Chapter 2 : Stay close to Me.

The candle burned low into the night, casting trembling halos of gold across the bridal chamber. Shen Ruyu remained still before the mirror, watching her own reflection as if studying a stranger. Her lips held the faintest curve—one that did not belong to a frightened new bride, but to a woman who had survived hell and learned how to smile through it.

Outside, the distant clang of metal echoed through the vast Lu estate. Sentries patrolled. Servants whispered. Somewhere, a dog barked once and was instantly silenced. The entire mansion was a fortress. And she had just walked into its heart to marry its master.

Ruyu touched the jade pendant once more before hiding it inside her inner sleeve. Stay close to me, he had said. A warning. A threat. A promise. His voice still lingered at the shell of her ear, uncomfortably dangerous. She sat on the edge of the bed, listening to the shifting shadows. Every shadow has eyes. Lu Zeyan’s words repeated in her mind long after his footsteps faded.

Then came another sound—soft, almost too delicate to hear. A flutter of fabric. A breath.

Ruyu stilled—'Someone else was in the room.'

She did not move her head, only lowered her lashes to narrow her field of vision. In the reflection of the bronze mirror, a faint silhouette shifted in the corner behind the screen. Too light-footed to be a soldier. Too calm to be a panicked servant. A spy. On her wedding night.

Of course.

The Lu estate was a nest of political intrigue. Zeyan’s mansion was rumored to be filled with hidden factions—loyalists from the northern border, aristocrats from the old dynasty, and new nobles seeking favor with the emperor. Each had their own agents.

Quietly, she reached for the ornate hairpin tucked in her hair. A gift from the Empress herself. Beautiful. Sharp. But before she could move, a cold voice drifted from the shadows.

“Forgive the intrusion, Madam.” Ruyu’s muscles tightened. A young woman stepped out—perhaps in her early twenties, dressed in the red-and-black uniform of the general’s personal servants. A rank higher than ordinary maids. Her expression was unreadable, polite yet assessing.

“I am Bai Mei,” the woman said, bowing. “Assigned to attend to you.”

Assigned—by whom? Lu Zeyan? The Empress? Or someone else entirely? Ruyu allowed her voice to tremble with timid delicacy.

“I… I didn’t hear you enter.” Ruyu questioned

“That is the intention.” Bai Mei straightened, eyes sharp. “The General prefers efficiency and vigilance in the bridal quarters. For your safety.”

Safety. Dangerous word. Ruyu offered a small, shy smile. “The General is… very cautious.”

“Caution is survival,” Bai Mei replied. Behind her gentle tone was steel. “As you will soon learn.”

Ruyu tilted her head, studying the woman. Her eyes, though respectful, held neither warmth nor malice—only a soldier’s discipline. A loyal one, perhaps.

After a moment, Bai Mei approached the bed and knelt. “Madam, I am instructed to prepare the nightly arrangements.”(Meaning: she was here to confirm whether the marriage was consummated.)

Ruyu’s face warmed, though the blush was an act. “There is no need. The General has retired for the night.”

Bai Mei’s fingers paused for a fraction of a second. “Is that so? The General is not known to leave duties half-done.”

Ruyu lowered her gaze demurely, hiding her smile. “Then perhaps I am simply not a duty tonight.”

The faintest twitch of amusement crossed the maid’s eyes. Only for a heartbeat.

“I see,” Bai Mei murmured. “I will report accordingly.”

Report… to whom?...Before Ruyu could ask, the maid bowed again. “If you require anything, Madam, I will be stationed outside the door.”

“Thank you,” Ruyu said softly.

Bai Mei slipped out as quietly as she had come.

Silence descended again. But this silence felt heavier. A reminder that the Lu estate had already begun evaluating her—testing her reactions, weighing her usefulness, measuring her lies.

Ruyu lay down beneath the red canopy. But sleep did not come easily. Every creak of the wood, every gust of wind, every soft step outside the chamber reminded her she was surrounded by enemies. Allies. Or something in-between.

If you wish to survive… stay close to me.

She touched the pillow. Cold. He hadn’t intended to stay. Good. Distance was safer. Yet her heartbeat whispered an inconvenient truth:

Lu Zeyan’s nearness had rattled her more than she wanted to admit.

**Morning**

The first light of dawn filtered through the sheer curtains. Outside, the courtyard echoed with disciplined shouts as soldiers began their morning drills. Their synchronized movements shook the ground faintly—like the heartbeat of a great beast.

Ruyu rose and dressed in a simple yet elegant light-gold qipao. No heavy embroidery. No bright colors. A quiet wife. A forgettable one. As she stepped out of the chamber, Bai Mei was already waiting.

“Good morning, Madam. The General requests your presence at the main hall.”

“Now?” Ruyu blinked. “Has he returned?”

“He never left,” Bai Mei replied.

Ruyu’s steps faltered for a second. “He spent the night… working?”

“General Lu spends every night working.” Bai Mei bowed slightly. “This way.”

They walked through long, echoing corridors. The grand estate was massive—courtyards connected by covered walkways, koi ponds reflecting the pale morning sky, and ancient stone statues watching silently from the gardens. Yet beneath the beauty was a subtle tension. Servants moved with caution. Guards stationed at every turn. As if the mansion itself was bracing for war. They reached the main hall. Bai Mei pushed open the heavy doors.

Ruyu stepped inside—then stopped. General Lu Zeyan stood at the head of the long table, already dressed in full uniform. Black tunic. Medals pinned with precise symmetry. Boots polished to a cold shine. His presence filled the hall effortlessly. But what caught her attention was not him. It was the map spread across the table.

A detailed military map of northern provinces. Circles marked in red ink. Names of warlords. Supply routes. Barracks. Numbers scribbled in the general’s sharp handwriting. He was planning something....Something big.

Ruyu masked her interest immediately, bowing. “Good morning, General.”

Lu Zeyan lifted his gaze slowly. Those obsidian eyes pinned her in place. “You are late.”

She stiffened. It wasn’t even an accusation—just a fact. “I did not receive instructions to rise earlier,” she replied softly.

“A wife should not need instructions,” he said, turning back to the map. “She should understand.”

Ruyu’s fingers curled discreetly. “I will try to understand better.”

“You will,” he said simply. “Sit.”

She obeyed. A servant brought tea. She poured for him first, her movements practiced and gentle.

Lu Zeyan watched her hands. Not her face. Not her posture. But Her hands.

“Steady,” he murmured. “Too steady for a sheltered girl.”

Ruyu froze for a fraction, then lowered her eyes. “I practiced, General. I wanted to be… suitable.”

“Hm.” He took the cup without further comment.

But the air was no longer neutral. It sharpened—like a blade being slowly drawn.

“Today,” he said, “you will meet members of the Lu household.”

“Of course, You will answer when spoken to.” His tone cooled. “You will not volunteer information.”

She hesitated. “Do you believe I cannot speak properly?”

“No.” His eyes flicked up, unreadable. “I believe you speak too little or too well. Both are dangerous.” Her breath stilled.

He continued, voice level. “And, Shen Ruyu… yesterday’s warning remains.”

Her pulse quickened. “Do not bring lies into your battlefield?”

“No.” His gaze darkened. “Stay close to me.”

Something trembled in her chest. She forced her tone gentle. “I will obey.”

“Good.” He straightened. “Because there are already whispers about you.”

“Whispers...?” she asked "About what?"

“About your past. Your family. Your sudden appearance.” He stepped closer, his shadow falling over her. “Someone is curious about you, Shen Ruyu.”

Her heartbeat thundered. “Who?”

Lu Zeyan’s answer was soft– too soft. “Everyone.”

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