Since Chi You took up residence in Qu You Palace, Liu Rong Ruo would always find her waiting for him on the swing in the courtyard whenever he visited.
The moment she spotted him, she would tug at her skirt and run towards him with excitement, calling him "Ah Xiong" (older brother).
However, Chi You was a palace consort residing in Qu You Terrace, and rumors within the palace began to spread. They eventually reached Liu Rong Ruo's ears. He ordered the execution of several gossips, and the rumors gradually subsided.
On this day, Chi You was waiting for him in the palace gardens as usual, but after a long wait, she still hadn't seen him.
Qiu Zhu, the young palace maid serving her, sighed inwardly as she noticed Chi You repeatedly peeking towards the courtyard entrance.
She had been assigned to serve Consort Qing for some time now. Initially, she was anxious, thinking how could a consort be involved with Liu Rong Ruo? Wasn't that a mockery of everyone?
But later, she realized that Consort Qing's nature was childlike and she understood nothing, nowhere near the sordid affairs people spoke of.
"Your Ladyship, the Prime Minister likely won't be coming. Don't wait any longer; please go and eat."
Hearing her words, Chi You withdrew her gaze in disappointment, her head drooping sadly.
Seeing her like this, Qiu Zhu couldn't help but whisper, "Does Your Ladyship not know? Miss Yun Shang has returned from her travels. The Prime Minister might truly be too busy to visit you."
"Yun Shang?" Chi You asked, confused. "Who is that?"
"Miss Qin, the eldest daughter of the Qin family. She is the Prime Minister's betrothed."
Chi You froze, a strange ache welling up in her heart.
Qiu Zhu sighed, not wanting her to remain foolishly lost. She continued to persuade her, "Your Ladyship, the Prime Minister is cold-hearted, and there are so many beauties in his mansion. Now that his fiancée has returned, he will certainly not pay attention to you."
"Stop thinking about him. You are the Emperor's consort. Entangling yourself with a court official and being impeached by a Censorate official, if the Prime Minister doesn't protect you, you will be killed."
Chi You looked at her, a flicker of confusion in her eyes. The hand gripping the swing rope turned slightly white.
"I only have Ah Xiong."
Qiu Zhu was helpless. Looking at her delicate, pale little face, she softened her voice and spoke.
"But the Prime Minister will eventually have to marry. You were sent from Nanjiang for a marriage alliance; it's simply impossible."
Chi You didn't understand her words, only felt a vague sense of heartache.
Nanjiang, was Nanjiang her home?!
Then why did they send her to Shangjing?
"Your Ladyship, please come inside and eat something."
Chi You glanced at the sky, stood up, and returned to her room.
After she ate, she waited for a long time. By the time it was nearly dark, he still hadn't come.
The night deepened, and a gentle breeze blew in from outside.
Qiu Zhu sighed, looking at her frail figure standing at the door.
"Qiu Zhu, Ah Xiong must have returned by now, right? I want to go find him."
She turned back to look at her, her eyes seeming to hold stars, or perhaps shimmering with light, full of hope.
A flicker of pity crossed Qiu Zhu's eyes. She had to say, "If the Prime Minister hasn't left the palace by this hour, he should be at the military affairs office."
Chi You immediately grabbed the snacks on the table and ran out, clutching her skirt.
"Then I'm going."
Watching her departing back, Qiu Zhu sighed helplessly.
The distance to the military affairs office was not far.
Chi You bypassed several archways and walked through a bamboo forest, arriving at the palace gardens behind the military affairs office.
She carefully held the food box in her hand, but as she walked past the covered walkway, she saw a familiar figure standing under the pavilion across the garden.
Her face lit up with joy, and she hurried over.
"Ah Xiong."
But as she rounded the corner and saw what was happening under the pavilion, her body instantly stiffened.
Liu Rong Ruo was holding a woman in his arms. The woman, hearing her approach, turned her head and exclaimed in surprise.
"Consort Qing!"
The woman was fair-skinned, possessing a gentle beauty that was subtle and quiet, giving off a faint, delicate aura.
"Senior Brother, someone's here. Quickly put me down; I can walk myself."
Qin Yun Shang, the eldest daughter of the Qin family, had traveled and studied outside since childhood. She shared the same master as Liu Rong Ruo and had become engaged to the Liu mansion a few months prior.
Liu Rong Ruo glanced at Chi You and put down the person in his arms.
"Can you walk?"
Qin Yun Shang smiled, "Don't make such a fuss. I just sprained my ankle, it's no big deal."
Chi You watched their actions, and then saw the concern in Liu Rong Ruo's eyes. The hand holding the food box turned pale.
Ah Xiong had always been cool and distant; she had never seen him like this.
Her eyes began to sting, and unable to hold back tears, she quickly lowered her head.
"Consort Qing, are you looking for Senior Brother?"
Chi You blankly raised her eyes. Under the moonlight, the long lashes like butterfly wings were adorned with dewdrops, her eyes were red-rimmed, and the tip of her nose was also red.
A cold glint flashed in Qin Yun Shang's eyes. She smiled, "Consort Qing might not know me. I am Qin Yun Shang, Senior Brother's fiancée."
She had heard about this woman while she was in the frontier. For the past few months, this woman had been living in the Liu mansion, and later, after entering the palace, she had also become entangled with Senior Brother.
It was then that her mother wrote to her, urging her to return to the capital quickly.
"Consort Qing, what are you holding? Is it for Senior Brother? Can I eat it?"
Chi You was already stunned. His fiancée, she was his fiancée.
Her footsteps faltered, and she unconsciously took a step back.
Qin Yun Shang approached and took her hand, smiling, "Consort?"
Chi You felt her bones ache from the grip. She quickly retreated and handed the food box to her.
"For you to eat."
Qin Yun Shang took it with a smile, but her hand trembled, accidentally flinging the food box. The tea and pastries inside spilled out, splashing all over Chi You.
"Ah—"
Liu Rong Ruo stood under the pavilion, watching their actions, his expression indifferent.
"My apologies, are you alright, Consort?"
Chi You quickly patted the dampness from her clothes. Seeing Qin Yun Shang's apologetic expression, she shook her head, her voice soft and sweet.
"I'm fine."
As she spoke, she crouched down to pick up the food box from the ground.
Qin Yun Shang also hurried to pick it up.
In the darkness of the night, only the clear, cold silver-gray light was cast upon the ground.
As they were tidying up, a snake darted out from the grass. Startled, Qin Yun Shang immediately picked up a stone and threw it.
However, for some reason, the stone flew towards the dazed Chi You, instantly hitting her hand and turning it red. The pain made her fall to the ground.
Qin Yun Shang quickly went to help her up.
Liu Rong Ruo, watching the commotion from a distance, a faint cold smile flickered in his eyes, almost imperceptible.
Behind the two was an icy lake. In the pitch-black night, the water surface rippled with waves.
Amidst the jostling, their figures stumbled backward.
But suddenly, Chi You's expression changed. A ruthless glint flashed in her clear, innocent eyes. She grabbed the hand pushing her and violently flung it to the ground.
"You're looking to die!"
Seeing Chi You lunge at her, Qin Yun Shang quickly rolled to the side to dodge. But Chi You was fast. She tripped her with a kick and picked up a stone from the ground, smashing it towards her face.
"Senior Brother, save me."
A shrill scream echoed.
Before Chi You could strike, her hand was caught by Liu Rong Ruo, who had flashed over.
She turned her head and said coldly, "Let go."
"Committing murder in the palace, do you not take Da Liang seriously?"
Chi You looked at his aloof face. For some reason, a surge of heartache and anger welled up inside her, her eyes reddening with irritation.