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She's Interested In Su Ting

She's Interested In Su Ting

"I should make their morning spicy." Su Kang thought.

The aroma of freshly baked bread and sizzling meats wafted through the air as Su Kang approached the pavilion in the eastern gardens where his brother and Yue Mei were taking their morning meal. Sunlight dappled through the leaves, painting the scene in warm, inviting hues.

As Su Ting saw him, he exclaimed, "Brother! Come, join us!"

Yue Mei, seated across from Su Ting, offered a slight nod, her crimson eyes briefly meeting Su Kang's before returning to her meal.

"Good morning," Su Kang replied, his voice calm and composed. He moved with deliberate ease towards the table, taking a seat next to his brother.

He noticed the variety of dishes before him—steamed dumplings, fragrant congee, stir-fried greens, and spiced meat. It was an extravagant breakfast, certainly fit for honored guests, and Su Ting's idea to show his hospitality.

"I didn't realize you were eating out here," Su Kang said to his brother, a playful tone in his voice.

"Usually, you prefer the comfort of your own palace. It seems her charm has affected you."

Su Ting panicked and responded, "Brother, what are you talking about?

Miss Yue mentioned that the garden is quite beautiful. So I decided to have breakfast here."

Su Kang's gaze drifted to Yue Mei, noticing that she held her chopsticks with graceful precision. She ate with a quiet focus, showing a refined elegance that hinted at her noble upbringing.

"I hope everything is to your liking, Miss Yue," he said in a polite tone.

"We want to ensure your stay here is as comfortable as possible."

"The meal is most agreeable," she responded, her voice a soft melody, neither overly warm nor cold. She met his gaze for a moment, then ignored him.

"Our chefs do have a way with spices," he said as he looked at Su Ting.

"But I'm sure you are not here for our chef. If you are here for that, then I don't mind sending my brother with you." He joked.

"So Miss Yue, what brings a person from such a distant place to Jiang State?" Su Kang asked while carefully observing her expression.

He is not expecting her to answer him truthfully, but he is looking for her excuses.

She spoke with a measured tone, her eyes calm. "My journey brought me to this region quite by chance, Young Master Su. I was seeking knowledge about rare medicinal herbs that are said to grow in this area."

"The spiritual energy in this region may seem weak to some, but to the right eyes, this land holds many valuable treasures."

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Su Kang nodded thoughtfully. Her words were carefully chosen. Medicinal herbs, a plausible explanation. While not a total lie, this was also not completely the truth.

Her subtle use of her title also didn't escape his mind. She also gave the hint that this region has some treasures for the right kind of person.

"It's always a pleasure to see talented individuals pursue their passions," Su Kang said, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "I hope your search proves fruitful."

He decided to divert the conversation, as he already got most of her plan in this small conversation, and he had to make sure he didn't arouse her suspicions.

"And you, brother, have you been entertaining our esteemed guest well? If you made her unhappy, you will face the consequences. He told Su Ting with a guilty and sad look on his face.

Su Ting's expression was full of confusion. Su Kang explained more in a low voice, "The family has decided to punish you later for your actions. I reduced your punishment, but you have to lose one of your limbs."

Su Ting's mind stopped working for a few seconds. He couldn't process his brother's words. He looked at Su Kang's face that was filled with guilt and sadness. He thought this matter was related to Miss Yue.

He didn't say anything in protest and accepted this. Su Kang was feeling sad and guilty for hurting his brother by lying like this. But he doesn't have any other option for now.

Su Ting's voice was low but loud enough for Yue Mei to hear this. She looked at Su Ting's face as he accepted this punishment; her face clearly showed her disbelief and unwillingness. She wanted to say something, but she didn't say anything.

Su Kang observed her expression. He wanted to see her her reaction after hearing this.

(Yue Mi's P.O.V.)

The gentle morning sunlight, filtering through the leaves of the garden, felt like a mockery.

Yue Mei forced herself to take another bite of the spiced meat, the exquisite flavors lost on her numb palate.

Each chew was a monumental effort, a desperate attempt to maintain the facade of calm while a tempest raged within her.

Su Kang, the elder brother, had arrived, his presence like a sharp, jarring note in the delicate melody of the morning.

His words, though seemingly playful, were laced with a knowingness that sent shivers down her spine.

When he joked about sending Su Ting with her, a jolt of pure, unadulterated panic had shot through her.

It was a crude, blatant reminder of her cursed physique. A fate she had been running from all her life, a fate that had brought her to this very region, to this very family.

She had to maintain her composure, had to keep her expression impassive. If not, she would have been toyed with by many people until her death.

But inside, she was fraying. She felt a connection with Su Ting, a connection she hadn't sought on her own but was forced to seek by her fate.

As he asked her purpose for coming to Jiang state, she had offered the well-rehearsed lie about medicinal herbs, the words hollow even to her own ears.

She had seen the doubt in his eyes, the knowing smirk that told her he saw through her carefully constructed facade.

But it was his next words that shattered her fragile composure, sending her world spiraling into chaos. He spoke of punishment, of Su Ting losing a limb. Because of her. Because of her presence in their lives.

Her breath hitched. Her heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic drumbeat against the silence of the garden. Lose a limb? The words echoed in her mind, each repetition a fresh wave of agony.

She forced herself to look at Su Ting, her crimson eyes, usually so guarded, now burning with a desperate plea and unwillingness.

He looked confused, lost, but he accepted the punishment without protest. A wave of nausea washed over her.

But she did nothing, nor did she say anything. She sat there, frozen, her expression a carefully crafted blank canvas, betraying none of the turmoil within. Her hands, hidden beneath the table, clenched into fists so tight her nails dug into her palms.

She was Yue Mei, the cultivator from the Xuantian Empire, a woman shrouded in mystery and power. She was not supposed to feel. She was not supposed to care.

But as she looked at Su Ting, at the gentle, unsuspecting man who held the key to her salvation, she knew one thing with absolute certainty: she would not let them hurt him.

(Third Person's P.O.V.)

A heavy silence hung in the air, thick with unspoken emotions. Su Kang observed Yue Mei intently.

He noticed a subtle shift in her posture and the way her red eyes briefly fixed on Su Ting. It was a silent sign of her inner conflict, a hint of her feelings for him.

Although he didn't know her full story or why she was drawn to his brother, he understood that she cared for Su Ting deeply.

"Brother, let's go. You need some fresh air," Su Kang said gently, rising from the table and signaling Su Ting to follow him.

Su Ting, lost in his sadness and confusion, nodded silently, his usual cheer diminished. He didn't look at Yue Mei or say goodbye as he left with his brother.

As they walked, Su Kang felt guilty for manipulating the situation, using his brother's trust. Yet, he believed it was necessary for their family and Su Ting.

Once they were away from her, he slowed down to walk beside Su Ting, seeking answers first without offering comfort.

"Fate, connect my brother's destiny with her roadblocks and tell me what you saw." Su Kang said.

Fate responded in his mind,

"With my current ability, I can't do this. Understanding destiny takes time; I can only see that her destiny is somewhat connected to your brother."

Su Kang thought about this. He could keep Yue Mei at a distance or lean into the connection between his brother and her. He understood he needed both of them to uncover the truth and piece together what was unfolding.

Back in the pavilion, Yue Mei remained seated, the warmth of the morning sun unable to penetrate the chill that had settled deep within her bones. The spiced meat cooked by Su Ting lay forgotten on her plate, its aroma now a bitter reminder of her cursed fate.