When Meng Qianqian left the twins’ courtyard, it was already past midnight. She assumed Lu Yuan had retired for the night, but unexpectedly, he was sitting on the bed reading a book.
The room was warmed by red radish charcoal, slightly cozier than usual.
He was dressed in a thin sleeping robe, his legs draped with a quilt, ink-black hair cascading down his shoulders. His handsome yet languid and unrestrained demeanor was utterly breathtaking.
For the past three days, Meng Qianqian had been busy treating Changle, without much time for other thoughts.
Now, as she suddenly returned to their room, this familiar scene instantly awakened those blush-inducing memories that made her heart race.
Her cheeks turned burning hot.
Without looking at her, Lu Yuan lazily flipped a page of his book and remarked, "Finally stopped avoiding me?"
Meng Qianqian opened her mouth to speak.
This guy, why does he always know everything?
Indeed, while she had been caring for Changle these past three days, hadn’t she also been deliberately avoiding him?
Several days had passed, yet every time she recalled the things she said and did to him, the embarrassment was so intense she wished she could dig a hole and bury herself.
She was a doctor, after all. How did she end up falling for Princess Wanping’s schemes?
Besides, she was the princess’s benefactor! Ji Li’s match was even her doing. Was it really right to repay favors with this kind of behavior?
Meng Qianqian buried her face in her hands with deep resentment.
Lu Yuan flipped another page. "If you still want to hide, I had the room next door prepared for you."
Hide? What’s the point?
If trouble is inevitable, might as well face it head-on.
Meng Qianqian clenched her fists, took a deep breath, and walked calmly to the bedside. She looked at Lu Yuan with seriousness and said, "Grand Commander, we need to talk."
Lu Yuan replied flatly, "If you’re here to renege, you can leave now."
Meng Qianqian inhaled deeply again, clasped her hands respectfully, and said, "Little Nine has committed insubordination, a crime deserving of death. Please punish me as you see fit, Grand Commander!"
Lu Yuan gave her a deep, penetrating look. "You’ve spent three whole days, and this is the best you’ve come up with?"
Embarrassment flickered in Meng Qianqian’s eyes as she murmured, "Little Nine... will take full responsibility for this matter."
Lu Yuan snorted coldly. "Hmph, I see you’re scheming something else entirely."
Meng Qianqian forced an awkward smile. "There’s truly nothing I can hide from the Grand Commander."
As she spoke, she cautiously glanced at Lu Yuan.
In the past, she always looked at him with a touch of apprehension. But since their moments of intimacy, her heart seemed to involuntarily race whenever her gaze fell on him. She couldn’t discern whether it was tension or embarrassment.
Gathering her courage, she sat down beside him and said, "Changle has agreed to go to Miaojiang with us."
Lu Yuan said indifferently, "Us? I never said I was going to Miaojiang."
Meng Qianqian was taken aback. "If you don’t go, how am I supposed to meet my grandmother?"
Lu Yuan continued flipping through his book. "That’s your concern, nothing to do with me."
Meng Qianqian softly asked, "Are you... angry?"
Lu Yuan turned another page.
Meng Qianqian scooted closer, staring at him intently. "I admit, this time it was my mistake. Whatever it takes to make you stop being angry, I’ll do as you wish."
Lu Yuan responded coolly, "Get up here."
Meng Qianqian obediently climbed onto the bed and sat cross-legged across from him.
Lu Yuan shifted outward slightly, leaving the spot he had warmed for her.
Meng Qianqian blinked at him, stunned.
Was this... an invitation for her to lie down?
Meng Qianqian wasted no time slipping under the blanket.
The bedding carried remnants of his warmth and the faint fragrance of his scent on the pillow.
Her wide eyes fixed on him, and she couldn’t help but exclaim, "Grand Commander, you’re so kind."
Lu Yuan said, "Who gave you permission to sleep?"
Meng Qianqian froze again.
Lu Yuan said, "Sit up here."
Meng Qianqian stammered, "Sit—sit where?"
Lu Yuan finally lifted his gaze from his book and looked at her deeply. "On my lap."
Meng Qianqian’s eyes widened in shock.
Seeing her unmoving, Lu Yuan wrapped a single arm around her soft waist and pulled her into his embrace without warning.
Caught off guard, Meng Qianqian ended up seated on his lap. "Grand Commander!"
Lu Yuan’s strong arms tightened around her. "I never let things slide. Everything you’ve done to me—I’ll return it to you, one by one. When I’m finished, I’ll stop being angry."
Meng Qianqian swallowed nervously. "E-Everything?"
Lu Yuan held her firmly, domineering and unwavering. "Which one do you want me to start with?"