The late spring night carried a faint chill, and the noise on the main street in front of the Su residence gradually died down. Qin Ruhai packed up his book stall and walked leisurely into the deep alley. By day, he was a gentle scholar selling books, his smile faint and harmless. But once night fell, that gentle exterior peeled away, revealing the unfathomable manipulation and darkness beneath.
His dwelling was simple, with a small study at the back of the courtyard—his most secret command center. When he pushed the door open, the candle had already been lit, its dim yellow glow spreading softly, dyeing the small space in ambiguous, oppressive warmth.
Qin Ruhai settled into the pearwood chair. His plain white robe made his face look as jade-like as ever, his gaze still gentle, yet the aura around him had shifted completely.
At his feet knelt two women.
On the left was Yunxiu.
She was breathtakingly cold and beautiful, her looks not inferior to Su Liwan in the slightest. But her temperament was sharp as ice, her back straight and unyielding. Even kneeling on the ground, she carried an untamable wild pride. She had not come for Qin Ruhai. She bowed only for Su Liwan. This submission was nothing more than a transaction.
On the right was Shen Luoxi.
She was like a delicate wildflower by the roadside—not overwhelmingly stunning, but pure, weak, and pitiful to behold. She was Qin Ruhai's thoroughly tamed house hound, her whole heart and soul belonging only to him, humble to the bone, fanatically devoted.
The candle flame flickered gently. Two silhouettes were cast on the wall, one cold, one gorgeous, one soft, one timid—each beautiful in her own sharp way.
Shen Luoxi was the first to speak timidly, her voice trembling softly: "Young Master… you've returned…"
She glanced at Yunxiu from the corner of her eye. Seeing this stunningly cold and beautiful woman, a sour jealousy welled up inside her. She unconsciously pressed herself even closer to Qin Ruhai's feet, as if wanting to melt into his robes.
Yunxiu did not even spare her a glance. She thought it ridiculous. In her world, there was only Liwan. The rivalries and affections of others meant nothing to her.
Qin Ruhai spoke calmly, first addressing Yunxiu: "How did things go in the Su residence today?"
Yunxiu's voice was cold, without any emotion: "Young Miss did as you instructed and approached Zhou Hu. But that guard is rigid and upright. Not only was he unmoved, he fled in panic."
She paused, adding the most crucial part:
"Young Miss is now overwhelmed by shame and frustration. She even… began to doubt you, Young Master."
Qin Ruhai's fingertips tapped slightly. His smile faded a little.
This was the last thing he wanted to see—if Su Liwan turned back, all his previous manipulation would be wasted.
"I understand," he said, his tone still gentle but carrying undeniable weight. "Stay by her side, calm her, comfort her. Never let her regain her sense of shame, and never let her wake up."
"Yes," Yunxiu bowed her head.
"Also," Qin Ruhai's voice deepened. "Get closer to Zhou Hu too. Help him often, show him kindness. Let him feel grateful to you, let him grow fond of you."
Yunxiu lifted her eyes, slightly surprised, but quickly understood: "This servant understands."
One on the inside, one on the outside. Zhou Hu had to be firmly tied to their side.
Shen Luoxi, seeing the young master speaking only to Yunxiu, was bubbling with jealousy but dared not show it. She nuzzled against his shoe tip meekly, whispering her loyalty: "Young Master… Luoxi can do things too… Luoxi is willing to do anything for you…"
Qin Ruhai looked down and gently stroked her head, his touch tender enough to drown in. Shen Luoxi trembled all over, devotion flaring in her eyes.
"Luoxi," he said softly. "It's time for you to go out."
Shen Luoxi immediately straightened up, eyes full of expectation: "Please command me, Young Master! Luoxi would die a thousand deaths to obey!"
"You will approach Zhou Hu," Qin Ruhai said slowly. "His family is poor, his mother seriously ill. You shall pretend to be a poor, innocent, weak young woman. Care for her tenderly, be gentle and thoughtful. Make him fall for you, make him believe you are the only pure thing in the world."
Shen Luoxi nodded fiercely: "Luoxi remembers!"
But Qin Ruhai's next words turned the atmosphere bitterly cruel.
"At the same time, you must not cut off your ties with Zhao Sanduo."
His tone was calm, yet he spoke the most venomous plans:
"Keep seeing him, obey him, please him. Let him cover for you, shelter you. You will be a pure white lotus in front of Zhou Hu, yet unrestrained in front of Zhao Sanduo, so that he is utterly devoted to you."
Shen Luoxi blushed slightly, but did not resist at all. Instead, she became even more docile: "Luoxi listens to everything you say… whatever you command, Luoxi will do…"
A trace of cold disdain flashed in Qin Ruhai's eyes.
He did not believe in true righteousness in this world.
So-called integrity was merely insufficient temptation, not enough chips, unbroken shame.
He intended to personally shatter Zhou Hu's bottom line. He wanted this upright guard to witness the pure woman he cherished, indulging in debauchery with another man.
He wanted to collapse Zhou Hu's beliefs, make him doubt himself, make him suffer, make him mad, until he finally became nothing but a dog in his hands.
"Make him love you, then make him hate you. Make him live in agony," Qin Ruhai said softly. "When he is completely broken, that will be the result I want."
Shen Luoxi stared at him infatuatedly: "Whatever you want, Young Master, Luoxi will do it."
Yunxiu listened silently beside them, her stunningly cold face still expressionless. But in her heart, she understood.
This was Qin Ruhai—beneath his gentle exterior lay a devil who crushed and reshaped the souls of all.
Once the orders were given, silence fell over the study, save for the crackling of the candle.
Shen Luoxi still clung to Qin Ruhai's feet, glancing up at him from time to time, then peeking shyly at Yunxiu. Her jealousy had not faded. Her little gestures continued—rubbing his robes, gently touching his shoe tips, docile yet tempting.
Although Yunxiu had no interest in competing for affection, she was breathtakingly beautiful by nature. Her kneeling posture was striking. Candlelight fell on her side face, her lines sharp yet gorgeous. In the moment she lifted her eyes unconsciously, her coldness hid a bewitching charm.
Qin Ruhai sat upright, his gaze sweeping lightly over the two at his feet.
One was cold as ice, untamable.
One was soft as water, hopelessly attached.
He said nothing, only lifted his toes slightly.
Shen Luoxi understood immediately, bowing her head gently and devoutly.
Yunxiu was unwilling, yet abided by the transaction, bowing her eyes in submission.
The candle flickered, shadows hazy.
The study fell quiet, nothing but overlapping breaths and the soft rustle of cloth. Ambiguous air spread slowly, thick enough to drown in.
No one spoke, yet the postures, the distance, the shifting shadows painted a scene that stirred endless imaginings.
Qin Ruhai closed his eyes. When he opened them again, he was still that gentle, harmless scholar.
"Go," he whispered.
"Each of you, fulfill your duties."
Yunxiu stood up, her cold beauty unchanged, and retreated with a bow.
Shen Luoxi looked back repeatedly, reluctant to leave, but finally left obediently.
The study returned to silence.
Qin Ruhai sat alone in the chair, his fingertips tapping lightly.
One inside, one outside. Two hounds were in place.
Yunxiu would enter the Su residence, steady Liwan, win over Zhou Hu.
Shen Luoxi would entangle Zhao Sanduo, seduce Zhou Hu, destroy his spirit.
And he only needed to wait quietly.
Wait for Su Liwan to go completely mad.
Wait for Zhou Hu's beliefs to crumble.
Wait for the entire Su family to fall into his hands, step by step.
The night grew deeper. Conspiracy grew wildly in the dark.