Each line echoed in his head.
Can't go out alone. Can't touch the maids. Must get permission to sneeze. Must walk the line, dance the part, smile for the elders like some goddamn actor in a tragic play.
He turned to one side, his hand falling over his waist where the system's familiar faint glimmer hovered
"Sixteen months," he muttered. "That's all the time I have to turn this pathetic life into extraordinary. By the time of divorce, I need to become strong, strong enough to protect myself."
He shut his eyes, letting the weight of the day press him down into the bed.
Not only after he almost drifted into sleep, from the shadows of the dim lit room, a figure emerged, tall, graceful, and cloaked in tight-fitting assassin's garb.
Her face was hidden beneath a thin muslin veil, and her long hair flowed like dark silk down her back. Despite her careful steps, there was an elegance to her approach, like a dancer floating across a stage.
She reached the bed soundlessly, her presence no more disruptive than the wind. Sitting beside him, she slowly raised a gleaming dagger with both hands.
But just as she began to drive the weapon down…
His hand snapped up, catching her wrist in a vice grip.
Qin Wei's eyes flared open at the time, and in an instant, they shifted, twin gouyus spinning in crimson irises as the Xielun Yan activated on its own.
The assassin gasped softly. That moment of hesitation was all he needed.
They struggled, her blade knocked away with a twist of his elbow, her balance broken with a deft maneuver. She fell back, and he pinned her to the bed in one smooth motion, his body pressed against hers.
Her veil slipped, revealing her face.
Qin Wei froze for a breath. He recognized it. "Jiang Ni?" he murmured, his voice low.
As years' worth of memories flashed through his mind, his lips curled into a faint smirk. "Oh, Jiang'er, you're a mage, not an assassin. Stealth isn't your strength."
Jiang Ni glared at him, her cheeks flushed from exertion. "I should have killed you," she hissed, trying to wriggle free.
"You say that," he said, voice lowering, "but your hands trembled just now."
Before she could retort, his hand, as if guided by old habit rather than intention, traced along her side, pausing against the curve of her chest. Her breath hitched, involuntarily, and a small, surprised sound escaped her lips.
Qin Wei blinked, suddenly aware of what his hand had just done out of habit, his expression shifting between guilt and disbelief. "Sorry," he muttered, "that wasn't…"
Jiang Ni's face had turned scarlet, but she didn't look away.
Instead, she muttered softly, "You left without saying a word… After all we talked about… after what we…"
Qin Wei's body once again just automatically leaned forward on its own and silenced her with a kiss. For a heartbeat, she didn't resist.
Then she pulled away, breathing heavily. "Don't think this means I forgive you," she said. "I still might kill you."
He chuckled under his breath, brushing a strand of her hair away. "Get in line."
Qin Wei exhaled as he gently let go, rolling over and allowing her to shift on top of him. Jiang Ni's breath was warm against his chest as she gripped his robe tightly, her heartbeat thudding softly where their bodies touched.
It was then, finally, that clarity settled over him. What the hell did he just do? The thought suddenly came to his head.
Yet he didn't move away. He continued to hold her slim waist.
"Hush…" he whispered, brushing her hair aside as he cradled the back of her head, "they'll hear us. Don't shout."
Jiang Ni's brows furrowed slightly, but she didn't move either. She continued to sit on top of him, letting him hold her, letting her lean to his chest, their faces were just a few inches away from each other.
It was then, Qin Wei looked at her seriously. "Tell me something… Did my father really fire all of you?"
She didn't speak immediately, only shook her head slowly. "Old Master didn't fire us. He said… You married into the Li Clan. That you chose to leave us behind. You abandoned us."
Qin Wei's eyes flickered. "Abandoned? But I never did…"
Jiang Ni startled but continued, "He gave us three choices. Follow you to Beiling City to live a miserable life, stay behind and serve the Li Clan as maids, or leave with a fresh start. A thousand taels each."
"That's…" Qin Wei blinked. "That's enough to live comfortably in the countryside. Even buy land."
She nodded. "Exactly. Most took the money and never looked back."
Qin Wei's voice softened. "What about you?"
She blinked once, long lashes fluttering. Then, with a slight pout, said, "Isn't it obvious? I took the money. As a battle maid, I was actually offered ten times the compensation to stay behind and serve the Clan, but I took the money and left."
He stared. "Wait, what? Then why are you here?"
Her cheeks colored, but her voice turned biting again. "I thought you would be living like some pitiful concubine without any allies or protectors. You lost the support of the Qin Clan, and you have to live the rest of your life on an allowance given by the Li Clan. I figured maybe you would need the money more than I did."
Then her tone turned sharper, eyes narrowing. "But instead… what do I find? You, living in luxury. Surrounded by pretty maids. New faces. New dresses. Laughing like you never missed any of us. I thought you really abandoned us like the Old Master said."
Qin Wei raised his hands defensively. "That's a misunderstanding. They're not… I haven't touched any of them. I swear…"
Jiang Ni's eyes didn't soften right away, but a ghost of a smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
Qin Wei reached up, his palm cupping her cheek gently. "Still… I'm happy to see you, Jiang Ni. Really."
She blinked at him. "Young Master…"
Her eyes, filled with a mix of confusion and emotion, trailed toward his own. "By the way, I want to ask you for some time. What's with these strange eyes?"
"Uhhh…"