Chapter 9: A Night Visit to the Bamboo Grove

The night was deep and the wind was cool. Lu Yao had just changed into a set of black loungewear when she stepped out of the courtyard and shivered. She carefully surveyed her surroundings. Earlier, when she’d come with the servants, she’d noticed that the security guards patrolled all four courtyards in a rotating pattern, with a five-minute interval. By her calculation, the guards should now be at the Chrysanthemum Courtyard on the west side, giving her five minutes—plenty of time to hurry to the Bamboo Courtyard.

At this hour, the Bamboo Courtyard was dark; it was clear that Ye Hua had not yet returned from the main building. As she pondered her next move, footsteps suddenly echoed, growing steadily closer. Without hesitation, Lu Yao glanced around, confirmed there was no one in sight, and with nimble, agile movements, vaulted over the wall into the courtyard, hiding behind a cluster of bamboo.

Her sudden motion disturbed the mosquitoes resting on the bamboo. Drawn by the scent of fresh skin, one landed on her bare arm and bit down, greedily drawing blood. Ignoring the pain and itch, Lu Yao held her breath and listened to the conversation on the other side of the wall.

“Where did she go?”
“I clearly saw someone sneak over this way.”
“Should we search inside the courtyard?”
“Are you crazy? This is the eldest lady’s residence. Without her permission, entering the courtyard will get you severely punished.”
“So what should we do?”
“Let’s keep watch around here.”

Hidden in the shadows, Lu Yao dared not make a sound. She hadn’t expected Ye Hua to be such a fearsome figure in the eyes of outsiders—one who inspired terror and strict discipline.

It matched perfectly with the image of the villain who’d caused her mother’s death all those years ago.

She waited for about five minutes, and only after confirming that the guards had left did she muster the courage to open the door and slip into the building. In the darkness, unable to make out the décor, she fumbled for her phone and turned on the flashlight, feeling her way to a room that appeared to be either a study or an art studio.

The walls were covered in paintings—vivid in color and exaggerated in brushwork—utterly unlike the elegant style of her mother’s works she’d seen in the tearoom. In the darkness, the paintings on the walls seemed almost sinister, exuding a strange, evil aura. It felt as if at any moment, a wild beast might leap out from the canvas to kill.

Suddenly, the entire Bamboo Courtyard lit up, including the room she was in.

A crisp, lively voice rang out: “Wan’er, instead of seizing your chance with my second brother, what are you doing in this old, unused courtyard of mine?”

From the sound, Lu Yao could tell that Ye Hua had returned. Panic seized her. She wanted to leave, but discovered that the studio was sealed on all sides—the only exit was a skylight high above. A quick estimate told her it was at least eight or nine meters from the floor—impossible to reach by hand.

As if on cue, Qiao Wan’er said, “Dear sister-in-law, last time you promised to give me that sunflower painting from the studio. Why not let me take it tonight?”

“You sly little fox, come, I’ll get it for you,” Ye Hua replied.

With that, the sound of footsteps grew steadily closer to the studio.

The next second, the doorknob turned. Cold sweat broke out down Lu Yao’s back. At that critical moment, a figure grabbed her and pulled her through a hidden door into a dark, secret room.

In the darkness, a familiar scent filled her senses. Her heart was thrown into chaos. Their breaths mingled in the silence.

Her long lashes fluttered; in a whisper, she asked, “Ye Zehong, is that you?”

Ye Zehong let out a quiet sigh, clenched his jaw, and murmured helplessly, “Do you have any idea you’re risking your life?”

In the darkness, Lu Yao couldn’t see his expression, nor could she guess if those words were spoken out of worry or reproach.

“I—”

“Shh!”

The next instant, a warm palm covered her lips. Outside, footsteps approached ever closer to their hiding place.