"Listen first," she said gently, lifting a hand to place over his. "Actually, it's not that dangerous. I could sense the arrays Brother Zhenyu made just fine."
"Then what's the problem?"
Linyue paused, thinking carefully before speaking again. "As I said, I have doubts. So I tried to sense… myself."
His body went still. His dark eyes fixed on her, and his heartbeat skipped once. "And?" His voice came out low and tight.
"There is…" she said slowly, her breath brushing against his chest, "an array. Or maybe more than one. Inside me."
Shu Mingye didn't say anything. He just stared down at her, his jaw clenched.
"I can sense it," she continued quietly. "But it's stronger than I expected. When I tried to see it clearly, it… backlashed."
A heavy silence settled between them. Linyue didn't move. She could feel the tension in his arms, his whole body holding back something unspoken.
"There's an array in you?" he said at last, his voice low, almost a whisper.
He pulled her in again, his chin resting lightly on her damp hair. It was soft against his skin. But all he could feel was fear. A quiet, cold fear curling in his chest. She had been hiding something serious. Something that might hurt her. And he wasn't sure if he could stay calm about it.
Linyue's voice stayed soft. "I don't know what kind of array it is. And I don't know how long it's been there. Maybe… that's why you can't sense my cultivation level. Not even I can."
Shu Mingye felt his chest tighten. It made sense now. The strange way her energy always felt just out of reach, the reason he could never get a clear read on her strength. It wasn't because she was hiding it. Something was hiding it from her. So she really hadn't been lying. She truly didn't know.
He exhaled slowly, brushing his nose lightly against her damp hair. "Tell me how to sense it," he said. "I'll try."
Linyue shook her head quickly. "No. It's dangerous. The books said that high-level arrays can cause harm to anyone who tries to interfere and I've already proven that it's true."
"You'll never know until I try."
"No." She turned to face him, her gaze firm and unwavering. "Let's find another way."
Shu Mingye narrowed his eyes. "You really don't trust me."
"It's not that," she said softly. Her fingers curled lightly against his sleeve. "I'm worried. I can't risk hurting you too."
Shu Mingye kept staring at her, a storm of emotions flickering in his dark eyes. He was frustrated, but also a little touched.
She looked down briefly, her lashes lowering, then lifted her gaze again. "But instead… help me with something else."
His brow arched. "What is it?"
"Help me find about someone named Qi Heng."
Shu Mingye frowned. "Qi Heng?" The name sounded unfamiliar. Definitely a man's name. And ancient-sounding. He didn't like the way it rolled off her tongue.
Linyue caught his expression and quickly added, "He could be someone important… maybe royalty. From at least four hundred years ago."
That didn't improve his mood. A man's name, spoken so softly, and now he was supposed to dig up information about him? Fantastic.
Linyue pressed on. "He was a master in arrays. His cultivation was extremely high."
Shu Mingye's eyebrows lifted slightly. Master in arrays? High cultivation? Alright, fine, that explained her interest a little. But the jealous flicker in his eyes was still there, faint but not gone.
"Why do you want to find out about him?"
Linyue glanced away. "It's a long story," she said quietly. "I'll tell you later. If you can't find anything, it's fine. Don't force it."
Shu Mingye didn't like that answer at all. But he still replied, firm and sure, "I'll definitely find it."
Linyue's calm eyes studied him for a moment. Then her tone grew serious, almost sharp. "Be careful."
He frowned. "Be careful of what?"
She hesitated, then said quietly, "He's dangerous."
There was a long pause.
Shu Mingye's tone turned dry. "Pie, you're talking like he's still alive."
Linyue didn't answer. She didn't deny it either.
Shu Mingye's frown deepened. She was hiding something again. He could see it clearly. But at least this time, she had dropped a hint. A very concerning one. Dangerous? Alive? From four hundred years ago?
His mind began turning, sharp and fast. Was it even possible? Someone surviving that long would need monstrous cultivation or something far worse. If that Qi Heng really was tied to the array inside her, then Shu Mingye had no choice. He would need to dig deeper. And he'd need to start learning more about arrays himself.
Before he could press her further, Linyue tilted her head and spoke in her sweet voice. "Anyway, can I keep reading the books?"
He stared at her for a long moment. Then let out a long sigh. "Fine. But read them here. And if you want to try anything again…" His dark eyes narrowed on her. "Tell me first."
Linyue nodded softly. "I promise. Also, is there more? Older books about arrays? Ancient ones. Or even forbidden ones."
Shu Mingye paused. His eyes narrowed as he studied her face. He understood now. She wasn't just curious. She was searching for answers. Arrays that could hide inside someone's body, unnoticed even by the person themselves. That wasn't normal. Whoever placed such a thing had to be terrifyingly powerful. And now he understood why she wanted to know about Qi Heng.
"I'll find it," he said at last.
He finally let her go and climbed off the bed, straightening his robes. His tone stayed light, but his eyes had already sharpened. There was work to do. Secrets to uncover. Enemies to prepare for.
There was something warm and restless in his chest. She was starting to trust him. To rely on him. That was enough to light a small fire in him. He leaned down, pressing a kiss to her forehead. It was warm, firm, and far too natural for his own good.
"I'll ask someone to bring the books here," he said with a grin. "Don't go anywhere. Unless…" His dark eyes glinted mischievously. "You want me to chain you to the bed and do exciting things to you."
Linyue picked up a pillow and threw it at his face.
He laughed, catching it easily with one hand, and walked out with that same wicked smile. And in the quiet he left behind, Linyue raised her fingers and lightly touched the spot on her forehead where he kissed her. Her heart felt… strange. Soft. A little too warm.
She let out a long sigh and sank back onto the bed. She still hadn't told him everything. Not yet. But for now, she allowed herself a small moment of peace. Her eyes closed, her breathing slow. But the peace didn't last.
Knock knock.
Her eyes opened. She quickly stood and walked to the door.
Outside stood Shanjun, dressed neatly in his usual dark uniform. He carried massive tower of books and scrolls in his arms. The pile was so high it nearly covered his face.
Linyue smiled faintly. Shu Mingye must've sent him. That was fast.
Shanjun let out a deep sigh. "Little dumpling," he said with exaggerated sorrow, "you really know how to cause trouble. These many books? Are you trying to crush me on purpose?"
"You're only carrying them," Linyue gave him a wicked smile. "I haven't asked you to read them. Yet."
She stepped aside and gestured for him to enter.
Shanjun raised his brows high as he stepped in. "No, no, no. I'm perfectly happy being just the delivery man. If you make me read even one of these, I might fake an injury and retire early."
He carefully set the mountain of books on the table with a loud thud. Dust puffed up slightly from the oldest scrolls.
"Well, thank you, partner," Linyue said smoothly.
Shanjun chuckled. "It's been a while since I heard you call me that." Then his eyes narrowed slightly, a spark of mischief lighting them up. "By the way, are you here to fulfill your promise?"
"What promise?"
His grin grew wider. "Didn't you promise Queen Shu to marry the lord? Should I start calling you madam now?"
Linyue stared at him.
Shanjun stared back.
The room went silent.
Then she slowly reached for a book from the stack.
"Okay, okay! I'm leaving!" Shanjun yelped, throwing his hands up as he backed toward the door. "Don't hit me with ancient knowledge again!"
Linyue watched him retreat, her expression calm, though the faint curve of her lips betrayed her amusement.
Once the door closed, she let out a soft sigh and touched her forehead again. Promise, huh?
She wasn't ready to admit it out loud yet. But her heart was already walking that path. Maybe, after she figured out what thing was inside her body. She glanced at the stack of books and scrolls on the table. Reading session was about to start again. Dragging her feet, she picked up a few books and brought them to the bed. She flopped onto the mattress with a soft thud.
"…Here we go," she muttered to herself as she opened the first book, her legs kicking lightly against the blankets.