The moment Tao Bi's voice faded, a chair scraped violently in the side chamber, followed by slow, deliberate footsteps approaching.
Tao Bi scrambled up in panic, bolting into the blizzard like a headless fly, as if demons chased at her heels.
Tao Zhu, who shared a room with her, had already been asleep when the door crashed open, jolting her upright in fright. In the darkness, Tao Bi's trembling hands shut the door before she whispered, "Tao Zhu... I'm going to die."
Tao Zhu's eyelids twitched as realization struck. She hurriedly lit a lamp, and when she saw Tao Bi's scandalously thin attire, she knew exactly what the girl had attempted. Fury blazed in her chest.
"What? Did you hit a wall? Did you finally realize the young master has no interest in your cheap tricks?" Tao Zhu spat. "Sneaking behind our mistress to seduce her man—if you die, it's no less than you deserve!"
Tao Bi stood listlessly, legs shaking like reeds, her mind still haunted by the way Huo Jue had looked at her—devoid of warmth, edged with quiet lethality.
She hadn’t even gotten close enough to disrobe before her shoulder suddenly seized with pain, freezing her in place. The room was brightly lit, yet the man seemed shrouded in impenetrable darkness, untouched by the light.
He sat in an armchair, watching her in silence before finally rising and stepping closer.
"She trusts you."
"Do you know what you’re doing would hurt her?"
His voice was soft, betraying no emotion, his devastatingly handsome face blank. Yet Tao Bi felt terror slither down her spine.
This was not the gentle, attentive man she had seen doting on their mistress. This was someone else—eyes dead and unreadable, as if he had emerged from the deepest abyss.
Huo Jue stopped two paces away. Tao Bi’s peripheral vision caught the elegant fingers curled around a brush, his thumb absently stroking the soft bristles.
Before she could wonder why he held it, the polished tip pressed lightly against her neck.
Her blood turned to ice. Air thinned. Her face flushed, then purpled, her pretty features twisting in silent pleading.
But the man before her showed no mercy. His dark eyes remained indifferent.
Seconds stretched.
Just as she thought death would claim her, he withdrew. The brush clattered into a corner.
Tao Bi collapsed, knees hitting the floor.
Huo Jue gazed down at her crumpled form. "Those who hurt her deserve death. Be grateful you haven’t... yet."
"Now take your things and get out."
---
The woman who had fled wore nothing but gauze, her intentions unmistakable.
In the corridor, Jiang Li stood frozen until Huo Jue swept her into his arms and carried her inside.
The side chamber’s lamps burned bright. Jiang Li blinked against the glare, only to find herself seated across his lap, face-to-face.
He cradled her icy hands, breathing warmth into them. "Couldn’t sleep?"
A shiver ran through her. "...No."
The young woman in his arms was swathed in silken black hair, her delicate face pale from cold, lashes casting faint shadows. Her thoughts were always transparent.
Huo Jue studied her before tilting her chin up. "I didn’t touch her. Not even her sleeve."
Jiang Li’s lashes fluttered. "I know."
Both their clothes had been undisturbed. More than that—she trusted him.
She wasn’t foolish, just tenderhearted and quick to believe. Recalling Tao Bi’s words that morning and the scene she’d just witnessed, the pieces clicked.
"Am I stupid?" She buried her face in his shoulder, breath warm against his neck like a spring breeze.
The usually aloof man’s eyes darkened. "No. You just don’t yet know how ugly people can be. Many wear masks. Trust shouldn’t be given lightly."
At his words, Jiang Li’s heart stuttered. Unbidden, she recalled the glimpse she’d caught earlier—Huo Jue lounging in his chair, pristine in white silk, yet his darkened gaze had been unsettling.
For a fleeting moment, he’d felt like a stranger.
She leaned back, studying him with unconscious scrutiny.
His fingers traced her throat. "What are you thinking?"
Jiang Li exhaled, dismissing the odd thought. Instead, she looped her arms around his neck and nestled closer. "I was thinking... we shouldn’t sleep apart anymore."
---
The next morning, Jiang Li rose later than usual. Tao Zhu arrived to help her dress, but Tao Bi was nowhere to be seen.
"Where’s Tao Bi?"
Tao Zhu wrung out a warm cloth for her face before applying scented cream. "Kneeling outside in the snow."
She sighed inwardly. It was hard to say whether Tao Bi was lucky or not.
By rights, a maid caught climbing into her mistress’s husband’s bed should have been flogged and sold off. Yet Jiang Li, softhearted, hadn’t demanded harsh punishment.
But luck? Hardly.
Young Master Huo was ruthless. Even Madam Wei and Nanny Tong weren’t easily deceived.
Tao Zhu had pleaded with Tao Bi last night—beg her mistress for mercy at dawn. If Jiang Li interceded, even Huo Jue and Madam Wei might relent.
But Jiang Li had slept late. Before Tao Bi could appeal, Nanny Tong had sent her into the storm.
Now, Tao Zhu could only pray her friend survived until Jiang Li spoke up.
Jiang Li asked no further questions. After breakfast, she donned a crimson cloak, tucked a hand warmer into her sleeve, and headed for Wei Huan’s courtyard.
In the covered walkway, a figure knelt in the snow.
Tao Bi still wore yesterday’s flimsy gown. The storm had worsened overnight, burying her peach-colored silks under white. A delicate flower battered by the wind.
Jiang Li walked past without glancing down—but when Tao Bi swayed, her lips pressed tight.
She gripped her hand warmer and quickened her steps.
---
Wei Huan sat by a heated divan, adjusting incense in a boshan burner with silver tongs. When Lian Qi announced Jiang Li’s arrival, she set them aside and called for floral tea.
She’d learned of last night’s incident at dawn.
Since Tao Bi belonged to the Duke’s household, neither Huo Jue nor Jiang Li could punish her directly. The task fell to Wei Huan.
Normally, she wouldn’t interfere with Xue Wu’s people—but this, she couldn’t overlook.
Tao Bi had served impeccably in the Wushuang Courtyard. Yet the moment she was assigned to Jiang Li, she’d dared something unthinkable.
She wouldn’t have tried this with Xue Wu. She’d targeted Huo Jue because she thought Jiang Li weak and him insignificant.
Wei Huan had considered sending her back to the Duke for punishment—but then realized this was an opportunity. Jiang Li needed to learn how to command loyalty and manage a household.
Once Huo Jue entered officialdom, storms would follow. Jiang Li couldn’t afford to remain naive. If a mere maid could deceive her now, how would she survive the capital’s viper pit?
Decision made, Wei Huan straightened as Jiang Li entered—only for the younger woman to bow deeply.
"Elder Sister, I was wrong yesterday."
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