Su Yao felt everything before his eyes was both bright and dark, as if reality and dreams intertwined, causing his thoughts to momentarily grow sluggish.

“Does Compiler Su not recognize me anymore?” The young woman’s expression was indifferent, her tone even more so.

Su Yao suddenly became fully alert and blurted out: “Miss Luo?”

He looked around. The furnishings that met his eyes shocked him greatly: sky-blue curtains after rain, a screen painted with flowers of four seasons, a beauty couch spread with brocade cushions… This was clearly a young lady’s boudoir!

“How did I end up here?” Su Yao tried to stand up. The pain from the back of his head made him involuntarily frown.

Watching Su Yao shakily rise to his feet, Luo Sheng didn’t stop him. Instead, she comfortably reclined on the beauty couch and casually picked up the teacup from the side table to take a sip.

Su Yao steadied himself, lightly brushed off his long robe, and recovered his composure.

“What is the meaning of this, Miss Luo?”

Luo Sheng set down the teacup and said unhurriedly: “Yesterday when I visited the Princess’s Manor as a guest, Compiler Su was clearly also there. Why didn’t you come out to meet me? That’s not something a person who understands propriety would do. After all, we’re old friends—our friendship should run deeper than yours with Princess Changle, shouldn’t it?”

Hearing these words, Su Yao’s eyes flickered slightly.

Could it be that Miss Luo had abducted him here because she was jealous seeing him close to Princess Changle?

In Jinsha he had already noticed that Miss Luo was completely different from before. Coming to the capital, he was even more certain that Miss Luo no longer had feelings for him.

But times change, and women are always fickle.

Su Yao wasn’t afraid of Luo Sheng having feelings for him—he was only afraid she didn’t.

In this situation where he was the fish on the chopping block, dealing with a woman who had feelings for him was always better than dealing with someone emotionless.

Su Yao curved his lips in a gentle smile. “Miss Luo has misunderstood. I was invited to the Princess’s Manor but didn’t encounter you.”

Since Miss Luo mentioned his appearance at the Princess’s Manor, outright denial would only be an inferior strategy.

Luo Sheng was too lazy to save face for the man before her and directly exposed him: “Compiler Su, stop talking nonsense. When I went to the Princess’s Manor, I had people tail you. I didn’t see you go in—I only saw you come out.”

Su Yao: “…”

This was too awkward.

After a long pause, Su Yao asked: “Then what does Miss Luo mean by bringing me here?”

Luo Sheng smiled. “I have a few questions I’d like to ask Compiler Su.”

“Please go ahead, Miss Luo.” Su Yao suddenly realized that Miss Luo, who now acted in completely unexpected ways, was far more troublesome than the Miss Luo who used to pester him endlessly.

“First question: in Jinsha when Sheng Jialan harmed me, Compiler Su couldn’t escape involvement, could you?”

A trace of shame appeared on Su Yao’s face. “I heard something about Second Miss Sheng’s matter. I truly never imagined Second Miss Sheng would do such a thing because of me. Speaking of which, I’ve always owed Miss Luo an apology—”

Light laughter rang out, interrupting Su Yao’s words.

Su Yao’s heart instinctively panicked: Miss Luo was about to say something shocking again.

Luo Sheng clearly wouldn’t disappoint this man who had enjoyed the adoration of countless women: “I’m guessing it wasn’t that Second Miss Sheng did such a thing because of you, but rather that you made Second Miss Sheng do such a thing, right?”

Su Yao’s expression changed. “Miss Luo, please don’t joke.”

“Joke?” Luo Sheng raised her eyebrows, her lips curved in mockery. “Does Compiler Su think I’m so idle that I brought you here just to joke around?”

Su Yao’s tone was firm. “In any case, Miss Luo has misunderstood. I had no reason whatsoever to do such a thing.”

Luo Sheng laughed. “It’s precisely because there’s no reason that it’s puzzling. If you had a proper reason, wouldn’t I have guessed it long ago?”

A surge of frustration rose in Su Yao’s chest, leaving him speechless.

This was the first time he had faced a woman so full of twisted logic yet speaking with such conviction.

Luo Sheng showed some impatience. “Fine then. If Compiler Su doesn’t want to admit it, so be it. This question isn’t particularly important anyway. Let’s move on to the second one.”

Su Yao’s heart tensed as he stared fixedly at her.

Luo Sheng’s gaze was calm as still water, impossible to read: “How did Compiler Su come to know my birth date and hour?”

As soon as this question was thrown out, even Su Yao, who possessed the ability to remain unmoved though Mount Tai collapsed before him, couldn’t help showing shock in his eyes. Then a chill rose from his heart and instantly crawled up his spine.

This absolutely was not that girl who used to cling to him desperately!

Luo Sheng asked a third question: “Why does Compiler Su target me at every turn and wholeheartedly seek my death?”

Su Yao’s mind was in violent turmoil, though his face struggled to maintain calm. “I completely don’t understand what Miss Luo means. You and I have no grievances or enmity—why would I make things difficult for you?”

“That’s exactly what I’m asking you.”

Su Yao straightened his expression, his tone sincere. “I have never thought of harming Miss Luo, nor have I done anything to harm Miss Luo.”

Luo Sheng sneered. “You think I’ll believe that?”

Su Yao looked deeply at her and asked gently: “Would Miss Luo take my life based solely on suspicion?”

Luo Sheng sighed inwardly.

She had to admit, Su Yao understood people’s hearts well. Without concrete evidence, she truly wouldn’t take his life.

Not just Su Yao—it was the same with anyone.

Some boundaries must be maintained. Revenge was no reason to let herself fall into the abyss. If she could kill anyone she suspected, how could she guarantee she wouldn’t make mistakes?

In this world, only matters of life and death cannot be undone.

Her hand reached into her sleeve. The cold dagger pressed against Su Yao’s neck. “Does Compiler Su think I don’t dare take your life?”

Su Yao’s expression didn’t change as he smiled and closed his eyes. “Please go ahead, Miss Luo.”

Luo Sheng gripped the dagger, staring intently at him. “You’re not afraid of death?”

Su Yao opened his eyes. The gaze that looked over was especially profound. “Both afraid and not afraid. If Miss Luo threatens me with my life to make me admit to fabricated matters, then I would rather die.”

Luo Sheng put away the dagger. “You have the guts to do it but not to admit it. Fine, I’m too lazy to waste my breath with you.”

Hearing these words, Su Yao’s heart leaped with joy. He suppressed his excitement and asked: “Then may I leave?”

Luo Sheng looked at him in astonishment. “You’re thinking a bit too much.”

Su Yao was so choked he couldn’t catch his breath. After a long while, he asked: “Does Miss Luo intend to keep me here?”

“Is that not acceptable?” Luo Sheng asked coolly in return.

Su Yao laughed. “Has Miss Luo perhaps forgotten I’m an official of the court? My family and colleagues will certainly search for me when they notice I’m missing. If they find me here at Miss Luo’s residence, I’m afraid it would implicate your esteemed father.”

Luo Sheng smiled brilliantly. “Compiler Su is quite concerned about many things.”

Su Yao: “…”

Luo Sheng was too lazy to share a room with this person any longer and called out: “Hong Dou.”

Hong Dou pushed open the door and entered. “What are your orders, Miss?”

“Take him away and lock him up. Don’t let him escape.”

Hong Dou slapped her chest. “Rest assured, Miss. Even with wings, he won’t be able to fly away.”

The little maid delivered a neat hand chop to the neck, hoisted the unconscious Su Yao over her shoulder, and walked out.

The room quieted down. Luo Sheng walked to the window and pushed it open.

The night breeze blew in, dispersing the stuffiness in the room.

Luo Sheng gazed at the bright, clear moon, her lips curving slightly.

Who knew what would happen when Emperor Yong’an’s men surrounded the Luo residence and ultimately found the top scholar Su Yao in the Grand Marshal’s household?