Night had settled softly over the Jin estate. The halls were quiet, lanterns burning low, their warm light spilling across polished floors and painted walls. Outside, the wind moved gently through the courtyard trees, carrying the scent of night flowers through half-open windows.
Inside their chamber, the atmosphere was far less dignified. Luo He lay stretched across the bed in his loose cotton nightclothes, one arm behind his head, looking entirely at peace. Or trying to. Little Lin was sitting triumphantly on his stomach. Then jumping.
Each tiny landing made the mattress dip while Luo He stared at the ceiling with the patience of a man enduring a siege.
"You are remarkably violent for someone so small," he said flatly. Lin squealed in delight and jumped harder as if she understood. He let out a slow breath.
"See how hard she is riding me this one truly takes after her mother." He said to Jin Mulan Across the room, Jin Mulan sat before a tall bronze mirror, fully absorbed in her own matters. Her hair had been loosened and fell over her shoulders, while a pale facial cream Luo He had brought for her was carefully being applied with complete concentration.
She examined her reflection from one angle, then another, ignoring both husband and child entirely. "Do not distract me," she said coolly. "If she falls, catch her." "I am currently the surface she is falling on," Luo He replied.
Lin laughed again and bounced on his stomach with renewed enthusiasm.
Jin Mulan did not even turn. The room might have continued like that for hours
Until three firm knocks sounded at the chamber door. Tok. Tok. Tok. Jin Mulan stiffened immediately and looked down at herself. She wore only a light nightgown, prepared for sleep, elegant but hardly suitable for visitors. Luo He turned his head lazily toward the door.
"Put on some clothes," he said casually.
Jin Mulan glared at him through the mirror. "You say that while still lying down?" "Yes." he answered with annoyance. Another knock came.
Without urgency, Luo He lifted little Lin from his stomach, set her beside a pillow, and rose from the bed. He wore only his plain cotton night robe, loose at the collar, completely unconcerned. Jin Mulan stared at him.
"You are not opening the door dressed like that." "I am already dressed," he replied. "That is sleepwear." "It is cloth. It qualifies." Before she could argue further, he was already walking to the door.
Jin Mulan hissed under her breath, gathered herself quickly, and slipped behind the carved changing screen near the corner of the room, half hidden from view.
Luo He opened the door. A guard stood outside, head lowered respectfully, careful not to raise his eyes too high.
"My lord." "What is it?" Luo He asked.
The guard swallowed once before answering.
"The daughter of the Xu family requests an audience…" He hesitated briefly. "With the both of you." There was a pause. From behind the screen, Jin Mulan's voice came immediately.
"At this hour?" Sharp. Suspicious.
Luo He glanced sideways toward the screen, amused. The guard kept his eyes lowered. "She insists it is important."
Luo He leaned lightly against the doorway, expression unreadable.
"The Xu daughter choosing latenight for courage," he said calmly. "Interesting."
Behind the screen, cloth rustled quickly as Jin Mulan began dressing properly at once.
"Do not let her in yet," she said coldly.
Then after a beat "And do not smile like that." Luo He's faint smirk deepened.
"I haven't smiled." "You are doing it internally." Little Lin, still on the bed, babbled loudly as if adding her own opinion.
The guard remained frozen, uncertain whether to stay, leave, or pretend he had heard none of this. Luo He finally straightened. "Bring her to the outer sitting hall," he said. "We'll come shortly."
"Yes, my lord." The guard bowed and retreated quickly. Luo He closed the door.
Then turned. Jin Mulan emerged from behind the screen now properly dressed, eyes narrowed, face still half-treated with cream.
He looked at her once. Then at the untouched side of her face. "You look divided." She pointed toward the chair.
"Sit down." He paused. "Why?" "So I can finish this before we deal with her." "I am really not happy about you holding me back. " He said but stayed anyway.
They dressed properly and went together to the outer receiving hall, leaving little Lin in the care of Bing, the Jin Mulan's personal hand maiden. She had become the new nurse after Su Kim got unable to handle the task. Bing accepted the sleeping girl with practiced ease.
The hall was lit by hanging lanterns, their warm glow reflecting across polished wood and painted screens. Incense drifted lightly through the air, softening the late-night stillness. Waiting there was Xu Min. Daughter of Xu Mun.
She had changed greatly from the guarded, prideful young woman who once refused every mention of Luo He. Tonight she was composed, graceful, dressed in pale robes embroidered with silver thread that caught the light when she moved. Her posture was calm, her expression unreadable.
She bowed first to Jin Mulan. Then slightly to Luo He. "My apologies for the late visit," she said smoothly. "I wished to speak while the house was quiet." Jin Mulan studied her for a moment, then gestured for her to sit.
Xu Lian spoke mostly with Mulan. About estate matters. About the changing household. About training, travel, and the burden of expectations placed upon women born into powerful families.
She was sharp, thoughtful, and surprisingly warm. Before long, even Jin Mulan who rarely softened toward rivals found herself engaged in genuine conversation.
Luo He, meanwhile, sat nearby in unusual silence. Watching. Listening.
Occasionally drinking tea. Xu Lian did not address him directly not even once.
Not a glance held too long. Not a single question. Not one careless word.
Which made her every movement louder.
Then she rose. "It grows late," she said.
Jin Mulan stood as well. Xu Lian folded her hands and spoke with elegant calm.
"A small poem, then, before I leave."
She lifted her gaze and recited.
"Moonlight rests where two hearts stay,
warm lamps guard the end of day.
Fortune smiles where vows remain,
soft winds wash away old pain.
Yet under the bridge where waters gleam, some still wait beside a dream."
She bowed lightly.
Jin Mulan smiled politely. Luo He did not move. Xu Min turned with perfect composure, sleeves flowing behind her, and walked away without looking back.
Only once she reached the doorway did the faintest curve touch her lips. Then she was gone.
Back in their chamber, the candles had been lowered. The room was quiet except for the distant sound of night insects beyond the window. Jin Mulan lay beneath the blankets while Luo He reclined beside her, one arm behind his head, eyes half closed. She turned toward him.
"Well?" He looked at the ceiling and asked her. "That last line," he said calmly. "A meeting request." Her eyes narrowed. "At midnight near the bridge." He completed.
Jin Mulan stared at him. "She said that in front of me." Jin Mulan asked curiously and with suppressed anger. "She knew you would not understand." Luo He said.
That only annoyed her more. Luo He continued as if discussing military logistics.
"If I go, I lower my value." Jin Mulan blinked. "If I don't go, she'll respect me more. What do you think ?" He asked. "You are ranking seduction like negotiations." She said with a complicated look. "It is negotiations."
He turned his head slightly toward her.
"She knows I once asked her father for marriage. She refused me then." "And now?" Jin Mulan asked curiously. "Now she knows who I am." Luo He said calmly. The room grew still. "She wants power," he said flatly. "Not me."
Jin Mulan crossed her arms beneath the blanket. "And that bothers you ?" She asked. "It disqualifies her as suitable wife material."
There was no emotion in the statement. Only judgment. "But," he added, "I still value her." Jin Mulan gave him a dangerous look. He ignored it. "She has a brilliant and strategic mind. Useful instincts. Strong pride. Good restraint."
"You speak of her like land to be acquired." "I speak facts. And she is considered as a suitable candidate for a wife" He shifted slightly closer. "So I remain interested." Her voice cooled.
"In what way?" She asked. "As an ally. A political partner. Not a concubine." Jin Mulan was silent for several seconds.
Then she sat upright. "You are asking me for advice?" "Exactly." She pointed at herself in disbelief.
"From your wife?" "Of course." "About another woman inviting you to a midnight booty call." "Yes. I consider you that trust worthy. Be proud about it."