Su Yu had just stepped out of his room when he saw Aude, Moonlight Pavilion's steward, waiting beneath the corridor with his hands lowered at his sides.
The man wore a navy-blue brocade robe, his hair meticulously combed. Seeing Su Yu emerge, he bowed, his voice steady and respectful:
"Greetings, Your Highness. Your room is ready. This way, please!"
Aude gestured for him to proceed, leading him along the railed corridor toward the prepared guest room.
Su Yu successfully settled into Moonlight Pavilion, and soon evening arrived.
A soft knock suddenly sounded, followed by Tang Yuehua's gentle voice from outside:
"Your Highness, have you gone to bed?"
There was no response from inside for a moment. Tang Yuehua paused, slightly startled, and was about to raise her hand to knock again when the door creaked open from within.
Unable to withdraw her curled fingers in time, she knocked squarely against Su Yu's chest. Though the force was slight, it tipped her forward, making her involuntarily stumble half a step.
At this sudden turn, Su Yu instinctively reached out with his large hand, catching Tang Yuehua around the waist and drawing her into his arms with her forward momentum.
Caught off guard, Tang Yuehua tumbled into a warm embrace, the young man's crisp, clean scent lingering around her nose.
The hand at her waist was steady and strong, making her heart give a sudden leap as a faint blush instantly rose to her cheeks.
"Careful, Pavilion Mistress."
Su Yu's voice sounded above her head, carrying a barely perceptible trace of hoarseness.
He quickly released her and stepped back half a pace to put some distance between them, his gaze falling on her slightly disheveled hair.
Tang Yuehua collected herself, adjusted the front of her robe, and averted her eyes, saying softly: