351: tuberose's goodwill

Situ Jun looked at her, seeing the determination and feigned strength in her eyes, his heart filled with a mix of emotions.

He knew her mind was made up; any further persuasion at this moment would only make her more resistant.

He said no more, only giving her a deep look, wanting to carve her image into his heart—eyebrows like distant mountains, eyes like autumn waters, and that small cinnabar mole under her eye adding a touch of charm. Though her cheeks were still slightly swollen, it could not hide her city-toppling beauty. Her gaze held a hint of stubbornness and despair, a beauty that made one's heart ache.

Just then, he quietly activated the "Eye of Detection." A faint light, imperceptible to ordinary people, flashed from his eyes and landed on Wan Xiangyu.

[Name: Wan Xiangyu]

[Age: 38]

[Identity: Resident of Qingshan Town, wife of the wealthy Steward Wang]

[Rating: 90]

[Cultivation: Second Level of Qi Refining]

[Physique: Awakening (Awakened by the Dragon Phoenix True Qi of the Dragon-Phoenix Grand Derivation True Scripture; requires continuous nourishment of Dragon Phoenix True Qi to fully awaken)]

[Favorability: 71]

[heavenly luck value: 1000]

[Recent Evaluation: Unhappy. Completely disappointed in Steward Wang. Inwardly yearns for care and protection. Has developed feelings for Situ Jun but is lost and confused due to past experiences and current circumstances, feigning indifference to hide her true heart.]

The data from the Eye of Detection surfaced clearly in Situ Jun's mind. He felt a slight sense of relief; luckily, he hadn't been fooled by her cold, distant demeanor earlier.

A favorability of 71 points had long surpassed mere gratitude; it was a complex emotion mixed with dependence, fluttering excitement, and trust.

Furthermore, the Physique Awakening within her was closely related to the Dragon-Phoenix Grand Derivation True Scripture he cultivated, requiring continuous nourishment from Dragon Phoenix True Qi—this meant that there was already an unbreakable bond between them.

The trace of disappointment born from her resolute words vanished instantly, replaced by a sense of certainty and urgency.

He couldn't just leave like this, couldn't let her remain trapped in this cage, and certainly couldn't miss this fated connection.

Situ Jun deactivated the Eye of Detection. When his gaze fell upon Wan Xiangyu again, it held more understanding and determination.

He didn't expose her; he knew Wan Xiangyu needed time to face her own heart.

After a moment, Situ Jun pointed at Steward Wang on the floor and asked:

"Do you need me to help you get him out? Or help him onto your bed?"

Hearing this, Wan Xiangyu's face flushed as she said:

"Thank you, but that's not necessary. You... you should leave quickly."

Situ Jun sighed, nodded, opened the door, and vanished in a flash.

The moment Situ Jun's figure disappeared outside the door, Wan Xiangyu's tense back suddenly slumped, as if all the strength supporting her had been drained away.

She stumbled back two steps, her back resting lightly against the cold dressing table. Her fingertips still held the residual cool sensation from when he had held them. The coolness of the ointment on her cheek intertwined with the heat surging in her heart, causing an inexplicable tremor to run through her entire body.

The candlelight flickered, casting her shadow long and thin over the unconscious Steward Wang on the floor.

His obese body was curled up, saliva from the corner of his mouth wetting the hem of his luxurious brocade robe. He let out heavy snores, completely devoid of the terrifying ferocity he had shown while committing the violence earlier.

Yet it was this pathetic state that caused a surge of hatred in the depths of Wan Xiangyu's eyes, like a crack finally appearing in ice that had been silent for years.

She covered her still-numb cheek, her fingertips brushing over the fading palm print. Situ Jun's tenderness and Steward Wang's brutality formed a sharp contrast, making her stomach churn.

In the first few years after marrying Steward Wang, she was Madam Wang on the surface, living in luxury, but in reality, she was nothing more than a plaything for his lust and boasting.

His drunken insults were a daily occurrence, and any slight dissatisfaction led to pushing and beating. Her dignity was trampled under his feet, crushed into the mud.

It wasn't until he took several concubines that he lost some interest in her, sparing her from his abuse.

But today, for some reason, Steward Wang had come to her room again, and the slap he gave her had been seen by Situ Jun.

Thinking of Situ Jun, Wan Xiangyu's heart fluttered uncontrollably again.

The heartache in his eyes was so genuine, the tenderness of his fingertips so careful, and that phrase "I couldn't stop worrying about you" was like a pebble thrown into her stagnant heart, the ripples spreading and lingering for a long time.

She raised her hand to her cheek; the swelling had mostly subsided. The medicinal power of the Blood-Stasis Clearing Pill was still slowly circulating, and even the red marks on her neck from being strangled seemed less painful.

"Madam? Madam, are you alright?"

A maid's timid voice came from outside the door, carrying a hint of inquiry.

The commotion inside earlier hadn't been small—the sound of slapping and heavy objects falling must have alerted the servants on night duty outside, but no one dared to enter uninvited.

Wan Xiangyu took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in her heart, and replied in as steady a voice as possible:

"Come in."

The door was pushed open gently, and a maid entered carrying a horn lantern.

When she saw the scene in the room—Madam clutching her cheek, pale-faced, while the usually formidable Steward Wang lay flat on the ground, snoring loudly—she turned pale with fright and fell to her knees with a thud:

"Madam! What... what happened? The Master, he..."

This maid was one of the few servants in the manor who was genuinely loyal to Wan Xiangyu. Seeing Wan Xiangyu's swollen cheek and the tears in her eyes, the maid's heart tightened. She understood in an instant, and her eyes immediately reddened:

"Madam, what happened to your face? Did the Master... again?"

"Don't ask too many questions."

Wan Xiangyu interrupted her, her voice carrying a hint of exhaustion yet possessing an unquestionable authority:

"The Steward has had too much to drink and accidentally fell. Go fetch two servants to carry him back to the study. Be quiet about it; don't alert anyone else."

"But Madam, your face..."

The maid looked at the swelling on Wan Xiangyu's face that hadn't completely subsided, feeling heartbroken but not daring to disobey her orders.

"I'm fine. It's much better after applying the medicine."

Wan Xiangyu avoided her gaze, turned to the window, and continued with her back to her:

"Go now. Don't let others see this state and start gossiping."

The maid knew Lady Xiangyu's temperament—fragile on the outside but extremely strong-willed within, unwilling to let others see her in such a wretched state.

She bit her lip and finally nodded:

"Yes, Madam. I'll go right away."

The maid hurried away and returned a moment later with two sturdy male servants.

Both servants were veterans of the Wang Manor and were accustomed to Steward Wang's ridiculous behavior after drinking. Although they were somewhat surprised by the scene on the floor, they didn't dare ask questions. Keeping their heads down, they carefully lifted Steward Wang as Wan Xiangyu had instructed.