mid-pleasure and being woken mid-sleep, she chose the latter decisively.

Rong Tan said nothing. He carefully embraced her, his hand measuring her waist through the night clothes, his emotions restless.

Wu Ciyun had grown thinner from recent busy work, and intimacy was taxing; it should not be so frequent, he reasoned to himself.

But it hadn’t been like this before...

His mind tangled, Rong Tan considered two possibilities: either she had become indifferent to desire at a young age, or she had already found satisfaction elsewhere.

But Xiao Boming was already tainted; Wu Ciyun could never like him...

Maybe she was right—today she was simply tired.

Rong Tan felt as if his head might explode. He closed his eyes, trying to calm himself, but it was futile.

Outside, snow silently began to fall, rendering the world profoundly still.

Restless and sleepless, Rong Tan faintly heard the commotion outside. Just as he was about to rise and investigate, a sharp knocking suddenly sounded.

“Mistress! Mistress…”

“What’s going on?” Wu Ciyun was awakened by the noise. She instinctively reached under her pillow for a dagger, but found nothing. Only then did she remember that she had sent it away as a birthday gift at Xiao Boming’s request.

She tried to get up but was held down by Rong Tan, who tucked the covers around her and whispered, “Don’t rush. I’ll go check first.”

He rose, lit a candle, donned his clothes, and opened the door.

The footman hurriedly explained the situation. Rong Tan’s expression showed surprise but he remained calm as he returned to the room.

Meeting Wu Ciyun’s puzzled gaze, he softly said, “Ah Yun, the Rui King’s army has entered the city.”