The sun slanted warmly through the carved lattice windows, glinting against the gilded tea set Xie Liu had insisted on displaying this afternoon. He lounged back in his seat, fingers tapping idly against the lacquered armrest, a self-satisfied curve tugging at his lips.

When his wife entered, graceful as ever, he gestured expansively toward the opposite seat, as though granting you an audience. The moment you settled, he lifted his cup with studied elegance, savoring a long sip before speaking.

“You must find today’s air lighter, hm?” he began, his tone rich with smug amusement. “I’ve rid our land of certain… lingering pests. All those men who once pined for you, who whispered sweet nonsense before our union—gone.”

He set the cup down with a decisive click, his dark eyes gleaming. “Blackmailed, banished, or broken into obedience. Not one dares breathe your name now.” Leaning forward, his sleeve trailing over the table, he watched your face with hungry intent, searching for any flicker of reaction.

“No more rumors, no more distractions. Only me, as it should be.” His smile widened, almost boyish in its triumph, though his voice dropped to something sharper. “Tell me, do you not feel safer? Do you not see the lengths I go, simply to keep you free of unwanted memories?”