Lying on her bed, Xue Lou was restless.
"Jian already knows too much," she muttered, eyes narrowed in the dim candlelight. "I have to take care of him—and fast—before he drags me into a mess I can't crawl out of."
She reached into a nearby drawer and pulled out a jade talisman. Holding it tightly, she spoke in a low, urgent voice.
"There's a new development. My stepson knows my secret. I want him eliminated—discreetly."
She crushed the talisman, sending her message into the ether.
Letting out a long breath, she sat back on the bed.
"You could've just died quietly, Jian," she whispered, almost pitying him. "But now? Your death will be anything but peaceful."
---
She moved with grace, her footsteps silent on the floor. Dressed in deep green robes, which was her night wear, her presence was quiet yet striking. Her auburn hair was tied in a neat bun, her eyes steady and alert.
Jian Lou turned toward her, a smirk tugging at his lips. Looking at her now Her waist was slender, almost delicate, tapering into wide hips that moved with an effortless grace, Her legs were long and toned Her breasts, full and high, pressed subtly against the green robes she wore—robes that clung to her like a lover's hands.His tone was playful, almost teasing.
"Maria!?" he drawled. "Come, sit close to me."
He gestured to the cushioned chair beside him.
Maria's heart pounded.
"But, Young Master... I'm just a commoner," she stammered, voice trembling.
"Sit," Jian repeated—firmer now. "You've served this family for as long as I can remember."
Reluctantly, she obeyed.
"You've changed," she murmured, eyes downcast.
"How is Fei Yue fairing?" He asked still gently pressing down on her shoulders
"The Doctor said She had a concussion but she will be fine" she responded
"Why are you trembling?" Jian smirked, gently massaging her shoulders. His touch was unexpectedly warm
"Young maste..." She tried to talk but was cut short
"Shhhh..." Jian whispered, placing a finger on her lips.
Maria froze, cheeks turning crimson.
"When we're alone, call me Jian."
"But… Young Mas—"
"Shhhh. It's an order. Don't be afraid. I only did what had to be done—to send a message. Hope you understand."
She nodded slowly, relaxing. He continued the massage in silence for a while.
Then, quietly, he asked, "What do you know about Lady Xue Lou's cultivation?"
Maria hesitated, then answered, "Two years ago, I overheard her telling the Lord… she was in the first stage of the Nascent Soul Realm."
Oh... Taking into account that she uses human furnaces, then she's likely already close to breaking into the Heavenly Tribulation Realm, Jian thought, brows furrowed in deep reflection. And now that I know... My life's in danger. But knowing her, she's not brazen enough to do it herself—she'll probably send someone else to Maria, whose breathing had become ragged beneath his touch. A faint smile curled on his lips as his hand slowly moved from her shoulder to one of her soft melons, giving it a gentle squeeze.
She gasped, an indescribable wave of sensation washing over her. But knowing who was behind it, her body tensed—not out of rejection, but fear.
"Y-Young mas... Jian," she corrected herself mid-sentence, her voice barely a whisper.
"You know," he murmured, "I've always had a liking for you… but I never knew how to say it."
Jian's smile deepened. His other hand moved with deliberate slowness to her second mound, his touch now far removed from a shoulder casual shoulder massage to a full on melon massage.
Maria felt goosebumps rise across her skin. He likes me? she screamed inwardly, her heart thudding so loud she feared he might hear it.
Then Jian paused, his hands retreating as he turned to meet her gaze, his expression no longer teasing—but serious.
"Now, I want to know if you feel the same way. This isn't an order, Maria. It's a genuine question."
Her eyes, red from a flood of emotions, met his.
She hesitated.
He's always been kind to me… even my promotion to head chef—was that connected? It felt too sudden at the time, but maybe... it makes sense now.
Before she could speak, Jian cut gently through her spiraling thoughts.
"I want you to be my first woman," he said. "Because you're special to me. I don't care if you're a commoner. Or if you're older. None of that matters to me—as long as you're happy."
Those words landed deep. Her heart fluttered uncontrollably, and she had to look away to steady herself.
The Lou family had taken her in during the height of the Western War. Back then, she'd vowed to serve them until her final breath—not out of coercion, but from genuine gratitude.
Now… for the first time, someone truly saw her.
Not just as a servant. Not as a debt owed. But as a woman.
Unable to form the words, she nodded slowly—trembling not from fear, but from something far more tender… and terrifying.
Before she could fully register what that nod meant, Jian leaned in—gently—and pulled her close.
Their lips met.
She flinched—caught off guard—but slowly reclaimed her composure. His touch wasn't rough or greedy. It was soft, searching, unsure.
Jian's hand rose to her face, brushing along her cheek. His fingertips lingered just beneath her ear, tracing the line of her jaw. Her skin burned beneath the cool of his touch, a shiver running down her spine.
She didn't know when her hands had found his chest, but there they were—pressed against him. Hovering. Undecided, whether to Push him away? Or Pull him closer?
His other hand slipped to the small of her back, steadying her.
She was still trembling—sweetly now. And gods… she hated how much she didn't want him to stop.
"You're not supposed to see me," she whispered, barely audible.
"I see you too clearly," he replied, voice low, firm, yet achingly gentle.
Her heart thundered against her ribs. His mouth moved lower, trailing toward her ear. She could feel the warmth of his breath, the weight of everything unsaid between them.
Her knees buckled slightly.
And then… she stepped back.
The warmth snapped like a drawn string released. Distance returned. But the air still crackled between them.
"I... I need time," she said softly, eyes falling to the floor.
Jian didn't press. He simply nodded. His lips still tingled from her taste, his gaze calm as it followed her retreat.
She didn't walk away.
She escaped.
And he let her.
For now.