A small smile crossed Shuyin’s face. "You’ve thought this through."

"I’ve had time to think while you were resting," he said. "The decision is entirely yours. But if you choose to go, everything is prepared. You’ll look perfect, feel as comfortable as possible given your condition, and won’t have to stay any longer than necessary."

Shuyin looked down at Chen Xiao, who was finishing the last of his fruit, then at Yuyan, who was watching her with quiet support. Then she looked at Lu Yuze, at the man who’d spent his morning handling a crisis, relocating two hundred children, and still found time to order her a dress and arrange for a stylist because he knew she might want to attend a social event.

"All right," she said, her voice carrying decision. "Let’s do it. Thirty minutes of showing society women that I’m not someone they can dismiss anymore. I think I can manage that."

Lu Yuze felt satisfaction settle in his chest. Not because he’d convinced her to go, but because she’d made the choice herself, weighing her options and deciding she was strong enough to handle it. That was the woman he’d married, strategic, strong-willed, and unwilling to let physical discomfort stop her from seizing opportunities.

"Then we should start getting ready," he said, glancing at his watch. "The dress should be here any moment, and the stylist will arrive at one. That gives us just enough time."

As if on cue, his phone chimed with a notification from the gate security. The delivery had arrived and been cleared through. Moments later, Ah Ling appeared in the dining room doorway, carrying an elegant garment bag draped carefully over one arm and several accompanying boxes stacked in his other hand.

"Master, the rush delivery from the boutique has arrived," Ah Ling said, approaching the table with the reverence one might give precious cargo. "Shall I take it to the Madam’s dressing room, or would you prefer to present it yourself?" 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

"I’ll take it," Lu Yuze said, standing and accepting the garment bag and boxes from his assistant. "Thank you, Ah Ling."

He laid them carefully on an empty section of the dining table, unzipping the bag slightly to reveal a flash of jade green silk that caught the light beautifully.

Shuyin’s eyes widened slightly at the color. "That’s beautiful."

"I thought it would suit you," Lu Yuze said, pleased by her reaction. "Why don’t you go try it on while I get ready? The stylist will be here soon to work her magic."

Shuyin stood carefully, taking the garment bag and boxes with Yuyan’s help. Chen Xiao hurried to follow them, clearly not wanting to miss any of the excitement. The three of them made their way back to the master bedroom they’d all been sharing, the afternoon sunlight streaming through the windows and casting warm patterns across the floor.

"Mama, this dress is really beautiful!" Yuyan exclaimed as Shuyin laid the garment bag across the bed. The twelve-year-old leaned closer, admiring the jade green silk visible through the partially unzipped bag. "The color matches your eyes exactly. How did Papa know?"

"He pays attention," Shuyin said softly, a small smile playing at her lips. "More than I sometimes realize." She ran her fingers over the silk, appreciating the quality and thought that had gone into the selection. "But let me freshen up first. I need to shower before I can even think about putting this on."

She headed toward the bathroom, garment bag in hand, when Lu Yuze appeared in the bedroom doorway. He surveyed the scene with his usual calm composure before speaking.

"Yuyan, Chen Xiao, why don’t you both go downstairs for a bit while your mother and I get ready?" he suggested, his tone gentle but leaving no room for argument. "We will get ready first."

"Okay, Daddy..."

They left the room together, passing several servants who’d been hovering discreetly in the hallway. Lu Yuze turned his attention to them immediately, his voice carrying the quiet authority of someone accustomed to being obeyed.

"Prepare proper rooms for the children," he instructed. "Separate bedrooms in the family wing, the best available. Also, prepare our master bedroom. We’ll be using it going forward." He paused, considering. "And organize the mansion properly. Now that it belongs to us, we can arrange things as we see fit rather than living out of temporary spaces."

The servants bowed respectfully. "Yes, Master. We’ll see to it immediately."

Lu Yuze dismissed them with a nod and stepped into the bedroom, closing the door behind him. He could hear water running in the bathroom, Shuyin had already started preparing. He moved toward the bathroom door, which she’d left slightly ajar.

"I’m going to clean up first," Shuyin’s voice came from inside. She appeared in the doorway, still in her comfortable silk robe, clearly intending to close the door for privacy.

But Lu Yuze stepped inside before she could, his presence filling the smaller space.

"Yuze..." she started, a note of protest in her voice.

He hushed her gently, his hands settling on her waist and drawing her close against his chest. He leaned in, breathing in the familiar scent of her hair, the jasmine undertones that were both natural and supernatural mixing with her shampoo.

"My dear, we’re a couple," he murmured against her temple. "I’ve seen all of you. There’s no need for modesty between us now."

Shuyin sighed, the sound carrying both exasperation and affection. "All right, all right," she said quietly, deciding not to argue the point. After last night and this morning, privacy seemed somewhat unnecessary anyway.

Lu Yuze turned her gently to face him, his hands still resting on her waist. The morning light filtering through the bathroom window caught in her hair, and he took a moment just to look at her, this woman who’d become so impossibly important to him in such a short time.

Then he lifted her carefully, mindful of her lingering soreness, and set her on the edge of the bathroom counter. His lips found hers in a kiss that started gently but quickly deepened, conveying everything he felt but couldn’t always put into words. When he finally pulled back, both of them were slightly breathless.

"Let’s get you ready," he said, his voice rougher than usual. He helped her out of the silk robe, careful and reverent, until she was ready for the bath.

"You can use the bathtub while I shower," he suggested, moving to turn on the taps and adjust the water temperature. The large soaking tub began to fill, steam rising as hot water poured in. He added some bath oil that would help ease her muscle soreness, then handed her soap, a bathing sponge, and her toothbrush. "Take your time. We still have a little while before the stylist needs you."

Shuyin slipped into the warming water with a grateful sigh, the heat immediately beginning to work on her aching muscles. Lu Yuze, meanwhile, stepped into the separate shower stall, turning on the water and letting it cascade over him. He reached for his toothbrush, the mundane ritual of getting ready somehow more pleasant when shared with someone else.

"Wifie, are you washing your hair?" he called over the sound of running water. "Should I help?"

"No, I’m not washing it," Shuyin replied from the tub. "It’s too long and cumbersome. The stylist will handle it anyway, so there’s no point in getting it wet now."

"Fair enough," Lu Yuze said, finishing his shower efficiently. He rinsed thoroughly, the hot water washing away the last remnants of the morning’s stress, then turned off the taps and grabbed a towel. He wrapped it around his waist and stepped out of the shower, water still dripping from his hair.

A knock sounded at the bedroom door just as he emerged from the bathroom.

"Yes?" he called, moving to answer it.

Ah Ling stood in the hallway, holding a garment bag and a shoe box. "The clothes you requested, Master," he said, extending them respectfully. "Your burgundy suit, fresh from pressing. And the shoes you specified."

"Thank you, Ah Ling," Lu Yuze said, accepting the items. "Is everything else proceeding smoothly?"

"Yes, Master. The children’s rooms are being prepared as we speak. Miss Yuyan is helping Chen Xiao select a room. And the stylist is waiting in the guest suite whenever the Madam is ready for her."