Ning Shu had no choice but to accept living in the Princess Residence. If she attempted to negotiate with Li Wen and ended up irritating him, she risked losing even the chance to express her frustrations. At least outside the palace, she could escape the Inner Palace's constant bickering.
"This sister-subject thanks Imperial Older Brother for this grace," Ning Shu said, curtsying before quickly preparing to leave. The more she could avoid Li Wen, the better.
"Wait a minute." Li Wen's calm voice halted her. Turning back, she looked at him questioningly as he said, "Come here and grind the ink."
Ning Shu replied with a simple "oh" and approached him. Lifting her sleeve, she added a bit of water to the ink stone, then picked up the cinnabar ink stick to begin grinding. Though she was nervous—having never done this before—she gradually became more comfortable with the motion.
Li Wen glanced her way, and she instinctively smiled back. However, he shifted his focus back to the memorial, using the cinnabar brush to mark specific areas. Ning Shu kept her head down, avoiding any unnecessary glances.
The room was enveloped in a heavy silence, broken only by the faint sound of the ink stick against the stone. A sense of unease washed over Ning Shu; she felt a palpable tension being near Li Wen. It was a stark contrast to her previous experience with Ling Xue. Li Wen's emotions were inscrutable, leaving her uncertain whether he was happy, angry, or indifferent.
Even the original host had never truly connected with her brother. To Ning Shu, Li Wen seemed almost inhuman, devoid of emotional expression, making it impossible to read him.
"Why did you suddenly want to leave the palace?" Li Wen's voice cut through her thoughts.
Startled by his abrupt question, Ning Shu halted, causing some of the cinnabar ink to splash onto both Li Wen and the memorial. Panic surged within her—her mind racing with thoughts of impending doom.
"Oh no!" she exclaimed, hastily grabbing a handkerchief to dab at the stains on the memorial before moving to clean Li Wen's clothes.
He calmly blocked her hand with his own, placing the cinnabar brush down, his expression as indifferent as ever. Ning Shu's heart raced. She quickly moved around the table to bow. "This sister-subject didn't mean to do it and hopes that Imperial Older Brother will forgive me."
Li Wen raised an eyebrow. "What were you thinking about to be so absent-minded?"
"Duan Xinghui," she blurted out, using the name as a scapegoat without a second thought. Li Wen's face remained impassive.
Ning Shu suspected he had some kind of facial nerve condition; his expressions were always so muted.
Li Wen continued, "We want to know why you suddenly wish to leave the palace. Has someone caused you trouble?"
"This sister-subject wishes for a change of environment," she replied earnestly.
Li Wen remained silent, simply gesturing for her to withdraw. Ning Shu exited as if released from a heavy burden. She walked briskly out of the palace, sighing in relief—she had achieved her goal.
Watching her leave, Li Wen narrowed his eyes slightly. His gaze was deep, hinting at a storm brewing beneath his calm exterior.