Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Upon entering, Shen Anning found the room empty and silent. She initially assumed Lu Suian had left—yet when she turned around, she saw him sitting upright in a chair by the window desk, holding a book and reading with downcast eyes.

He did not look up as someone entered—whether absorbed in his reading or simply indifferent to the newcomer.

Shen Anning paused, surprised.

Tonight’s incident had clearly unsettled Lu Suian. He disliked interference in his affairs, yet Shen Anning knew he would never direct his anger toward her. At most, he might grow more distant than usual.

She had expected an expressionless, cold, stern face—but the scene was far less tense than she’d imagined.

The book in his hand was a small, palm-sized comic—exactly the kind Shen Anning had specially commissioned from the market.

Though not highly literate—she had been secretly studying for half a year and mastered only a few hundred characters—reading full-length books remained difficult for her. Moreover, since Lu Suian worked on cases at the Dali Temple, she had arranged for illustrated mystery stories: easier to read, and helpful in understanding him better.

The cases in these books were simple—tales of water ghosts, forest monsters, or haunted graves—all ultimately revealed to be either human-made deceptions or natural phenomena. Yet their eerie, ghostly illustrations could easily frighten children.

They were essentially children’s books.

Yet now, one rested in Lu Suian’s hands.

He rested one arm on the desk, slender fingers slightly bent against his brow; the other held the palm-sized book aloft, partially covering his lower face. Only the bridge of his tall, straight nose and his downcast eyes—softened of their usual sharpness—were visible as he fixed his gaze on the pages.

For a moment, no emotion showed on his face.

It was as if the earlier commotion had never happened.

Then again, Lu Suian was, by nature, a man of steady temperament. His face rarely betrayed much—whether displeasure, sorrow, or joy, the distinctions were subtle, nearly imperceptible to others. Only Shen Anning, having slept beside him for years, had gradually learned to read those nuances.

In this case, it seemed the earlier incident had passed. Lu Suian was not one to hold grudges.

Shen Anning stood there a moment—but he gave no reaction. Lu Suian was a man of few words and deep reserve. In the past, whenever she visited, Shen Anning would exert every effort to serve and please him, never requiring him to speak or lift a finger.

With a man over six feet tall occupying the room—and radiating such imposing presence—the silence grew oppressively heavy.

Had it been the old Shen Anning, she would have hurried over to serve tea, offer warm greetings, and attend to his needs. But now, she walked slowly to the octagonal table, poured herself a cup of water, and broke the silence: “I lack refinement and am poor at selecting servants. Today’s candidate came originally from the eldest young lady’s household. I thought she might suit your taste—but since you dislike her, I’ll choose several more clever ones another day.”

She spoke with calm composure.

If he had moved on, that was his affair.

She would still make arrangements and handle follow-ups as needed.

After speaking, she raised her teacup and sipped quietly.

June weather was unbearably hot. The journey here—and the earlier courtyard conversation—had left her parched.

She drank in silence.

As she spoke, Lu Suian finally lifted his eyes from the comic. His narrow, sharp phoenix eyes were faintly furrowed—clearly still harboring displeasure from the earlier incident. Just as he’d let it go, she lacked tact and brought up precisely the subject he wished to avoid.

Though Lu Suian paid little attention to household matters—his focus lay entirely on court affairs and official duties—tonight’s events had disturbed him. Yet given the day’s circumstances, he understood Shen Anning’s actions stemmed largely from pressure exerted by her birth mother.

Selecting concubines or promoting maids fell squarely within a wife’s duties—so he had no intention of holding it against her. Still, his patience had run thin.

He closed the comic book, his expression cooling slightly.

But when he lifted his gaze and caught sight of the figure in snow-white standing at the center of the room, his expression paused—just for a moment.

Lu Suian favored dark colors—black, deep purple, or dark green—and Shen Anning, accordingly, had shifted her entire wardrobe toward similar hues. Except for black—too somber for a woman—her silks were now light purples, pinkish purples, smoky greens, and the like.

The color she’d chosen for Yuan Yang earlier belonged to that palette.

Often, she coincidentally matched Lu Suian’s attire—like the green robe she wore that day, perfectly harmonizing with his dark green, making them appear a pair.

Each time that happened, Shen Anning spent the whole day delighted.

But today— for the first time since marrying into the marquis’s household over half a year ago—she wore a color outside that range.

Back in her impoverished days in Lingshui Village, she’d owned only coarse, dark cloth garments—little choice, no alternative. Truth be told, after wearing dark colors for so long, she personally preferred plain, soft shades: white, apricot, off-white.

After returning from Jinyuan earlier, she’d immediately changed out of her light green robe and into this snow-white gown—long tucked away at the bottom of her trunk.

This dress had been bought for her by her stepmother, Hao Shi, who’d gritted her teeth and pawned her bracelet to afford it before Shen Anning departed for the capital. Knowing her tastes, Hao Shi had selected Jiangnan snow silk—white as deep winter snow—the most beautiful garment Shen Anning had ever owned before assuming her current status.

Though Shen Anning cherished it, she’d kept it stored away, fearing Lu Suian would disapprove of its simplicity. Today, she deliberately unearthed it and wore it.

Moreover, after dinner, as night fell, she removed her elaborate gold hair ornaments for comfort, letting her hair down and tying it loosely with a green ribbon at her nape.

Now, after her stroll, a few strands had escaped—loose at her forehead and behind her ears, falling softly over her shoulders and framing her face.

Candlelight in the room cast a gentle, flickering glow.

In that soft light, her slender figure—eyes lowered, hair flowing—appeared unexpectedly lovely.

That summer, shortly after her marriage into the marquis’s household, Shen Anning had tanned under the sun. Combined with the long journey and the north’s dry climate, her eyelids had swollen and her skin darkened on her wedding day. Though not unattractive, she inevitably looked unsophisticated.

Somehow—without her noticing—she had transformed completely.

Lu Suian was not a man who lusted after beauty—be it fair or plain, women meant little to him beyond their roles as accessories. Unless required for heirs or household management, they were, in his view, dispensable. Even so, a wife remained inherently distinct from all other women.

Now, Lu Suian observed Shen Anning silently for a long moment—then spoke calmly: “There’s no need to trouble yourself with such matters in the future. I have no intention of taking a concubine for now.”

Glancing briefly at the sky outside, he set the comic book on the desk and rose slowly. “It’s late. Let’s retire.”

With that, he walked toward the center of the room.

Hearing this, Shen Anning’s grip on her teacup tightened—just slightly.

In her past life, such words would have made her blush with joy. She would have immediately approached him with tender affection to help him undress. Lu Suian was tall and broad-shouldered; though she was no short woman, she barely reached his shoulders. His official robes were intricate—undressing him required circling him several times, staying close. Though tedious, to Shen Anning, it felt more intimate than marital relations themselves.

She treasured that closeness—the kind shared only between husband and wife.

But today, after a brief silence, Shen Anning calmly instructed Bai Tao: “Tell the kitchen to bring some water.”

Then, with a glance, she signaled Huan Xi to attend to the heir and assist him in undressing.

Having issued the orders, she set down her teacup with composure and walked straight to the dressing table. Soon, she picked up a comb, loosened the ribbon in her hair, and began slowly combing it.

Huan Xi had never served in the inner chamber before and assumed attending to the heir and helping him undress was routine. Though the heir was tall and imposing, she trusted her mistress’s judgment and suppressed her nervousness, approaching him respectfully.

She was naturally quiet—and when nervous, her face tended to stiffen. To Lu Suian, it appeared she was scowling as she drew near.

The moment Huan Xi stepped close, Lu Suian flicked his sleeve aside with a stern expression. Glancing at his wife—who stood aloof and uninvolved—he pressed his lips together and wordlessly stepped around the screen into the bathing room.

Left behind, Huan Xi stood bewildered: “…”

Huan Xi immediately panicked, thinking she had served improperly and offended the young master. Just as she was at a loss, Bai Tao glanced toward the mistress at the dressing table, then cast a glance at the one in the bath chamber. Drawing on her experience, she quickly understood the situation and pulled Huan Xi out of the room.

Inside, steam rose gently and mist swirled in the air.

Lu Suian disliked being attended to by others. Accepting his wife Shen Anning's service was natural, but he never allowed anyone else to assist him.

Though he noticed Shen was somewhat different today, he mostly attributed it to her displeasure over the Luo family incident earlier. Women, with their winding thoughts and tendencies toward jealousy and petty schemes, were unlike men. He was aware but indifferent, having encountered countless perplexing people and situations during investigations.

He had no intention of probing further.

Soon, he finished washing up.

Shen Anning recalled that in her past life, they had consummated their marriage on this very night. Though she knew she couldn’t avoid it, she still delayed as long as possible.

Only after her hair was completely dried and she could delay no longer did she brace herself, lift the bed curtains, and climb onto the bed.

The canopied bed was spacious and sturdy. Once the curtains fell, they blocked out all moonlight and candlelight from outside, plunging the bed's interior into a dim, enclosed world of its own.

The two lay down fully clothed—Shen Anning on the inner side, Lu Suian on the outer.

The curtains swayed slightly as Shen Anning entered, then quickly settled into stillness.

The room was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop, or even the sound of each other’s breathing, mingling with an unspoken intimacy.

Lu Suian slept with impeccable posture, his body straight even in slumber, sometimes not shifting positions all night. At this moment, he lay so still that one might think he was already asleep.

Lying there quietly side by side, fully dressed, reminded Shen Anning of their wedding night.

Their first time had not been on their wedding night but two months later, and the second time another two months after that. From this, Shen Anning understood clearly that her god-like husband was not satisfied with her. For him, consummation was merely a marital obligation.

As for their wedding night, they had slept fully clothed. Lu Suian’s excuse was: "I drank too much tonight. I've wronged you."

That night, Shen Anning had indeed felt wronged. But tonight, her heart was calm, unruffled.

Just as Shen Anning thought they might pass the night peacefully in this life, a voice suddenly broke the silence from beside her: "I’ll be leaving the capital on official business tomorrow."

Lu Suian’s voice was deep, with a resonant quality upon closer listening.

In the night, it sounded low and slightly hoarse.

Shen Anning was startled, her closed eyes snapping open. After a long pause, she replied with careful consideration, "Take care on your journey, husband."

After a moment, he added, "It will likely take about a month."

Shen Anning continued with attentive care, "I will assist Mother in overseeing the household affairs."

Her words were considerate and impeccable, leaving no room for fault.

Yet, Lu Suian frowned slightly beside her.

Though he had not spent much time with Shen, she had always been caring and attentive in the past. Today, while she remained meticulous and considerate, there was no trace of care or tenderness in her demeanor.

A woman’s occasional tantrums were tolerable, but too much of it could easily become tiresome.

A flicker of irritation stirred within him.

However, recalling his father's admonition during the day—that continuing the family line and producing heirs was an inescapable duty—he steeled himself.

Besides, this trip south would last at least a month, possibly longer... who knew how long.

With these thoughts, Lu Suian ultimately adhered to propriety and abruptly grasped his wife's arm beside him. Just as he was about to press down to turn toward her, unexpectedly, Shen Anning suddenly sat up, wrenching her arm free from his grasp. She began fanning herself vigorously with her hand, exclaiming exaggeratedly, "It's so hot today, unbearably hot! It's too warm inside the bed."

"Husband, tonight I'd like to sleep on the daybed outside—it's much cooler there. Would you care to join me?"

Inside the curtained bed, it was too dark to discern any expression or demeanor.

But Lu Suian was no fool; time and again, he couldn't miss the refusal in Shen Anning's words.

He was not one to force others; when had he ever compelled anyone?

Immediately, his face impassive, he pushed aside the bed curtains and got out of bed without a word.

Shen Anning pretended not to notice his displeasure, clutching her pillow as she turned and stepped down, making her way blindly to the daybed. Soon, she covered herself with a thin blanket, her breathing even and long, and made no further sound.

Leaving Lu Suian alone sitting on the edge of the bed. He almost stormed out, but with an early departure from the capital scheduled for the next day and the household already in turmoil, he did not wish to cause more trouble.

For a moment, he pinched the bridge of his nose and sat upright on the edge of the bed, his usually steady mood increasingly agitated.

He was somewhat puzzled: he had already turned down the Luo family and refused to take a concubine—what else was Shen Anning upset about?

She had always been understanding and reasonable; why had she become so unreasonable today?

After calming himself, he glanced up again to find the figure on the daybed already blissfully asleep. Lu Suian felt somewhat stifled, but after a long while, he finally pinched his brow and got into bed.

The night passed without incident.

A night of sound sleep.

At dawn the next day, Lu Suian rose before dawn. Almost the moment he got up, Shen Anning was already awake.

Seven years of routine could not be changed overnight.

Hearing the rustling sounds of Lu Suian dressing, Shen Anning pretended to be asleep, with no intention of rising to attend to him.

Lu Suian had excellent vision; outside, the sky was already lightening to a light blue of dawn. He did not light a lamp, and Shen Anning assumed he would simply leave in the dim light.

Unexpectedly, the daybed was narrow, and with just a slight shift from Shen Anning, the blanket half off the bed slipped to the floor.

Shen Anning instinctively wanted to retrieve it but did not wish to wake and engage with him.

As she hesitated, the lamp in the room was lit the next moment.

Lu Suian, with his keen hearing, had caught the sound of the blanket falling.

He steadied the candlestick, stood with his hands behind his back, and glanced toward the daybed. There, the figure lay in disarray: the pillow was not under her head but between her legs, and the blanket was not on her but on the floor.

Lu Suian was a man of rules; he had never seen such a sleeping posture. As he had spent little time with Shen Anning and often in darkness, this was the first time he had witnessed such a scene.

He furrowed his brow slightly.

Yet, after a moment, unable to leave it be, he walked over slowly, picked up the blanket, and draped it over her.

Just as he was about to turn and leave, his gaze swept casually over the daybed and paused, slightly startled, on a small exposed section of snow-white skin, smooth as a lotus root.

Still groggy from sleep, she hadn't yet straightened her clothes, and her loose undergarments had ridden up slightly, revealing a section of Shen Anning's calf from her restless sleep, along with her bare foot, pale as jade.

After a full year of pampered care, her skin had long since returned to its normal state.

Shen Anning’s skin was naturally fair to begin with, and coupled with living in leisure over the past year, her figure had gradually blossomed. Moreover, since her interactions with Lu Suian mostly took place at night, though they had already consummated their marriage, the two had never truly seen each other fully exposed.

This was the first time Lu Suian had seen his wife’s… foot in daylight, in proper light.

A woman's feet were considered taboo.

At this moment, under the dim, yellowish candlelight, it was so pale it dazzled the eye.

Even Lu Suian was momentarily dazed.

Having worked on cases for many years, he wasn't unfamiliar with women’s bodies, yet he had never seen one so fair, so delicate—completely different from a man’s broad, rough feet.

In its taboo quality, there seemed to linger a faint, silent allure.

It was breathtakingly beautiful.

Lu Suian stared fixedly, his lips slightly pursed.

Just then, noticing the lamp lit in the main room, came rustling sounds from outside as the maids began to stir and go about their tasks.

Lu Suian pressed his lips together, hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward. He gently took hold of that soft foot and tucked it back under the blanket, his coarse fingertips seeming to give a slight squeeze against that delicate smoothness.

So slender it could be cupped in one hand, not even the length of a palm.

He lingered for a moment, rubbing his fingertips, before turning and striding away.

It wasn’t until the room was empty that Shen Anning, goosebumps covering her body, swiftly retracted her tingling foot back under the covers.

Then, with a sudden movement, she sat bolt upright on the daybed, her face a mask of horror and disbelief as she stared toward the outside.

What had just happened?

That unflappable, cold, and arrogant Lu Suian had actually been… toying with her foot?

What's wrong with him!

Shen Anning felt no shyness or bashfulness, no excitement or thrill, nor could it be called disgust or revulsion—she felt nothing but sheer horror and wide-eyed shock!

Could it be that he, too, had been possessed by some unknown entity?

Shen Anning sat there utterly dumbfounded.

Meanwhile, outside, just before departing, Lu Suian—who had turned back unexpectedly—suddenly ordered Bao Gui curtly, "Go find out how Jin Yuan has been mistreating the lady over the past six months."

Author's note:

----------------------