She saw his gaze quickly darken, but he said and did nothing, only bringing the bowl to her lips. A flash of satisfaction crossed her mind as she reached out to take it, not wanting him to feed her. In that moment, her gaze swept around and she was suddenly shocked – this wasn’t Huo’s villa!

This was Lian Yu’s courtyard in the suburbs. They had stayed here several times before…

Realizing this, her heart felt as if bitten hard by ants.

“Why did you bring me here?”

“I used Uncle’s matter as an excuse for being melancholy and needing to stay at the traveling palace for a while. Huo Chang’an’s courtyard isn’t secluded enough – being discovered would be troublesome. At this critical juncture, my injury cannot be known by anyone.” He explained calmly.

His words reminded her—

Su Zhen almost blurted out: “I consider my ability to keep secrets quite good. How did you know about General Murong’s matter?”

“When I want to know something, there are always ways.” He smiled slightly.

One sentence blocked all avenues of inquiry. Su Zhen knew that no matter how much she asked, she wouldn’t get anywhere. Anything he didn’t want to say, she could never extract from him. In their contests, she never seemed to have the upper hand.

Besides, what did this matter have to do with her now?

Whether harboring ulterior motives or not, though her body felt uncomfortably weak, she had more vitality. She slowly drank the medicine and surprisingly didn’t vomit it up like before.

However, though she didn’t look directly at him, she couldn’t help noticing his gaze constantly resting on the top of her head. This made her uncomfortable.

Shoving the bowl back at him, she asked what was on her mind: “Are my household people and your people both here? Did Little Zhou prescribe this medicine?”

“The medicine was prescribed by the old court physician I had prepare it. Several days’ worth has been prepared. I didn’t have Little Zhou and the others come over. Xuanwu and the others are different – they must guard here.”

“Your wound – was it also bandaged by the old court physician?” She hesitated before asking.

“I used the golden wound medicine from your room to treat it myself – the bottle I gave you before. This wound cannot be seen by anyone. How do I know whether your Little Zhou and the others are villains? And if Xuanwu and the others knew, would you still be alive?” He held the bowl, looking at her quite impolitely.

That phrase “would you still be alive” seemed to strike her heart like a hammer, leaving Su Zhen momentarily stunned.

But quickly, she hardened her heart again.

“Could you not let them come in? After all, I’m a woman. With them coming and going, it’s inconvenient for me. Ming Yanchu is essentially still a man, and I don’t like Bai Hu.”

“You stabbed me, yet you still have the audacity to make so many demands?” He raised an eyebrow slightly, getting up to place the bowl back on the table.

Su Zhen stared at his back, biting her lower lip, but heard him speak calmly: “I didn’t bring Bai Hu. Xuanwu and the others only move about the outer courtyard. These few days, it’s just you and me in this room. Since you’re a young lady, I’ll be mindful of proprieties.”

Hearing this, Su Zhen felt both joy and frustration. With just two people, it would be much easier to act, but being alone together…

She knew he had brought her here partly because he was injured and returning to the palace would cause trouble, and partly because he learned from the court physician that she was indeed seriously ill – he still didn’t want anything to happen to her.

But this situation made every moment of being together torture.

Seeing her silence, he turned to look at her: “I’ve made some food. If you feel a bit better, get up and have a meal.”

A trace of concern was hidden in his eyes.

Her heart jumped as she turned her head aside, her hand hidden under the blanket gripping the bedding tightly.

“Haven’t vented enough? Want to stab me again?” He leaned against the table, suddenly asking this.

Su Zhen shook her head with a smile: “I already said I’ve thought it through. Aren’t you annoying? Anyway, I no longer need to be Li Huaisu. Quan Feitong treats me well too. When I’m better, I’ll go find him. Between you and Gu Xiluo, why should I trouble myself anymore?”

As she spoke, she got out of bed to put on her shoes. Lian Yu remained silent for a long time, lowering his eyes slightly, his hand pressed tightly over his abdomen.

Su Zhen felt even more satisfaction. Indeed, human happiness truly had to be built on others’ pain.

Having vomited whatever she ate these past days, now her appetite had actually improved considerably. She found the aroma of the food on the table enticing and felt hungry.

“You made this?”

They were all familiar dishes – the cave dwelling set meal. Only after sitting down did she realize this was somewhat unexpected, and her heart wrenched painfully.

“Yes.”

Lian Yu answered and returned to sit across from her.

Su Zhen ate a few bites with her head down. The taste was actually quite good – compared to that night at the inn, it seemed like it couldn’t possibly be from the same person’s hands.

When had he learned to cook?

He seemed to be waiting for her to say something, his gaze constantly on her. She felt her heart burning, hurriedly grabbed a few chopsticks of food, stuffed it in her bowl, then stood up: “I’ll eat outside.”

The courtyard was already at sunset. Without asking, she knew she had slept through the night. She ate quickly, but something hurriedly fell from her eyes into the bowl.

Inside, Lian Yu also ate his meal in complete silence.

After she finished, she brought the bowl inside. He had also finished eating, barely touching the dishes. When Su Zhen went to collect the bowls and chopsticks, he reached out to stop her: “I’ll do it.”

Su Zhen pushed his hand away: “You cook, I wash – no dragging, no debts. Next meal I’ll cook. Your skills really aren’t much.”

“Some matters should indeed be kept clear, but this isn’t necessary. If you think my cooking is poor, as long as your body can handle it, you can cook next time. I’ll wash these bowls.”

Her wrist was suddenly grasped and pushed away, the force painful.

Su Zhen suspected her disdain for his cooking was the reason for his displeasure. Since he insisted, she was happy to be idle. She went to the side to wash her hands, then walked to the courtyard for fresh air.

Lian Yu passed by her carrying a pile of things. Neither spoke. But this mansion of his in the suburbs was indeed superior – each courtyard had kitchens, and the kitchen was not far away. Soon, the sound of splashing water came.

She waited for the sound of broken pots and dishes, but after half a cup of tea’s time, she heard nothing. Everything inside seemed very steady.

She fiercely kicked a pebble on the ground.

“I’m not flustered and clumsy. Are you disappointed?”

Suddenly, a calm voice came from behind.

She was startled, turning around with clenched teeth. He looked composed, as if he understood everything.

Su Zhen didn’t speak, just walked forward.

“What are you doing?” Lian Yu moved and blocked her path, his voice also slightly deeper.

“Heating water for a bath.”

“You go back and lie down. I’ll handle it.” He almost commanded, then immediately turned back toward the house, quickly changing into a clean robe before returning to the kitchen.

His wound seemed to have reopened just now, blood seeping through his robe. If Qinglong, Lian Qin, and the others saw this, ten of her wouldn’t be enough to die.

Seeing his distress brought Su Zhen satisfaction, yet she also felt tightly wound, aching and nearly unable to breathe.

She silently paced back to the room and lay down again. Soon, she reached into her chest and took out several small paper packets. Unlike before, he no longer touched her, so these things were still there. Tomorrow she could put them in the food.

Lian Yu, I’ll accompany you in death, she said silently in her heart, hiding the items well.

“Put down the bed curtains.”

After some unknown time, his clear, cold voice came from outside the door.

She was somewhat puzzled but casually lowered the gauze curtains. Through the dim gauze and lamplight, she saw two guard-like people led by Ming Yanchu carrying in a large bathtub, then quickly leaving.

“Call me when you’re finished bathing.”

The voice came timely from outside the door, then receded.

Su Zhen, still recovering from serious illness, didn’t dare bathe too long. She quickly cleaned herself, then went to the room’s wardrobe to find clothes.

Here, she and he had come several times before. In the wardrobe were clothes he had prepared – hers were all women’s clothing. In this place, he always wanted her to wear women’s clothing.

From hair ornaments to accessories, from undergarments to outer robes and skirts, everything was prepared completely and thoroughly.

Su Zhen didn’t want to wear women’s clothing, but there was nothing else here, so she had no choice but to take a set and put it on. She also took a hair ribbon from the dressing table to loosely bind her damp hair. The room had the four treasures of the study, so she wrote a letter.

After doing all this, she opened the door. He stood tall in the courtyard, and hearing the sound, turned to glance at her. He clapped his hands lightly, and soon several guards walked over, entered the room to clean up, and shortly after, having tidied everything, hurried away.

Su Zhen said nothing and went straight back to the room to sleep.

Unexpectedly, just as she sat on the bed, he followed her in.

She widened her eyes slightly: “I’m going to sleep. You go out.”

“Call me if you feel unwell anywhere.”

He answered irrelevantly and lay down fully clothed on a soft couch across from her.

This couch wasn’t large – it was what she usually used for resting. His tall frame couldn’t stretch out properly, his feet slightly curled up, using his hand as a pillow.

Su Zhen felt stifled watching this and quickly turned over to face away.

That night, she knew he didn’t sleep, because he got up to check on her more than ten times, while she lay with her face to the wall with closed eyes, also not sleeping.

However, this time he truly prevented his own mistakes and never touched her again, only gently tucked in her blanket corners.

They were so close, yet so far apart.

The next day, Su Zhen rose early. When she went outside, Lian Yu was still sleeping on the couch, with dark circles under his eyes. Su Zhen came to the courtyard and tried clapping her hands lightly.

Soon, Xuanwu and the other two walked in. Seeing it was her, they were all somewhat surprised, then their eyes showed a strange understanding. Ming Yanchu reacted fastest, immediately putting on a smile: “The master is still resting, and also… does Magistrate Li have any instructions?”

Su Zhen slowly handed over the letter in her hand.