Lu Yanmo was reluctant to let go. Even though she was covered in dirt and her clothes carried a scent of blood, there was still a faint, elegant fragrance about her.
He wasn't without women. His own wife had once been a celebrated beauty in the capital, constantly finding new ways to please him with all sorts of perfumes.
Yet, he had never smelled such a delightful aroma, one that soothed his soul.
Upon closer inspection, her features bore a resemblance to the current Imperial Consort, possessing that characteristic almond-shaped eyes and rosy cheeks. However, her eyes were far more striking, eclipsing even the Consort's.
She was a beauty beyond compare.
It was a pity that her beauty, born from the countryside, would be a source of misfortune for her. Going with him was the most sensible choice.
Lu Yanmo unscrewed the medicine bottle, dipped his finger in the powder, and was about to apply it to her when she turned her head away.
He simply tossed the bottle to her.
"I cannot stay here long. Rest well tonight, and we depart tomorrow."
"Young Master Lu, there is something I need to tell you," Xue Niang said, lowering her gaze as she applied the medicine, her tone calm, devoid of the earlier tension.
"As you said, it was not easy for a weak woman like me to travel from the south to here. On the road, due to hunger, I… I yielded to someone."
A faint sound of bones shifting, and a surge of suppressed anger emanated from the man. Xue Niang continued to apply the medicine as if unaffected.
"Who… is… he?"
The voice was squeezed through gritted teeth. Xue Niang glanced at him; his face was ashen, his eyes cold, as if he had been cuckolded.
She frowned slightly.
"Where… is… he?"
"You're lying to me, aren't you? With your temperament, you would yield to someone for a bite to eat?" He seemed to have figured something out, his eyes scrutinizing her facial expression.
"You don't need to test me with fabricated stories. I, this young master, never go back on my word. Regardless of your past, you will have a proper identity by my side. How about Xia Zhiyu, the daughter of the magistrate of Xin'an County?"
After he finished speaking, Xue Niang gradually realized that this man was stubborn, autocratic, and difficult to deal with.
The magistrate of Xin'an County must be one of Grand Tutor Lu's men.
If she were to escape rashly, would he pursue her relentlessly and uncover something?
"From now on, you are Miss Zhiyu, the only daughter of Magistrate Xia. You will accompany me to the capital for a visit. Afterwards, whether you wish to stay by my side will depend on your heart."
Lu Yanmo possessed a natural arrogance. He disdained forcing a woman and believed that no woman, having experienced the prosperity and power of the capital, could bear to leave. With his status and reputation in the capital, countless women flocked to him. How could a woman without any backing not be tempted?
"On my return to the capital this time, we will pass through Xin'an, and I will take you to see your father."
Lu Yanmo had made all the arrangements, as if she were already in his grasp.
Xue Niang gave a cold smile in her heart.
Father?
Did a sycophantic, dog-like official deserve to be called her father?
The next day, their departure was delayed. Xue Niang had caught a chill. Due to the fever, her head was swimming, and she was unable to get out of bed.
"You woman, why are you always causing trouble!" Zhusheng was in a frenzy. Everything was packed, and now this happened. The more he looked at her, the less suitable she seemed for his young master.
She was clearly a village woman, yet she had the bearing of a young lady.
"Zhusheng! Slap yourself!" Lu Yanmo reprimanded sharply, his eyes carrying a dangerous warning.
Zhusheng trembled. That's right, he had forgotten; he should be calling her Miss Xia.
The sound of slaps echoed. She truly showed no mercy to herself. Zhusheng only stopped when Lu Yanmo waved his hand, his face already swollen.
However, as his eyes swept over, he saw Xue Niang looking at him with a mocking smile on her lips.
He froze.
Yet, his young master seemed not to notice, asking the doctor about her condition with great concern.
Zhusheng felt a cloud of unease settle over his heart. This woman seemed to have ill intentions.
What was she planning?
Could she be trying to harm his young master?
"We will stay one more day, and depart tomorrow."
"Young Master..." Zhusheng wanted to say more, but under Lu Yanmo's cold gaze, he fell silent.
Xue Niang had changed into newly bought clothes. Though not of the finest material, they were still several times more attractive than her plain attire. Coupled with the fever, her cheeks were flushed as if rouged, and her large eyes were veiled with a mist, making her appear delicate and pitiable.
Lu Yanmo stared, entranced.
Zhusheng observed everything. In truth, his original intention when saving this woman was similar. His young master had been aloof and courteous since childhood. After marriage, he and his young wife appeared to be in perfect harmony, but only he knew that his young master treated her no differently than anyone else.
Even in marital matters, he adhered to the family rules, limiting their intimacy to a few times a month, never more. Even when his young wife proactively offered herself in his study, she was ruthlessly turned away.
Such a young master was too reserved. The old master often said he was too bound by propriety; it would be good if he could be tempered by his second son.
As he accompanied them, he had subtly observed many women, but his young master had never spared them a second glance. Only this woman...
He admitted she was the most beautiful among all women, but he also felt a sense of danger. His young master seemed to be paying too much attention.
Xue Niang turned over, avoiding that irritating gaze.
If they delayed another day, would Xiao Shan come looking for her? It had been so long; he should have returned by now.
By noon, Xue Niang's fever had subsided. Last night, she had merely thrown off the covers, not daring to overexert herself, as her body had been painstakingly nurtured back to health by Xiao Shan.
Lu Yanmo watched her closely, making it inconvenient for her to do anything. She couldn't even sneak to a clinic to get some medicine.
"Young Master Lu, yesterday I saw a Yangchun noodle stall on East Street. Could you take me there? I haven't eaten my hometown's delicacies in a long time."
When Xue Niang was still in the hands of the human traffickers, there was a girl from the south. She knew about Yangchun noodles and had heard about the local specialties, which was why she claimed to be from the south. Her accent wasn't quite right, but she deliberately spoke in a soft, gentle tone, her pitch carrying a hint of coquetry, making it sound similar to the local accent.
At least Lu Yanmo had not yet suspected her identity.
Going out for a stroll would also give Xiao Shan some clues.
He was the Divine Martial General; if he discovered her disappearance was suspicious, he would find her quickly.
"On the street? It's too dirty. I'll have the innkeeper make it for you."
Lu Yanmo never ate on the street. The crowds, the dirty tables and chairs, the insects, and the dust were all disgusting to think about.
But after he spoke, he saw the woman fall silent, her head lowered as if greatly disappointed.
"Then, alright, let's go eat there."
Xue Niang looked up and smiled faintly, like a blooming flower. "Thank you."
"Mmm." Lu Yanmo pursed his lips, feeling his face grow warm.
The Yangchun noodle stall on East Street was somewhat deserted, perhaps due to the local preference for heavier flavors. Only two or three people were eating. The noodle vendor was an elderly woman who, in her eagerness to attract customers, was a bit overly enthusiastic.
"Little madam is from the south, aren't you? Look how handsome you are, you must be from the south."
It was common knowledge that the south produced beauties.
Xue Niang was hesitant to answer, giving a perfunctory "Mmm."
"Which part of the south are you from?"
"...Jinchang..."
"Oh, Jinchang! I heard there was a flood there that drowned many people. A few days ago, refugees from that area came. Here, the noodles are ready, eat quickly!"
Just as Xue Niang thought the proprietress would quiet down, she continued, "Oh my, is this your husband? Truly a man of talent, and so well-matched with you. I've been making noodles here for two years, and I've never seen such a divine couple as you."