Further Temptation, Heart Palpitations Hard to Hide

A dream had just ended.

Tang Yuehua slowly opened her eyes, her consciousness not yet pulled free from the dream.

Her gaze instinctively fell upon the couch.

It was empty.

The bedding had been folded neatly, as though the youth's presence had merely been an illusionary dream.

The room was silent, with only her own breathing clearly audible.

An indescribable sense of loss, like an ice-cold tide, instantly drowned her heart.

The lingering warmth from the dream stood in sharp contrast to the coldness of reality.

"He... still left."

Tang Yuehua murmured softly, her voice carrying a trace of grievance and desolation she had not even noticed herself.

That helpless feeling of being unable to keep someone no matter what rose in her heart once more.

Unlike the panic and confusion after that absurd first dream, she had now somehow grown a little... accustomed to one dream after another.

Tang Yuehua got out of bed, walked to the table, and poured herself a cup of tea that had long since gone cold.

The cold tea slid across her lips and tongue, taking away some of her heat, yet chilling her body and freezing her heart.

Just then—

"Creak..."

The door opened with a faint sound.

Tang Yuehua almost instinctively furrowed her brows, her eyes taking on the cool dignity and authority of Moonlight Pavilion's mistress.

Someone actually dared enter her residence without asking.

However, when that familiar face came into view—

The frost between Tang Yuehua's brows instantly melted away.

It became a delighted smile from the bottom of her heart, one she herself had not realized she wore.

"Aunt Yue, you're awake."

Lu Yan stood in the doorway, his tone gentle.

"Xiao Yan?" Tang Yuehua rose to her feet, a barely perceptible dependence in her voice. "Where did you go?"

She had thought he had left again, just as he had before.

"I went to fetch hot water." Lu Yan raised the copper kettle in his hand and explained, "Aunt Yue seemed a little overheated in her sleep. It is cold now, and drinking cool water to moisten your throat could easily harm your health."

His words were plain and natural.

Yet to Tang Yuehua, they were like a stone cast into the lake of her heart, sending ripples spreading outward.

In the cold, calculating Heaven Dou City, where every move was made with caution; in this aristocratic circle filled with insincerity and empty pleasantries—

When had anyone ever cared for her with such subtle insight?

Even her two elder brothers back then had been careless and rough around the edges. When had they ever considered such things?

A warm current crashed against the defenses around her heart.

The emotions accumulated in her dreams intertwined with the gratitude stirred by reality.

Tang Yuehua could no longer restrain herself.

She stepped forward, stretched out her arms, and gently drew the youth into her embrace.

She was embracing him, yet the youth had shot up in height so quickly these past days that he was now nearly as tall as she was.

This embrace no longer resembled an elder's fondness for a junior. Instead, it felt more like... an equal leaning on another.

"Xiao Yan..." Tang Yuehua's eyes reddened, her voice slightly choked up. "Aunt Yue... is very moved."

She was too tired.

Managing Moonlight Pavilion and maneuvering among the empire's powerful nobles had long turned her heart into a barren wasteland.

Everyone needed emotional support.

But for years, she had more often been the one providing it.

Only Lu Yan's appearance was like sweet rain, allowing her parched heart to bloom with life force once more.

"Aunt Yue, I'm always here."

Lu Yan was slightly startled, then returned her embrace.

His voice was firm and clear as he made a promise beside her ear.

"I'll never let you be unable to find me."

"Yuehua..."

Tang Yuehua almost instinctively began to say the next line from her dream, but as the words reached her lips, she suddenly came to her senses.

This was not a dream!

In the dream, A'Yan had made the same promise.

The immense disparity instantly woke her fully.

A complicated mix of shame and loss surged in her heart.

"It's cold, Aunt Yue. I'll make tea first."

Lu Yan released her at just the right moment, walked to the table, and began brewing tea.

Tang Yuehua turned around.

She stared blankly at his figure, the warmth and solidity of the youth's body still lingering in her embrace.

For a moment, she absurdly felt a trace of reluctance to let go.

In the dream—

A'Yan's arms had always been open to her.

A mad thought surfaced uncontrollably.

If... if the dream could last a little longer, how wonderful that would be.

Then she could have someone to rely on completely, someone before whom she need not pretend.

She truly was exhausted beyond measure.

"Aunt Yue, the tea is ready."

The gentle call pulled her back from her chaotic thoughts.

Tang Yuehua saw the youth holding a cup of hot tea beneath the lamplight, a clean and gentle smile blooming on his face as he looked toward her.

At that moment, she was somewhat entranced.

Something seemed to break through the earth in a corner of her heart that had always been deliberately suppressed.

She... likely could no longer deceive herself.

She could no longer avoid her increasingly intense dependence on and possessiveness toward Xiao Yan.

Dreams reflected one's thoughts.

Those dreams... perhaps they were the truest desires in her heart.

"Xiao Yan," Tang Yuehua said softly as she accepted the teacup, warmth brushing her fingertips. There was a trace of pleading in her voice. "From now on... come keep Aunt Yue company more often, all right?"

The tea was slightly bitter, yet after passing her throat, it left a long, sweet aftertaste—just like her mood at this moment.

Lu Yan's smile remained unchanged as he nodded.

"As long as Aunt Yue doesn't find me annoying."

"How could I?" Tang Yuehua shook her head.

The two quietly sat across from each other, sipping tea in a warm, peaceful atmosphere.

Suddenly, Tang Yuehua sharply perceived that the youth's gaze seemed to keep drifting downward... without intending to.

What was he looking at?

Tang Yuehua suddenly recalled those bizarre dreams.

In the dreams, Xiao Yan seemed especially fond of seeing her wear all kinds of stockings.

He said they were beautiful, that he liked them very much.

Could Xiao Yan...

The thought made her heart skip a beat, and she moved her toes forward.

His gaze became even more heated.

Sure enough...

Tang Yuehua steadied herself and asked with a hint of probing, "Xiao Yan, what are you thinking about?"

Lu Yan's ears visibly reddened at an astonishing speed. He answered with concern, "Aunt Yue... although there is a brazier in the room, it is still the middle of winter. The books say cold can easily invade through the soles of one's feet. Your health is weak, so it would be best to put on your shoes and stockings. Don't catch a chill."

So... he had been worried about her health.

Tang Yuehua was stunned at first, then a trace of self-mockery and disappointment welled up within her.

She had confused the dream with reality again and actually thought that...

However, seeing his rare look of embarrassment, an even bolder thought prompted her to press further.

Her voice carried a few hints of teasing and deeper meaning. "Oh? Xiao Yan thought for so long, and that is... all you wanted to say?"

Lu Yan's face flushed bright red in an instant, like ripe fruit. Stammering, he said, "Aunt Yue's... legs are very beautiful."

After saying that, it was as if Lu Yan had used up all his courage. Even his neck had turned crimson.

Tang Yuehua froze again.

Then, the loss she had felt earlier was satisfied in an instant, and she could not help but laugh.

This smile was brighter and more genuine than any she had worn before.

"A-Aunt Yue, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have thought that. I... I'll be leaving first."

Lu Yan abruptly stood, threw out those incoherent words, and practically fled in panic.

Tang Yuehua stood by the window until his retreating figure disappeared before closing it.

It shut out the cold, but it could no longer contain the spark in her heart that had already spread into a blazing fire.

She had already... given rise to—

Reckless desires, greedy desires.