Su Yiniang's gaze was discreet, but Huo Jue's sharp senses detected it immediately.
He lifted his eyes, gave her a slight nod, and strode straight into the Wenying Pavilion.
It wasn’t until his figure disappeared inside that Su Yiniang snapped out of her daze. So this was the man the Duke had been waiting for. For the Duke to treat someone with such deference, he must be no ordinary talent.
Judging by his bearing, he was likely a scholar who had come to the capital for the imperial exams. With the exams just around the corner, the city had been flooded with candidates since winter. The capital was about to get even livelier!
Inside the Wenying Pavilion, Xue Wu pushed a stack of banknotes across the table as soon as Huo Jue took his seat. "Here’s your money back. Your brother-in-law’s salary may not be much, but I can still afford a house on Yongfu Street. Consider it yours."
Huo Jue glanced down.
Months ago, he had sent Shen Ting to the Duke’s residence with a letter—along with this stack of banknotes meant to purchase a house. The sum was more than enough for a property on Yongfu Street, but prime real estate in the capital was rarely sold openly. Securing such a place required Xue Wu’s influence.
Now that Xue Wu was referring to himself as "brother-in-law," it meant he had thoroughly investigated Huo Jue’s past and fully accepted him as Wei Jin, the second son of the Wei family.
Huo Jue pocketed the banknotes and said calmly, "In that case, Zhaoming thanks his brother-in-law."
Xue Wu raised an eyebrow.
Last time, this kid had sternly declared that women of the Wei family would never be concubines. Now he was calling him "brother-in-law" without hesitation. Quite adaptable.
"You’ve got the house, I’ve brought Physician Fang back to the capital, and that Miss Xu from Zhenping Marquisate has been sent to a secluded estate. What else do you need me to do, brother-in-law?"
Xue Wu’s tone was laced with amusement. As the commander of the Imperial Guards and the heir to the Duke of Dingguo’s estate, the only people in the capital who could command his personal attention were the emperor and Wei Huan.
Yet this kid had casually sent him a letter with three tasks, treating him like family without a second thought. Didn’t he fear provoking him to the point of drawing his sword?
Huo Jue ignored the mockery in Xue Wu’s words.
It had been a long time since he’d seen this side of Xue Wu. In his past life, after Wei Huan’s death, Xue Wu had joined him in sending their enemies to hell—some dead, some crippled, others exiled—until even the emperor himself was overthrown.
Back then, Xue Wu had been even more ruthless than him, his methods vicious and decisive. The entire capital had trembled in fear, and even the Xue family, renowned for their loyalty in guarding Suzhou for generations, had been tarnished with infamy.
Once their vengeance was complete, Xue Wu had resigned and left the capital. No one knew where he went or whether he lived or died. He had simply vanished into the world, carrying Wei Huan’s ashes with him.
Memories of their time fighting side by side in court flashed through Huo Jue’s mind. The man before him had not yet been broken by despair.
Everything was different now. There was still time.
Huo Jue lifted the wine jug and poured Xue Wu a cup. "I ask the Duke to save my sister’s life."
---
In the performance hall, the pipa’s melody cascaded like pearls falling onto a jade plate. A woman in a delicate pink gown sang a soft, alluring tune, drawing cheers from the private booths.
Su Yiniang navigated the corridors, carrying freshly warmed wine and an array of fragrant appetizers to the Wenying Pavilion.
But when she entered, she found the Duke alone.
Xue Wu sat with his head bowed, his finely-jointed fingers gripping a wine cup tightly. His usual smile was gone, replaced by a frosty expression so dark it seemed to drip with menace.
Since the Duke had taken command of the Imperial Guards, the Yujing Lou had fallen under his control. Su Yiniang had worked for him for six years and had never seen him look so grim.
Her heart skipped a beat. She hesitated, unsure whether to ask what had happened.
Before she could speak, Xue Wu snapped out of his thoughts and set down the cup. "Send Yuefu to the Minister of Justice’s residence. Since Qi Changlin is so eager to take her as a concubine, I’ll grant his wish."
Su Yiniang’s eyes flickered.
Yuefu was one of the Yujing Lou’s top courtesans, adored by countless young nobles in the capital. Favored even by Princess Huiru, she stood unrivaled among the city’s famous beauties.
For someone so shrewd and well-connected to become Qi Changlin’s concubine was… somewhat of a waste.
But Su Yiniang didn’t dare question the Duke’s decision. She bowed obediently. "Understood."
---
Huo Jue returned to Yongfu Street well past midnight. Instead of heading straight to bed, he summoned his attendants, He Zhou and He Ning, gave them quiet instructions, and then went to his study to write a confidential letter.
What he had said at the Yujing Lou didn’t matter much to his plans, whether Xue Wu believed him or not. If he did, all the better. If not, it changed nothing.
This time, he refused to repeat the mistakes of his past life—rushing headlong into vengeance and resorting to the most extreme methods.
He wanted Jiang Li and Wei Huan to live happily and peacefully. Their well-being was what truly mattered.
Once He Zhou and He Ning left, Huo Jue extinguished the candle and returned to his bedchamber.
The room was silent, the perfect hour for deep sleep.
He drew back the curtains, and the warm scent of apricot blossoms—Jiang Li’s favorite fragrance—wafted over him. She always carried this sweet, delicate aroma.
The young woman in the canopy bed was fast asleep, but as Huo Jue climbed in, she rolled toward him as if by habit, nestling her head perfectly into the crook of his arm.
Huo Jue’s eyes darkened. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close.
A night of sweet dreams followed.
---
Jiang Li had gone to bed early and woke to a sky still shrouded in darkness. Snow had fallen all night, silently frosting the lattice windows.
Uncertain when Huo Jue had returned, she decided to let him sleep longer. Carefully lifting his arm from her waist, she tried to rise—only to be abruptly yanked back into his embrace.
"Awake, A Li?" His voice was husky with sleep.
Jiang Li mumbled an affirmative. "Did I wake you? It’s still early. Go back to sleep."
Instead of answering, Huo Jue nuzzled her hair, his fingers drifting upward to loosen her collar and slide inside.
Jiang Li’s face burned.
Even if the sky wasn’t fully light, it was still daytime! How could he—how could he indulge in such wanton behavior in broad daylight?
She shrank into herself, her voice trembling. "H-Huo Jue, if you can’t sleep, get up and study. The exams are right around the corner. You don’t have much time left!"
Huo Jue hadn’t expected her to suggest he hit the books in the middle of such an intimate moment.
During their month-long journey, he had restrained himself out of consideration for her exhaustion. Now, with her soft warmth in his arms, how could he hold back?
His lips found the sensitive spot below her ear, and he chuckled, low and rough. "It’s fine. I can spare the time."
---
Jiang Li dozed off again, worn out, and didn’t wake until the sun was high.
Huo Jue was already gone. She sat up slowly and called hoarsely, "Tao Zhu."
Tao Zhu, who had been waiting outside, hurried in.
The room was thick with warmth and a lingering, unmistakable musk. The bed curtains were parted, the sheets in disarray.
Knowing her mistress was easily embarrassed, Tao Zhu kept her expression neutral as she helped Jiang Li wash up, efficiently changed the bedding, and then had breakfast brought in.
The meal had been arranged by Huo Jue—a bowl of creamy minced meat porridge, golden-brown fried bread sprinkled with pepper and scallions, and a few side dishes of pickled vegetables.
Light and appetizing, it revived Jiang Li enough to regain some strength, though her body still ached.
"Where is he?"
Tao Zhu answered carefully, "The young master is in his study. He said he must heed your words—study diligently by the light of the snow and the glow of fireflies—to prepare earnestly for the exams."
The words had been specifically relayed to appease her. Given how gingerly Jiang Li had moved earlier, Tao Zhu could guess why her master was worried about her temper.
Jiang Li’s cheeks puffed out briefly before she exhaled, her lips curling into a smile.
He had been relentless earlier, pushing her to the brink of exhaustion. Afterward, when he cleaned her up, she had refused to look at him in a fit of pique.
But her anger never lasted long. It always dissipated on its own.
Huo Jue, however, seemed fascinated by her rare displays of temper. He had kissed her eyelids, coaxing her to open her eyes, prolonging her annoyance. If she hadn’t been so tired, he probably would have kept teasing her even longer.
She had been genuinely upset then, but after a nap, the irritation had vanished.
Seeing Jiang Li’s smile, Tao Zhu knew she wasn’t truly angry—or if she had been, his words had already mollified her.
Sure enough, Jiang Li said cheerfully, "Have the kitchen fetch a few live chickens. After I visit Sister and Old Man Su, I’ll make some chicken soup and bring it to the study."
Tao Zhu acknowledged the order and left to relay it, then returned to accompany Jiang Li to the east wing.
Jiang Li was still learning household management from Wei Huan—how to be a proper lady of the house. But this morning, she had overslept, and the thought of being late filled her with shame.
Wei Huan, however, didn’t mind at all. She even teased her: "Winter is for sleeping in. If it weren’t for you, I’d still be curled up in bed. Come later tomorrow—that way, I can laze around a bit longer too."
Her voice was warm, her smile gentle, but dark shadows lingered under her eyes. Frail by nature, her complexion was always paler than most, making the exhaustion even more pronounced.
Jiang Li accepted the tea from Nanny Tong and couldn’t help asking, "Sister, did you not sleep well?"
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