One word of concern was all it took to smooth everything back into place.
Su Mingyu blinked, then snorted softly. “If we’re talking about rank, you’re still a few steps above me.”
Gu Ruobai gave her a puzzled look. “You’re saying things I don’t even understand again.”
“Never mind.” Su Mingyu waved him off quickly. “I won’t hide things like this from you anymore, so don’t be angry.”
Her sudden meekness improved his expression. He relaxed a fraction. “I know you’ve always insisted on handling things yourself, but I want you to rely on me more.”
She nodded. After two lifetimes, her view of love wasn’t exactly the same as his, but she felt the warmth behind his jealous cling. He worried she’d be at a disadvantage in this city of wolves. It was a twisted sort of care, but after thinking of his history, she could accept it.
“If anybody else said that, I’d turn and walk away,” she said aloud, voice carrying.
Gu Ruobai heard it plain as day. That single line—meant to remind him he was special—lifted the cloud from his face. A crooked smile tugged at his mouth. “I don’t just say things, I do things. Next time you get that close to him, I’ll lock you up.”
There was no joking in his tone; he was utterly serious.
A shiver ran through Su Mingyu. Reflexively she pinched his nose and feigned anger. “You think you can lock me up?”
She hadn’t flinched at his possessiveness; instead she goaded him. His smile widened. “I find I can never guess what you’ll do next.”
She tossed her head back, arrogant. “Would I look very foolish if you could predict everything I did?”
“Let’s go. Mu Yi looked awful back there—like he’s worried.” Su Mingyu stepped behind him and pushed his wheelchair toward the door.
They reached the doorway just as Mu Yi was coming in. He stopped, took in the scene, and spoke with the careful deference of a servant. “Miss Su…?”
Su Mingyu met his questioning look and blinked, signaling that everything was fine.
Gu Ruobai, satisfied, changed the subject. “Did you prepare what I asked for?”
Mu Yi relaxed and produced a small porcelain bottle from within his robe. He handed it to Su Mingyu. “Miss Su, this is the remedy the master sent me to fetch.”
She took the bottle, studying it. Just as she went to twist the stopper and smell it, Gu Ruobai stopped her.
“This is a strong aphrodisiac,” he said. “One whiff and the body goes weak. Mixed into wine, it will inflame a person’s desires beyond reason.”
Su Mingyu raised an eyebrow, impressed despite herself. “You lot of the royal house aren’t strangers to venom from childhood. Would this even work on him?”
“Yes.” Gu Ruobai answered without hesitation.
Seeing his certainty, Su Mingyu leaned close and whispered, “How are you so sure—could it be—”
“Do you think something handed down by a master toxin-expert would be fake?” he shot back, then rapped her lightly on the forehead. “What are you thinking, girl?”
She covered her head, laughing clear and bright. “I was only asking. No need to be so serious—now I feel embarrassed.”
Her face stayed calm, not a hint of blush. He couldn’t help but smile at her shamelessness. “Su, you’re a brave lady, but you still feel shy?”
She pursed her lips. “I’m still a young woman. Some appearances should be kept.”
“You know it’s late and you were wandering the streets with a man,” he scolded. His voice carried the irritation that usually followed his worry.
She hurriedly surrendered. “I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.”
Mu Yi listened to their bickering, astonished. He had not misheard—Su Mingyu, so defiant and unbending, had actually apologized, and with a proper, almost humble tone. He felt a new swell of admiration for his mistress.
Su Mingyu had intended, after apologizing, to pay a visit to Si Nan Pavilion—Xia Mian had been taken away by Lord Yu the previous night and would surely be worried. But Gu Ruobai wasn’t about to let her go so easily. She found herself staying, eating lunch with him, and only being let go at dusk.
As she fidgeted in her seat, Gu Ruobai’s lips curved. “Mei Qing already prepared an ointment. Take some to her and have her try it. If it works, we can make more for you.”
Delighted, Su Mingyu took the jar. “Already finished? Thank Mei Qing for me. I’ll bring it to Xia Mian.”
“Be careful on the road,” he said.
Watching her silhouette fade, Gu Ruobai called, “Mu Yi.”
In a flash, Mu Yi was before him, dropping to one knee. “Master.”
Gu Ruobai’s gaze hardened. “Send word: ‘Mo Wenyuan’ will attend First Fragrance’s beauty contest and will purchase the first-place girl.”
Mu Yi blinked in surprise. “Master, ‘Mo Wenyuan’ is the name you used among the city folk. You stopped using it for fear of Lord Yu noticing. Why bring it up now?”
Gu Ruobai glanced at him coldly. “Mo Wenyuan is a well-known figure among the capital’s young nobles—handsome, respected, and reputed to avoid carnal pleasures. If someone like him shows interest in the First Fragrance contest, the other young masters will go just to see what’s happening.”