Only then did Rui realize—he was still holding her.
She shoved him away. Backing toward the door.
Rui almost followed. But stopped. His eyes flicked toward Shen. A silent command. Shen nodded once. Then followed Rong Xi out.
Rui turned toward the window. Leef laughed softly beside him. They watched Rong Xi disappear into the street.
"So, Young Master," Leef said with a grin. "How was meeting your fiancée?" He chuckled. "She probably thinks you're some kind of deviant."
Rui said nothing.
Leef continued, amused. "I suppose you won't need that red aphrodisiac flower." He smirked. "After the way you were holding her. Master Wu gave it to me. Said you might need it on your wedding night."
Rui's head snapped toward him. "When?"
Leef straightened. "A month before he vanished."
Rui's expression darkened. Master Wu had never planned to return before the wedding.
Leef studied him. Then grinned again. "First time you've held a woman that thoroughly, hm?" With mock innocence, he added, "Lingering alone with her was very uncharacteristic. I expected you to leave right after the physician." Then he stated. "It was… improper."
Rui's jaw tightened. Heat crept into his face. Too late to stop it.
Leef's grin widened. "Are you blushing, Young Master?"
Rui's expression hardened. "That will be all."
###
Why am I trapped in this fragile body? And he's a man… in a patriarchal world where men always hold the power.
He has the advantage again. I need to find out who he really is. But until this body grows stronger—until I can control the memories and emotions flooding through me—I should keep my distance.
Rong Xi is only sixteen. Her body can barely handle the weight of twenty-two lifetimes.
One step at a time. First, I need money. That Western ship might be my only way home.
Malin poured dried flowers into the steaming basin. The sweet scent filled the room. "You never used to like bathing," she said softly. "You always made excuses. And you hated these flowers."
Rong Xi stepped into the basin. The hot water stole her breath for a moment before she lowered herself onto the wooden seat. Malin began scrubbing her shoulder. "You're different now," Malin murmured.
"Better or worse?" Rong Xi asked.
Malin hesitated. "Braver," she finally said. "Kinder. But… unpredictable."
"That sounds like a bad thing."
"You took punishment for me," Malin said quietly. "The old you would never have done that."
Rong Xi frowned. "Was I cruel?"
Malin froze. Her hand stopped moving. Rong Xi reached out and caught her wrist. The maid's hand was rough, scarred from years of work. A thin, clean cut stretched across the back of it.
Rong Xi traced the scar gently. "How did you get this?"
Malin pulled her hand away. Silence filled the room.
"Whatever I used to be," Rong Xi said quietly, "you can tell me."
Malin looked at her. "You really don't remember?"
Rong Xi shook her head.
Malin let out a slow breath. "Then it doesn't matter."
She resumed scrubbing. Rong Xi watched her reflection ripple across the water. "Malin… what do you want most?"
The maid blinked. "I'm your servant, Miss. My only wish is to serve you."
"No," Rong Xi said. "What do you want?"
Malin lowered her gaze. "I… I can't want things."
The answer made Rong Xi's chest tighten. Lady Rong had once said Malin got that scar from cracking nuts. But the cut was too clean. "Do you want to marry?" Rong Xi asked gently.
Malin's eyes widened. Her hand instinctively covered the scar. "I'm sorry, Miss—"
"Is that why I hurt you before?"
"Miss…"
Rong Xi stepped out of the basin and wrapped a cloth around herself. "If you swear to keep my secret," she said softly, "I'll grant you one wish."
Malin stared at her in shock. "I swear," she whispered quickly. "I won't tell Lord Rong. I won't tell Lady Rong. Not anyone."
"Then tell me," Rong Xi said. "What life would you choose for yourself?"
Malin's voice trembled. "I want… to be loved." Her eyes filled with tears. "To have a family. A child."
Rong Xi stepped forward and pulled her into a hug. "You want what everyone wants."
"But I'm only a slave," Malin whispered. "Who would ever want me?"
Rong Xi's throat tightened. "You're just as worthy as anyone else."
Because once… I was like Malin. An abandoned baby left beside a trash bin. Saved only because a stranger chose kindness. Serena had learned something long ago. Love was never about status.
And one day… Malin would learn that too. But as Rong Xi closed her eyes—the memory of his hand on her waist returned. Tight. Controlled. Unyielding. Not desire. Possession.