Chapter 21: The Edge of Deception

The cold morning breeze swept through the Bai estate, carrying with it the crisp scent of autumn leaves and the lingering tension from the night before. Bai Yue sat in the herbal storeroom, meticulously grinding a mixture of dried herbs, but her thoughts were far from the task at hand.

The whispers she had overheard near the west wing still echoed in her mind. "These herbs are for someone important."

Important to whom?

She knew better than to trust the Bai family's dealings, but this was something more. Something that could easily spiral out of control.

A soft knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts. She looked up to see Ah-Liang peeking in, his usual wide-eyed nervousness amplified by the dark circles under his eyes.

"Miss Bai Yue," he whispered urgently, stepping inside and closing the door behind him. "I've heard something else."

Bai Yue straightened. "Go on."

Ah-Liang fidgeted with the hem of his tunic. "The guards near the west wing… they say there's a guest staying there. A noble from the capital. No one's allowed near him, and the second mistress has been handling everything herself."

Bai Yue's fingers tightened around the pestle. "Do they know who he is?"

Ah-Liang shook his head. "No, but I heard whispers that he's connected to the Imperial Court."

A weight settled in Bai Yue's chest. If the Bai family was dealing with someone from the Imperial Court in secret, it could mean one of two things—either they were seeking favor, or they were covering something up.

Her thoughts were interrupted by another voice.

"You're becoming too curious for your own good."

Bai Yue's heart skipped a beat as she turned toward the doorway.

Li Weishan stood there, leaning casually against the wooden frame, his dark eyes holding an unmistakable warning.

Ah-Liang immediately stiffened, lowering his gaze as he bowed quickly. "I should… I should get back to my duties." Without waiting for permission, he scurried out, leaving Bai Yue alone with Weishan.

She crossed her arms, glaring at him. "Do you make it a habit to eavesdrop?"

Weishan smirked, stepping further into the storeroom. "Only when it concerns you."

Bai Yue sighed in frustration, turning back to her work. "If you're here to lecture me again, save it. I know what I'm doing."

He approached silently, standing close enough for her to feel the heat radiating from him. "Do you?" he asked, his voice quieter but no less intense. "Because from where I'm standing, you're walking straight into trouble."

Bai Yue gritted her teeth. "If you're so worried, why don't you stop lurking in the shadows and tell me what you know?"

Weishan's lips twitched in amusement, but his gaze remained serious. "If I told you everything, you'd find a way to get yourself in deeper."

Bai Yue set down the mortar with a sharp clink, facing him fully. "I don't need your protection, Weishan."

His eyes darkened, and before she could react, he stepped even closer, his hand reaching out to brush lightly against her wrist. His touch was gentle, but the possessiveness beneath it was unmistakable.

"You might not think you do," he murmured, "but that doesn't mean I'll stop."

Bai Yue swallowed hard, her pulse quickening. "You're insufferable."

Weishan chuckled softly, his fingers lingering for a moment before he finally pulled back. "So I've been told."

She exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "Fine. Since you're so determined to interfere, what do you suggest I do?"

He studied her for a moment before answering. "Stay away from the west wing. Whatever the Bai family is involved in, it's bigger than you realize."

Bai Yue's gaze didn't waver. "And if I don't?"

Weishan's smirk faded, his voice turning dangerously soft. "Then you force my hand, and I won't be as gentle next time."

A shiver ran down her spine, but she refused to let him see it. Instead, she forced a smile and said, "We'll see about that."

Despite Weishan's warning, Bai Yue found herself once again lingering near the west wing later that evening, careful to keep to the shadows. The guards stationed there seemed more alert tonight, their eyes scanning the darkness with suspicion.

She took a deep breath and moved carefully along the outer wall, pressing herself against the cold stone. If she could get a glimpse of this mysterious guest, she might understand what was at stake.

Just as she was about to move closer, a firm hand grabbed her arm and yanked her back into the darkness.

Before she could protest, Weishan's familiar scent surrounded her, and she was pulled flush against his chest, his hand covering her mouth to silence her startled gasp.

"What did I say about staying away?" he whispered against her ear, his voice dangerously low.

Bai Yue's heart pounded wildly, and she glared up at him. When he finally released her, she whispered fiercely, "Let go of me."

Weishan stepped back just enough to allow her space, but his grip remained firm on her wrist. "You're going to get yourself killed."

"I told you, I can handle myself."

Weishan's jaw clenched, his frustration evident. "You're stubborn, but you're not invincible, Bai Yue. There are people in this world who won't hesitate to crush you under their heel."

Bai Yue's expression softened slightly. "I know that."

He sighed, rubbing his temple with his free hand before meeting her gaze again. "Then stop making it so damn easy for them."

Before she could respond, voices echoed down the corridor.

Bai Yue tensed, instinctively stepping closer to Weishan as the sound of approaching footsteps grew louder.

Weishan's grip tightened protectively around her wrist, and without another word, he pulled her deeper into the shadows, pressing her against the stone wall as the figures passed.

Bai Yue's breath hitched as Weishan's hand rested lightly on her waist, his body shielding hers completely.

The guards passed by without noticing them, and only then did Weishan lean down, his voice a mere whisper. "You're reckless, but you're lucky I'm here."

Bai Yue felt the warmth of his breath against her skin and looked up, their faces dangerously close. "I didn't ask you to be."

His eyes darkened. "You don't have to."

For a long, tense moment, neither of them moved. Bai Yue could feel her heart pounding against her ribs, and for once, she couldn't tell if it was from fear… or something else entirely.

Finally, Weishan released her, stepping back just enough to give her space. "Come on. We're leaving."

Bai Yue hesitated, then nodded. "Fine."

But as they slipped back into the darkness, she couldn't help but feel that no matter how much she resisted, she was being drawn deeper into Weishan's world.

And part of her wondered if she even wanted to escape it anymore.