The air in the room lay heavy and stagnant. Disheveled cloth lay draped over the corner of the chair, and though no word was spoken, the suffocating weight of what had happened pressed thickly upon every inch of space.
Yunxiu stood where she was, her hair hanging low, her clothes askew, her whole being exuding a cold, broken fragility. Yet from start to finish, she did not shed a single tear, nor make a single sob. Even her fingertips trembled only faintly, without the slightest hint of collapse or loss of composure.
Qin Ruhai tidied his robes slowly and elegantly, as if what had passed was nothing more than a casual conversation. He lifted his eyes to her, his voice low and steady, carrying undisguised approval.
"You are indeed far stronger than ordinary women."
"Anyone else would have broken down in tears and screams, losing all sense of decency. But you do not cry, do not panic, do not falter. You remain in control."
"Such a mind, such resolve—rare among ten thousand."
Yunxiu lowered her gaze, her lips pressed tightly shut, silent.
It was not that she felt no pain, no humiliation. But she knew all too well that breakdown served no purpose, and tears would only drag her to eternal ruin. She had to return. She had to protect Miss. She could not fall apart.
Qin Ruhai leaned slightly closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper, instructing her calmly as if speaking of the most trivial matter.
"When you return, mention to Miss the teahouse Linyan Pavilion by the Misty Rain Tower in the south of the city. Describe it as elegant and quiet. Lure her to go willingly. The three of you will go together to the private room on the second floor."
Yunxiu suddenly lifted her head, her eyes sharpening with clarity.
She was too intelligent. With just one sentence, she saw his true intention.
"No," she spoke, her voice hoarse and faint, fearful that any louder would be heard outside. "This will ruin her reputation. It will destroy her."
Having held back her tears until now, her eyes reddened, moisture welling up violently, yet she bit her lip hard to keep them from falling.
She leaned forward slightly, her voice trembling with desperate pleading.
"…Please. Leave her alone. She knows nothing. Please don't destroy her…"
Qin Ruhai watched her sudden defiance not with anger, but with a slight nod, as if he had long expected her refusal.
He stepped closer slowly, his voice little more than a breath, yet at this moment, he revealed his ultimate killing move.
"You may refuse to help me."
"But if Miss learns of what happened today… do you think she would still keep someone soiled by your side?"
Yunxiu's face drained of all color, her body stiffening.
Before she could react, Qin Ruhai's final words drifted softly into her ear, piercing straight into her deepest fear.
"Now decide one thing.
Do you care more about whether Miss is safe…
Or whether you can stay by her side? Whether you will lose her?"
In that instant, all the strength holding her together was ripped away.
The calm, resolve, and intelligence she had clung to only a moment before shattered completely.
Every last escape route was sealed shut.
No sound. No sobbing.
Only large, heavy tears fell silently, one after another, dropping soundlessly to the ground.
She did not weep for her own humiliation.
She wept because she feared she could not protect Miss, that she would watch her fall into the abyss.
Her shoulders softened, her body sinking slightly, as if all her bones had been pulled out.
The last spark of defiance in her eyes died out, leaving only lifeless despair.
Qin Ruhai watched as she finally submitted, the corner of his mouth curving into a faint, refined smile.
Strike at the fatal weakness; seize what one cannot bear to lose.
No force. No threats. No cruelty.
Grip her lifeline, and even the fiercest soul will bow.
Yunxiu's hands at her sides slowly relaxed, her fingertips ice-cold.
Her voice was so faint it might vanish into the wind, a mere murmur, filled with total, resigned obedience.
"…I understand."
On the walk back to the manor, Yunxiu moved slowly, each step stiff and labored.
She forced herself to straighten her clothes, hiding all her dishevelment and dull pain beneath a calm exterior. Her fingertips were cold, yet her back remained straight. She could not let anyone see the slightest abnormality, least of all let Miss notice anything wrong.
As soon as she stepped into the courtyard, Su Liwan hurried toward her, lifting her skirt, her face blooming with unconcealed joy, bright as the warmest spring sunlight.
"Yunxiu! You're finally back!"
She grabbed Yunxiu's hands, her eyes shining with expectation. "Did you see Young Master Qin today? How has he been lately?"
Yunxiu's heart tightened, but her expression remained gentle. "Rest assured, Miss. Young Master Qin is well."
"Really?" Su Liwan broke into a smile, faint blushes coloring her cheeks, shy and delighted. "I knew he must have been held up by something. He's so gentle, so talented—he would never break an appointment on purpose."
Yunxiu paused, then added softly, "Young Master Qin was slightly ill with a cold a few days ago, which delayed him. He has fully recovered today. You need not worry, Miss."
Upon hearing this, Su Liwan immediately looked concerned and anxious. "Oh, he was ill? Was it serious? Why didn't anyone say…"
She patted her chest in relief. "Thank goodness. It's good he's better now."
With that, she glanced reproachfully at Yunxiu. "Look at you. You were always so hostile toward Young Master Qin before, so distant. He's such a refined, polite man—what could he possibly have done to offend you? Don't be so rude again."
Yunxiu froze, her hands at her sides clenching tightly.
Her former hostility had only been instinctive protection, fearing Miss would be deceived, fearing she would be hurt.
Yet now, she was about to push Miss into the abyss with her own hands.
The so-called elegant Linyan Pavilion stood right next to Misty Rain Tower, Qingxi's most famous brothel. A respectable young lady would fear gossip even from walking nearby, let alone sitting in a private room with a man.
She could only lower her head, her voice a faint murmur.
"…Yes. This servant knows her fault."
"You don't understand. Young Master Qin is so handsome, so elegant, so gentle. There is no one else like him in all of Qingxi."
With that, Su Liwan lifted her chin slightly, pride sparkling in her eyes as she smiled and praised herself. "Only this young lady has such good taste to see that a kind man like Young Master Qin is a rare, worthy gentleman, not just anyone ordinary."
"Naturally!" She grew happier, her eyes curved into crescents, her smile bright. "He is not only good-looking but also kind, polite to everyone—clearly a man of integrity. Meeting him is the luckiest thing that ever happened to me."
Her heart and eyes were filled with nothing but Qin Ruhai. She bounced on her toes, utterly lost in the sweetness of a young girl in love.
Yunxiu suppressed her turbulent emotions, speaking softly and steadily. "Young Master Qin asked me to pass a message to you. He thinks of you often and wishes to invite you to tea in the private room at Linyan Pavilion beside Misty Rain Tower in the south. It is quiet and elegant, perfect for a small visit."
"Tea?!"
Su Liwan's eyes widened in surprise, nearly jumping with joy, her hands clasped tightly. "He invited me? Really?!"
"It is true."
"How wonderful!" Su Liwan smiled radiantly, sweet and joyful. "Young Master Qin is so thoughtful, choosing such a proper, quiet place. He is so polite."
She praised him again, her heart filled with excitement for the upcoming meeting. "I will wear my most beautiful dress and bring the snacks I made myself. I must make a good impression on him!"
With that, she smiled contentedly. "When we meet, he will surely see how wonderful this young lady is, with such excellent taste. He will not be disappointed."
Yunxiu stood quietly to the side, wearing a gentle smile throughout, softly agreeing to every word Miss spoke.
She quietly suppressed her physical discomfort and inner chaos, telling herself over and over:
It will be fine. It is just a cup of tea. As long as Miss is happy.
As long as she can stay by Miss's side, everything will be alright.
"As you wish, Miss. This servant will go prepare for you at once."