Shunyin was nearly pressed against his chest, her waist caught firmly by his longbow. She couldn’t move. Her breath quickened beneath the thin veil that still shielded her face. Steeling herself, she pinched her palm and forced her breathing to steady.
“Quick reflexes? From where?” she said, her voice low. “If Second Brother Mu hadn’t acted, I would’ve fallen straight to the ground.”
Mu Changzhou still wore that faint, undecipherable smile. He said nothing—only watched her closely.
His reaction had been swift. Too swift. And from the way she had responded, it was as if something deep inside her had reacted on instinct, as though she had known exactly what to do. She only lacked polish. It was the kind of familiarity that should’ve belonged to someone who had long understood such things.
But she had said she knew nothing about military matters.
Shunyin glanced up at him, sensing his suspicion. She knew exactly why he held her still—to read her expression. Avoiding his gaze, she tried to move again, only to find herself pressed even closer against him. Her eyes landed on the clean line of his jaw. She frowned lightly and whispered, “Let go.”
At such close distance, even a veil couldn’t hide anything. Mu Changzhou saw the faint flush at the tips of her ears, the slight tension in her brows. Her breath brushed his neck, warm and delicate. After another glance at her pale but steady complexion, he finally loosened his grip and withdrew the bow.
Shunyin stepped back at once, drawing a shallow breath. She watched him turn away to retrieve his horse. She said nothing. Her heart, however, beat wildly. The pressure of his bow against her waist still lingered like a heated imprint.
Ahead, the west gate came into view.
Hu Bo’er and Zhang Junfeng had already taken the narrow side paths and regrouped. After a short wait, they saw Mu Changzhou ride out from the quiet path in the middle.
“Commander, why so long today?” Hu Bo’er teased loudly, craning her neck to look behind him. When she finally spotted Shunyin following on horseback, her eyes brightened mischievously. “Was the journey smooth, Madam?”
Shunyin heard but did not respond.
Mu Changzhou said simply, “Return now.”
There was much to handle today. They couldn’t linger; the camp needed another inspection in case of further trouble.
Zhang Junfeng glanced subtly at Shunyin, wondering if she had encountered an obstacle, but since Mu Changzhou had spoken, he asked no further questions and took his leave.
Hu Bo’er stole two more glances at Mu Changzhou before catching up with Zhang Junfeng, already preparing to complain about his lack of chivalry—why had he brought the lady along this rugged road…
Once the others departed, Mu Changzhou continued forward.
Shunyin rode behind him to his left, gripping the reins tightly. The quieter he was, the calmer she forced herself to appear.
Back at the command residence, Changfeng hurried out to take their horses.
Mu Changzhou dismounted, tilting his head toward Shunyin. “Madam was frightened today. Go, help her down.”
Changfeng immediately went to her side and led her horse.
Shunyin dismounted, gave Mu Changzhou a cold glance, and said, “I’ve figured it out on the way back—Second Brother Mu must have intentionally embarrassed me today.” Without waiting for his response, she walked straight into the mansion, looking for all the world as if she had only just realized the truth.
Mu Changzhou watched her disappear inside without a backward glance. Then he turned to Changfeng. “Later, bring Madam a cup of warm water to calm her nerves.”
“Yes, Commander.”
Shunyin, however, only wanted to retreat to her room. As soon as she entered, she closed the door and quickly drew out Feng Wuji’s reply letter from her sleeve.
She unfolded it, paced twice in agitation, then carefully stored it away.
She had been planning her response, but after today, she could not risk writing to Qinzhou anytime soon. Mu Changzhou had clearly been testing her. He obviously suspected her familiarity with military matters. Even though the letter was encrypted, she couldn’t take chances. She would wait—quietly.
A few sharp knocks sounded, and the doorbell chimed before the door was pushed open. Shengyu entered with a glass bowl in hand.
“Commander had Changfeng deliver warm soup to calm your nerves,” she said, bowing slightly.
Shunyin steadied her expression and sat at the table. “Set it down.”
Shengyu obeyed. Seeing the lady’s clothes barely wrinkled and her complexion calm, she withdrew quietly.
From the crack of the closing door, Shunyin glimpsed Mu Changzhou walking into the backyard, his tall shadow sweeping past. He seemed to glance toward her room.
She didn’t breathe until the door fully shut. She stayed in her room the rest of the evening. Silence settled over the residence.
But that night, sleep eluded her.
Only after reviewing every detail in her mind did she finally drift into a restless slumber.
In her dream, she was back at the roadblock trap. The bow held her still, pinning her waist. Mu Changzhou lowered his head, his smile faint but his gaze sharp enough to see through her soul. His tone, calm as ever, echoed in her ears:
“What is Yinniang still hiding from me?”
She couldn’t speak. Couldn’t move. His shadow caged her completely.
Shunyin jolted awake, staring at the blue silk canopy overhead until her breath steadied. Touching her left ear, she recalled the moment he discovered her deafness—how he had said nothing, yet had been utterly certain.
Her lower back still ached faintly. She frowned and muttered, “It would’ve been better to marry a fool…”
But Mu Changzhou was too perceptive. His eyes saw everything.
At dawn, Shengyu came to the east wing. The door was already open—Madam was, as usual, up early.
“Madam,” she called, “the commander has no official duties these days, so he doesn’t need to rise early.”
Shunyin finished arranging her hair and gestured to the table. “The soup from yesterday has gone cold. I didn’t drink it. Make me another.”
Shengyu picked up the bowl.
Before she could leave, Shunyin asked casually, “Since he has no official duties, has he gone out?”
“Yes,” Shengyu replied. “He went to the offices early this morning.”
Shunyin nodded thoughtfully. “I’m tired today and don’t wish to go out. I was planning to thank Governor Lu. He was kind enough to invite me to the Buddha’s Birthday celebration last time. I should return the favor.”
“I’ll prepare a generous gift for you, Madam, and send it to Governor Lu.”
“Prepare it first,” Shunyin said lightly. “Let me see it before it is sent.”
Shengyu left to follow orders.
The soup was remade swiftly. Shunyin took two calming sips, then set it down. She turned, drew out brush and ink, and wrote a few quick words on a small piece of paper. Folding it tightly, she tucked it away.
Shengyu soon returned with the bundled gifts. “Everything is ready, Madam.”
Shunyin inspected them and added, “Bring another bolt of silk.”
Once Shengyu left the room, Shunyin slipped the folded note into the thick kraft wrapping.
Shengyu returned with the silk. Satisfied, Shunyin instructed, “After delivering it, ask Governor Lu to examine the gifts. If anything displeases him, we won’t send it again.”
Shengyu memorized the instruction and departed.
Shunyin waited, counting time in her mind.
Thankfully, Shengyu worked quickly. After the time of three cups of tea, she returned with a thank-you note.
Shunyin accepted it calmly.
The note was sealed tightly—Lu Tiao had been discreet.
Her hidden message inside the gift had asked him for help. She explained that her previous letter to Qinzhou had spoken only of family matters, not of her marriage, which had displeased Mu Changzhou when Feng Wuji replied. She begged Lu Tiao to intercept any new letters temporarily—at least until things settled—so that Feng Wuji’s innocent words wouldn’t provoke her husband again.
She understood Lu Tiao had limited power, but she had no allies in Liangzhou except him.
She had even added:
“If it is too difficult, simply return the letters. There will be more chances to write in the future. I only fear my brother’s words may unsettle the commander.”
Thinking of this, Shunyin’s gaze softened—as though she were truly a wife deeply in love.
Lu Tiao’s reply was efficient and cautious. He confessed he couldn’t stop the letters permanently, but he always handled them first upon arrival. Intercepting and returning them was possible. Delivering them secretly to her, however, was too dangerous.
Fortunately, she had only asked for a temporary return.
At the end, Lu Tiao added a wry line:
“Rest assured, Madam—it is a private matter. I naturally understand. Your note has already been burned.”
Shunyin burned the thank-you note as well, covering the ashes.
She would not write to Qinzhou for a while. Eventually, Feng Wuji would inquire again, and Mu Changzhou might read it. Even if he found nothing, his sharp eyes left no room for risk.
Lu Tiao’s help was timely—but she still hoped Feng Wuji would hold back on writing.
After finishing everything, she sat on the couch, eyes closed, waiting for Mu Changzhou’s return. Though exhausted, she could not fully relax.
She must have drifted into a light doze, because suddenly, the soft sound of a wind chime stirred her awake. A shadow fell across her. She opened her eyes to see the hem of a robe.
Mu Changzhou stood before her, tall and composed, as if he had just returned.
For a moment she thought it was still the dream. But she quickly straightened. “Second Brother Mu, what brings you here?” The door behind him stood open.
Mu Changzhou stepped closer. He had seen her leaning against the couch, eyes closed, supporting her forehead with her hand. Studying her quiet expression, he asked, “I returned to the manor and came to check on Yinniang. You haven’t stepped out once today. Are you avoiding me?”
Denying it would be too obvious. So she simply said, “Yes.” Then added, lightly, “My back hurts.”
A deliberate reminder of his “good deeds” yesterday.
His gaze fell to her waist. As she turned aside, her body curved slightly, drawing attention to the soft, graceful line of her waist. He glanced once, then sat beside her.
She sensed the movement and shifted slightly, only to feel a warm weight press against her lower back. Startled, she realized it was a man’s hand. Turning, she met Mu Changzhou’s gaze—steady, focused. He pressed down gently.
She winced, sucking in a breath as her hand gripped the couch.
Mu Changzhou withdrew his hand and took out a small round box from his robes. “You really are injured. My bow is sturdy and heavy—it leaves a mark. I came to deliver medicine.”
He set the box beside her. She lowered her eyes.
Mu Changzhou’s smile was faint but unmistakably amused. “Army medicines work fast. Yinniang shouldn’t have to avoid me tomorrow.”
Shunyin shot him a sharp look.
He stood, gave her waist one last glance, then walked out.
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