Chapter 9 Flirting

Chapter 9: Entanglement

A Wu’s shaky gaze shifted away from the man’s face.

She glanced around helplessly, lost. The Taoist incense burned sparsely, imperial banners fluttered, and everywhere there were glittering jewels, sycophantic grins, and servile faces.

Yanxiang Temple belonged to Nanqiongzi, originally an imperial retreat with high walls and soldiers guarding it. How could she break free? And who could she rely on?

The thing was… today, the Empress herself had come to Yanxiang Temple. Logically, no unrelated men should be here, yet Seventh Master had appeared. He had to be royalty.

Who exactly was he?

A Wu looked at Seventh Master again, and he happened to glance back at her.

Their gazes locked, and he smirked as if everything was under his control.

A Wu had once been terrified of this man, but now, a rebellious spark flared inside her. She clenched her jaw and shot him a venomous glare.

Yet, seeing her reaction, Seventh Master arched a brow, amused.

A Wu felt humiliated. He looked at her like she was a housecat hissing!

She itched to punch him.

Just then, a voice snapped beside her, “Where are your manners?”

A Wu quickly turned—it was the assistant abbess.

She immediately composed herself and said respectfully, “This humble disciple wouldn’t dare.”

The assistant abbess snapped at her before rushing off.

A Wu stole a glance—Seventh Master was already gone, vanished without a trace.

At this moment, the Empress led the inner and outer court ladies and imperial relatives in conducting the rites. It was a lavish affair, and Miao Xin was eager to go watch.

But A Wu had no interest at all.

Her thoughts were consumed by Seventh Master.

Amid her unease, an elderly nun summoned A Wu, ordering her to assist with the incense burner. Too afraid to make waves, she kept her head down and hurriedly followed.

By now, the rites had ended, and the ritual silks, jade tablets, and such were brought to the incense burner at the southern gate to be tallied, called out, and set aflame.

Around the burner, there were about seven or eight novices gossiping, discussing how the ceremonial guards, honor guards, and armored cavalry had withdrawn from Yanxiang Temple in order, and how regal the nobles appeared.

One of them mentioned someone surnamed Lu. The others grew curious upon hearing this, and A Wu also pricked up her ears, picking up quite a bit of information.

Previously, she had only known that he was surnamed Lu, the seventh in his family, and was called Young Master Lu the Seventh or Seventh Master. Now, she learned his full name was Lu Yunjian—the legitimate son of the Marquis of Zhen’an and the younger brother of the current Empress, born of the same mother.

A Wu’s blood ran cold.

Back when she had submitted to Seventh Master, she had assumed he was some unscrupulous merchant connected to pirates, perhaps involved in shady dealings, which was why he dared not reveal his true name.

But—

The Empress’s own brother?

A Wu’s mind was foggy, like she was floating in a haze.

She couldn’t wrap her head around what Seventh Master was up to—had he deliberately concealed his identity to snoop around the coast undercover for pirate leads, or was he himself a notorious pirate, just using his royal connections as a cover?

A Wu shuddered.

She recalled the stories her father and brothers had told—how those coastal bandits occupied offshore islands, gathered fleets, and even shaked down merchant ships for "passage fees," sometimes collaborating with pirates to raid coastal villages.

Either way, none of this should have been something she could ever know.

She wanted to gouge her own eyes out, just so she wouldn’t have to see Seventh Master again!

But he had already seen her.

A Wu remembered that sly smirk of his—the kind of inscrutable smile that made it seem like everything was under his control.

It suddenly hit her.

Back when she had been with Seventh Master, though his temperament was unpredictable, he’d been obsessed with her. Yet later, he had abruptly changed, handing her off to those matrons to be groomed before delivering her to the Crown Prince.

She should have realized it sooner—he must have had some scheme in mind, something to do with their high-stakes power games.

The Crown Prince was the heir apparent, destined to ascend the throne one day, his position untouchable. By placing her by the Crown Prince’s side and knowing her secrets, if she ever managed to win his favor, Seventh Master could easily use her past against her.

Though the Crown Prince was recorded under the empress’s name, he wasn’t her biological son. The emperor and empress were still young, barely in their thirties. If the empress ever bore a son of her own, the Crown Prince would be in trouble.

If that were the case… Was Seventh Master playing for the empress, deliberately planting her by the Crown Prince’s side as a pawn?

The idea made her stomach churn.

She had just escaped the Crown Prince, thinking she could finally enjoy a few peaceful days. Little did she know, another wolf was waiting in the shadows, eyes gleaming with hunger!

No, she had to get away from here!

Not a moment could be wasted!

She’d die before she stayed!

************

By evening, A Wu was only able to return to her room after a long day’s work, dead on her feet.

But her eyes kept scanning the room. Nie San had come for her—perhaps he was still hiding somewhere in Yanxiang Temple.

Why would he leave without her?

She was done second-guessing, nor did she care whether Nie San’s words were true or false.

Nie San might be the Crown Princess’s man, but Lu Yunjian was the empress’s—and possibly the Crown Prince’s adversary.

They were all snakes.

Since they were all snakes, she might as well roll the dice and pick one.

At least for now, Nie San seemed a better choice than Lu Yunjian.

Nie San might rape her before killing her, but Lu Yunjian would chew her up and spit out nothing.

She would never fall into Lu Yunjian’s hands again—that man was no human!

So now, she actually hoped Nie San would come looking for her again. Maybe they could work something out.

Didn't you say we'd sail the East Sea? Excellent. Let's leave this trouble spot first. We can escape together, flee to the East Sea—maybe we can find a way there.

But Nie San never came.

That night, A Wu slept with Miao Xin, making it impossible to see any sign of Nie San.

This left A Wu disheartened, thinking, *They’re all liars, every one of them.*

If it came down to it, perhaps she could only beg the Crown Prince for help.

By now, the Crown Prince must have been persuaded by the Emperor. He wouldn’t dare cross the Emperor for her, but it didn’t matter—he still felt some guilt toward her.

She could use that guilt to make him protect her and help her leave—though that was the worst possible option.

She wanted something new, not the Crown Prince’s castoffs.

Wrestling with these thoughts, the next day arrived. Several young Taoist nuns were to gather fruits and mushrooms, and A Wu volunteered to go in their stead, which they were happy about.

Carrying a basket, A Wu headed to the vegetable garden at the back, half-heartedly picking while scanning her surroundings.

Suddenly, she saw a long shadow on the ground—so long it nearly engulfed her.

Her heart jumped, and she nearly cried out.

A pair of hands swiftly covered her mouth.

A man’s scent hit her—A Wu recognized it. It was Nie San.

Nie San released her, then pulled her into the nearby woods.

His strength was overpowering, making A Wu painfully aware of how helpless she was.

The only reason she could trade barbs and play games with men was because they were willing to play along.

If they ever got hold of her, she had no power to resist.

Nie San abruptly stopped. Still catching her breath, A Wu instinctively pushed him. "Why are you manhandling me?"

Nie San: "Didn’t you want to see me?"

A Wu scoffed. "Who told you that?"

Nie San stared at her flushed face. "You were looking around everywhere just now—weren’t you searching for me?"

Caught, A Wu didn’t even flinch at being caught.

She smiled. "Guess you caught me."

Then her tone shifted, her eyes turning icy as she studied him. "So you knew I was looking for you, yet you deliberately hid and let me panic—got a kick out of it, huh?"

Nie San: "..."

He gave her a wry look. "Sorry to keep you waiting, nun. My bad."

A Wu: "Good. Since you admit your mistake, let’s talk about what’s next."

Nie San: "What’s next? What, you want to go on the lam with me?"

He said it lightly, expecting A Wu’s sharp retort—this firecracker had a sharp tongue.

Yet no one could’ve guessed that after he said this, she quieted unexpectedly.

Her delicate, long lashes lifted as she gazed at him wordlessly, like a butterfly perched on a flower leaf observing an unfamiliar visitor.

Without realizing it, Nie San held his breath.

He had an inkling that the young lady was pondering, making a crucial decision.

The world seemed to hold its breath; scattered birdsongs ceased, and even the mountain breeze stopped blowing.

Nie San had endured countless waits in his life, always with patience, but never had he been so agonized.

He looked at the fragile beauty before him—so tender and vulnerable, someone he could scoop up in one arm—yet he waited, waiting for her response.

Just as he nearly couldn’t resist asking, she broke into a smile.

Her bright almond-shaped eyes curved into a graceful arc, dancing with enchanting light.

She was smiling at him.

Nie San’s heart skipped a beat.

At this moment, he understood more clearly than ever why the Crown Prince became so obsessed with her, why wise rulers in history had gone to war over a beautiful woman.

Because she was worth it.

Then A Wu spoke: "That day, you said you wanted to sail the East Sea with me?"

Nie San remained silent, only stared fixedly at her.

When she smiled, she was at once naive and seductive.

When she spoke, she was simply irresistible.

The syllables she uttered were like a feather, lightly brushing his heart, sending shivers down his spine.

Nie San knew he was powerless to resist—he was both the hunter and the prey.

His gaze locked onto her face as he asked, "Nie San indeed has such intentions, but may I ask what the Immortal Maiden thinks?"

Hearing this, A Wu lowered her eyes and sighed softly: "San Lang, monastery life is too austere. If I stay here, enduring this daily hardship, what’s the point? I only wish for someone to take me away, but I fear placing my trust in the wrong hands."

Nie San immediately grasped her meaning.

He set his jaw, suppressing his racing pulse, and asked calmly, "What must Nie San do to earn your trust?"

A Wu: "You had a promising career before you. If you leave with me now, everything will be lost—you might even become a fugitive, never finding peace in this life."

She shook her head, her expression melancholy: "How can I believe any man would go this far for me?"

Her alabaster complexion, delicate and fragile, radiated vulnerable charm as she sighed.

Faced with such a woman, even another woman would feel pity, much less a man of passion like Nie San.

Nie San watched her silently for a long moment before vowing earnestly: "If the Immortal Maiden trusts Nie San, I will take you away—to the East Sea. Since you hail from its shores, I will accompany you back to your homeland."

A Wu’s lashes fluttered at these words, her light eyes shimmering with hope.

She bit her lip, barely daring to hope: "Really, San Lang? You... you can take me back to my homeland?"

Nie San looked at her like this and sighed inwardly.

Slowly, he replied: "If the Immortal Maiden is willing, Nie San will give it my all."