Chapter 85: Moonlit Ploys
Su Yanyue followed the twisting stone path back toward the main hall, every rustle of leaves a warning. She hadn't made it far when a quiet voice floated from the shadows. "Miss Su."
She stopped. Wei Ling stepped into the moonlight, his usually careless expression sharpened with calculation. "You're braver than I expected. But bravery can be a dangerous thing."
She didn't flinch. "Is that a threat, Master Wei?"
He smiled thinly, fan snapping open with a flick. "A warning. The marquis's favor is a treacherous gift. One day you'll realize you've been pulled into a current you can't escape."
Her eyes flashed. "That may be true. But I have no intention of drowning."
A moment of silence stretched between them, broken only by the night wind stirring the plum blossoms overhead. Wei Ling sighed, folding his fan. "It's a pity. You could have allied with me. Together, we could have made quite the storm."
"I'd rather weather the storm alone than trust someone who smiles while planning betrayal," she said coolly.
He chuckled, the sound soft but empty. "Suit yourself."
Before he could press further, hurried footsteps approached. A servant bowed deeply. "Miss Su, the marquis requests your presence. There has been…an incident in the village."
Her heart clenched. She smoothed her expression, but Wei Ling caught the flicker of worry. His brows rose slightly in intrigue.
"I'll accompany you," he offered, but the servant shook his head frantically. "The marquis wishes to see Miss Su alone."
Yanyue followed the servant through torchlit corridors to the marquis's private study, each step heavy with dread. Inside, the marquis stood by the window, gazing out at the moonlit gardens. "I hear your tea shop nearly suffered a terrible fate tonight."
His voice was soft, almost sympathetic. Almost.
She forced calm into her voice. "I am grateful for whoever protected it."
The marquis turned, face inscrutable in the lamplight. "You are talented and strong-willed. I admire that. But you must understand the nature of power here. If you continue attracting trouble, you will eventually break."
She bowed deeply. "I will strive to avoid trouble, Marquis."
He studied her for a long, silent moment. Then his lips curved faintly. "Good. I expect your first delivery of tea within the week. Fail me, and I won't be so forgiving."
"I understand," she said, voice steady even as her heart pounded.
As she was led back through the corridors, her mind spun with questions. How had Yu Shiming arrived so quickly? Were the children safe? And how much longer could she dance among these wolves before they decided she was too dangerous to keep alive?
Back in the main hall, servants bustled about cleaning up the remains of the banquet. Wei Ling watched her from a corner, eyes glittering with unspoken thoughts. Madam He whispered to another noblewoman, their glances sharp and assessing.
Su Yanyue realized she had stepped fully into the world of the powerful—and there would be no easy escape. Yet the thought did not frighten her as much as it should. Her spine straightened. She would not cower; she would adapt, survive, and someday thrive.
As the marquis's estate quieted under the watchful moon, Yanyue promised herself: she would protect her tea shop, her dreams, and those she cared about. No matter what.