The next morning arrived without sunlight.
It was still cloudy outside as if refusing to let joy reach the Jade Dragon Compound. Liu Feng rose early from the old cricket bed, with his back aching from the uneven wood slats. The old shed barely kept the wind out, and rats had scurried under the floorboards all night. But his senses remained sharp.
He sat cross-legged and focused his breathing.
The Heaven-Eating Scripture, damaged though it was, still responded to his presence. Its circulation path was strange—backward compared to orthodox Qi techniques—but efficient. Dangerous. Like a serpent coiling in the dark.
Just as Liu Feng's mind entered its deepest quiet, a sharp knock broke the silence.
"Trash husband, come out."
The voice belonged to a younger outer disciple. Arrogant. Unkind. Just as expected.
Liu Feng opened the door to find a young man smirking at him, holding a set of folded robes and a task slip. "The Young Mistress requests your presence in the Sky Orchid Pavilion. Wear this. Don't embarrass the clan."
Without waiting for a reply, the boy spun and left.
Liu Feng unfolded the robes: ceremonial white with the faint emblem of the Jade Dragon curled over the chest. Not a proper inner clan robe—just enough to keep appearances.
Interesting. She actually summoned me.
The Sky Orchid Pavilion was built like a hanging cloud—white marble, open-air terraces, and bonsai trees groomed to perfection. Mist rolled gently off the pond as Liu Feng arrived, guided by two silent handmaidens.
Su Yao stood near the edge of the platform, practicing sword forms with a long, silver blade. Her every movement carved arcs into the mist, as elegant as a dancer, as lethal as a blizzard.
She didn't look at him when she spoke.
"You're early."
"I couldn't sleep," Liu Feng replied. "The rats were noisy."
"Don't expect the clan to improve your room. You're here because the elders forced me. That doesn't make you a real member of the Jade Dragons."
"I invited you here to make something clear," she said, her voice cool and crisp. "This marriage means nothing to me. I did it for the clan."
Liu Feng met her gaze evenly. "Of course."
"You are not to interfere with clan business. Do not speak out of turn. Do not bring shame to my name."
He smiled. "Then I suppose I'm to be your ghost husband."
"If you prefer that title," she said, expression unreadable.
She sheathed her sword with a clean click, then finally turned to face him.
Her expression was unreadable. Regal. Distant.
"You'll accompany me today to the outer markets," she said. "As my husband. There will be eyes. You will walk behind me and speak only if spoken to. Do you understand?"
Liu Feng bowed. "Perfectly."
She narrowed her eyes at his calm response.
"You're not upset?"
"I've lived in worse places. And followed colder orders."
Su Yao's gaze lingered on him a moment too long before she turned.
"Don't try to act clever. Everyone here is stronger than you. Even the servants cultivate."
"I don't doubt it."
She paused at the steps, her hand resting on the railing. "Then why aren't you angry?"
Liu Feng tilted his head. "Would anger make me stronger? Or just louder?"
Su Yao said nothing.
For the first time, a flicker of something passed behind her cool mask. Not warmth. Not trust.
But curiosity.
"Fine," she said finally. "Let's see how long you last."
As they descended the steps together, Liu Feng allowed himself a small smile.
She spoke to me today.
And she looked back, even if just once.
That's more than I expected from a wife like frost.