Chương 3: Forbidden Encounters
Li Xian'er stood alone in her chambers once more, the weight of her grandfather's words settling on her. Fifteen suitors. Fifteen families, all vying for her hand as if she were a mere object, a bargaining piece to strengthen alliances. Her heart ached at the thought, and a bitter determination began to build within her. (Do they see nothing more than my family name? My power? Do I even matter to them as a person?)
As she paced, trying to find peace, her mind drifted back to the masked man. His touch, his calm presence—it was unlike anything she had known. He seemed different, not bound by the expectations that had governed her life since childhood.
Her heart thumped at the memory. "Who was he?" she whispered, feeling an unspoken pull that she couldn't shake.
Just then, the light in her room flickered. She turned, and her breath caught. Standing by the window, half-shrouded in shadow, was the masked man. His eyes gleamed in the moonlight, intense and steady, as if he'd been watching her for a while.
Her cheeks flushed. (Did he see… everything earlier?) The thought made her feel both embarrassed and oddly exhilarated.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, but she couldn't hide the eagerness beneath her words.
He moved closer, his steps soundless. "You called me," he murmured, his voice low and calm. "I could feel your energy… struggling."
Li Xian'er's heart raced. She wasn't sure if it was his closeness or the memory of how he'd touched her before, but her yang energy began to stir within her once again, making her feel almost light-headed. (Why does he have this effect on me?)
She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, but the warmth growing inside her was undeniable. She felt drawn to him, as if he was the answer to a question she hadn't known to ask.
"I need… help again," she admitted, her voice hesitant. The words felt foreign, almost vulnerable. She'd spent her life cultivating strength, power, and discipline, yet here she was, asking a stranger for something she couldn't fully understand.
His eyes softened, and he reached out, his fingers brushing her wrist. Her skin tingled at his touch, the warmth spreading through her arm and settling in her chest. He guided her hand gently to her navel, pressing softly as a faint heat began to pulse through her body.
"Your energy is restless because of your cultivation level," he explained quietly, his voice like a soothing balm to her restless heart. "It's natural… but it can also be overwhelming if not channeled properly."
Li Xian'er's breath caught. His fingers rested on her navel, their warmth grounding her as her body hummed with newfound energy. "Why do I feel… this way?" she asked, barely able to voice the question. She was used to control, to discipline—yet here she felt her barriers breaking down, her true self slipping out.
"It's the path of cultivation," he said softly, his eyes holding hers. "You're growing, discovering new realms within yourself. But sometimes… even the strongest need someone to help them find balance."
Her heart pounded at his words, feeling both seen and exposed in a way that was unfamiliar. He lifted his hand, fingers brushing along her collarbone, and she felt a shiver down her spine. She closed her eyes, surrendering to the sensation, letting herself feel without judgment for the first time.
(He's helping me… but it's more than that. There's something here I don't understand, something beyond just energy.)
The silence grew heavy, each heartbeat stretching out between them. But then, a sound interrupted them—a voice outside her door. The housekeeper was approaching.
Without a word, the masked man stepped back, blending into the shadows. Li Xian'er straightened, instinctively adjusting her robe just as the housekeeper entered.
"Miss Xian'er," the housekeeper said, bowing slightly. "Your grandfather requests your presence in the main hall again. There are… more suitors here to meet you."
Her heart sank. (More suitors… as if I'm some kind of prize.) She forced a calm expression, nodding to the housekeeper before she turned back to the empty room. The masked man was gone, but the memory of his touch lingered, a reminder that perhaps, in this world of obligations, she had found something—or someone—who saw her for more than her family name.
The hall was filled with elders and young men, each dressed in the traditional robes of their respective families. As she entered, the eyes of each suitor turned to her, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and expectation. Some looked at her with faint smiles, others with indifference, as if this meeting was merely another duty to fulfill.
(They're all here for power… none of them would care if it was me or another girl chosen for them. I'm just a title to them.)
Her grandfather greeted her warmly, guiding her to stand at the front of the hall. "Xian'er," he said with a proud smile, "today you meet the young men who seek your hand. Each one is from a respected family, and they bring honor with their presence."
One by one, the suitors introduced themselves. Each name, each face blended into the next. They all had the same polite words, the same empty praise, the same practiced smiles.
When the fifteenth man stepped forward, she felt an odd sense of finality. This was her fate—fifteen suitors, each one chosen not for who he was, but for what he represented.
But as the formal introductions ended, a murmur ran through the hall. One of the elders stepped forward, his expression grave.
"Honored Elder," he began, addressing her grandfather. "There is… one last family who has expressed interest in the Lady Xian'er. Their proposal arrived late, and they are not here today, but they have requested consideration nonetheless."
Li Xian'er's heart sank further. (Another proposal? How many times will I be offered like a prize in an auction?)
But her grandfather only nodded, as if this was nothing more than another formality. "We will consider all proposals equally," he declared. "Xian'er is a daughter of our house, and she will bring honor to any family fortunate enough to have her."
The words stung, reminding her of her place. She was bound by duty, by the expectations of her family. But in her heart, she knew there was something more—a part of her that longed for freedom, for the right to choose her own path.
As the gathering ended, she returned to her chambers, feeling the weight of her fate pressing down on her. She closed the door, leaning against it with a deep sigh.
"Is this all there is?" she murmured, looking at her reflection in the mirror. She saw a girl bound by duty, by the expectations of others. But in her heart, she knew she was so much more.
A faint rustle outside her window caught her attention. She looked up, her heart racing as she saw the shadow of the masked man once again. Her pulse quickened, a spark of hope flaring within her.
"Are you just going to stand there?" she whispered, stepping toward the window. "Or are you going to tell me who you are?"
But before she could reach him, he disappeared into the night, leaving her alone with the unanswered questions that lingered in her heart.
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