Chapter 34: Sincerity

Warm water splashed everywhere as he dragged her through the motions, nearly drowning her in the intensity. Yan Xi kept her eyes tightly shut, covering her face as she sobbed.

From dusk until the second watch of the night, for nearly two hours, the movement in the room did not cease, the candles remained lit, and the young girl’s weeping hardly ever stopped.

While Yan Xi cried inside, Qinglian and Taohong wept outside. The two maids felt heart-wrenching pity for their young mistress; the more they thought about Lu Zhi, the more hateful he seemed, and the more aggrieved they felt on her behalf.

Nanny Yan, who was in charge of service, remained busy, directing other maids to boil and deliver water. She was the head housekeeper of Tinglan Pavilion, in her early forties with a gentle appearance, responsible for Yan Xi’s daily needs. Unlike Taohong and Qinglian, she wore a constant smile, her face blooming with cheer as she incessantly urged the maids on. Even with things as they were inside, she seemed strangely delighted.

Taohong glared at her fiercely. She hadn't found the woman particularly annoying the past two days, but today was different—she despised her to the core!

Whether Nanny Yan noticed their hostile gazes or was simply tired of their incessant crying, she finally looked their way, frowned, and spoke up. "Oh, my. A man and a woman in the throes of passion, like fish in water. The Master is wealthy, powerful, and a remarkably handsome man, while the young mistress is as beautiful as a flower. They are a match made in heaven; what is there to cry about?"

Taohong couldn't help herself, sobbing as she retorted, "Can't you hear that our young mistress is crying?"

Nanny Yan clicked her tongue. "Delicate."

When the second watch of the night finally arrived, the movement inside finally ceased completely. Dongfu had been pacing outside Tinglan Pavilion for some time. He returned at the second watch, peering into the room just as Nanny Yan looked out. Seeing him, the nanny stepped out and asked with a smile, "Little Dongfu, do you have business with the Master?"

Dongfu nodded and smiled. "Is the Master free? Please, Nanny, pass on a word that Mingyao has returned..."

Nanny Yan nodded obligingly and went into the bedchamber. Moments later, the door to the main room opened, and two figures emerged: Nanny Yan and a tall, lean man whose robes were half-open, not yet fully dressed—it was Lu Zhi.

Seeing him about to leave, Taohong and Qinglian stood up almost simultaneously, watching as he walked away. At the moon-gate, Dongfu bowed and scraped, grinning from ear to ear, stepping up behind him to smooth out his clothes.

Lu Zhi asked coldly, "When did you return?"

Dongfu replied, "Over an hour ago, waiting for the heir."

The two left Tinglan Pavilion together. Taohong and Qinglian immediately hurried into the room. The bedchamber was dimly lit with a heavy, lingering scent. Nanny Yan instructed the maids to clean the bathing area, emphasizing that they must be quiet.

When the two maids reached the bed, they peered through the gauze curtains to see her slender figure lying on her side, motionless, her silk-like black hair draped over her shoulders. Given the nanny’s instructions, they realized she had already fallen asleep.

Indeed, Nanny Yan soon came over and whispered to them, "Go back and rest. She is fine. It’s not as if the Master would actually eat your mistress..."

Qinglian and Taohong refused to leave, insisting on staying by her side, and eventually, Nanny Yan permitted it.

The next day, Yan Xi slept until the sun was high in the sky before she slowly stirred. The first thing she felt upon waking was that she was completely bare, without a stitch of clothing. Her face instantly flushed scarlet, and she hurriedly wrapped herself in the quilt. The events of the previous night flooded back into her mind.

The man had tricked her into the water. She had never in her wildest dreams imagined that one could do such things in a bathtub. At the mere thought, Yan Xi’s eyes welled up with tears again, and she forced herself to cut off the memory.

Seeing her wake, Taohong and Qinglian quickly brought her clothes, carefully watching her expression and emotions, which remained pitifully fragile.

"Mistress, what do you intend to do from now on?"

What to do? Yan Xi had not failed to think about it. Their current relationship was dire. The freedom of all four of them was restricted; regardless of what happened, they could not live like this forever. Nor could she truly be locked in this residence by him for the rest of her life.

"Let me think..." the girl replied, her voice soft, sweet, and miserable.

Watching her, Qinglian and Taohong felt nothing but heartache. Knowing she was awake, Nanny Yan brought in various foods and tonics, all of them rare and precious. The young girl glanced at them but ate very little. She had matters on her mind, still searching for a way out. She thought for the entire morning, but there seemed to be only one solution. It was the one she wanted least, yet it seemed to be the only one.

For now, she could only take it one step at a time. Yan Xi finally steeled herself and made her decision.

When night fell, almost at the same time as the previous evening, he came again. Yan Xi was not surprised.

Lu Zhi walked in with his hands behind his back, glancing at her once before looking away. He wore his usual expression—half-smiling, half-indifferent—and eventually sat down.

The young girl stood there obediently. Unlike the day before, she seemed slightly more composed, no longer as terrified or at a loss. On the contrary, she was the first to speak.

"Brother, you’re back..." She paused, then changed her address. "Heir..."

Lu Zhi said nothing, merely lifting his eyes slightly as he picked up a cup from the table beside him to toy with, clearly waiting to see what she was up to. Yan Xi knew her thoughts couldn't escape him, and naturally, she hadn't intended to hide them.

She got straight to the point, addressing the maids and others in the room: "You may leave. I have something to say to the Heir alone." She dismissed everyone, including Qinglian and Taohong.

After a while, they were all gone. Lu Zhi still remained silent, but he raised an eyebrow, listening intently.

Once everyone had left, Yan Xi looked at him. Though still timid, she had made her decision and found her voice.

"I... I want to have a proper talk with you."

"Oh?" The man uttered only this single syllable after a long silence.

Yan Xi didn't let it deter her. She spoke cautiously. "I want us to get along well... I want to put the past behind us..."

"Things have come to this; I cannot return to Chang'an or the Lu family again..."

"Life is long, and I don't want to be like enemies with you, always holding a grudge..."

"I will not bring up the past again, nor will I play any tricks or harbor thoughts of exposing you..."

"I hope the Heir will not hold a grudge against a petty person. If I have done anything wrong in the past, I hope you can forgive me..."

"Can we?"

She finished speaking tremulously, her heart filled with fear, but her voice remained steady, and she kept her composure. As soon as she finished, she fixed her eyes on him, waiting for his response.

Lu Zhi’s gaze remained on her face. The cup he had been playing with had slipped from the back of his hand into his palm, his fingers tracing the edges slowly. There was a hint of a smile in his eyes, though it remained subtle.

After a long pause, he finally replied...

"Show me your sincerity..."

"?"

Yan Xi’s eyes were as clear and pure as a deer's. She didn't understand at first, but then she saw him set down the cup. His deep, dark gaze turned toward her. Though he said nothing, his look spoke volumes.

Yan Xi understood. She clenched her hands slightly, then timidly walked over. She reached out, her soft, delicate fingers touching his hand, gripping two of his fingers and shaking them gently, a clear gesture of seeking peace and reconciliation.

Lu Zhi let out a low chuckle, a glimmer of amusement finally appearing in his eyes. He then gestured for her to sit on his lap.

Yan Xi’s face instantly burned hot. She hesitated for a moment, but then she raised her slender arms, hooked them around his neck, and settled herself onto his lap, doing as he wished.

She brought a fragrance with her. The delicate scent from her hair, her face, her breath, and her body drifted into Lu Zhi’s senses.

Lu Zhi felt a sudden tingle of pleasure. Without realizing it, his thin lips parted. He didn't speak, but he seemed to smile again. It was a faint, elusive smile. He narrowed his eyes slightly and asked coldly, "And then?"

Yan Xi understood his meaning. She leaned her small face toward him and gently pressed her cherry lips against his forehead.

When she pulled back, he slowly shook his head.

Yan Xi’s heart hammered in her chest. She leaned in again and kissed his cheek. When she looked at him, the man shook his head again, languidly.

Her heart beat even faster, knowing he wanted her to kiss his lips...