He strode toward the secluded wing where the survivors of the Peng Clan had been resettled.

To the outside world, and to the survivors themselves, this was the ultimate act of a saint. By providing a roof, food, and a path to integration into the clan, Shen Yu had solidified his image as a man of peerless righteousness.

The atmosphere in the courtyard was thick with a heavy, lingering gloom, but beneath the grief, a fragile hope had taken root. These people, once the collateral of a fallen house, now looked toward the man who had "saved" them from the demonic madness of Peng Kai with genuine reverence.

As he passed, they bowed deeply, their eyes filled with the desperate gratitude of those who had found a savior in their darkest hour.

He reached the quarters of Li Qiu and gave a sharp, rhythmic knock. The door was pulled open by An Xue, the same woman who had pleaded for mercy on that bloody night. Her face lit up with a humble, watery smile as she bowed.

"Young Master Tang, please, come in. Thank you for checking on us."

Inside, the room was quiet. Li Qiu sat by the window, draped in simple, unadorned robes. She had been staring at the sky, her expression a fragile mask of sorrow. To her, Shen Yu was the light that had pulled them out of the shadow of her husband’s insanity, but that didn’t stop the pain of losing her son and the life she once knew.

She stood up as he entered, her movements slow and heavy with the weight of her mourning. She gestured silently for the other woman to leave, waiting until the door clicked shut before she turned to him. Her eyes were red-rimmed, searching his face with a mix of profound sadness and the deep, hushed respect one reserved for a deity.

"To what do I owe this visit, Young Master?" she asked, her voice soft and trembling slightly.

"Have you come to see if we are settling in? We... we are eternally grateful for your mercy. Without you, we would have been hunted down by the city’s mobs."

Despite her gratitude, a single tear traced a path down her cheek, a reminder of the son she had lost to her husband and the world that had burned to ash. "Is there something you require of me?"

Shen Yu did not answer immediately. He walked toward the window, his silhouette bathed in the warm morning light, looking out over the estate with the calm, focused gaze of a man burdened by responsibility. After a moment, he turned back to Li Qiu, his expression softening into one of gentle concern and profound sincerity.

"Li Qiu," he began, his voice low and melodic.

"I have been thinking about the future of the people I’ve taken under my wing. While providing a roof and food is a start, I believe that true redemption comes through purpose. I am in need of a personal secretary to manage the expansion of my business interests, and frankly, I can think of no one better suited for the role than you."

Li Qiu gasped, her eyes widening. "Me? But Young Master... I am..."

"You were the mistress of the Peng Clan," Shen Yu interrupted gently, stepping closer.

"You possess a sharp mind, a deep understanding of the city’s trade, and a grace that cannot be taught. It would be a tragedy to let such talent go to waste in these quiet rooms. I want to build something that benefits everyone here, and I need your skills to help me grow."

He saw the hesitation in her eyes and reached out, lightly placing a hand on her shoulder in a gesture of paternal support.

"I am aware of what the world will say," he said, his voice firm with conviction.

"They will whisper, and they will judge you for the sins of your past house. But I do not care for the gossip of small-minded men. I believe in you, Li Qiu. I want to show the city that I trust you completely. By standing at my side, you show them that there is a path forward for anyone willing to walk it."

The sincerity in his golden eyes was overwhelming. To Li Qiu, he looked like a saint, a man willing to risk his own flawless reputation to give a fallen woman a chance at dignity. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"The City Lord has invited us to a grand banquet tomorrow night," Shen Yu continued, his thumb tracing the gold-leafed invitation he held.

"It is a celebration of the city’s peace. I want you to attend as my secretary. You know the players, the clans, and the hidden politics better than I do. Your presence won’t just be an aid; it will be a statement of our unity."

Li Qiu’s breath hitched. She looked at him, this righteous savior who had spared her kin and was now offering her his trust in front of the entire world. The pheromone within Shen Yu hummed beneath the surface, amplifying his charisma and making his every word feel like an absolute truth she had to follow.

"I... I am humbled, Young Master," she whispered, her head bowing low, tears of genuine gratitude pricking her eyes. "If you truly believe in me despite everything, then I will give you my life and my loyalty. I will be the secretary you need."

"I knew I could count on you," Shen Yu said with a warm, encouraging smile. "A tailor will arrive shortly. We shall dress you in white and silver, the colors of a fresh start and unwavering loyalty. Tomorrow, you won’t just be a survivor; you will be the proof that even after the darkest night, a new dawn is possible."

He turned to leave, pausing at the threshold to give her one last look of approval. "Rest well, Li Qiu. Tomorrow, we show them the strength of a heart that refuses to break."

As the door closed, Li Qiu sank back into her chair, her hand trembling against her chest. She felt a profound, aching devotion to the man who had seen the "mistress" beneath the "widow."