Chapter 7 — A Quiet Moment
The afternoon sun cast warm golden light through the leaves, dappling the wooden floor of the hut where Su Yanyue was carefully arranging herbs.
She was tall and slender, with delicate features that seemed almost sculpted—high cheekbones, almond-shaped eyes that sparkled with quiet intelligence, and a small, graceful waist that accentuated her elegant frame. Every movement she made was fluid and precise, a balance of strength and femininity.
Yu Shenli stood nearby, leaning casually against the doorframe. He was taller by several inches, broad-shouldered and commanding. His sharp jawline and dark eyes carried the weight of countless battles, yet when he looked at Yanyue, the usual hardness softened just a little.
The triplets played noisily outside, their laughter muffled but ever-present.
Yanyue glanced up, catching his gaze. For a moment, neither spoke.
She could feel the unspoken tension—the quiet pull between them that neither dared name yet.
Yu Shenli stepped forward, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at his lips.
"Your hands are steady," he said softly. "For someone who's been through so much."
She met his eyes, a warmth blooming inside her chest.
"I've had to be," she replied, voice low.
He nodded, then lowered his gaze to her small hands. "If you ever need protection… I'm here."
A flicker of color rose to her cheeks.
"I'll keep that in mind."
For a fleeting moment, the world outside—the triplets, the distant empire—fell away, leaving only the quiet warmth of two souls beginning to recognize each other.