Lian Yan sat at the small table in her room, her eyes fixed on the cup of tea before her. The steam rose in delicate tendrils, curling and twisting in the air before dissipating into nothingness. She could feel the warmth of the cup seeping into her hands, contrasting with the coldness that had settled in her heart. As she stared at the tea, her mind wandered to the schemes and plots that seemed to follow her like a shadow, a constant reminder of the darkness lurking beneath the surface of her gilded cage.
"Again," she murmured softly. "They both decided to try this scheme again."
It was a bitter pill to swallow, knowing that her stepmother and sister were once again conspiring against her, their minds twisted with malice and deceit. She had hoped, perhaps foolishly, that their schemes would cease, that they would tire of their games and leave her in peace. But hope was a luxury she could not afford, a fleeting dream destined to be shattered by the harsh reality of her situation.
"What man did they hire this time to try and sleep with me?" She muttered, annoyance and resignation evident in her tone. "Using aphrodisiac in the tea."
The thought sent a shiver down her spine, a stark reminder of the depths to which her stepmother and sister were willing to sink in their quest to control and manipulate her.
With a swift, decisive motion, she poured the tea from the cup, the liquid splashing onto the ground below. "Why am I not surprised that they've run out of ideas?" She muttered, annoyance and resignation clear in her words. "Must be because they have been doing this since I first matured into marriageable age." Speaking to herself as she usually did if her maid was not around to talk to her.
She turned away from the table, her eyes drawn to the window that overlooked the gardens below. It was a beautiful sight, a symphony of colors and textures that seemed to dance and sway in the gentle breeze. But as she gazed out at the world beyond her confinement, she couldn't help but feel a sense of longing, a yearning for the freedom that had been denied to her for so long.
"Maybe I should just run away on my own," she whispered, the thought both terrifying and exhilarating.
With a determined stride, she made her way to the window, her hands reaching out to push open the heavy panes. The fresh night air rushed in, a cool, invigorating breeze that seemed to whisper promises of freedom and escape. She closed her eyes, savoring the sensation, the feeling of the wind on her face a stark contrast to the oppressive stillness of her room.
But as she opened her eyes, her heart leapt to her throat, a gasp escaping her lips as she took in the sight before her. There, climbing over the wall that faced her window, was a familiar figure, a man whose presence sent a shiver down her spine. It was the man who had kissed her in the market, the stranger whose boldness had both infuriated and intrigued her.
"We meet again," he said, his tone a low, melodic rumble that seemed to resonate within her. "It seems like we are fated to be together."
Lian Yan's heart pounded in her chest, her mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. She couldn't deny the pull she felt towards him, the strange, inexplicable connection that seemed to bind them together. But she also couldn't ignore the danger that his presence represented, the risk that he posed to her already precarious situation.
"Why are you in my home?" She demanded, anger and confusion evident in her tone. "At my window too?"
She watched as he climbed over the wall, his movements graceful and fluid, like a dancer performing a well-rehearsed routine. He landed on his feet with a soft thud, his eyes never leaving hers, a smirk playing on his lips that sent a shiver down her spine.
"Are you going to kick me out if I did?" He asked, his smirk deepening as he took a step closer to the window, his eyes never leaving hers.
"Who knows," she said, curiosity and caution evident in her tone. "What's your name? What is your real motive for being here? I know that you are not here for me because you did not even know me other than..."
Her words trailed off as she eyed him up and down, her heart racing as she took in his features. He was a handsome man, his eyes holding a depth of emotion that she couldn't quite decipher. But she couldn't allow herself to be swayed by his looks, couldn't allow herself to be drawn into another scheme.
"My name is Jian Wei," he said, his tone a low, husky whisper that seemed to wrap around her, pulling her towards him. He reached out, taking her hand in his, his touch sending a jolt of electricity through her. They were so close, his breath warm on her face, his lips tantalizingly near hers.
Lian Yan's heart raced as she gazed at him, her mind struggling to process the whirlwind of emotions that threatened to overwhelm her. She knew that she should be wary and cautious. But she also knew that she couldn't deny the pull she felt towards him, the connection that seemed to bind them together.
"You don't need me to tell you my name," she said, trying to sound more annoyed than she felt. "Since you are already at this estate, you should know who I am."
Jian Wei's smirk deepened as he regarded her, his eyes never leaving hers. "I still prefer to be able to hear it right from you," he responded. Why not hear it from the person themself?
There was a moment for her to think if she really did not want to tell him. "Lian Yan," she said, her tone reflecting resignation and resolve. "Happy? Now tell me why you are here? The real reason."
Jian Wei seemed momentarily content with her response, a sly grin playing on his lips. "Well, I heard that the Prime Minister had some sort of important jewel or treasure here that he kept. I wanted to see if I could manage to steal it from him."
Lian Yan's brow furrowed in confusion. "Jewel or treasure?" She had never heard of any such item, and even if there were one, her father would never share such information with her, especially given her history of defiance. "I don't think you've come to the right estate," she said, attempting to make Jian Wei appear as though he had made a grave error.
"What do you mean?" Jian Wei questioned, now doubting Lian Yan's understanding of the situation. "Do you even know what a jewel or treasure is?"
Lian Yan crossed her arms over her chest, a defensive gesture masking her uncertainty. "Some sort of object or item that someone holds in high regard. What else could it be?" She stated, as if her explanation were entirely accurate and beyond question.
"Are you sure that is the only meaning of it?" Jian Wei asked, his grip on her hand firm yet gentle, as if he were reluctant to let go. It took Lian Yan a moment to realize that her hand was still being held, a warmth spreading from his touch that she couldn't ignore.
Lian Yan bit her lip, her eyes flickering between their joined hands and Jian Wei's face. "Are you trying to say that I am an object, an item?" She asked, her tone sharp with a hint of offense. The idea that he might see her as something to be possessed or owned was unsettling, and she couldn't help but feel a surge of indignation at the thought.