Chapter 1
"Close your eyes." The man's hands felt like molten lava as he covered her eyes, plunging her into darkness. The sound of snow outside the room was muffled by his cold, indifferent voice.
Zhao Heng's smooth, soft back pressed against the icy floor, her bare skin covered in goosebumps. Shame and fear flooded over her, engulfing her deeply. The man was draped in a fine fox fur cloak, a loose golden brocade robe falling over her exposed skin, soft as clouds.
She had no idea what was happening.
Today she had been sent to help in the royal kitchen, but she ended up working late and the palace gates were locked. With nowhere else to go, she had found refuge in this abandoned palace. It had been deserted for years and was in a remote location, so hardly anyone ever came here.
That's what she had thought until the man broke in.
Under the bright moonlight, a man who seemed to float like an immortal stumbled into this long-abandoned dilapidated palace, his face as noble as a god's.
With graceful, floating steps, he fell to the ground. Zhao Heng, inexplicably compelled, tremblingly reached out to help him up, only to see his eyes turn crimson, transforming in an instant into a demon that grabbed her throat and tore her clothes apart.
Intense pain shot through her, and a dazzling white light flashed in her mind. In that blinding light, she saw her grandmother's kind and gentle face. How she missed her, how much she missed her.
Orphaned at a young age, Zhao Heng had relied on her grandmother for everything. At the age of ten, she had bid farewell to her grandmother and entered the palace to earn a living. It had been eight years since she had last seen her.
Thinking of her grandmother tore at Zhao Heng's heart. Just a few more years and she would be able to leave the palace and reunite with her. But why did she have to endure this?
A palace maid who lost her innocence could be exiled at best, or even executed.
She was as lowly as dust, and for so many years in the palace she had been careful to avoid trouble. She had always followed the rules, keeping her head down and staying out of trouble. But with just one misstep, she had plunged into hell. She had done nothing wrong, yet she was to die innocently.
With eyes wide with grief and anger, Zhao Heng bit down hard on the man's shoulder, the strong metallic taste spreading in her mouth. The man's fierce movements faltered, and he leaned over, pressing down on her shoulder, his eyes looking at her with a complicated expression. Their eyes met, and tears welled up in Zhao Heng's eyes.
In the pale light of the moon, tears glistened.
In the tense standoff, she saw in his eyes a raging fire and an icy chill, two emotions madly tearing at each other. And in the end, the fire engulfed the ice, and he covered her eyes with his hand.
His movements gradually slowed.
With a crisp sound, the night wind blew in, knocking over an old glass lantern on the table, shattering it into pieces.
The cold of early winter was chilling. After a busy day, Zhao Heng's energy was drained, and her body felt numb, completely devoid of feeling.
The man's body was warm, like a natural furnace, and in her dazed state, Zhao Heng couldn't help but lean into him, trying to absorb his warmth. He seemed taken aback for a moment, then picked up the fallen cloak and covered her trembling body.
Outside, the wind and snow raged, but in her extreme fatigue, Zhao Heng slowly drifted off to sleep.
The nightmares haunted her all night, never allowing her to rest. Startled by the cawing of a cold crow at dawn, she jolted awake. Placing a hand on her chest, she turned to look beside her.
The man furrowed his brow, his eyes closed as he slept deeply.
His jade crown askew, his hair in disarray on the worn floor, his face under the backdrop of the dilapidated abandoned palace was like a bright moon. Last night was the Emperor's longevity celebration, with numerous dignitaries, princes, and foreign envoys coming to the palace to pay their respects.
Who was he, really?
No matter who he was, as a palace maid from the Eastern Palace who had spent the night away from her quarters and lost her innocence, defiling the palace, it was a capital offense. Zhao Heng bit her lip lightly.
She did not want to die.
Her gaze fell on the torn clothes lying beside him.
Escape, she needed to escape immediately.
With her rationality returning, Zhao Heng slowly formulated a plan.
Zhao Heng took a deep look at him, confirming that he was asleep.
She moved cautiously, carefully pulling out the undershirt that was covering his head. Her slender arms trembled slightly from the cold and fear, making her appear even more pitiful.
Hastily putting on the undershirt, her exposed skin now covered, she felt as though her shame was finally protected.
Just one more garment to go, she remembered it had been thrown under the table. She squatted down to search and indeed found the grayish outer robe.
"Who are you?"
Startled, Zhao Heng's hand trembled, causing her to jump up, almost hitting her head on the corner of the desk.
Her heart thudded in her chest, hoping that the man was just speaking in a dream.
In the next moment, a hand with clearly visible knuckles reached out from the bed, tightly gripping her wrist. The man's voice was low and commanding, with a hint of authority, as he asked her in measured tones, "Who are you?"
Creakâ
The prolonged sound of the door opening echoed in the quiet morning.
Zhao Heng woke up from her dream, lifting the bed curtain and peering outside to see Lian Zhou holding a lantern returning from outside.
She had dreamt of the events from the previous winter again.
"Did I wake you up?" Lian Zhou looked apologetically at her.
Zhao Heng shook her head, softly saying it was fine, lying back down on the bed, her mind filled with worry. It had been two or three months since that incident, and everything had returned to normal, but she was still haunted by it, often seeing a pair of terrifying red eyes in her dreams.
The spring chill was biting, and the spring rain fell gently, the weather turning even colder, compared to the snowy days of winter.
Zhao Heng was not one to linger in bed, so she got up after a short rest. Seeing Lian Zhou sitting below the window, her eyes slightly red, lost in thought.
"It's so cold out there, why are you sitting here all by yourself?" Zhao Heng asked softly.
Lian Zhou wrinkled her nose, tears welling up unexpectedly. What started as a soft sniffle gradually escalated into uncontrolled sobbing.
Caught off guard, Zhao Heng hurriedly used a handkerchief to wipe the tears at the corners of her eyes. "What's wrong? Why are you crying?"
Lian Zhou was unable to articulate clearly amidst her sobs. It took Zhao Heng some effort to finally understand that it was something to do with Shao Ying.
Zhao Heng was momentarily stunned.
Shao Ying was originally a palace maid in charge of serving tea. Once, when Prince Guang'an visited, he took a liking to her and brought her to the Wang Mansion as a concubine. She gave birth to Prince Guang'an's youngest daughter and was promoted to the position of side concubine. From then on, she rose to prominence, becoming a role model in the eyes of the palace servants.
After crying for a while, Lian Zhou gradually calmed down, her hand in Zhao Heng's feeling as cold as ice as she cried, "The last time she came to bid me farewell, I was still resentful of a trivial matter, but she refused to take me with her when leaving the palace. She said a lot of hurtful things."
"If I had known she would meet with an accident, I wouldn't have been so stubborn with her," Lian Zhou regretted.
Zhaoheng lowered her eyes slightly, gently patting Lian Zhou's back in silent comfort. She couldn't help but wonder, "How could she suddenly be gone?"
Lian Zhou sobbed, "They said she accidentally fell into the lake, and by the time they found her, it was too late. But she had almost drowned as a child and was deathly afraid of water, so why would she go near the lake?"
As Lian Zhou recalled Shao Ying's swollen and unrecognizable face, the pain in her heart twisted like a knife. "After she entered the mansion and received so much favor, when I went to pack her belongings, they only handed me a small bundle..."
Looking at a package on the table, Zhao Heng glanced briefly and saw that it looked rather humble for the belongings of a side concubine in the Wang Mansion.
Bing Tao tugged at Zhaoheng's sleeve, whispering, "Could there be something suspicious about Shao Ying's death?"
Zhao Heng covered her mouth, "Don't talk nonsense, don't speculate on this."
"Lian Zhou, it's alright to cry with us, but remember not to mention it to anyone else," Zhao Heng gently patted her hand.
This simple reminder made Lian Zhou realize the seriousness of the situation immediately. Even if Shao Ying's death was mysterious, it was not something she could talk about. In the households of the high-ranking nobles, which one could claim to be completely clean?
But that dust was definitely not something a mere palace maid like them could touch.
"It's my fault for being too irrational," Lian Zhou lowered her eyelashes, trying to suppress the sorrow in her heart.
Zhao Heng softly agreed, her eyes and voice filled with tenderness as she comforted Lianzhou, "Lian Zhou, I understand that you had a close relationship with Shao Ying, and accepting reality might be difficult for a while. But she's gone, and the living must continue with their lives. I'll go to Aunt Chen's place to ask for some time off for you to rest."
Lian Zhou's eyes were vacant, tears flowing silently.
The bell rang three times, indicating it was getting late.
Zhao Heng put on a gray-blue cloak, grabbed an umbrella and left the house. As she arrived at Aunt Chen's room, she met Fu Ling coming out from inside. Fu Ling was Aunt Chen's niece, and with Aunt Chen's support, Fu Leng lived comfortably. She had been given a responsible role and didn't have to do any physical work, maintaining her hands immaculately.
Zhao Heng had once envied Fu Ling.
Glancing at Fu Ling's displeased expression, Zhao Heng respectfully greeted her.
It was clear she had just been scolded, but she raised her head confidently and walked away quickly.
The young palace maid led Zhao Heng into the room. There was a heater inside Aunt Chen's chamber, and as she stepped in, warmth enveloped her.
"Zhao Heng pays respects to Aunt Chen," Zhao Heng kneeled in greeting.
Aunt Chen was having her breakfast, not even glancing at her, as she lowered her head to play with the teacup in her hand, asking, "You usually don't come to me without a reason, why are you here today?"
Finishing her sentence, she looked up. The woman in the gray-blue palace attire stood elegantly, her slight curvature of the chest and back could not conceal the radiant beauty beneath her humble posture.
Aunt Chen despised the serene beauty that she unintentionally revealed.
"Lian Zhou caught a cold last night, afraid of infecting others and wants to take three days off with you," Zhao Heng said leisurely.
"Ai." Aunt Chen sighed lightly, stroking her teacup, "Spring is coming, we need to prepare the spring clothes. If she takes leave now, it will disrupt things. I can't afford to handle it."
After a pause, Aunt Chen continued, "There's been so much going on lately. Yesterday, His Highness sent someone to ask us to send people to take care of the Duke of Anguo's illness. With Lian Zhou also requesting leave, it's quite a predicament."
Zhao Heng was not dull-witted; she stopped at the right moment.
The Duke of Anguo was the Empress' father. When the Crown Prince was young, the Emperor and the Empress were busy with battles, so they entrusted him to the Duke of Anguo's mansion. The Crown Prince, who was brought up by the Duke, had a deep bond with him. As the Duke was getting older and fell ill, although it was just a cold, the Crown Prince was still worried and specially sent palace maids from the Eastern Palace to take care of him.
Normally, it wouldn't be Zhao Heng's turn to go, and even though it was to take care of the Duke's health, it was still an act of filial piety for the Crown Prince, so they couldn't just send anyone. Most likely, Fu Ling was instructed to go to the Duke of Anguo's mansion, but she was under Aunt Chen's protection in the laundry, living a secluded life and wouldn't be suitable for serving others.
Perhaps she had come to Aunt Chen to make a fuss earlier, hence her displeasure when leaving.
Zhao Heng smiled, "I've finished my tasks yesterday, and I have some free time now. If you don't mind my clumsiness, I'm willing to go to the Duke of Anguo's mansion to take care of the Duke."
Although Aunt Chen disliked Zhao Heng, she couldn't help but admire her sharpness. Her ability to observe and understand surpassed her niece's inadequacies.
"You will go to the Duke of Anguo's mansion..." Aunt Chen pretended to ponder for a moment and said, "Very well, you are an experienced member of the palace, so I can rest assured. Since Lian Zhou is unwell, let her rest and recover quickly before returning to duty."
"Tomorrow morning, go to the West Gate, and Yun Feng will take you out of the palace."
As Zhao Heng left Aunt Chen's place, she thought about her visit to the Duke of Anguo's mansion tomorrow. With her humble status, she would likely run errands and do some menial tasks there too, so there was nothing to worry about.
Just as she was about to put away her umbrella under the eaves, Bing Tao cheerfully nudged her arm, "Bai Yu is here."
Turning around, she indeed saw a figure standing under the osmanthus tree in front of the courtyard.
Bai Yu stood beneath the osmanthus tree, raindrops dripping from the branches onto his oiled umbrella, making a crackling sound. When he saw Zhao Heng walking towards him, a warm smile couldn't help but appear on his lips.
"I saw this ointment being sold at the market and thought it might help with your chilblains, so I got it for you to try," Bai Yu said with a slight hesitation.
Bai Yu wasn't good at lying, and when he did, he tended to blink nervously. Zhao Heng saw through his lie but didn't expose it, smiling gently as she took the gift, "Thank you."
She had seen Fu Ling use this chilblain ointment before. Fu Ling had the leisure and money to often bring exotic items from outside the palace. The ointment was sold by merchants from the Western Regions, not only being remarkably effective but also smelling pleasant.
She had mentioned it to Bai Yu once, and she didn't expect him to remember.
As the gift he had carefully chosen finally landed in her hands, the smile on his lips deepened. He tried to hold back, making himself look a bit more dignified.
"With spring arriving, you must be getting busy again." Zhao Heng spoke up.
Bai Yu immediately responded with a smile, "Yes, things are picking up. I may have to go on a business trip next month, heading south for about two months. If you need anything, let me take care of it for you in advance. Is your stomach ailment better lately? Do you still need the bamboo leaf infusion?"
"I don't have any urgent matters, and the minor ailments haven't bothered me lately," Zhao Heng nodded with a smile, "You don't have to worry about me when you're away. Take care of yourself while you're outside."
"You don't need to worry about me. I'm in good health," Bai Yu patted his chest, "You can rest assured about Grandma's care; I'll make sure she's looked after even when I'm away."
The gaze of the man was intense, turning warm when looking at Zhao Heng. Gratefully, she glanced at him, but before she could speak, Bai Yu interjected, "If you thank me again, I'll be angry!"
Zhao Heng had to hold back her thanks, speaking warmly, "I won't thank you then, I wish you a safe journey."
Bai Yu's smile deepened.
"Are you so happy because you're leaving?" Zhao Heng asked.
Bai Yu scratched his head awkwardly, "When everything's resolved, I can advance another step."
Zhao Heng bowed in farewell, "Congratulations in advance then."
He didn't linger long, as he had delivered the gift and it was time to leave. Zhao Heng watched his figure disappear at the corner before lifting up her skirts and returning to her room.
Bing Tao, who had been watching them talk from afar, couldn't help but smile, "Bai Yu is so good to Aheng, always caring for her in every detail over the years."
Lian Zhou had been crying all morning, her eyes red and swollen, turning to look in the direction Zhao Heng had walked, "Aheng is so beautiful, and Bai Yu is so handsome. They truly are like a pair of golden boy and jade girl. It's a shame... Bai Yu is a eunuch."