96: Choice

Embroiderer sighed, looking at the flowers blooming vibrantly. Her red lips parted slightly:

"Regarding the Young Master's proposal yesterday to buy the Brocade Pavilion, I'm afraid I must disappoint you."

Situ Jun already knew this, so when he heard her words, his face showed no surprise; he only smiled faintly:

"Then what does Madam plan to do? That Zhuang Xian..."

Embroiderer stared at Situ Jun for a long while, her expression hesitant.

After a long pause, she spoke softly:

"Since the Young Master is acquainted with Sister Yumei, could I ask you for a favor?"

Situ Jun looked up at her:

"Please speak, Madam. As for whether I can agree and accomplish it, I can only decide after you've finished."

Embroiderer nodded gently, a hint of plea in her voice:

"I would like to ask the Young Master to help look after my daughter, or help bring her to Sister Yumei to be raised. With the Young Master's high Cultivation, you should be able to take her away silently, right?"

Situ Jun nodded, his gaze calm:

"Taking someone away isn't difficult, but why should I help?"

Embroiderer was stunned, only then realizing her request was somewhat abrupt.

She thought to herself: He's right, why should someone help me for no reason at all?

She hesitated for a moment and said:

"The Young Master's Cultivation is extraordinary, so you surely look down on worldly possessions. I have been reckless; I wonder what it would take for the Young Master to agree to help?"

Situ Jun didn't answer directly, but sighed and asked:

"Madam, you're planning to secretly leave Northern Border City tonight, aren't you?"

Hearing this, Embroiderer was startled, and a look of pain appeared on her face.

She grabbed the wine pot and poured it directly into her mouth.

The liquid dripped down her chin, wetting her collar. She coughed a few times, wiped the wine from the corner of her mouth, and nodded with a bitter smile:

"Since the Young Master has seen through it, why ask more?"

She gripped the wine pot tightly, her voice filled with hatred:

"I originally thought marrying into the Wei Family would provide a stable home, but I never expected..."

Before she could finish, tears welled up and fell, shimmering in the moonlight.

A moment later, she wiped her tears, her voice carrying deep concern:

"But leaving like this, I'm worried about my daughter."

Situ Jun hesitated for a moment, then took out the Divorce Letter and the 'Indentured Servitude Contract' and handed them to Embroiderer.

Embroiderer looked at Situ Jun in confusion and asked:

"What is this?"

Situ Jun nodded to her, and Embroiderer took them and opened them.

A moment later, she was so angry her lips trembled. She stood up to go argue with Wei Zhong, to ask him why he was so selfish and shameless.

Seeing this, Situ Jun quickly stood up and grabbed her delicate hand:

"I just scanned the front yard with my Spiritual Sense; he's already dead drunk and asleep. You won't get any answers even if you confront him."

Embroiderer sat down weakly, an oppressed sob escaping her throat.

Seeing this, Situ Jun took a silk handkerchief from his Storage Pouch, patted her arm, and handed it to her.

After a long time, Embroiderer looked up, her eyes red as she stared at Situ Jun.

Suddenly, she knelt on the bluestone floor, her hair loose and disheveled, looking miserable yet incredibly determined:

"As long as the Young Master is willing to protect my daughter's safety and help her escape this disaster, my life shall belong to the Young Master!"

Situ Jun's pupils constricted as he gazed at the resolute Embroiderer before him.

The candlelight cast flickering shadows on her face. That expression, a mix of fragility and tenacity, actually caused a strange ripple in his heart.

He leaned down to help Embroiderer up, his fingertips touching her cold skin, and said softly:

"Madam, please get up first. Let me consider this matter."

Embroiderer remained stubbornly kneeling on the ground, her beautiful eyes filled with tears:

"If the Young Master does not agree, I shall not rise."

Her slender body trembled slightly in the night wind, the scent of jasmine from her hair mixing with the aroma of wine, drifting through the night.

Situ Jun sighed. He hadn't wanted to be so hypocritical, but Embroiderer truly wasn't happy with Wei Zhong. Hardening his heart, he said:

"I can promise to protect your daughter's safety, but you must promise me one thing."

Embroiderer quickly looked up, hope igniting in her eyes: "I am at the Young Master's command!"

"Sever your ties with Wei Zhong and follow me from now on," Situ Jun said with a firm gaze.

Hearing this, Embroiderer was stunned, instantly understanding Situ Jun's meaning.

Thinking of Wei Zhong's heartlessness and looking at the handsome and powerful young man before her, her face reddened slightly as she nodded gently:

"I promise the Young Master. I hope the Young Master will cherish me more in the future..."

Situ Jun looked at Embroiderer's blushing face, his heart stirring slightly. He reached out and gently helped her up.

Embroiderer leaned into Situ Jun's embrace, her hair brushing against him, emitting a faint, delicate fragrance.

"In that case, tomorrow morning, I will arrange for someone to take your daughter away to an absolutely safe place and hand her over to a reliable person to be raised."

Situ Jun said with a determined look.

Embroiderer looked at Situ Jun gratefully, her eyes full of deep affection: "Thank you, Young Master. I am willing to do anything for you."

By now, the night had deepened, and the wind outside the pavilion grew colder.

Situ Jun took off his outer robe and draped it over Embroiderer: "It's late. Go back to your room and rest. We'll discuss everything tomorrow."

Embroiderer had only taken two steps after standing up when she nearly stumbled.

Situ Jun moved in a flash to steady her:

"Dizzy from the wine?"

Embroiderer leaned against Situ Jun, her face flushed, and nodded gently.

Situ Jun glanced at her and said:

"Since you can't walk, shall I carry you back?"

Hearing this, Embroiderer's face grew even redder. She shyly bit her lip and gave a nearly imperceptible nod.

Having received her consent, Situ Jun carefully picked her up.

The elegant, unique scent from Embroiderer's body and the faint jasmine fragrance from her hair intertwined, making his heart race.

As they passed through the moon gate, the copper bells on the eaves were stirred by the night wind. Amidst the delicate tinkling, Embroiderer pressed her hot cheek against his neck, her fingers unconsciously clutching his collar.

"Second room on the left..."

Her voice was soft, trembling in Situ Jun's ear.

Moonlight filtered through the carved window lattices, casting mottled shadows on the bluestone floor. The crimson curtains on the bed were half-drawn, and agarwood smoke rose lazily from a copper burner in the corner.

Situ Jun placed her gently on the soft brocade quilt. In the flickering candlelight, he caught sight of an embroidery book scattered by the pillow—on the title page, 'Embroiderer's Private Use' was written in crooked characters, the ink already faded to a light brown.

"This is..."

His fingertips brushed over the line of words when his wrist was suddenly grabbed by Embroiderer.

She knelt on the bed, her black hair falling like a waterfall over her shoulders, her eyes shimmering like water:

"Don't worry about those..."

Her warm palm pressed against his chest. Through the thin fabric, their heartbeats were clearly audible... Outside, the night was thick, and the moonlight was eventually obscured by clouds.

The bed curtains swayed gently, and the silver bells at Embroiderer's waist made soft tinkling sounds with her movements.

Embroiderer suddenly held him tight, hot tears dripping onto his shoulder:

"Treat me better in the future... never be apart again..."

At the first light of dawn, Embroiderer lay curled in Situ Jun's arms, fast asleep.

He gently stroked her messy hair, his gaze falling on a lock of hair on the bedside table.

That was what Embroiderer had begged Situ Jun to cut from his head last night. She wanted to keep this lock of Situ Jun's hair with her as a memento when she left Northern Border City.

He lowered his head and kissed the top of Embroiderer's head, whispering softly: "Don't be afraid, I'm here for everything."