When she dared to peek again, Shu Mingye was already leaning back against the smooth stone edge of the pool. His arm slid easily around her waist, tugging her against him as though she belonged there.
She stiffened a little, waiting for whatever ridiculous stunt he planned next. But strangely, nothing happened. No sly remarks. No wandering hands. He simply stayed there, holding her while the warmth of the water eased the tension in her body.
Linyue tilted her head slightly, suspicious. His eyes were closed, long lashes still against his cheek, his face calm and strangely gentle. There was no smirk tugging at his lips, no mischief dancing in his expression. Just quiet. Just warmth.
Her shoulders loosened a little. She stopped fighting his hold, letting herself rest against him. Slowly, her cheek brushed against his chest. His heartbeat was steady beneath her ear, firm and constant. The sound was oddly soothing, steady enough that the tightness in her chest eased bit by bit. Safe. Warm. If she wasn't careful, she thought she might actually fall asleep right here.
Shu Mingye peeked down at her, his dark eyes softening. She was quiet in his arms now, calm. Obedient, even. Was she pretending to sleep because she thought he might try something again?
He was tempted to tease her, maybe whisper something wicked in her ear just to see her reaction. But when he saw her peaceful face, he stopped. Her eyelashes fluttered slightly, her breathing gentle. She looked delicate like this. Soft in a way she never let herself be.
He smiled faintly to himself. It was fine. He had time. He would tease her later.
After a while, Shu Mingye straightened up and shifted Linyue gently, resting her against the edge of the pool. The smooth stone was warm against her back, and she blinked her eyes open slowly, still a little dazed.
"Sleep well?" Shu Mingye's voice was light, almost teasing.
Linyue yawned softly, trying to act unfazed. "I didn't sleep. I just… closed my eyes a bit."
He grinned, leaning in closer. "Really? That's a shame. I thought you were asleep, so I didn't do anything." His hand reached toward her.
She dodged with surprising speed and blurted out, "I was sleeping! I just woke up now."
Shu Mingye laughed, eyes gleaming with playful danger. He braced his arms on either side of her and kissed her forehead. Then he stepped out of the pool, water dripping down to the floor.
"Wait here," he said. "I'll prepare clothes for you to change."
Linyue watched him leave, her heart still beating faster than it should. He was becoming more and more dangerous. If he kept this up, she might really give in soon. But as the sound of his footsteps faded, her thoughts shifted. She couldn't forget her goal. The array in her body… she still didn't know what it was or why it was there. Maybe she should tell him.
She sighed quietly. She wasn't good at lying. And she couldn't keep avoiding it forever.
Fine. She made up her mind.
Linyue turned and leaned her arms on the edge of the pool, resting her chin on top. Her eyes drifted shut again. The water rippled softly around her as she let her thoughts settle. Not long after, she heard steady footsteps returning. She didn't bother looking up. Her heart already knew who it was.
"Pie," Shu Mingye's voice came with a lazy smile, "you look tired. Want me to help you change?"
Linyue's eyes flew open. She shot him a sharp glare.
He was standing just a few steps away, already fully dressed. A black outer robe draped over his shoulders, delicate bamboo patterns curling along the edges. Underneath, his white silk inner robes peeked out with subtle black accents. The bamboo stalks and leaves swept across his chest and lapel. He looked annoyingly handsome.
Linyue blinked once. Then she stepped out of the pool, still in her soaked inner robe. Water clung stubbornly to her skin as she snatched the clean robes from his hand.
She shoved him firmly toward the door. "Go! Don't peek!"
Shu Mingye chuckled. "I can't promise."
"Are you waiting for me to poke your eyes?" she threatened, her tone sharp.
He laughed again, rich and low. "Fine, fine. I'll let you go this time."
She watched him walk out, tall and smug, his steps unhurried. The tips of his dark hair were still damp, leaving faint drops on the floor. Just because she said she didn't want to leave… he had been getting bolder by the minute. Not that she minded. But she definitely wasn't going to let him feel too pleased about it.
As soon as the door clicked shut, Linyue changed quickly just in case he decided to change his mind and sneak back in.
The robes he had given her were soft under her fingers, light and flowing. She paused for a moment, holding them up. The inner robe was pure white silk, crossed at the collar with a black trim. Delicate bamboo leaves in soft gray swept across the chest and trailed all the way down to the hem.
Then came the outer layer. A semi-transparent black gauze robe that reached her ankles. The sleeves were long, floating slightly when she moved. Along the edges, golden bamboo leaves glimmered faintly in the light, subtle but beautiful.
Linyue looked down at herself, brow furrowing slightly. It was beautiful. She liked it. But it looked suspiciously like the female version of what he was wearing earlier. Was this on purpose?
That man was really becoming too bold.
Linyue walked back into the bedchamber with slow steps. The soft black gauze of her robe trailed lightly behind her. Shu Mingye was already there, lounging lazily on the bed. His back rested against the bedpost, one knee bent, his robe loose at the collar. When his eyes landed on her, they lit up instantly.
She looked too beautiful, like a dream that had stepped into his room. His lips curved into a slow, wicked smile as he opened his arms. "Come here."
Linyue stopped and looked at him suspiciously. His smile only widened.
"What are you waiting for?"
She walked over and climbed onto the bed with cautious movements. And before she could properly sit, he caught her around the waist and pulled her smoothly into his lap. A soft breath escaped her lips in surprise as his arms crossed firmly in front of her, locking her in place. Her back pressed against his chest, his warmth seeping into her skin. She could feel his steady breathing against her ear.
Shu Mingye chuckled under his breath, the sound low and smug.
Linyue cleared her throat, trying to ignore the fact that her heart was beating faster. "About the books and scrolls in my chamber…"
"Confiscated," he said lazily, his chin brushing her shoulder. "Until you tell me what happened to you."
Her eyes widened slightly.
He tightened his hold a little, his voice deep and amused. "And you're grounded here until I say otherwise."
She turned her head to glare at him. "Until you say otherwise?" she asked. "Will that ever actually happen?"
Shu Mingye gave her an unrepentant, wicked smile. "Not likely."
Linyue stared at him, caught between exasperation and disbelief. He didn't even bother to act innocent. This man was truly dangerous. And somehow, she was still letting herself stay in his arms.
She sighed softly and shifted to rest more comfortably against his chest. His steady heartbeat thumped beneath her cheek. The warmth of his body and the quiet of the room loosened her guard a little.
"I want to learn more about arrays," she said finally, her voice soft. "I have my doubts."
Shu Mingye tilted his head. "Doubts?"
"Mhm." She nodded lightly. "I learned how to sense arrays from the books, and…" Her voice trailed off at the end, unsure how much to say.
Shu Mingye's expression darkened. He could already guess where this was going, and he didn't like it one bit. "And that was how you got hurt and coughed up blood?"
Linyue hesitated. "It… wasn't wrong. But—"
"There's no but," he snapped, tightening his arms around her. "You're not allowed to do that again."