Waaah, I'm being forced into loving my yandere wife's brain.

He casually straightened his cuffs, took two steps outside, then stopped, turned his head, and added, "I will be back for lunch."

After saying that, Shen Jin stepped out of the threshold. The corner of his crimson robe flashed by the door and disappeared behind the pillar.

Lin Zhiyao stood in the side hall, listening to Shen Jin's departing footsteps until the sound completely blended into the faint sound of the morning drum in the distance, before slowly exhaling.

Qingwu brought over a cup of tea and placed it on the small table: "Miss, please rest your feet first. This is your first time staying in the palace. If there is anything you are not used to, please just tell me."

Lin Zhiyao picked up the teacup and took a sip. The tea was warm and had a refreshing taste.

She put down her teacup and looked out the window at the yellow glazed tiles. The sunlight was getting stronger, making the tiles slightly hot and casting a long, thin shadow on the blue brick floor. Her skirt fluttered as if it might be blown away by the wind at any moment.

"It's getting windy, Miss. Let me bring you a cloak."

Qingwu took out a shawl from the house. It had a tuft of fur around her face, making Lin Zhiyao look even more fair and beautiful, with skin so tender it looked like you could squeeze water out of it.

"Thanks."

Lin Zhiyao looked up and smiled sweetly at Qingwu, adjusting her cloak with her fingertips.

Sitting here like this is really boring.

After staying for a while, Lin Zhiyao decided to find something to do.

and so.

When Shen Jin entered, this was the scene that greeted him.

Lin Zhiyao sat on the daybed by the window, with a half-finished sachet beside her. Silver thread embroidered delicate lotus flowers on the dark green silk, the stitches were fine and neat, showing that she had put a lot of effort into it.

She was focused on embroidering, her head down, and didn't notice Shen Jin. Her long hair was loosely tied back, adorned only with a plain silver hairpin.

She was wearing a light brown padded jacket, with the collar buttoned up tightly, which made her face look even more delicate and petite.

Qingwu brought in a tea tray. When she saw Shen Jin, she was about to bow when he waved her hand to be quiet. Qingwu then lowered her head and pretended not to know anything. She gently placed a cup of hot tea next to Lin Zhiyao and said, "Miss, take a rest. Be careful not to hurt your eyes."

Lin Zhiyao responded, put down the embroidery frame, and picked up a teacup to warm her hands.

The tea soup was golden and clear, a new tribute of Osmanthus Oolong this year, with a sweet and refreshing aroma. It was specially ordered by Shen Jin to be delivered here.

During this time, both inside and outside the palace, Shen Jin treated her with exceptional kindness and consideration.

Everything she wore was exquisite; silks and satins were delivered in a flowing stream, and her dressing case was piled high with jewelry. Even when she casually mentioned that she liked the steamed sugar cheese from a shop in the south of the city, the master chef from that shop was invited to the mansion the next day to make it just for her.

Qingwu often said with a smile, "Miss is truly blessed."

Lin Zhiyao didn't reply, but lowered her eyelashes and slowly finished the cup of tea.

Good fortune?

Her fingertips unconsciously traced the inside of her wrist, where there was a very faint scar, a cut she had made when she accidentally broke a teacup.

After Shen Jin discovered this, he personally applied the medicine for her and ordered people to replace all the porcelain and sharp objects in the room with wooden and silver utensils.

From then on, even the embroidery needles in Lin Zhiyao's room were kept by Qingwu himself, taken away after use and returned immediately.

Lin Zhiyao placed the teacup back on the tray, picked up the embroidery hoop again, and twirled the silver needle between her fingertips, threading it onto the silk.

Without realizing it, he slowly stopped.

Lin Zhiyao's gaze fell on the lotus vine she had embroidered.

The flowers and leaves are intertwined and inseparable.

Like her and this courtyard.

It's like her and Shen Jin.

Lin Zhiyao was slightly lost in thought.

"What are you doing?"

Shen Jin walked lightly, his boots making almost no sound, and only a faint, cool fragrance could be smelled.

Lin Zhiyao was startled and turned around, only to find that Shen Jin had been standing behind her at some point.

"You're back."

Lin Zhiyao raised the embroidery frame slightly, turned half of her face to the side, revealing half of her fair chin, "I'll embroider a sachet for you."

Lin Zhiyao's voice was soft, and her smile was both sweet and adorable.

Shen Jin didn't reply.

He sat down next to her, placed his hand on Lin Zhiyao's side, pulled her into his arms, lowered his eyes to look at the dark green satin, and his warm breath fell softly behind Lin Zhiyao's ear.

Shen Jin reached out and took it, then turned it over to look at the stitches on the back. "There's a lot of silver thread used; it's uncomfortable to hold."

After saying that, he put it back on her lap, saying, "Your hands are delicate; you'll get calluses later."

Lin Zhiyao put down the embroidery frame, her fingertips naturally falling back onto the back of his hand resting on his knee, gently holding it. "It's alright, it'll be finished soon. Once it's done, I'll tie it around your waist for you to wear when you go out; it'll look nice."

Shen Jin didn't pull his hand away, letting her hold it, but his five fingers slightly closed, interlocking with hers, gently stroking them, his fox-like eyes gradually deepening.

"Yaoyao..."

Shen Jin turned her shoulders to face him, his Adam's apple bobbing, and suddenly kissed her.

"Well……"

Lin Zhiyao clutched his crimson robe with her fingertips, then leaned forward into Shen Jin's arms.

Shen Jin kissed her deeply, his lips and tongue entwined with an irresistible fierceness that left Lin Zhiyao almost breathless.

His large hand slowly caressed Lin Zhiyao's waist, hooking her belt as he was about to untie it when suddenly a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the door.

Shen Jin paused, turned his head away, his lips still pressed against hers, his breath hot.

Someone outside whispered something, but it was hard to hear clearly through the door. However, Shen Jin could tell from the urgency in their voice.

He released Lin Zhiyao's lips, wiped the moisture from her lower lip with his thumb, straightened up, and called out towards the door, "Come in."

A young eunuch bowed and hurried in, crawling on his knees to Shen Jin's feet, and whispered his reply.

Her voice was extremely low and intermittent; Lin Zhiyao only caught a few words: "...The matter concerning Lord Lin...and his...relationship..."

Lin Zhiyao was slightly taken aback. Was he talking about her father? But her father no longer held any official position, so why would he need a eunuch to deliver a message?

Shen Jin turned his head to look at her, the lust in his fox-like eyes still lingering. After a few moments, he looked away and said to the little eunuch, "Go out and continue."

After saying that, Shen Jin took Lin Zhiyao out of his arms, got up and walked towards the door.

"Lord Shen!"

Lin Zhiyao called out from behind, "Just now, we were talking about my father..."

"It's nothing."

Shen Jin interrupted Lin Zhiyao's question. He turned around and saw Lin Zhiyao's slightly pale face, then added, "Don't worry. If anything happens, your brother should know before me. You wait here for me to return, and don't run around in the palace."

Lin Zhiyao heard Shen Jin say this.

I also think that makes sense.

He breathed a slight sigh of relief and sat back down.

But I don't know why.

She always felt uneasy.

So Lin Zhiyao stood up, leaned against the door, and listened intently to the sounds outside.