Chapter One Hundred and Sixteen: I Have Won

At this moment, the green-robed guard rowing the boat shouted, "Mistress Lu, be careful!"

Lu Ying knew why he urged her to be careful. No matter the circumstances, the only person he would or could protect was the Noble, not her. Thus, his warning was a reminder for her to look after herself.

Amidst the towering waves, Lu Ying looked back at the Noble. He stood with his hands behind his back, smiling as if he were completely unbothered, seemingly unaware that if the boat capsized, even his immense power could not save his life.

Sensing Lu Ying’s gaze, the Noble turned back. He flashed a brilliant smile, his white teeth gleaming against the backdrop of the sun-drenched, turquoise waves. "A-Ying, you may hold on to me tightly."

He tilted his chin slightly toward the approaching large vessel and the onlookers who were staring and shouting at them. He spoke slowly to Lu Ying, "In broad daylight, with so many witnesses, once you embrace me, you are mine. When we return tonight, you will serve me in my bed."

He sounded both serious and mocking, yet the eyes that met hers held a bone-deep indifference. It seemed he did not care whether she became his, nor did he care about obtaining her body. Indeed, what was there in this world—be it beauties or prosperity—that could still surprise him?

Suddenly, it dawned on Lu Ying that the moment the Noble gave her that jade pendant, he had already decided to take her into his chambers. Perhaps she had disturbed his heart, or perhaps he realized he had been paying too much attention to this woman. Originally, he had intended to let her be, but upon realizing his own fixation, he decided it was time to stop. In this world, many hunting games were amusing, but once the game changed its flavor and tone—shifting from casual play to genuine concern, and from something easily obtained to something elusive—it lost its charm. He felt it was time to end it.

However, out of the regard he held for her, he was willing to grant her a chance to choose.

Under his intense, piercing gaze, Lu Ying replied calmly, "Very well." Then she added, "But if I do not hold you today, then consider that jade pendant a trinket bestowed upon me; you shall have no say in how I use it hereafter."

At these words, the Noble narrowed his eyes, staring at her with such intensity that his gaze felt like fire. A moment later, he smiled brilliantly, revealing his white teeth, and replied gently, "Agreed!"

Thus, the bargain was struck.

Lu Ying feared death. Although Hanyang was a lakeside town, she had discovered during a fall into a river at age seven that she enjoyed the sensation of being cradled by the water. While she hadn't had many chances to experience it since, she was not deathly afraid of the water. Yes, such gargantuan waves and the suffocating feeling of being overwhelmed could destroy a person's reason; it could easily make a normal woman surrender. But Lu Ying knew that in this life, she must master her own destiny. She could not let a man who looked down on her, treated her as nothing, and planned to forget her after having his way, become her husband. No, she did not want to marry; she did not need any man to be her husband.

Holding him tight was just a motion, but losing meant losing her entire life. Winning, however, meant infinite glory. She did not consider herself a person of ill fate, so she was willing to gamble.

As the massive wave loomed, Lu Ying smiled at him, turned, and stood steadily to face the surge.

The white waves roared in, accompanied by the whistling wind, the distant screams, and the cries of those watching: "Save them! Quickly, save them!"

In an instant, the white waves crashed over Lu Ying’s head. The tremendous force caused her to stumble backward and then lurch forward. The small boat seemed to be lifted entirely into the air before sinking heavily back down.

Amidst the suffocating waves and the violent upheaval, Lu Ying felt strangely calm and stood firm. Aside from being forced to take two steps back at the very beginning, she made no other move. It was peculiar; she felt no panic. Instead, she thought of the cold hands the man had used to hold her. She moved her right hand and finally grasped that hand, which felt as cold as iron. By the temperature of his hand, she knew he was in the grip of fear.

Lu Ying held his hand tightly and stood firm, her body swaying with the waves with effortless grace.

Soon, the waves subsided, and the three figures appeared. The light boat remained, and Lu Ying stood steadily upon it, drenched from head to toe, her bound chest appearing flat. She wore a calm smile, her eyes gentle. The Noble also stood there, expressionless, radiating composure and grace. The only one ruining the scene was the green-robed guard, who knelt on the boat, one hand gripping the edge and the other clutching the Noble’s right hand. The Noble’s left hand was held by Lu Ying.

Suddenly, Lu Ying burst into laughter. Drenched as she was, her laughter was hearty and playful. As she laughed, she tilted her chin at the Noble and said, "My Lord, you have lost."

As she spoke, she released his hand, took the jade pendant from her dripping bodice, kissed it, and said with a smile, "My Lord, you truly have lost."

As Lu Ying gloated, the Noble’s eyes narrowed. His gaze was sharp and flickering. It was not just her composure, but her triumph that caught him off guard. Looking at the smiling, water-drenched face, the Noble’s Adam's apple bobbed.

After a long while, he chuckled softly, "Very well, I have lost." He kicked the guard and laughed, "How shameful, get up."

At that moment, his gaze toward Lu Ying held a hint of complexity. This young woman was far more composed than he had imagined. In the past, her ease in his presence was merely a sign of her keen perception, but now, she truly made him feel something subtly different. This difference made his heart race.

After Lu Ying triumphantly made her declaration, she carefully tied the jade pendant around her neck. As she did so, she added with a smug look, "This trinket is mine now; I mustn't lose it." She then gestured toward the approaching large ship and shouted, "Come closer! Pull me up!"

The Noble couldn't help but chuckle, "What, you're done playing?"

Lu Ying smiled, "I've already won, why continue?"

Just then, a rope was tossed from the large ship. Lu Ying grabbed it with both hands, took a few steps back, and swung across. Her timing was perfect; she landed squarely on the deck. Once aboard, she had them throw the rope back to the small boat. Only after the Noble and the guard were hauled up did she bow to the onlookers and say, "Many thanks to you all for the rescue."

A middle-aged man with a black beard stepped forward and asked, "May I ask who you are?"

Lu Ying was about to answer when she heard the Noble’s deep, refined voice: "We are from Chengdu. We were unfortunate enough to fall into the water and were lucky to find this small boat, only to have the Yangtze’s waves nearly swallow us. We are grateful to have met you all."

Having explained this with calm grace, he walked to Lu Ying, pulled her slender waist into his embrace, and smiled. "My surname is Guo, the third in my family—you may call me Third Young Master Guo. This is my companion; you may call him Wen-lang. He is my guard."

At the mention of "companion," several young men and women who had been admiring Lu Ying revealed expressions of disappointment: so this brilliant, courageous, and graceful youth was merely a male pet!

Lu Ying turned back quickly and glared at the Noble. Now that she had won the bet, she felt entitled to glare at him. The Noble only raised his lips, pulled her closer, kissed her forehead, and whispered, "There are many people here, don't make a scene."

Lu Ying took a breath and returned to her expressionless demeanor.

"So it is Third Young Master Guo," the man bowed. Seeing the Noble’s elegant bearing despite his soaked state—and noting that even his "pet" was no ordinary person—he showed them a degree of respect. He ordered his servants to prepare a clean cabin and hot water for the two, and to provide the guard with a separate space.

"Many thanks," the Noble replied, and with his arm around Lu Ying, he followed the servants.

Soon, they reached a small cabin containing one large bed and a large wooden tub—big enough for two. The servants poured the water and bowed out. A maid followed with clothes, and the middle-aged man entered, smiling, "Third Young Master Guo, these are all we have; I hope you do not mind." He then instructed them to prepare ginger soup to ward off the cold and withdrew, saying, "Please take your time; my men will be right outside if you need anything."

The cabin door was shut from the outside. The room fell silent. Lu Ying stared blankly at the steaming wooden tub, while the Noble looked down at her with a beaming smile.