Blood! So much blood, continuously flowing out, the world between heaven and earth a sheet of crimson red. Red so bewitchingly beautiful, so piercing that she couldn’t even open her eyes. And his silhouette grew fainter and fainter under that blood-red saturation, fainter and fainter… finally disappearing without a trace.

She reached out her hand in vain, grasping only wind, bone-chillingly cold, shrill as the wailing of ghosts.

Hua Zhuyu suddenly woke from her dream with labored breathing. The room was pitch black, everywhere deathly quiet. Her startled gasps were particularly clear in this silence. She was dazed for a moment, then came to the realization – she had killed Ji Fengli.

She had wanted to kill him more than once before.

But heaven as her witness, this time, she had actually wanted to save him.

That stab – she had only intended to pierce his chest lightly, then seal his breath-stopping acupoint to make him appear dead. That way, she could have had people deliver him to his subordinates. But Hua Zhuyu hadn’t expected him to be so ruthless, grabbing her hand and letting the blade pierce deep into his chest.

“Either your fresh blood blooms on my blade’s edge, or my hot blood spills on your plain fan.” This was her vow, and she had finally accomplished it.

Finally, she had made his fresh blood bloom on her blade’s edge.

But she had never imagined that her own heart would hurt this way. When the blood spurted out, when those three words “he is dead” reached her ears, she seemed to hear the sound of her own heart slowly shattering within her chest.

In that moment, she finally realized something – that at some point, without knowing when, she had already fallen in love with him.

Fallen in love, truly and deeply, unable to deceive herself any longer.

She closed her eyes, and all the past events appeared before her one by one.

On the battlefield, that distant glance – amid the clash of weapons and flowing blood, he stood in a white robe between heaven and earth like a lofty, pure cloud drifting freely. Then, she had marveled at his composure.

At the execution ground, without seeing how he moved, he had dodged her fierce strike. Then, she had been shaken by the unfathomable depths of his martial arts.

At Prince Kang’s night banquet, his song “Weak Waters” had stirred the feelings of so many unmarried women. Then, she had admired his brilliant talent.

The rumors of him being a demon bringing disaster – she had been furious at his ruthlessness.

In the temporary palace, during that close-quarters combat, she and he had fought with great satisfaction.

In the hot springs, with sharp words as weapons, she and he had battled evenly.

During the flood control, she had respected his dedication to the people.

On the battlefield, she had admired his strategies.

Without doubt, she had hated him. Even in her dreams at night, she thought about how to bring him down.

The deeper the hatred, the more important he became in her heart. She constantly targeted him, investigated him, studied him, until she understood him even better than she understood herself.

She had placed him in her heart, hating him every moment. But she didn’t know that when you keep someone in your heart for too long, even if it’s hatred, you slowly grow accustomed to it – accustomed to his existence.

This habit took root over time and slowly changed its nature. Love and hate are merely the front and back of a single sheet of paper – with one careless moment, hatred becomes love.

But when exactly had her heart been moved?

Was it at the execution ground when he said “I love you”?

Was it the night he married Jin Se, when he unexpectedly kissed her?

Was it when she was injured and he strictly forbade her from eating meat, preparing a table full of vegetarian dishes for her?

Was it when she was wounded on the battlefield and he suddenly appeared like a blood-soaked war god?

Was it when he rescued her from the Yang Pass prison, leaning down from horseback to say “Give me your hand”?

None of these – it wasn’t that she didn’t love him then, but because it must have been even earlier. But when exactly was it? She could no longer distinguish.

Actually, when she fell in love with him was no longer important. What mattered was that he could never return, never return again.

At the execution ground, he died. She numbly wiped away her tears, stood up in a daze, calmly commanded those officials she had bribed to hand him over to his subordinates. Although Chancellor Nie had tried to intervene, he was thwarted by Huangfu Yan’s wailing, combined with the angry crowd below the execution platform, and finally agreed helplessly.

She calmly watched him being carried away, calmly returned to the imperial palace, and even managed to smile calmly when she saw Huangfu Wushuang.

But in this lonely, dark night, she finally buried her head between her knees, letting tears flow freely until her eyes were dry and not a single tear remained.

She had watched with her own eyes as he closed his eyes, watched with her own eyes as his breathing stopped. He was truly gone, gone forever.

His deep, profound eyes, his gentle, elegant smile, his low, mellow voice, his domineering deep kisses, his tender embraces…

From this moment on, she would never see them again, never hear them again, never possess them again.

The night – a weeping night, a sorrowful night – was so long, as if the sky would remain dark forever.

She climbed down from the bed, quietly left the palace, and wandered aimlessly along the desolate streets. The wind blew coldly through her clothes, penetrating all the way to her heart. Her entire being seemed submerged in an ice cave, bone-chillingly cold.

She didn’t know how she had walked to the Left Chancellor’s residence. On the main gate, large official seals locked away the former prosperity, leaving only desolation and loneliness.

She stood quietly before the gate for a long time, dimly seeing on the snow-covered street a figure in white, solitary and aloof, with hair like a waterfall flying in the wind. When she walked closer, the figure vanished like smoke.

A cold wind blew past, and snow began to fall.

She wandered through the city like a lost soul, unconsciously reaching the desolate outskirts where before her lay a lake covered in ice and snow.

A horse-drawn carriage came slowly along the small road. Just as it passed by Hua Zhuyu, the driver suddenly leaped up, a sharp sword gleam like a soaring dragon accompanied by fierce killing intent, instantly reaching Hua Zhuyu’s throat.

The blinding sword light momentarily dazzled Hua Zhuyu’s eyes. Acting on instinct, she leaned back to dodge this thunderous strike. But immediately after, another sword thrust rapidly toward her.

Hua Zhuyu reached to her waist to draw her treasured sword, raising it to meet the attack. With a clang, the two swords collided, cold light scattering, and she saw the opponent’s sword glowing with a blue-green light.

Poisoned!

The assassin’s sword was coated with deadly poison. Clearly, this person intended to kill her.

Hua Zhuyu stared at her opponent. The eyes beneath the assassin’s black face covering seemed familiar.

It was Tang Yu!

A bitter smile curved Hua Zhuyu’s lips. A comrade who had shared life and death on the battlefield was now finally coming to take her life. The Tang family’s poisons were incurable – if she had failed to dodge that earlier move, she would probably already be dead.

“Tang Yu!” Hua Zhuyu said with furrowed brows.

“Correct, it’s me!” Tang Yu said coldly. “It is I who wants to kill you. If you’re lucky enough to survive and return, you can tell that dog emperor to come arrest me.”

He let out a low howl, gathering his energy and raising his sword to strike at her again. The murderous sword energy billowed her clothes, the blade swiftly approaching inch by inch. The sword light illuminated her eyes, and the dragon’s roar from the blade seemed to tell her she was doomed to die.

In that instant, a flash of light suddenly crossed her mind.

If she died, wouldn’t she be able to see him again? He was gone – life and death no longer mattered to her. She gazed at the approaching blade, not moving at all, her lips curved in a faint smile.

Tang Yu seemed surprised by her reaction too. His murderous pupils suddenly contracted, his hand trembled slightly, and his sword momentum slowed.

“You’re crazy – seeking death!” A swift force suddenly pushed Hua Zhuyu down into the snow, extending a blade to meet Tang Yu’s sword.

It was An, leading the Imperial Guards to her rescue.

But at that moment, dozens of black-clothed figures leaped out from nowhere, engaging the Imperial Guards in battle.

Her gaze swept over the faces of the black-clothed figures before her. She couldn’t see their features beneath the black coverings, but every pair of eyes was familiar – familiar to the point of being strange, and this strangeness came from the killing intent in those eyes.

It was him – his people wanted to kill her.

With a splashing sound, blood scattered as her shoulder was pierced. But there was almost no pain; her entire shoulder seemed numb, and consciousness slowly drifted away. She seemed to see her body falling backward.

In that instant, her body relaxed as never before. She had long been tired, weary.

A splash as she fell into the water, thin ice shattering, cold lake water submerging her inch by inch. In this moment, scenes of past times with him flashed before her eyes like a revolving lantern. In this moment, she finally understood – she loved him, she no longer hated him at all. Endless darkness surged toward her, and she seemed to see him extending his hand to her, his lips curved in a smile as brilliant as flowers.

Hua Zhuyu awakened. Sunlight streamed through the window lattice onto the bed. The snow had stopped, and the gloom in the sky had cleared completely. But the gloom in her heart would probably never dissipate in this lifetime.

“General, you’re awake?” Tai sat in a chair beside the bed, his face haggard, clearly having stayed awake all night.

“How did I get here?” Hua Zhuyu moved her painfully numb shoulder and asked with furrowed brows. She remembered that last night Tang Yu had led people to assassinate her, and An had led the Imperial Guards to rescue her.

Tai lowered his eyes and after a long while said slowly, “General, you were slashed last night and fell into the water. So An brought you to me.”

Hua Zhuyu gave a low “mm,” lying on the bed with an indifferent expression, the scene from the execution ground continuously flashing through her mind, a bitter smile curving her lips.

Only through death can there be rebirth. Only through forgetting can there be new life. But she just couldn’t die, and couldn’t forget either. In this life and the next, even if she forgot everything in this mortal world, she would probably never forget him.

“General.” Tai called out quietly, wanting to speak but hesitating, a flash of unease crossing his black eyes as he looked at Hua Zhuyu.

“What is it?” Hua Zhuyu raised her eyes to look at him questioningly.

“General, when I took your pulse last night, I discovered something.” Tai said quietly.

Hua Zhuyu’s heart tensed. Back on the battlefield, she had been injured many times, but her father, fearing her identity would be exposed, had never let Tai treat her. Tai had never taken her pulse and naturally didn’t know she was a woman. Now he finally knew. No matter – she didn’t care about anything anymore.

“You know I’m a woman now. Does An know?” she asked quietly.

Tai nodded. “It’s precisely because he discovered you were a woman that he didn’t dare bring you back to the palace for treatment. General, there’s another matter – when I took your pulse, I found a poison in your body that dissolves internal energy.”

Hua Zhuyu was shocked. During last night’s fight with Tang Yu and the others, she had indeed clearly felt her internal energy was much weaker than before. Every time she exerted force, her true qi couldn’t quite connect. So she had been poisoned. But who had poisoned her? Why dissolve her internal energy?

“Can this poison be cured?” Hua Zhuyu asked urgently.

Tai sighed lightly. “The internal energy that’s already been dissolved cannot be recovered – it must be practiced anew. But if the antidote is taken before complete dissolution, this poison can be neutralized and the remaining internal energy preserved.”

Hua Zhuyu gritted her teeth. “Then good, Tai, quickly go prepare the medicine.” The fists in Hua Zhuyu’s sleeves were already clenched tight, her nails digging deep into her palms, her whole body trembling.

Was it him, or Huangfu Wushuang? She could not die! How could she die? She must investigate everything clearly, for his sake and for her own.

Hua Zhuyu suddenly furrowed her brows, her gaze sharp and pressing as she stared at Tai. “Tai, do you still remember that time? That time we fought a great battle with Western Liang, we were ambushed, I was wounded in the leg, and my horse was killed in battle. You carried me back from the battlefield. For this, you sustained dozens of wounds.” Among the Four Guards, Tai was the shortest and most delicate physically; his specialty was hidden weapons. But that time, he had carried her for more than twenty li.

Hua Zhuyu’s words made Tai’s hand pause. He knew the general wouldn’t reminisce about these things for no reason. Moreover, she had never spoken to them in such a sorrowful tone before.

“This subordinate remembers. I also remember that once when I was captured by enemy troops, the general led the Orphan Army, penetrating deep alone, risking death to rescue me.” Tai said in a deep voice. The battle situation then could be described clearly in just one sentence now, but the heart-stopping danger and tragic brutality of that time would be unforgettable until death. That time, he had sworn that for this lifetime, his life belonged to the general. For this lifetime, he would forever follow the general.

“Tai, we few grew up together, practiced martial arts together, went to battle together. We’ve experienced so many life-and-death situations together that I can barely count them all. But if I cannot completely trust even brothers who have shared life and death, then who can I trust in the future?” Her heart was sour, and she suddenly felt only weariness.

“General…” Tai’s heart suddenly seized, his expression changing, sorrow flashing in his black eyes.

“I know your lives were all saved by the marquis, and you are loyal to him. I have nothing to say about that. But do you know what he intends to do? Ah Tai, are you still willing to walk the same path with me?” she suddenly asked in a deep voice.

Tai knelt on one knee and said slowly, “This subordinate is willing. Back then, we all thought the general had died, and the marquis was my savior. I thought then that if I couldn’t serve the general loyally, I would serve the marquis loyally until death. Now, I have already done much for the marquis. From now on, I only want to follow the general.”

Hua Zhuyu sighed lightly, walked to Tai’s side, gently patted his shoulder, and helped him up. “Good, Tai! Get up! Since you’ve chosen me today, for this lifetime, I will always trust you!”

“Tai will never betray the general,” Tai said solemnly.

“Then are you willing to tell me where the marquis is now? What exactly does he intend to do?” Hua Zhuyu asked coldly.

Tai frowned with difficulty and knelt down again, saying slowly, “Where exactly the marquis is and what he intends to do, Tai doesn’t know. General, from now on Tai will only work for the general, but Tai also cannot betray the marquis. I cannot speak of past matters. Please forgive me, general!”

Hua Zhuyu nodded and smiled. Actually, she had already guessed Tai would say this. After all, her father was also his savior. “Get up, I won’t blame you.”

“General, about An…” Tai suddenly asked.

“An works in the imperial palace, and what he does should be very important. If I were to seek him out, I might harm him. So even though I already know the marquis is still alive, don’t tell him for now.” Hua Zhuyu said slowly.

Tai’s eyes reddened as he said quietly, “This subordinate understands.”

“This time when you went to the northern frontier, you weren’t leading troops from Eastern Zhao’s Prince Yi, but rather a force the marquis had secretly hidden away, isn’t that right?” Hua Zhuyu asked indifferently.

Tai nodded. “I did go to Eastern Zhao to borrow troops, but didn’t succeed in borrowing any. The troops that went to the northern frontier this time were indeed secretly stockpiled by the marquis. When I said they were Eastern Zhao troops, it was to prevent the general from suspecting the marquis.”

“How are Wang Yu’s forces? Do they have any intention of moving south?” Hua Zhuyu asked urgently.

“When Wang Yu learned of Ji Fengli’s execution by slow slicing, he did indeed lead troops south but was blocked by us. Later, if the Northern Dynasty hadn’t shown unusual activity again and Wang Yu hadn’t returned north, perhaps this battle would still be ongoing.” Tai said slowly.

“The Northern Dynasty truly has unusual activity?” Hua Zhuyu asked in surprise.

“This subordinate heard scouts report this,” Tai said quietly.

Hua Zhuyu’s expression grew slightly grave, a cold smile curving her lips. She buried her grief deep in her heart, slowly got up from the bed, and taking the medicinal pills Tai had prepared for her, returned to the imperial palace. Last night had been cold with harsh winds, and she felt somewhat dizzy and feverish – probably caught a cold too. Upon returning to the palace, she called for Little Shunzi to brew her medicine and bring it over. She had become a head eunuch, and Little Shunzi was her new apprentice. Many eunuchs competed to become her apprentice, but she had personally sought out a newly entered eunuch. In this palace now, how could she casually use just anyone?

After drinking the medicine, she wrapped herself tightly in blankets, wanting to sleep a bit more. In that half-dreaming state, she suddenly felt someone gently tugging at her sleeve.

“Little Shunzi, what is it?” she said hoarsely.

No one spoke. The brocade quilt over her head was suddenly pulled away, and a familiar fragrance, cool and crisp, wafted over. She knew it was Huangfu Wushuang. As emperor, he treated the eunuchs’ living quarters like his own palace, coming and going freely. Fortunately, she had already dressed and arranged her hair before calling Little Shunzi, or else she might have been exposed.

She had no mood to deal with him now, didn’t even want to acknowledge him. Anyway, this wasn’t the first or second time she’d been impolite before him. She continued lying in the brocade quilt and asked indifferently, “What does Your Majesty want?”

Huangfu Wushuang wasn’t wearing dragon robes but rather casual court dress, his dark hair simply arranged in a topknot secured with a jade crown. He sat down beside the bed, looking like some family’s mischievous young master. He blinked his eyes. “Little Bao’er, you weren’t on duty today. I missed you, so I came to see you. But why don’t you seem moved at all?”

Hua Zhuyu frowned. “Your Majesty, this servant wasn’t supposed to be on duty today – today is Ji Xiang’s turn.”

Huangfu Wushuang pouted. “No good. I want you on duty every day. From now on, you’ll sleep in my side hall. Otherwise, I’ll come sleep here.” As he spoke, he had already kicked off his dragon boots and climbed onto her bed.

Hua Zhuyu was startled, turned to glare at him, got up from the bed, and went to put on her boots.

Huangfu Wushuang blinked disappointedly and suddenly asked loudly, “Little Bao’er, what happened to your shoulder? Are you injured?”

Hua Zhuyu thought that An definitely hadn’t reported her injury from last night to him. So she lowered her eyes and said, “No, I got a small wound accidentally while fighting with someone.”

“Who were you fighting with? Is it serious? Let me see!” Huangfu Wushuang said, reaching out to remove Hua Zhuyu’s clothing.

Hua Zhuyu was alarmed, quickly put on her boots and stepped away, keeping far from him, bowing and saying, “Thank Your Majesty for your concern. This servant is fine.”

Huangfu Wushuang’s expression immediately darkened. Suddenly his black eyes focused as he asked slowly, “Bao’er, I heard that yesterday at the execution ground, Ji Fengli kissed you.”

Hua Zhuyu froze, her heart aching slightly. She brushed back some disheveled hair, slowly turned around to gaze at Huangfu Wushuang, and smiled charmingly. “That’s right. All the people of Yudu know about it, and perhaps by now it’s spread throughout the entire Southern Dynasty. Could Your Majesty have only learned of it today?”

Huangfu Wushuang stared at Hua Zhuyu. She seemed to have been crying recently – her eyelids were somewhat red, and her clear eyes shimmered with moisture. Even so, she was beautiful, like pear blossoms in the rain.

No wonder, no wonder Ji Fengli would kiss her in front of those thousands upon thousands of people at the execution ground.

“Little Bao’er, you’re so beautiful, no wonder Ji Fengli’s lust was aroused even when death was at hand.” Huangfu Wushuang clenched his fists and said with some resentment.

Hua Zhuyu narrowed her eyes slightly and said, “Your Majesty, don’t you need to review memorials?”

Huangfu Wushuang smiled cheerfully. “I’ve already finished reviewing them. Today I’ll just accompany little Bao’er.”

“What’s worth accompanying about this servant? You should go accompany your Wan’er.” Hua Zhuyu said indifferently.

Huangfu Wushuang pursed his lips and was about to speak when Ji Xiang’s voice suddenly came from outside the door: “Third Princess, good fortune!”

“Good fortune my foot! Is this where that demon Yuan Bao lives?” Huangfu Yan’s voice came from outside. As soon as she finished speaking, the door was forcefully pushed open, and a graceful figure burst in.

Hua Zhuyu looked up to see Huangfu Yan suddenly brake to a halt, glancing at Huangfu Wushuang who was reclining on Hua Zhuyu’s bed. Her beautiful eyes narrowed as she sneered coldly, “So imperial brother is here too – how convenient.”

Huangfu Yan was still dressed in plain white brocade cotton skirt. Though naturally delicate and pretty, at this moment her willow brows were inverted, her eyes red and swollen, her face full of anger, her gaze piercingly cold.

Huangfu Wushuang reclined on the bed, supporting his chin with his hand, coldly narrowing his eyes. “Yan’er, what are you doing here?”

Huangfu Yan glared with red, swollen eyes and said hatefully, “I came here to see how others seduce people and how they harm others!” Each word was like a knife, directly pointing at Hua Zhuyu. But at this moment, how could Hua Zhuyu care about these few angry curses?

Huangfu Wushuang frowned with displeasure, his gaze instantly sharp as a blade. “Yan’er, get out! Look at yourself! What is Ji Fengli to you that you need to wear mourning clothes for him?”

“I just like him, imperial brother. You cannot continue fooling around with this demon. This kind of demon should be beheaded early, or he’ll bring disaster to the country and people!” Huangfu Yan said with a cold laugh.

“Insolent!” Huangfu Wushuang’s voice came coldly, as if extremely angry.

“Imperial brother… just keep protecting him!” Huangfu Yan covered her face and ran out.

Hua Zhuyu stood by the window, quietly watching the snow falling on the trees outside, her heart growing cold wave after wave. Hearing Huangfu Wushuang’s footsteps behind her, she said indifferently, “Your Majesty, you’re very satisfied with this result, aren’t you?”

“Little Bao’er, what are you saying?” Huangfu Wushuang smiled roguishly.

Hua Zhuyu suddenly turned around, staring into Huangfu Wushuang’s eyes, saying slowly, “You deliberately had me supervise Ji Fengli’s execution. You deliberately made me a target for everyone’s arrows. Why is this?”

Huangfu Wushuang widened his dark eyes, looking at her full of resentment. “Little Bao’er, you saw through it? Actually, I had no other intention. I just don’t want you to leave me. I want you to break with everyone and stay only by my side, being my head eunuch for life.”

Be his head eunuch for life?!

Hua Zhuyu felt only turmoil in her heart. After a while, not hearing any movement from him, she turned to look back, only to see him quietly reclining on the bed, propping his cheek, his eyes full of expectation as he looked at her. This kind of Huangfu Wushuang always made people unable to resist being charmed. But Hua Zhuyu understood very clearly in her heart that this young man was not as simple as he appeared on the surface. His methods were definitely higher than she imagined.

“Little Bao’er…” Huangfu Wushuang’s voice was drawn out long as he slowly asked, “Will you agree?”

“Agree to what?” Hua Zhuyu asked coldly.

“Be my head eunuch for life.” Huangfu Wushuang raised his sword-like brows, his gaze firmly fixed on Hua Zhuyu’s outstanding standing figure, as if through her figure, he could see through her internal organs.

Hua Zhuyu pressed her lips together without speaking.

“Will you?” Huangfu Wushuang continued asking, his tone low and deep, carrying a hint of murmuring, almost like pleading.

“Whatever Your Majesty commands this servant to do, this servant will do.” Hua Zhuyu said calmly and without waves.

“When did you become so obedient to me?” Huangfu Wushuang slowly got up from the bed, paced to her side, and asked slowly.

Hua Zhuyu gazed outside through the half-open window. Sunlight fell down, shining on the eaves of the nine-story palace buildings. The pristine white snow reflected dazzling light. In the courtyard, little eunuchs were sweeping accumulated snow, an old plum tree had bloomed, everything was the same as before, no different at all. It was just that the person viewing the scenery had a different state of mind, so this scenery seemed to be tinged with deep sorrow.

But this sorrow was absolutely unwanted at present – she absolutely could not let Huangfu Wushuang see it.

Hua Zhuyu furrowed her brows and closed her eyes. When she opened them again, the sorrow in her eyes seemed to have been erased, leaving only determination. She smoothed down the loose hair that had fallen by her temples, focused her gaze, turned around, lightly pulled at the corner of her lips, and bloomed a gentle and brilliant smile. “Your Majesty, when has this servant not obeyed Your Majesty? This servant will go wash and dress now to accompany Your Majesty to the Diligent Government Hall.”

“Good! Then you agree to me.” Huangfu Wushuang blinked his thick, long lashes, leaning against one side of the door frame, watching Hua Zhuyu wash and dress.

After finishing her preparations, Hua Zhuyu followed Huangfu Wushuang out. The palace was still filled with remnants of New Year atmosphere, with red lanterns everywhere under the corridors, only covered with a thin layer of snow, carrying a somewhat desolate charm. Walking along the way, Hua Zhuyu felt that the gazes of the little palace maids and eunuchs she encountered seemed different from usual. She understood in her heart that yesterday when she was kissed by Ji Fengli on the execution platform, it was probably even more shocking than the news of Ji Fengli being sentenced to slow slicing.

This time, all the people of Yudu had caught her in a compromising situation. Now, when she was with Huangfu Wushuang again, combined with the previous rumors of being a demon bringing disaster, probably nine out of ten people thought she and Huangfu Wushuang were improper.

When the world slandered her, deceived her, and despised her, she had always dismissed it with a smile. At this time, why should she fear gossip?

Huangfu Wushuang did not go to the Diligent Government Hall but instead brought Hua Zhuyu all the way to the Imperial Garden.

After the snow cleared and the sky brightened, plum blossoms bloomed in the Imperial Garden. The accumulated snow in the garden had not yet been swept away, piled thickly. She and Huangfu Wushuang soon came to a plum grove where trees of plum blossoms bloomed wantonly and intensely, petals dotted with specks of white snow, crystal clear and transparently fragrant with proud character. Beside an ancient, rustic stone mountain, a red plum tree leaned gracefully over the water, blooming extremely beautifully.

Huangfu Wushuang slowly walked over, gently broke off the most gorgeous branch, and handed it to Hua Zhuyu. Hua Zhuyu’s expression slightly condensed as she slowly reached out to receive it. Huangfu Wushuang seemed to have gotten interested, circling around that red plum tree, picking no fewer than ten branches, each bloom delicate and beautiful, each branch gracefully slanted.

“Little Bao’er, when we return, put them in a vase – the whole room will surely be filled with fragrance.” Huangfu Wushuang broke off the last red plum branch and said with a smile.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Little Bao’er will put the flowers in the vase in the Diligent Government Hall.” Hua Zhuyu said indifferently.

Huangfu Wushuang frowned. “Little Bao’er, I meant for you to put them in your room.”

How could Hua Zhuyu not know? She just didn’t want to accept these gorgeous red plums.

“Your Majesty, these flowers are so wild and proud – they should be placed in Your Majesty’s room.” Hua Zhuyu said indifferently.

Huangfu Wushuang turned to gaze at Hua Zhuyu, the unfathomable black in his dark pupils like a clear spring, reflecting Hua Zhuyu and the proud plum blossoms behind her.

“Wild and proud, with a touch of evil.” His gaze suddenly became gentle. “I think they match you well.”

Hua Zhuyu’s heart stiffened. In the deep palace, she hadn’t shown half a trace of wildness, yet Huangfu Wushuang said they were like her. Could it be that he also knew she was Ying Shuxie?

In this game of chess, Hua Zhuyu felt she could see less and less clearly. However, even if she couldn’t see clearly, even if she was just a small pawn to be abandoned after crossing the river, one day this small pawn would also achieve checkmate.

“Since Your Majesty thinks so, then little Bao’er will accept them.” Hua Zhuyu smiled with curved lips, leaning close to the flower branch, feeling a pure and noble fragrance penetrating her heart.

“Your Majesty!” Ji Xiang came over stepping on fallen snow.

“What is it?” Huangfu Wushuang’s face condensed as he asked with solemn expression.

“Several ministers have memorials to present and are gathered in the Diligent Government Hall.” Ji Xiang reported in a deep voice.

Huangfu Wushuang frowned and snorted coldly. “These old fools won’t even let me rest for a moment.” He brushed the fallen snow from his sleeves and walked out first.

Ji Xiang and Hua Zhuyu followed behind, walking along the small path all the way out. Just as they left the Imperial Garden, they saw a little palace maid in green rushing over hurriedly. In the cold weather, she was running breathlessly with sweat on her forehead.

“Your Majesty, this servant has finally found Your Majesty.” The little palace maid ran to Huangfu Wushuang’s front and knelt on the ground.

“What is it? Get up and speak.” Huangfu Wushuang asked in a deep voice.

The little palace maid stood up, panting as she said, “Reporting to Your Majesty, this servant is Cuizhu from Qifeng Palace. Miss Wen started coughing this morning and seems to be ill.”

“Have you summoned an imperial physician?” Huangfu Wushuang asked in a deep voice.

Cuizhu shook her head. “Not yet.”

Huangfu Wushuang turned to Hua Zhuyu and said, “Little Bao’er, I’ll go to the Diligent Government Hall first. You send someone to summon an imperial physician, and I’ll come over later. Oh,” he turned back and pointed to the red plums in her hand, “Little Bao’er, take these flowers to give to Wan’er first. Say they’re a gift from me.”

Hua Zhuyu nodded, and Huangfu Wushuang hurried away. Hua Zhuyu sent a little eunuch to fetch an imperial physician and followed Cuizhu to Qifeng Palace herself.

The courtyard of Qifeng Palace was still covered with fallen snow. Wen Wan liked to dance gracefully on the snow, probably deliberately not having it swept away. Cuizhu went to the back hall to report while Hua Zhuyu waited in the main hall. Qifeng Palace had attendants like clouds. That day when she came with Huangfu Wushuang, it had been extremely lively. Today it was much quieter, and even the little palace maids walking back and forth held their breath and were cautious, as if afraid of disturbing the sick Wen Wan.

Wen Wan was actually ill – could she get sick too?

The pearl curtain at the entrance to the inner hall made a series of tinkling sounds, followed by the clear ringing of ornaments. Wen Wan was supported by a little palace maid as she walked out from the inner hall. Dressed in a lake-colored palace gown that swept the ground gracefully, her cloud-like hair loosely arranged, somewhat languid and somewhat haggard – she indeed looked ill.

Seeing Hua Zhuyu standing in the hall, her delicate brows furrowed as she slowly shook off the little palace maid supporting her and quickly walked toward Hua Zhuyu, stopping only when she was three steps away.

“His Majesty has a bestowment.” Hua Zhuyu said slowly.

Wen Wan and all the little palace maids hurriedly knelt down.

“Miss Wen, His Majesty learned of your serious illness and was extremely anxious, but because he has state affairs to handle, he temporarily cannot get away. These are red plums His Majesty personally picked, bestowed upon Miss Wen.” Hua Zhuyu spoke clearly, then ordered a little eunuch to hand over the red plums. A little palace maid immediately reached out to receive them and held them before Wen Wan.

Wen Wan received them, glanced at them briefly, then ordered a little palace maid to put them in the vase on the desk.

“You all withdraw. I have something to say to Eunuch Bao.” Wen Wan stared directly at Hua Zhuyu and gave orders indifferently.

The palace maids of Qifeng Palace immediately all withdrew. Hua Zhuyu glanced at the eunuch following behind her and said indifferently, “You withdraw as well.”

In an instant, all the palace maids and eunuchs in the hall withdrew completely, leaving only Hua Zhuyu and Wen Wan standing face to face. The atmosphere in the hall instantly turned cold.

Wen Wan’s lips were pressed tighter and tighter, her delicate brows furrowed. Suddenly, without a word, she raised her hand and slapped toward Hua Zhuyu’s cheek.

This slap seemed to pour all her strength into it, striking extremely viciously and fiercely.

Hua Zhuyu coldly watched this slap coming toward her, her lips suddenly curving upward in a clear and beautiful smile. Before Wen Wan’s palm could touch her cheek, she suddenly reached out, grasped Wen Wan’s wrist, a trace of cold sharpness flashing in her clear eyes. She stared intently at Wen Wan’s dark eyes, smiled coldly, and suddenly extended her finger to press on an acupoint on Wen Wan’s shoulder. This acupoint wouldn’t harm one’s life or cause pain, but being pressed would be extremely uncomfortable. When she was in the military camp and captured prisoners, she often used this technique for interrogation.

In an instant, Wen Wan’s whole body shuddered as if she could barely endure it.

Hua Zhuyu slowly sat down in the grand chair behind her, coldly watching her embarrassing state.

“You demon, I won’t spare you!” Wen Wan’s gaze turned cold as she stared directly at Hua Zhuyu. “What exactly did you do to me? You…” Remarkably, Wen Wan was quite rational and didn’t call for palace maids, knowing her embarrassing state couldn’t be seen by others.

Hua Zhuyu slowly stood up from the chair, walked slowly to Wen Wan’s front, and said word by word, “I also will not spare you! This is a warning to you – in the future, don’t try to play any tricks!” Having said this, she extended her finger to release the acupoint on her body, then turned to leave.

Wen Wan collapsed to the ground, all her strength seeming to be drained away. That instant had been extremely uncomfortable throughout her whole body.

“His Majesty has arrived!” Just then, Ji Xiang’s shrill voice came from outside the door, and the palace maids and eunuchs waiting outside immediately knelt everywhere.

The door opened, and Huangfu Wushuang strode in with large steps. Hua Zhuyu quickly bowed in salute and stepped aside.

Seeing the situation before him, Huangfu Wushuang’s face condensed. “Wan’er, why are you sitting on the ground?”

Wen Wan patted her sleeves and slowly stood up from the ground. Huangfu Wushuang hurriedly went over to help her up.

“Your Majesty, Wan’er was just bullied by Eunuch Bao.” Wen Wan said with tears in her eyes.

“How did little Bao’er bully you? Tell me, and I’ll get justice for you.” Upon hearing this, Huangfu Wushuang glanced at Hua Zhuyu and said gently to Wen Wan.

“He…” Wen Wan was momentarily at a loss for words. She had neither wounds nor pain on her body. If she spoke of it, Huangfu Wushuang probably wouldn’t believe her. So she furrowed her brows and said slowly, “Wan’er was just joking. How could Your Majesty take it seriously? How could Eunuch Bao bully Wan’er? Wan’er originally felt dizzy and confused. Just now when Your Majesty bestowed the red plums, Wan’er was so delighted that she came out wanting to put them in a vase. Who knew her legs would suddenly go weak and she’d fall to the ground. But Eunuch Bao is now a first-rank eunuch – if he really wanted to bully Wan’er, Wan’er would have no recourse.”

Upon hearing this, Huangfu Wushuang raised his brows and smiled. “Wan’er, are you even envious of little Bao’er, a eunuch? Then Wan’er should recover well. When you’re better, I’ll make you Imperial Noble Consort – how about that? Then you’ll also be first rank.”

“Is Your Majesty serious?” Wen Wan asked gently. “Then Wan’er hopes to recover quickly. Originally, having known Ji Fengli, I wanted to see him off at the end, but who knew I’d catch a cold from it.”

Huangfu Wushuang swept Wen Wan up in his arms and quickly carried her to the inner hall, placing her on the bed, saying quietly, “Wan’er, recover well.” He turned back to ask Hua Zhuyu who was standing in the hall, “Little Bao’er, has the imperial physician come?”

Hua Zhuyu was about to answer when she heard a little eunuch report from outside, “Reporting to Your Majesty, Imperial Physician Ye has arrived.”

“Let him in.” Huangfu Wushuang said in a deep voice.

The door opened, and a little eunuch led an elderly imperial physician inside. This physician looked quite old, with a somewhat hunched back, face full of wrinkles, eyes slightly squinted as if unable to see light.

Hua Zhuyu was somewhat surprised that there was still such an old imperial physician in the imperial palace. This physician must have extremely high medical skills, or else he probably should have left the palace long ago.

Imperial Physician Ye walked in with a hunched back and lowered head. When entering, he lifted his eyelids to glance briefly at Hua Zhuyu, his gaze wooden and indifferent. Seeing him up close, he was indeed very old, the wrinkles on his face like tree rings, recording the vicissitudes of time. Seeing him, Hua Zhuyu couldn’t help being somewhat surprised because his appearance was very similar to that elderly man A’Gui who had saved her outside Liang Zhou city that day.

Imperial Physician Ye slowly entered the room. Upon seeing Huangfu Wushuang, he bowed neither humbly nor arrogantly and spoke in an aged, hoarse voice, “This old minister pays respects to Your Majesty.”

Those who mixed in the palace, whether eunuchs or palace maids, were all extremely clever, but it was rare to see someone so indifferent as him. Perhaps being old, he had ultimately seen through worldly affairs.

Huangfu Wushuang nodded. “Imperial Physician Ye, please rise. Come examine Wan’er’s illness. Someone, bring a seat!”

A little palace maid slowly walked in, moved a stool beside the bed. Imperial Physician Ye, through thin silk gauze, began taking Wen Wan’s pulse. After a moment, he reported quietly, “Reporting to Your Majesty, Miss Wen has nothing serious – just caught a cold. This old minister will prescribe a few medicines. After taking the decoction a few times, she’ll recover.”

Huangfu Wushuang immediately beamed with joy, turning to Wen Wan and saying gently, “Wan’er, take your medicine properly. When you’re well, I’ll make you Noble Consort.”

Wen Wan lay on her side on the bed, her pale face immediately blooming with a smile, beautiful as spring flowers. “Wan’er thanks Your Majesty!”

“Your Majesty, this old minister takes leave!” Imperial Physician Ye bowed and saluted.

Huangfu Wushuang smiled. “Good!”

Imperial Physician Ye, carrying his medicine bag, slowly withdrew from the room. Hua Zhuyu had been standing at the door and followed out afterward. At the palace gate, she called out to Imperial Physician Ye.

“Imperial Physician Ye, please wait. This servant has also caught a cold these past few days. I wonder if the physician could prescribe medicine for this servant.” Hua Zhuyu smiled with curved lips.

Imperial Physician Ye hunched his back, lifted his eyes to look expressionlessly at Hua Zhuyu, and said in a hoarse voice, “You must be the first-rank Eunuch Bao that His Majesty newly appointed?”

Hua Zhuyu nodded and smiled. “Exactly!”

Imperial Physician Ye lowered his eyelids and said quietly, “Observing Eunuch Bao’s complexion, you indeed have caught a cold, the same symptoms as Miss Wen. You can get medicine according to the prescription this imperial physician just wrote for Miss Wen. Farewell!” Having said this, he bent his waist and shuffled away.

Hua Zhuyu had originally wanted to ask if Imperial Physician Ye’s name contained the character “Gui,” but seeing him leave in such a hurry, she didn’t ask. Moreover, from their brief conversation, although he resembled the A’Gui who had saved her somewhat in appearance, their temperaments were definitely different. This Imperial Physician Ye had a wooden, indifferent expression, completely different from the sharp and astute A’Gui.

Who exactly was that young master in the carriage who had saved her when the execution ground was raided and she was being pursued? She still had no clue to this day. This debt of gratitude would probably be difficult to repay. Perhaps only by finding that A’Gui could she learn who his master was.