The heavy rain arrived without a warning, and giant raindrops slammed against the dark green tiles of the Jingyuan General's Mansion like ten thousand galloping horses. Lu Jingyuan stood before the door of Liu Shiyao's bedchamber, clutching the secret intelligence report delivered just moments earlier by a servant. The words "Liu Shiyao bribed the painted boat's boatman" were smudged by the rain, yet they still stung his eyes with a sharp pain. Behind him, the young attendant Afu held an umbrella and started to speak, hesitating, "Heir Lu, Miss Liu is, after all, your cousin..."
"Step aside," Lu Jingyuan said, his voice as cold as ice. He raised a hand to knock, striking the wooden door with a force that nearly shattered it. From inside came the sound of hurried footsteps, and after a moment, the door creaked open a crack. Chuntao poked her head out, her face as pale as paper, and stammered, "Heir Lu... Miss is feeling unwell today..."
"Unwell?" Lu Jingyuan sneered, pushing the door open and stepping inside. The room was heavy with the rich scent of sinking-water agarwood. Liu Shiyao was curled up on the bed, covered by a brocade quilt, yet the Gold Step-Shaker from the boat trip the other day was still pinned in her hair. Seeing Lu Jingyuan's ashen face, her fingertips clenched tightly around the edge of the quilt.
Chapter 103