Wars in the North

No sooner had Tao Hua left the kitchen than her heart thundered with waves of fury. That arrogant man, so careless, so smug—his words were spoken as though the poison hadn't run through his veins, as though she hadn't toiled for nights to craft him a cure.

She paused beneath the shadow of the mulberry tree, when her maid Mo Chen approached and whispered gently,

— "My lady… don't lose hope. Men like him aren't swayed by logic—but by tactics. While I was at the market, I bought this booklet from a trusted friend who sells books about noble heirs. It contains their habits, dislikes, even their weaknesses. Half the noblewomen have used it to win over their husbands."

She opened her palm to reveal a small sapphire-blue booklet, its cover inscribed:

*"The Secrets of the Seven Noble Houses."*

Tao Hua took it with a curious spark in her eyes—a flicker of something almost like hope. Finally, she had found a way to flip the board in her favor… not with force, but with finesse.

— "Mo Chen," she said, "you've read it. Tell me… what does he hate the most?"

The maid brightened, sitting cross-legged beside her mistress like a student with treasured scrolls:

— "First and foremost… he hates tears. Despises them. Once, a girl cried in front of him, and he handed her two hundred silver taels just to make her leave and stop wailing."

Tao Hua smirked with sarcasm:

— "My tears have dried across two lifetimes… but I can summon a few if needed."

— "Second," Mo Chen went on, "he abhors spoiled girls. There was a noble lady once who demanded the Imperial Physician for a scratch on her ankle. He banned her from the estate entirely."

— "Disgusting. But effective," Tao Hua said, sipping her jasmine tea without expression.

— "Third… he hates gluttons. I'm sorry, my lady, but you do love your food. I think he'll suffer in silence."

Tao Hua chuckled, brushing it off with a wave. Mo Chen continued:

"He hates waking up early, poetry, arrogant people, studying… He loves archery, horseback riding, peaches, pears, … and especially chess. He's known to retreat from women altogether."

Tao Hua pondered deeply. If he truly didn't know how to deal with women… where did all the rumors come from? Was he just playing the fool behind the veil of aloofness?

They chatted late into the night until they both dozed off, curled side by side. Mo Chen woke with a jolt the next morning, shocked to find herself cuddling her mistress.

— "My lady! You've missed breakfast!"

Tao Hua groaned, covering her face:

— "If they ask… say I'm still haunted by nightmares."

The maid obeyed, and as she passed through the garden, she found the heir's parents and Sun Wu seated in the courtyard. The father asked:

— "Where is Shen Tao Hua? She usually rises early."

Mo Chen bowed low:

— "She's still… unwell. The dreams haven't left her."

— "Poor thing," murmured the mother. "Let her rest. She's suffered enough already."

When Tao Hua finally rose and had her breakfast, she strolled into the courtyard where Sun Wu and his servant were playing chess. Upon her arrival, both servants bowed and left at her signal.

She sat across from him without a word.

Sun Wu blinked, unsure—she'd been distant before, and now she had come to him?

She reached for a white chess piece and placed it down… on a losing move.

Once. Twice. Thrice. She played poorly on purpose. Then, her eyes filled with tears, and she began to sob.

Startled, he stammered:

— "D-Don't worry about losing… you'll improve. You just need practice…"

— "My future husband is a famed chess master," she whimpered. "And I'm… terrible. It's humiliating."

He stood up, concern painted across his face. He didn't know how to handle this. She seemed fragile—spoiled, even—and he had no defense for that kind of woman.

— "I-I'm sorry," she said, "I'm just… the daughter of a concubine. Everyone mocked me."

He paced nervously, then approached, flustered, attempting to lift her head, to wipe her tears.

— "N-No! Don't say that. You're not worthless! Even the Empress praised your intelligence—she said you excel in everything!"

Her sobs grew louder.

— "She only praised me because we're old friends… I'll only bring shame to you… I'm sorry, you deserve better."

She lowered her head, waiting for the question: *"What do you want to feel better?"*

But he never asked.

She sniffled once more, then—collapsing suddenly into his arms—pretended to faint.

Panicked, he yelled:

— "Get the physician! She's… she's slipping into nightmares again!"

He carried her swiftly to her chamber, frantic. His mother, father, and the doctor soon arrived.

— "But didn't the maid say she was merely sleeping?!" cried the mother in alarm.

As the physician knelt beside Tao Hua, she opened one eye and gave him the slightest wink. He understood immediately.

— "Please… let me examine her alone," he requested. "This may be delicate."

When the family left, Tao Hua sat up calmly.

— "Thank you for your quick wit. I'm trying to correct the young master's bad habits… I'd appreciate your help."

The physician nodded:

— "Of course. I'll tell them she fainted due to lingering hallucinations. He must be tamed."

Later, when the family returned, they found her fast asleep, breathing quietly.

Sun Wu sat at her bedside, fanning her gently, his mind a storm of questions.

Was this the same quiet girl he had met in the council room?

An angel? Or a devil in silk?

He didn't yet know… that some love stories don't begin with a heartbeat—but with a forged tear… and a cure.

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