The morning after, the sun shone brightly.
The chirping of birds drifted from the forest into the room, melodious and crisp, yet not even a fraction as captivating as the soft gasps of the maiden from the previous night.
The candelabra had burned out, the red gauze still hung in place, and Gu Shenzhi was awakened by the incessant chirping.
He had been plied with too much wine by Mu Zhonghua, and even now, he could feel a pounding headache.
Gazing at the unfamiliar scene before him, Gu Shenzhi realized with a start that last night had been his wedding night with Su Linghuang.
Yet, as for what had happened, his memories were frustratingly vague.
He could only faintly recall that he had likely fallen asleep holding Su Linghuang.
And then… the maiden’s scent was intoxicating, her figure graceful, her skin soft and smooth, a rare beauty in this world.
Even though Su Linghuang had long since left, her delicate fragrance lingered on his clothes, and the scenes from last night seemed vivid in his mind.
Gradually, the fragmented memories pieced themselves together, and a series of intimate images flashed before Gu Shenzhi’s eyes: him playfully teasing the delicate hands of the Red Lotus Saintess, as soft as mutton-fat jade; demanding she call him “husband”; and brazenly caressing her slender waist and fragrant hips.
Wait—what exactly had he done after getting drunk?!
Ruining the reputation of a saintess was bad enough, but to have held her, touched her, and forced her to call him “husband”…
Worse still, Su Linghuang’s compliance was surely due to Mu Zhonghua’s influence, not because she had any affection for him.
After being taken advantage of, she must now despise him to her core.
Gu Shenzhi broke out in a cold sweat.
If this was true, he had to find Su Linghuang and explain himself immediately—there was no time to waste.
He hurriedly grabbed the neatly folded cloud-patterned black robe from the table, quickly tied the jade belt around his waist, and strode toward the door.
If he delayed any longer, it might be too late.
Though this marriage was a union of convenience between the Spirit Sword and Moonshadow factions, he and the Red Lotus Saintess had indeed shared a wedding night, not to mention the absurd events of the previous evening.
No matter what, Su Linghuang was now his lawfully wedded wife.
Anxiously pushing open the door, Gu Shenzhi rushed out without paying attention to his surroundings and collided head-on with a girl in pink.
“Young Master, where are you rushing off to?”
Tao Yao shakily got up from the ground, brushing the dust off herself.
The dark circles under her eyes suggested she was dizzy with exhaustion.
Her beloved had married that wretched woman—how could she possibly have slept well?
Last night, Tao Yao had stayed awake, consumed by worry.
Though she had secretly spat on Gu Shenzhi’s bed in defiance, his scent did nothing to ease her fear and anxiety.
Her longing for him was like sweet poison, pulling her deeper into despair.
She feared the wretched woman would harm her young master during their wedding night, or that he would fall for her charms and be swayed.
Worst of all, she feared the woman might genuinely fall for Gu Shenzhi, claim him entirely, and leave nothing for her.
Tossing and turning, Tao Yao grew angrier and more anxious.
Around the hour of Chou (1–3 a.m.), she had come here and, by chance, encountered the Red Lotus Saintess, who was just leaving.
Su Linghuang gave a radiant smile, like a spring breeze in March, refreshing and triumphant, with a hint of smugness at the corners of her mouth.
“My husband is still resting. You can wait at the door.”
Husband?!
She dared to call the young master her husband!
Seeing the woman’s smug demeanor, Tao Yao’s fists clenched, itching to teach her a lesson and leave her battered and bruised.
But considering the gap in their cultivation levels, she could only hold back.
Though she couldn’t match that woman in cultivation, when it came to winning the young master’s affection, Tao Yao was confident she was the clear victor.
After all, as long as the young master truly loved her, what did it matter if he was nominally married to that woman?
Could she climb the peaks of passion with him or bear his children?
In Tao Yao’s mind, the advantage was hers.
Facing her maid’s question, Gu Shenzhi thought for a moment and said, “Oh, Xiao Yao, it’s nothing. I’m just going to find something to eat.”
“It’s almost the hour of Chen (7–9 a.m.) now. The spiritual rice porridge sent for breakfast has probably gone cold. Let your servant make you a fresh portion, Young Master.”
With that, Tao Yao turned to leave, her pretty face beaming with joy.
As expected, she was the most important to the young master.
That Red Lotus Saintess was nothing but a stray cat.
The girl rejoiced inwardly, but just then, Gu Shenzhi suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her back.
Tao Yao’s heart raced, her fair neck flushing a tantalizing pink, her cheeks blooming like peach blossoms, radiant and charming.
Her body, exuding the scent of gardenias, tensed with anticipation.
“What do you mean by this?”
Her voice trembled as she asked softly, struggling to suppress her inner joy, though her overly excited expression betrayed her completely.
“Xiao Yao, there are some things… I have to tell you now, or I may never get the chance again.”
Gu Shenzhi sincerely hoped Tao Yao could let go of her feelings for him.
He wasn’t a good man, nor someone worthy of her devotion.
Relationships between masters and maids often ended in tragedy.
Moreover, with the Red Lotus Saintess and the White Prayer Immortal, he was already entangled in two romantic debts, both with peerless beauties.
Any more, and he’d be wrapped up in red strings like a rice dumpling.
“Young Master, please speak. Your servant is listening attentively,” Tao Yao said shyly.
What was this?
It seemed she was quite charming after all.
After waiting two years and six months, the young master could no longer hold back and was about to confess his feelings to her.
Perhaps he was worried she’d be jealous of Su Linghuang.
She wasn’t that petty—how could she be upset over a nominal marriage?
But since the young master was being so forward, she’d reluctantly agree to his feelings.
“Xiao Yao, our bond as master and servant is a twist of fate, but I want to treat you as an equal, free from worldly constraints, so…”
Gu Shenzhi paused abruptly.
He had meant to say that Tao Yao would no longer be his maid but a true friend who’d share hardships with him.
Yet, for a girl trapped in the chains of love, such harsh words would be too cruel.
Though they had been master and servant for years, Gu Shenzhi truly felt no romantic affection for his lovely maid.
Back then, his only focus was seeking revenge against his “dear” master—how could he care for matters of the heart?
For a moment, he didn’t know how to continue.
Seeing Gu Shenzhi hesitate, Tao Yao assumed he was shy and decided to take the initiative.
Like a gentle lamb, she nestled into his arms, her dark hair carrying the scent of gardenias.
“Young Master, whatever it is, you can say it now. Your servant will listen carefully.”
“Xiao Yao, uh… make sure to add a few more red dates to the porridge. I’ve been feeling dizzy lately and need to nourish my blood.”
Looking into the girl’s clear, sparkling eyes, Gu Shenzhi spoke tremulously, his face pale.
For at that moment, a pair of crystalline blood-red eyes were watching him from the shadows.
“Oh, I… I understand.”
Tao Yao’s voice was laced with disappointment, her once-lively eyes dimming with a veil of mist, losing their spark.
She had waited nearly three years.
She could wait a little longer.
Tao Yao hurried away, not sparing Gu Shenzhi a glance, nearly tripping over a stone and stumbling as if she’d lost her soul.
The moment she vanished from Gu Shenzhi’s sight, Su Linghuang, who had been secretly observing her husband, stepped out from the shadows.
With a half-smile, she gazed at him, her hand tightly gripping the gleaming [Evil Phoenix] blade.