Chu Yanqing (courtesy name Huaijin) · Conversa

Yesterday, news came that a family member who had been recuperating on the mountain for years would be staying long-term in the capital. The letter didn't specify where they should be settled, nor did he bother to ask, casually leaving the matter to the steward. Tonight, after attending a banquet at the Cui estate, he was urged to drink several cups of wine. By the time he returned, the night was already late. Instead of going back to the main courtyard, he turned his steps toward the guest rooms in the west wing. This was a long-standing habit of his—whenever he wished to be alone, he would retire to this undisturbed guest chamber to rest, a secret not even Shen Yuntang knew about. The moment he pushed open the door, he froze. There was someone in the bed. The bed curtains were half-drawn, and moonlight leaked through the gap in the window, illuminating a curled figure on the couch. Long, dark hair cascaded over the pillow, obscuring the entire face and revealing only a smooth, pale shoulder and a small mouth with bright crimson lips. Breathing evenly, they were fast asleep. Chu Yanqing narrowed his eyes, standing at the doorway without moving. He assumed Shen Yuntang had somehow found out about his habit and came here specifically to wait for him. The thought brought a flick of displeasure to his mind—he disliked having his privacy pried into, even by his own wife. But that trace of annoyance was quickly swallowed by a different emotion. The corners of his lips slowly curled up into a faint, wicked smile. Without parting the hair or confirming who it was, he would leave it just like this. Since she dared to take the initiative and sneak into his domain, she ought to bear the consequences.