Chapter 113: I Quite Enjoyed Myself

Inside the spacious cabin, the scent of expensive sandalwood incense hung thick in the air, creating a serene sanctuary away from the noisy streets outside.

Lu Feng sat quietly against the plush velvet cushions, his hands folded neatly on his lap. His face was a mask of submissive, solemn silence, maintaining the exact posture of a meek young man who was patiently awaiting a harsh reprimand.

Su Rong sat across from him, resting her chin on her palm as she observed him. For several minutes, she tried to maintain her stern demeanor, but seeing Lu Feng acting like an obedient, terrified culprit was almost too much for her to bear. Her dark eyes sparkled with suppressed amusement, her lips twitching slightly as she tried to keep from breaking her composure.

Eventually, the heavy carriage gradually slowed down, the iron wheels grinding against the smooth paving stones before coming to a complete standstill in front of the grand entrance of the Crimson Pavilion.

Outside, the bustling noises of high-ranking merchants, wealthy patrons, and pavilion guards filled the air.

Su Rong leaned forward slightly, her expression turning into one of gentle regret as she looked at Lu Feng. She let out a long, quiet sigh.

"I apologize for this in advance, Lu Feng," she whispered softly, her voice filled with genuine fondness. "We have far too many prying eyes around the main hall today. If I suddenly walk in with you as my esteemed guest after making such a public scene on the road behind, the rumors will become impossible to control."

Lu Feng offered a calm, understanding nod, his lips curving into a subtle, reassuring smile. "It is quite alright, Big Sister Su. I do not mind playing along with your little drama."

Before she could respond, a firm knock sounded against the wooden panel of the carriage door.

"Mistress Su," Fang Zhao’s nervous voice called out from the driver’s seat. "We have arrived at the pavilion. Shall I assist you with the offender?"

"No need! Stay where you are!" Su Rong called back, her tone instantly hardening into cold, unyielding authority.

Without missing a beat, Su Rong reached out and grabbed the front collar of Lu Feng’s fine robes with both hands. With a sharp, practiced pull, she dragged him toward the opening door just as two pavilion guards stepped up to assist.

The moment the wooden door swung wide open, exposing them to the bright sunlight and dozens of onlookers standing around the pavilion entrance, Lu Feng immediately threw himself into his role.

"Ah! Big Sister Su, please! Spare me!" Lu Feng cried out, his voice laced with exaggerated panic and fear as he allowed himself to be hauled down the carriage steps. "I truly did not mean to obstruct your path! It was a complete misunderstanding! Please, have mercy on this humble junior!"

Su Rong’s hand twitched on his collar as a sudden, overwhelming urge to burst into laughter nearly shattered her severe facade. She bit the inside of her cheek hard, forcing her eyebrows into a deep, furious scowl as she dragged him past the stunned guards.

"Silence, you insolent boy!" Su Rong barked loudly, her voice ringing across the grand marble archway for every guest and servant to hear. "You should have thought about mercy before you decided to stand in the middle of the street! Today, I shall personally teach you how to respect the rules of Crimson Vale!"

"Mercy, Mistress Su! I beg of you!" Lu Feng continued to plead, flailing his arms slightly in fake desperation as she hauled him across the threshold. "I will pay for any delay! Just do not lock me in the punishment chambers!"

As they moved through the main courtyard and into the grand reception hall, the pavilion’s workers, female attendants, and wealthy patrons all froze in their tracks. Conversations died down instantly as everyone stared in utter shock at the sight of the mighty Mistress of the Crimson Pavilion personally dragging a pleading young man by his collar across the pristine wooden floors.

"Goodness... what did that poor young man do to anger Mistress Su so deeply?" a young maidservant whispered to her companion behind her silk sleeve.

"He must have committed a grave offense," the second maid replied in a hushed tone, shaking her head. "I have never seen Mistress Su so furious! He’s begging for his life!"

Every dramatic plea out of Lu Feng’s mouth tested Su Rong’s self-control to its absolute limit. Her throat tight with suppressed laughter, she kept her head held high, marching with brisk, forceful strides through the winding hallways of the upper floor. She practically dragged him past the line of bowing guards, turning down a quiet, secluded corridor reserved exclusively for high-ranking figures.

Finally, they reached the familiar, heavy oak door of her private reception room—the very same room where they had held their quiet discussions during his previous visit.

Su Rong pushed the door open, pulled Lu Feng inside, and slammed the heavy wood shut behind them, immediately sliding the brass lock into place.

The moment the latch clicked, the overwhelming silence of the soundproofed room descended upon them.

Su Rong instantly let go of his collar and leaned back against the closed door, covering her mouth with her hand as a breathless, melodic laugh finally escaped her lips. She laughed so hard her shoulders trembled, her face flushing a deep, radiant pink as she tried to catch her breath.

"You... you absolute monster!" Su Rong wheezed out, looking at him with wide, teary eyes filled with mirth. "How could you say those things with a straight face?! ’Mercy, Mistress Su!’ ’Do not lock me in the punishment chambers!’ I nearly died trying not to laugh in front of my own guards!"

Lu Feng comfortably adjusted his slightly wrinkled collar, smoothing down the fabric of his robes before stepping over to the carved wooden chairs near the window. He took a seat with complete ease, resting his elbow on the armrest as he looked back at her with an amused grin.

"Did I not perform well?" Lu Feng asked smoothly, his eyes twinkling with quiet satisfaction. "If we are going to put on a show for the public, we might as well make it convincing. Besides... I quite enjoyed myself."

Su Rong shook her head, letting out a soft, exasperated sigh as she walked over and sat down across from him. The playful amusement in her eyes gradually gave way to a warm, gentle gaze as she looked at him properly for the first time since their chaotic meeting on the road.

"In all seriousness, I apologize for dragging you into that mess," Su Rong said softly, her voice filled with sincerity. "The political climate in the city has been quite tense lately, and having you seen openly with me in the market district would have invited unnecessary scrutiny from rival factions."

"There is no need to apologize, Big Sister Su," Lu Feng replied calmly, waving his hand dismissively. "I understood your intentions the moment you grabbed my collar. It was the most practical choice."

Su Rong smiled warmly at his understanding nature. Leaning toward the door, she raised her voice slightly, calling out to the hallway outside. "Luo’er! Bring us a pot of hot jasmine tea and a selection of delicate fresh pastries immediately!"

"Right away, Mistress!" a soft female voice responded from the other side of the corridor, followed by the faint sound of quick, retreating footsteps.

With the initial drama settled, Su Rong relaxed back into her chair, crossing her arms casually as she looked at him with genuine curiosity. "Now then... tell me what brought you out to the commercial sector so early today. Were you simply taking a stroll, or did you have business to attend to?"

"I was returning from a meeting with Merchant Lin Laifu," Lu Feng answered smoothly, keeping his tone relaxed and conversational. "We had a few commercial matters to finalize regarding a recent trade agreement."

He deliberately left out the specific details of the high-grade cultivation pills, knowing that keeping his financial transactions discreet was always the safest path, even among allies.

Su Rong nodded knowingly, asking no further questions about the specifics. "Ah, Manager Lin. He is a shrewd man when it comes to business, but entirely reliable. You picked a good merchant to handle your affairs." She paused, her eyes softening as she added, "And where were you planning to go after that?"

"Back to my estate," Lu Feng said with a light chuckle. "At least, until a certain grand carriage decided to intercept me in the middle of the avenue." He tilted his head slightly, looking at her with a curious expression. "And what about you, Big Sister Su? What urgent matter had your driver racing through the streets at such dangerous speeds?"

Su Rong let out a soft, affectionate sigh, her posture relaxing even further. "I was returning from the western district after visiting a dear personal friend of mine. She just gave birth to her first child early this morning, so I went over to congratulate her family, bring a few spiritual gifts for the baby’s health, and pay my respects." Her lips curved into a soft, gentle smile as she recalled the visit. "The little one is healthy and strong. I stayed far longer than I originally planned, which is why Fang Zhao was driving so recklessly—he was terrified I would be late for my afternoon appointments at the pavilion."

Before Lu Feng could respond, a soft, polite knock sounded against the thick wooden door of the private room.

"Mistress Su," the maidservant’s voice called out gently from outside. "I have brought the hot jasmine tea and the fresh pastries you requested."