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

"Has anyone come to the manor today?"

Lin Zhiyao wanted to know if her father and brothers had sent any messages.

Qingwu's hands didn't stop moving: "A letter was delivered in the afternoon. The gatekeeper took it and put it on the desk in the study."

Lin Zhiyao's eyelashes trembled, and she didn't say anything more. She picked up a plum and ate it, then took some tea to rinse her mouth. By the time she finished cleaning up and came out of the hot spring, it was completely dark.

The lanterns under the eaves were gradually lit up, casting small patches of warm yellow light.

Lin Zhiyao walked forward.

Suddenly, at the corner of the corridor not far ahead, two eunuchs were carrying a black lacquered wooden box about half a person's height past. They were walking hurriedly, and one of them whispered, "Greetings, Sister Qingwu." Then they both said to Lin Zhiyao, "Greetings, Miss Lin."

Lin Zhiyao's gaze fell on the lock of the wooden box. It was a newly made brass lock with cloud patterns engraved on its surface, and it was shiny and brand new.

Her brow furrowed slightly, and she casually asked, "What's that?"

The young eunuch glanced at Qingwu's face, and seeing that she hadn't stopped him, he smiled obsequiously and replied, "It's something His Highness brought back from the palace. I don't know exactly what it is, but I heard it's very important and needs to be locked up and put in the study."

"Since it's something important, send it over quickly." Qingwu stepped aside to let him pass, and the little eunuch hurriedly went over with his head down.

Lin Zhiyao glanced at the eunuch's retreating figure, a slight thought stirring in her heart.

So Shen Jin went to the palace today?

I wonder what she's going to do in the palace, and whether it's related to her brother.

They had no idea what was in that box. It was a palace item, and it was locked up so securely; it might contain some confidential documents.

Lin Zhiyao lowered her eyelashes slightly, pondering as she walked through the corridor.

The hibiscus trees in the courtyard outside the corridor are in full bloom.

As Lin Zhiyao passed by, a petal was blown down by a gentle breeze and drifted to her face.

She instinctively took the petal, her feet slightly steadied, and stood under the tree.

The hibiscus flower blooms in the morning and changes color by evening, displaying three colors in a single day. Now, its petals are a deep red, stunningly beautiful in her fair palm.

Lin Zhiyao couldn't help but recall the thin red gauze dress from last night. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she loosened her grip as if burned, letting the petals be carried away by the wind.

Just as they were about to continue walking, they suddenly saw a tall, slender figure standing not far ahead, illuminated by the lamplight. Those fox-like eyes shone with an astonishing light.

I don't know when they arrived, or how long they've been standing there, or how long they've been watching.

When Shen Jin saw that she had noticed him, he slowly walked out of the dark shadows under the lamp. He was wearing a black casual robe with the cuffs rolled up, revealing a pair of strong arms with smooth and beautiful lines.

He lifted his eyelashes to look at Lin Zhiyao standing under the hibiscus tree. He saw her in the darkening twilight, wearing a light blue dress, her long hair half-wet, her almond-shaped eyes looking at him softly and timidly.

Shen Jin curled his lips and waved to her, his movements casual and relaxed.

"Come here." Shen Jin said, but stepped closer first, his body carrying the chill of the wind and dew he had just come from outside. "Perfect timing, I have something to tell you."

A night breeze swept through the corridor, causing the lanterns to sway gently.

After Shen Jin finished speaking, he tilted his head, gesturing for her to follow.

Lin Zhiyao was still a little afraid of Shen Jin, so she didn't say anything and just followed him.

She silently followed behind Shen Jin, the two of them about two steps apart.

Shen Jin walked slowly, and Lin Zhiyao stepped on his shadow, unsure of where to look, so she stared at the dark gold python tail scales on the back of his shirt.

They soon arrived at the room.

The lights in the room were already on, and the candlelight flickered, illuminating the daybed under the window. On the small table sat a celadon incense burner, from which wisps of smoke rose gently from its openwork lid.

On the table were a plate of candied fruit, a pot of tea, and two cups. The teapot was still steaming, indicating that it had just been prepared.

Shen Jin walked in, his sleeves carrying a very faint scent of agarwood. He sat down at the table, picked up the teapot, filled two cups to about seven-tenths full with tea, and pushed them to the opposite side.

"What are you standing there for?" Shen Jin picked up his teacup, took a sip, and looked up at Lin Zhiyao, who was still standing at the door. "Come and sit down."

Lin Zhiyao paused for a moment, then walked over with her eyes down, sat down opposite him, and took the teacup with both hands.

With her palm pressed against the slightly warm porcelain wall, she looked down at the tea leaves floating in the tea soup, unsure of what to say.

Lin Zhiyao's fingertips were slightly pink. Shen Jin propped his chin up and looked at her for a while, then suddenly reached out and pushed the plate towards her.

"The candied fruit is sweet, not sour," Shen Jin said casually. "Try it."

Lin Zhiyao looked up at him, as if she hadn't expected him to say that, but she still picked up a candied fruit as instructed, took a small bite, and found that it tasted quite good.

Shen Jin took a sip of tea, his fox-like eyes slightly lowered, revealing a rare look of leisure and relaxation. The candlelight reflected on his profile, making the gloom that was usually hidden in his eyes seem to melt away in the warm light.

Lin Zhiyao lowered her head and gently spat the pits of the candied fruit onto the rim of the plate. She was slightly less nervous. After hesitating for a moment, she couldn't help but ask, "Lord Shen... is there any news from my brother?"

Shen Jin paused, the relaxation in his fox-like eyes fading instantly, though a smile remained on his face, though it didn't reach his eyes. He put down the teacup with a gentler touch than before.

He turned to look at Lin Zhiyao, his gaze lingering on her face for a moment before he spoke slowly, "Yaoyao, you sit across from me, eating the candied fruit I prepared and drinking the tea I poured myself, yet you're thinking of someone else?"

He didn't like Lin Zhiyao mentioning anyone else when she was with him, especially men, including her brother.

Shen Jin's tone was low, even somewhat lazy, but Lin Zhiyao felt a slight tension in her back and her fingers unconsciously tightened.

Shen Jin noticed that her fingertips were slightly red from the steam of the teacup, and suddenly reached out and pulled the teacup away from between her fingers.

His fingertips naturally touched her wrist.

Shen Jin leaned forward, resting his arm on the edge of the table, getting about half a body length closer to her, his fox-like eyes half-lowered as he looked at her.

"Your father and brother are doing very well," Shen Jin said in a soft voice, as if he were coaxing someone or talking about something trivial. "Your brother is still on duty at the Ministry of Personnel today, and your father is still having tea at home."

He paused, then raised his fingertips and gently brushed away the stray hairs at her temples, tucking them behind her ear. "So Yao Yao, you don't need to worry about these things. Just be good and stay by my side. I'll take care of everything else for you."

These words were spoken with tenderness and affection.

Shen Jin's slightly warm fingertips slid down from her earlobe to her neck, gently stroking it.

Lin Zhiyao felt that the warmth only touched her skin, while her heart was ice cold.

She looked up at Shen Jin, the light in her almond-shaped eyes trembling slightly.

Why?

Lin Zhiyao wanted to ask, but she couldn't bring herself to. She thought that perhaps Shen Jin was just acting on a whim, and that he would naturally stop caring about her once he returned to the palace.

But judging from what he's saying now...

Shen Jin didn't seem to have any intention of letting her go.

She lowered her thick eyelashes and stared at the dish of candied fruit on the table. Suddenly, she felt the sweetness in her mouth dissipate, leaving only a bitter taste.

"……good."

Lin Zhiyao responded softly, looking down at her fingers resting on her knees, her knuckles clenched so tightly they turned white, and her heart sank.

Shen Jin looked at her for a moment, then said nothing more. He simply got up and walked to her side, gently took Lin Zhiyao's hand, and slowly pried open her clenched fist, interlocking their fingers and pressing their palms together.

His palms were dry and warm, and his grip wasn't strong, yet Lin Zhiyao couldn't break free.

"Are you tired today?"

Shen Jin leaned down, brushing her half-wet hair with his other hand. His voice was low and deep, like the night wind, close to her ear. "After you finish that cup of tea, get some rest... I'll be waiting for you."

Shen Jin's fox-like eyes were deep.

Lin Zhiyao's heart skipped a beat, her throat tightened, and she stammered, "...Okay."