On a night of gusty rain, Yu Lingxi did not sleep soundly.

Half-dreaming and half-awake, there seemed to be a familiar, shadowy figure sitting at her bedside, watching her with interest.

“Be good, I’ll come for you in a couple of days,” the person said extremely softly and low, like a murmur.

With a warm, slightly itchy sensation on her lips, Yu Lingxi frowned and groaned, drowsily opening her eyes to look. The bed curtains swayed gently, but no one was to be seen.

She turned over and went back to sleep.

After a night of rain, the puddles in the courtyard were clear, reflecting the dense green tree shadows.

Early in the morning when she received the Empress’s summons, Yu Lingxi was somewhat surprised.

Her impression of Empress Feng was not deep; adding her previous life and current one together, she had only seen her from afar once at the spring banquet and couldn’t gauge her temperament.

The only thing she could be certain of was that the Empress specifically summoning her would not be as simple as drinking tea and chatting. The intertwined interests behind it were complex, and fortune or misfortune was hard to predict.

Fully dressed and ready to leave, Yu Lingxi saw Qingxiao standing by the carriage and was briefly stunned.

Usually, it was Ning Yin who accompanied her when she went out, but today he was nowhere to be seen.

Yu Tuan personally saw his daughter off, hesitating to speak, finally sighing deeply and solemnly instructing: “My good daughter, your sister will accompany you to the palace. Remember to be extremely careful with your words and actions, and prioritize the bigger picture.”

“Daughter understands.”

Yu Lingxi looked again toward the side gate, then composed herself and got into the carriage with Yu Xinyi.

The Kunning Palace was solemn and dignified.

After being announced by the palace lady, Yu Lingxi followed her sister into the hall. When she saw Madam Xue beside the Empress, Yu Lingxi’s heart sank, and her unease grew.

“You may all rise.” The Empress reclined on her sitting couch, her hand resting on the armrest, holding a string of prayer beads, slowly turning them.

Her gaze scanned the two Yu daughters up and down, settling on Yu Lingxi: “They say General Yu’s two daughters are one strong and one gentle, like fierce flames and spring water. Looking carefully today, the reputation is indeed well-deserved.”

Yu Lingxi and Yu Xinyi had coordinated on the way and replied in unison: “Your Majesty flatters us.”

The Empress said: “Especially Yu Second Miss, who is gentle and proper, dignified and serene, a natural match for the jade-like Xue Second Young Master. I hear the two are childhood sweethearts, both from families of important civil and military officials. No wonder His Majesty is so concerned and instructed this palace to carefully arrange this marriage.”

Yu Lingxi pressed her lips together but was inconspicuously pulled by the sleeve by Yu Xinyi, signaling her not to act rashly.

“Madam Xue, are you satisfied with this daughter-in-law?” The Empress sat up slightly, looking toward Madam Xue who sat quietly to the side.

Madam Xue was kind-faced and smiled: “His Majesty and Your Majesty are considerate in bringing about this good match. This humble wife is grateful and cannot thank you enough, how could I have any objections?”

“That being the case, this palace will take the role of matchmaker. Once His Majesty’s marriage edict is set, the two families can proceed with the wedding.”

The Empress looked at Yu Lingxi, “Yu Second Miss, what are your thoughts?”

Yu Lingxi would certainly not be foolish enough to think the Empress was seeking her opinion.

She suppressed her chaotic heartbeat, curled her cold fingers, and said gently: “In response to Your Majesty, for a matter as significant as marriage, this subject’s daughter naturally should obey her parents’ command.”

Only propriety could transcend imperial power.

This was the most perfect answer Yu Lingxi could think of, neither directly agreeing nor offending the Empress.

“Very good.”

The Empress gave a look to the palace maid beside her, who immediately understood, presenting a jade ruyi scepter that had been prepared earlier, and handing it to Yu Lingxi.

At that moment, waves of thoughts surged. Yu Lingxi took a deep breath before lifting her skirt to kneel, raising her arms that felt as heavy as if filled with lead, palms open above her head.

Her expression calm, she said: “This subject’s daughter thanks Your Majesty for the gift.”

After Madam Xue and the Yu sisters withdrew, the palace maid closed the hall doors.

From the shadows behind the screen stepped out a person in brown clothes with a jade belt—it was Superintendent Eunuch Cui An.

“Congratulations, Your Majesty! General Yu’s military power has been divided into three parts. This servant got one part, the Xue family got one part.”

Cui An said slowly, “If the Crown Prince could be more capable and marry the Yu First Miss as his Crown Princess, then all military power would be in Your Majesty’s hands, which would be unprecedented in history.”

The Empress half-closed her eyes and said lightly: “This palace is merely a woman in the inner palace, what use would I have for military power? It is only for the Crown Prince’s planning.”

Knowing the full inside story, Cui An twitched the corner of his mouth, bowing with lowered eyes, saying: “Your Majesty is brilliant.”

Outside the palace, the carriage jolted, scattering worries along the way.

Yu Xinyi heaved a long sigh of relief, holding Yu Lingxi’s ice-cold fingers, saying: “Suisui, are you all right?”

During those brief two-quarter-hours meeting the Empress, she constantly worried about her sister’s reaction, cold sweat soaking through her vermilion military attire.

“I’m fine.”

Yu Lingxi shook her head, curving into a gentle, obedient smile, “The Empress’s meaning is also the Emperor’s meaning. They want to divide Father’s power; only by complying with the marriage can we show our loyalty and put the Emperor’s suspicions to rest… I know what to do, Sister.”

Her only consolation was that it was now just half a year until Ning Yin would come to power in her previous life. Everything was still in time.

She wanted to see Ning Yin quickly.

Yu Lingxi took a deep breath, clenching her fingers. Never had there been a moment like now when she so urgently wanted to see Ning Yin.

The carriage returned to the Yu mansion. Before it had completely stopped, Yu Lingxi eagerly bent down to climb out and jumped from the carriage.

Today for the palace visit, she had bundled her hair into a small bun, with golden hairpins and a flowery appearance, her apricot-red skirt hem like a lotus blooming brilliantly.

She simply lifted her skirt and ran toward the back courtyard pavilion regardless of the damp wind after the rain.

Pushing open the door, the pavilion was empty, with no sign of Ning Yin.

She collected herself, then went to the lotus pool walkway, to the waterside pavilion, but still did not see Ning Yin.

Had he gone out?

As she hesitated, steady footsteps came from behind. Yu Lingxi’s heart leaped with joy, and she quickly turned around…

Her smile froze, and she called out with some disappointment: “Elder Brother?”

“So unhappy to see your brother?” Yu Huanchen raised his heroic eyebrows, somewhat aggrieved.

“Not at all.”

Yu Lingxi calmed her rapid breathing, but couldn’t help asking, “Where is Wei… His Highness?”

Yu Huanchen said nothing.

Yu Lingxi guessed then, and her heart sank like a stone dropped into a pond, slowly sinking.

“Where did he go?” she asked softly.

How hurried must he have been to leave without even saying goodbye to her?

“I don’t know. Suisui, the current situation is urgent; the Yu family cannot hide him forever.”

Yu Huanchen said, “But he has some power outside the palace, so he will have somewhere to go. However, that power has not reached the core of the court. No matter how smoothly things go outside the palace, once inside he will find it hard to take even a single step. Father agreed to transfer power as a sacrifice to protect the greater piece. Currently, the Yu family is at the center of the storm; the further he is from us, the safer he will be.”

In the current situation, it wasn’t that Ning Yin would implicate the Yu family, but that the Yu family would implicate Ning Yin.

“I understand, Elder Brother.”

Yu Lingxi lowered her eyelashes, saying softly, “If the Emperor seizes evidence of his good relations with the Yu family, he will suspect he has control of the Yu family’s military power. While dealing with the Yu family, he will also implicate him.”

She was just somewhat disappointed. The day before yesterday, he was still smiling, sitting on the edge of the couch, admiring her tired sleeping face, and today he was nowhere to be seen.

After experiencing so many ups and downs together, it shouldn’t have been such a hasty farewell.

“I’ve heard in detail from Yu Xinyi about your audience with the Empress today.”

Yu Huanchen tried to change the subject, “Small impatience disrupts great plans. The more critical the moment, the more you need to stay calm. You did very well.”

The accumulated rain on the lotus leaf rolled around twice, then plopped into the water.

Yu Lingxi said seriously: “I know this is an expedient measure, but Elder Brother, I don’t want to marry Xue Chen.”

Yu Huanchen was surprised, quickly composed himself, and frowned, asking: “Because of… him?”

Yu Lingxi nodded: “Because of him.”

“You all say Xue Chen and I are childhood sweethearts, a perfect match. Indeed, Young Master Xue was one of the few comforts in my heart for a long distant time, but I’m very clear that it’s not romantic love.”

Yu Lingxi’s eyes held a gentle light, without cynicism or affected crying, just quietly and firmly telling her elder brother, “I value my life most of all and would live well no matter how desperate the situation, and although I saved Young Master Xue, I never thought about dying with him. Only with Ning Yin would I willingly entrust my life…”

Yu Huanchen suddenly widened his eyes.

“Suisui! You must not do anything foolish.”

Yu Huanchen’s expression was unusually serious. He placed both hands on Yu Lingxi’s shoulders to stop those dangerous thoughts in her mind. “Besides, the bestowed marriage is the Emperor’s decision. Whether real death or fake death, it’s defying an imperial edict. Do you understand?”

“I know.”

Yu Lingxi smiled, reassuring him, “So, it hasn’t reached desperation yet, has it?”

Yu Huanchen looked at his sister, speechless for a long while.

……

Yu Lingxi went alone to the pavilion where Ning Yin had lived.

The rain light was faint as her slender fingertips slowly brushed over the windowsill and desk, finally resting on the neatly made sleeping couch.

The room looked the same as before. There was still unfinished cold tea on the table. Yu Lingxi really couldn’t tell what Ning Yin had taken away.

He had promised that she could give him one thing as a parting gift.

Her heart felt sour and stifled as if stuffed with a heavy wad of cotton.

When Ning Yin was present, she hadn’t felt much, but now that he was gone, she belatedly realized the lingering bitterness in her heart.

When she closed her eyes, her mind was filled with him.

For two consecutive days, Yu Lingxi would go alone to sit in the pavilion for a while, as if this could calm her mind to face the upcoming marriage.

Since fake death would be defying an imperial edict, there must be other ways to delay the wedding.

Just as she was thinking, she suddenly froze.

Today a large red-lacquered gold-trimmed chest had appeared in the pavilion, conspicuously placed in front of Ning Yin’s bed.

Yu Lingxi clearly remembered that yesterday when she came, there was no such chest in the room.

Moreover, she had instructed the servants and maids not to touch Ning Yin’s room, so it was unlikely that someone else had brought it in.

Could it be that Ning Yin had returned to retrieve something he had left behind?

Yu Lingxi’s heart began to pound again, and she hurried into the room, looking around, suppressing her joy as she called out: “Wei Qi?”

No response.

She swallowed and called again: “Ning Yin?”

“Miss me that much?”

A very low, light laugh came from behind. Yu Lingxi’s heart trembled, and she turned her head.

When she woke up, Yu Lingxi was lying in a narrow, dark, enclosed space.

She blinked in confusion, and the scene before she fainted came to mind.

She remembered hearing Ning Yin’s light laugh, and had just turned her head back in joy, only to see a shadow falling over her eyes.

Then there was a slight tingling sensation behind her ear, and she softly collapsed, falling into a broad, solid embrace.

And after that, she was lying here.

Beneath her was a smooth, fine Shu embroidered mattress, carefully padded with soft pillows, with ventilation holes on the sides…

If she hadn’t guessed wrong, she was now lying inside that beautiful red-lacquered, gold-trimmed large chest.

Yu Lingxi didn’t know where she was now. After a slight jolt, the chest was carefully placed on the ground.

Then, familiar steady footsteps approached.

Yu Lingxi bit her lip, holding her breath.

After a rustling sound, the chest opened, and bright light poured in.

Sure enough, Ning Yin’s handsome, pale face appeared above the chest opening, their eyes meeting.

His black eyes held a faint smile. As he bent down, the black hair behind his ear fell, almost touching Yu Lingxi’s nose tip, as he admired Yu Lingxi’s elegant lying form.

Then, Ning Yin blinked very slowly, curling his lips in a smile: “It took some time to avoid those troublesome fish. I’ve made the young lady suffer.”

“…”

Yu Lingxi glared at him, truly without a trace of temper left.

She raised her hand to brush away that strand of his beautiful hair, huffing: “Wei Qi, what exactly are you doing?”

“Didn’t the young lady promise to let me take one thing away from the Yu mansion?”

Ning Yin caressed the face of the beauty in the chest, with a cherishing meaning, saying slowly, “What I wanted to take away was only the young lady herself.”