"I have an abundance of time at my disposal, allowing me the luxury of indulging in whatever literary pursuits strike my fancy," Jian Wei explained, a hint of humor lacing his words. "You may continue to judge me as you see fit, though you need not utter a word for me to discern your thoughts. You, Lian Yan, are an open book, your emotions and intentions as clear to me as the words upon a page." He said that with such confidence which made her even believe that he can read her that easily.
His attempt at humor, however, seemed to fall flat, as Lian Yan's expression remained unchanged, her amusement conspicuously absent or too worried inside that he can really read her like a book. With a sense of finality, she closed the book that she had been perusing, returning it to its rightful place on the shelf.
"Why have you brought me to your personal quarters?" She inquired, her tone laced with a blend of curiosity and apprehension. "Should I not be situated in a separate room, away from your personal space?"
"No," he stated, his tone firm and brooking no argument, "you will be sleeping in this room, with me. I must keep a watchful eye on you, to ensure that you do not find yourself embroiled in any unwanted trouble."
Lian Yan's eyes widened in disbelief, her voice rising as she sought to challenge his assertion. "What?" She exclaimed, her tone a blend of incredulity and indignation. "How does it make any sense for us to share a room, let alone a bed? There is only one bed, in case you haven't noticed."
She gestured towards the bed, as if the physical evidence of its solitary presence would lend weight to her argument. Yet, Jian Wei remained undeterred, his expression one of nonchalance, as if the matter were of little consequence.
"So?" He countered, his tone casual and dismissive. "We can simply share it. Have you not shared a bed with your maid before?"
*
"Of course I have not shared a bed with anyone," she declared, her voice tinged with a blend of incredulity and exasperation. "Do you truly believe that it is common for individuals to share beds with one another?"
Her gaze swept across the room once more, as if seeking an escape from the uncomfortable turn their conversation had taken—it was only about sharing a bed together. It was then that she noticed the couch, a piece of furniture that had thus far escaped her attention. With a sense of purpose, she made her way towards it, her steps deliberate and her resolve unwavering.
"I can sleep here," she stated, her tone firm and brooking no argument. "Since this is your bedroom, it is only fair that you take the bed."
Her words hung in the air, a testament to her desire for fairness and her unwillingness to be beholden to anyone, even in the face of their unusual circumstances. It took a moment for Jian Wei to respond, his silence a stark contrast to the tension that permeated the room.
"You have a sister, do you not?" He asked, his tone casual and his expression one of genuine curiosity. "I am surprised that you have never shared a bed with your sibling."
Yet, he did not press the matter further, his earlier insistence that they share the bed seemingly forgotten. Lian Yan, however, could not let the matter rest, her thoughts turning to the complex dynamics that defined her relationship with her sister.
"That is because you do not have to contend with the proverbial knife behind your back when it comes to your siblings, I am guessing," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. The words were laced with a sense of sadness and resignation, a testament to the fact that she had never felt a true sense of closeness with anyone, not even those who shared her blood. Perhaps back then she may have wanted to share that kind of sister bond with her real blood relative, but with how one sought after a high ranking husband—it made it difficult to truly have that bond in her life.
Lian Yan would then lay down completely on the couch, taking it as the best comfort she can have there.
Jian Wei had been privy to the whispers and murmurs that circulated among the servants of the estate, the hushed conversations that painted a grim picture of the machinations directed against Lian Yan. However, he had not fully grasped the severity of the situation, the extent to which those around her sought to harm her, to extinguish the light that burned within her. The notion that they would go so far as to plot her demise was a concept that he struggled to reconcile, a darkness that he had not encountered within the bonds of his own family.
Him and his siblings, born of a lineage that had known the chains of slavery, had been raised with a different set of values, a creed that emphasized the importance of family, be it bound by blood or by choice. It was a belief that had been instilled in them by their father, a man who had known the true meaning of kinship and loyalty.
As he gazed upon Lian Yan, her form seemingly diminished by the weight of her circumstances, he felt a pang of concern. She appeared frail, as if the trials that she had endured had taken a toll on her physical well-being. The thought crossed his mind that she may not have been eating enough, that the nourishment she required to sustain her strength and vitality may have been lacking.
With a sense of care and consideration, Jian Wei decided to let Lian Yan rest, her well-being a priority that he was not willing to compromise. He quietly exited the room, his steps light and his movements deliberate, as if seeking to minimize any disturbance that might disrupt her slumber.
As he made his way through the building, he encountered one of the servants, a chance meeting that he seized upon to ensure that Lian Yan's needs were attended to. "Have some food prepared for her when she wakes up," he instructed, his tone firm and his words precise. "Include some beef, pork, rice, and greens. Do not let her miss a meal."
His instructions were detailed and specific, a testament to his desire to see Lian Yan nourished and cared for. Be it that he treated every one of his people the same or he saw something in her that he wanted to care for.
Lian Yan, though weary and exhausted, was not entirely oblivious to the world around her. She could hear the muffled sounds of Jian Wei's voice, the words indistinct but the tone unmistakable. Yet, the events of the day had taken their toll, her body and mind succumbing to the weight of her fatigue.
Her eyelids grew heavy, the darkness that lay behind them a welcome respite from the trials and tribulations that she had endured. As she drifted off to sleep, she was unaware of the moment when consciousness gave way to slumber, her breath evening out and her form relaxing into the embrace of the couch. In that moment, she was at peace, her dreams a sanctuary from the storm that raged beyond the confines of her mind.