At Cheng Yu's question, Shi Lian came back to her senses and finally answered.
"I think I can do that too."
After saying this, Shi Lian looked at Cheng Yu expectantly. For a fleeting moment, he seemed to see again the young woman he had once rescued from the pleasure trade.
Although he always acted frivolous, Cheng Yu had long since ceased to be a boy.
Hearing Shi Lian's answer, Cheng Yu did not peer directly into her heart. Doing so would have been meaningless. He merely smiled faintly and said,
"Don't force yourself. My answer is still the same: think everything through before you answer me. I'll be here for a long time yet."
Shi Lian smiled bitterly at his reply. Much as she hated to admit it, she knew that the moment she hesitated, she had already lost her chance. But she refused to give up.
Whether her lord chose her was his decision. What she wanted to do was her own business. No one had the right to decide for her, not even the lord who meant so very, very much to her.
As though their earlier exchange had been put behind them, Shi Lian softly told Cheng Yu about her experiences over the years.
Through Shi Lian's unruffled account, Cheng Yu saw how a vulnerable woman with no status or connections, little strength, and a lowly background had become a highly respected teacher in a place like the Central Capital.
This young woman from the pleasure trade had clung fiercely to the opportunity he had given her. Surrounded by contempt, condescension, and ridicule, she had distinguished herself. She had endured dozens of times more hardship than most people, and only an unimaginable strength of will had brought her to where she was today.
Deception, betrayal, abuse,