Fu Teng pushed open the heavy wooden door to his room. The faint scent of jasmine incense drifted out into the hallway, mixed with the warm glow of a single candle burning on the table.
Zhao Yue was sitting near the small desk, leaning her chin on her hand as her head nodded off in tiredness. Hearing the door creak open, she startled awake, her eyes instantly brightening when she saw him.
"Fu Teng, you're back!" she said softly, standing up quickly to smooth out her robes. She gestured toward the covered tray on the small table. "I kept your food warm. I knew you would be tired after working so late at the pavilion."
Fu Teng stood near the doorway, looking at her gentle, hopeful face. She was a good woman, kind, respectful, and entirely innocent in this mess. Yet, looking at her only made his heart feel heavier, weighed down by the truth he had carried all night.
