Stepping into the room was none other than Fei Yue, Lou Jian's personal maid—followed closely by a group of morticians and several members of the household.
Apparently, they had come to finish what nature had not. If he was still alive, today was the day they would end it.
It all made sense now. He had been left unattended on purpose—not because he was forgotten, but because his death was expected. Shen Lou, his father, couldn't bring himself to kill his only son, even under the relentless pressure of his new wife.
Only after the family physician assured him there was no cure did he finally relent—not because of his wife's insistence, but to spare his son the pain of a slow, hopeless decline.
Even then, Shen Lou couldn't bear to witness it. That's why he hadn't come.
Lou Jian smiled as the group entered. He lifted a hand and waved casually. "Hello."
Fei Yue froze the moment she saw him. Her eyes went wide, her hands trembled, and she pointed at him in disbelief. "You… You… Yo-youuu— Uuuurrrrgh—!"
Before she could finish, her legs gave out and she collapsed on the floor, unconscious. Her mind clearly decided she had seen a ghost.
Lou Jian chuckled at the stunned silence that followed. Everyone wore the same expression—wide-eyed shock.
"Why are the morticians here?" he asked, narrowing his gaze at the physician.
The doctor visibly flinched under his stare. He coughed awkwardly, then cast a subtle glance at the morticians—a silent command: Leave. Now.
They didn't need to be told twice. In seconds, the morticians filed out, leaving the doctor alone in the room.
He was rattled.
The boy should've been dead by now. Even if—by some miracle—he had survived the poison, the sheer damage to his body should've left him crippled. And yet… there he stood. Not only alive, but healthier than ever.
"Young master," the doctor began carefully, "you shouldn't move around too much. You only just woke up—"
His words were cut short when Lou Jian lifted a hand and gestured for silence.
Then he pointed at Fei Yue, who was still unconscious on the floor. "I may not be a doctor," he said with a smirk, "but I think she needs your help more than I do."
He walked over, knelt down, and gently lifted her into his arms, placing her on the bed with surprising ease.
Looking toward the guards by the door, he said calmly, "Tell my father… I'm awake."
Then walked casually to the gigantic mirror and viewed his appearance turning his gaze briefly to the stunned physician, he added with a small grin, "And Doctor Lee—thank you for healing me."
Without another word, Lou Jian walked out of the room, leaving behind a silent room full of confusion, and fear.
Lou Jian hummed to himself as he stepped out of his room, strolling casually down the grand hallway . "Damn… I'm filthy rich," he muttered with a smug grin.
He soon stopped before a towering double-door, its golden handles gleaming. With a slight push, the doors swung open to reveal a massive, state-of-the-art kitchen.
Twelve chefs bustled inside, each wearing spotless white robes, aprons, and toques. In the center stood a large marble island, piled high with ingredients—fresh vegetables, meats, spices, and cheeses from across the empire. Pots and utensils sparkled along the walls, and the floors were so polished they mirrored the ceiling.
"Maria!" Lou Jian called out.
Every head in the kitchen turned.
The chefs froze at the sight of him—alive, walking, and smiling like he hadn't just returned from death's door.
"Don't look so scared," he said with a wide grin, tugging playfully at his cheek. "I'm not a ghost. I'm very much alive."
The stunned silence was broken as they all bowed quickly. "Greetings, Young Master!" they chorused.
Lou Jian gave them a once-over, still grinning. "Aren't you all beautiful," he said, eyes scanning across the room before stopping on Maria—and winking.
Her cheeks flushed bright red. "W-what brings the young master to the kitchen?" she asked, flustered by his flirtation.
"I'm hungry," he said, striding toward her. Without hesitation, he slid an arm around her waist. "And I want a feast. Can you make that happen?"
Gasps filled the kitchen. Everyone was stunned. The once-quiet, reserved young master had just pulled the head chef into a romantic pose—something unimaginable just days ago.
"O-of course, it can be done," Maria stammered, breathless in his arms.
He released her gently and stepped back, flashing her a knowing smile.
Snapping out of her daze, Maria spun around, clapped her hands, and began barking out orders to the chefs like a seasoned general.
Truth be told, Lou Jian had acted boldly because the former owner of this body had feelings for Maria. Deep feelings—but he was far too shy to act on them. Jian Yu, however, was not.
"Maria," he said, calling over his shoulder, "I want your cupcake—the one from the Western Empire."
She glanced down at the floor, cheeks still burning. "It's already being prepared, young master. It's your favorite, after all."
"Maria~" he sang in a teasing voice.
She looked up, face now red as a tomato, and quickly turned away. The kitchen staff exchanged glances. This wasn't the Lou Jian they knew. The quiet bookworm was gone—replaced by someone bold, commanding… and completely unpredictable.
After some time, the dining hall was filled with plates stacked high with lavish dishes. The table could easily seat a family of twenty-four, but today, it was all for one man.
Meanwhile, in a distant hall filled with empire merchants, Shen Lou, Lou Jian's father, sat in silence. Though he nodded politely at every decision made, his eyes were vacant—his soul clearly somewhere else.
Suddenly, a guard rushed in and leaned close, whispering something into his ear.
Shen Lou's eyes widened. "Are you sure?" he shouted, leaping to his feet. His face, once hollow, now radiated life.
"Yes, my Lord," the guard replied. "I saw him with my own eyes. He's awake—and perfectly fine."
"Thank the heavens," Shen Lou whispered. Then, louder: "Take me to him. Now." He turned to the gathering. "Gentlemen, forgive me. An urgent matter calls for my immediate attention."
Back in the dining hall, Lou Jian sat comfortably at the head of the table, enjoying a generous slice of Maria's pie—his eyes never leaving her. She pretended not to notice, though her cheeks said otherwise.
Finishing the last bite, he licked his fingers slowly, savoring the taste. "Delicious," he muttered, grinning as Maria blushed even harder.
Then his demeanor changed.
His smile faded. His eyes grew sharp, calculating.
He looked around the room—at the chefs, cleaners, and guards now gathered at a respectful distance. His voice dropped, low and calm. "Do you know why you're all here?"
"No, Young Master!" they answered in unison.
He leaned back in his chair, smirking. "Because one of you poisoned me."
Gasps filled the room.
"Poisoned?"
"I thought he was sick?"
"No… who would dare…?"
Murmurs spread like wildfire.
Lou Jian waited in silence, letting the tension build. His gaze was cold, unmoving.
"Very well," he said after a moment. "I'll give you a chance. Confess now, and you live."
No one spoke.
He sighed dramatically. "Then I suppose I'll have to handle this myself."
Calmly, he stood and walked toward the guards. From one of them, he drew a sword—clean and sharp. Humming a carefree tune, he approached the line of chefs.
He stopped in front of one. "What's your name?"
The woman trembled. "C-Celine…"
Lou Jian tilted his head. "Is it just me, or does Father have a thing for hiring Westerners?" His eyes swept the group. "You're all from the Western Empire, yes?"
They all nodded.
"Interesting," he said, still smiling. "Celine, come here."
With shaky steps, she approached. Lou Jian pulled out several dishes from the table and placed them before her.
"Eat," he said softly—but the command in his voice was unmistakable.
Her eyes darted to the food. Sweat beaded on her forehead. "Y-Young Master, I can explain. I—I didn't—"
Before she could say another word, his sword flashed.
One clean strike.
Her head fell.
Gasps and screams erupted behind him.
Lou Jian wiped the blade clean with a cloth napkin and returned to his seat. He picked up another forkful of food, unfazed by the blood slowly pooling nearby
.
"Well," he said, shrugging. "I did give her a chance."
And with that, he continued his meal—leaving the rest of the room stunned into silence.