Soon, Shang Ruyi and Wo Xue returned to the county government.

Although Lei Guo was discussing important matters with Yu Wenye and others, he still had someone prepare rooms for them in advance. Although not luxurious and beautiful, it was already a very comfortable place for them, who had been exposed to the elements for days.

Wo Xue lit the candlestick, looked around, and smiled, "Princess, tonight you can finally sleep peacefully."

"..."

The person beside her, however, did not respond.

Wo Xue turned around in surprise and took a look, and her heart immediately sank.

In this room, there was a brazier prepared in advance, burning warmly, yet even so, Shang Ruyi’s face remained as pale as paper, not even a tinge of color on her lips, as if she was entirely in an icy world, with the blood in her veins frozen solid.

Wo Xue dared not delay and hastily asked the people from the county government to bring some hot water and soup, for her to warm herself up before a bath.

Shang Ruyi did not refuse either, barely took a few sips, and then went to bathe.

When she returned, she had washed away the spots of blood on her face and body. However, her complexion still hadn’t regained its color, and even looked paler and colder, wearing plain white pajamas, like a person made of snow.

Around her was not the steam from bathing, but an indescribable, sorrowful aura.

Almost involuntarily, Wo Xue began to feel heartache.

She helped Shang Ruyi to the bed and sat down, then looked at her lowered, somber eyes, softly asking, "Princess, would you like me to keep watch for you tonight?"

"..."

Shang Ruyi looked up at her.

That look was somewhat bewildered. After a moment, a faint smile appeared, and she said, "No need."

"..."

"At that time, you were not there either."

"...?"

Wo Xue was stunned, not knowing what she was talking about, but Shang Ruyi seemed unwilling to continue, saying lightly, "Alright, you should go rest too."

Wo Xue had no choice but to bow and leave the room.

The door was closed.

Although Wo Xue moved lightly, and the door closing was just a slight "click," the sound reached Shang Ruyi’s ears like a heavy, mournful thud— 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

It was the sound of a massive palace door closing!

Shang Ruyi suddenly shuddered, as if unwilling, and even more so, unwilling to recall. She immediately covered her ears with her hands, isolating the sound from her world, and lay down on the bed, curling herself into a ball.

As if this could escape everything in her memory.

Yet the memories turned into nightmares, surging toward her like a tide after she sank into deep sleep. In the dim dream, Shang Ruyi returned once more to the grand and magnificent Bright Hall, and as soon as she opened her eyes, she saw her own eyes.

No, those were not her eyes.

It was a sword.

Those slightly widened eyes, showing a hint of astonishment and deep sorrow, were her eyes reflected on the snow-bright sword.

And on the other side of the long sword—

Shang Ruyi suddenly suffocated, hardly daring to believe, even less daring to look up, but in her ear, resounded the imperious, graceful voice of that person, smiling, "Why don’t you look at me?"

"——!"

This voice was sharper than the sword in front of her, piercing her heart instantly.

Shang Ruyi trembled, and after a long time, finally slowly raised her eyes, meeting those proud, unrestrained phoenix eyes.

"Your Ma..."

Shang Ruyi wanted to call him, but just opened her mouth and her voice was hoarse, wanting to call him again, it seemed not her voice issuing but a tremor deep in her heart.

"It is you, Chu—"

That talented yet proud and wilful Emperor, regarding her as a confidante, favoring and protecting her, even creating the most beautiful scenery in Jiangdu Palace for her, spending the last moment of his life with her—and she not only witnessed his death but also buried this scene deep in her heart, becoming a lifelong nightmare, willing even to repay him with her life, yet—

She could not call his name directly.

Chu Yang...

Chu Yang...

This name, turning over and over in her heart, yet no matter what, could not be spoken out loud.

But why did he suddenly appear in her dream?

Just thinking of this, Shang Ruyi suddenly shuddered, realizing she was dreaming, because that man with phoenix eyes, smiling gracefully like an Immortal, had long died in Jiangdu Palace, before her very eyes, and suddenly remembering him, perhaps it was because—