"Pa!" The Crown Prince knelt on the ground as a memorial was flung at his side, the sound echoing sharply through the hall.
"Look at it yourself! The entire Imperial Court is accusing you of misconduct! Immoral behavior, cruelty, and heartlessness—you are unfit to bear the heavy burden of ruling this country!" the Emperor thundered, his rage palpable.
The Crown Prince's heart raced. He had been hearing rumors for some time, but he had taken great care to act in secrecy. How had it all come to light?
"I am innocent!" the Crown Prince insisted, looking up at the Emperor with wide eyes. "Someone must be framing me! I beg Father to investigate this thoroughly."
"Innocent?" The Emperor sneered, throwing another memorial at the Crown Prince's feet. "Then explain this!"
With trembling hands, the Crown Prince picked up the document. His face turned ashen as he read the detailed account of his actions—every time and location perfectly recorded. It was as if someone had been watching his every move.
Father already knows everything.
"You have disappointed me deeply, Yan Xing!" The Emperor's voice carried both fury and profound disappointment.
Despite his anger, the Emperor chose to suppress the scandal, forbidding the Crown Prince from leaving his residence for a month. However, silencing the court did little to stop the rumors among the people. Within hours, the Crown Prince's reputation plummeted to an all-time low.
"Find out who leaked this information," Ji Yu ordered, his tall, poised figure exuding authority.
A shadowed figure knelt before him, head bowed low. "Master, this subordinate has been unable to trace the source," the figure reported.
Ji Yu frowned. The covert agents left to him by the late Empress had grown formidable over the years, rivaling even the Emperor's intelligence network. Yet, they had failed to uncover anything?
"The information appeared as if from thin air, leaving no trail to follow."
"I see." Ji Yu dismissed the figure with a wave of his hand, deep in thought.
"What a coincidence!" Gu Shengyin exclaimed, her eyes widening in mock surprise.
Ji Yu looked at her, his lips curving into a faint smile. This is no coincidence. I came here specifically for you, he thought.
Tonight, Ji Yu wore elegant embroidered robes and a jade belt, a departure from his usual understated attire. The lively Qixi Festival brought a festive glow to the city, with streets illuminated by countless lanterns and bustling with elegantly dressed citizens.
"Where are Hu Zhu and Lin Liang?" Gu Shengyin asked, realizing her maidservants and guards were no longer behind her.
"I had my men distract them," Ji Yu replied softly, leaning in close. His breath brushed against her ear, turning it a vivid shade of red. "Tonight, it's just the two of us."
Gu Shengyin's heart skipped a beat, but she said nothing as Ji Yu gently took her hand. "Stay close to me. Don't get lost," he murmured.
The streets were crowded, filled with women in exquisite garments and the hum of festive chatter. Ji Yu guided her through the throng until they arrived at a secluded lakeside. The area was serene, with only two softly glowing lanterns casting a warm, flickering light on the water's surface.
Here, away from the crowds, the quiet was almost otherworldly.
Ji Yu hadn't let go of her hand the entire walk. As they stood by the lake, he glanced at her downturned face. In the soft glow of the lanterns, Gu Shengyin looked ethereal—her beauty almost unreal.
The city gazes at the first snowfall, the lanterns reflect upon the beauty, Ji Yu thought, his throat suddenly dry.
"Ah Zhen," he said, his voice low and husky. "Did you like the flower I sent you?"
Gu Shengyin's heart tightened. She did have feelings for Ji Yu, but those feelings were bittersweet. She knew their love could never last. He was mortal, destined to age and pass on, while her own existence was tied to something far more eternal.
For the first time in her life, Gu Shengyin felt a deep despair at the thought of losing someone she cared about.
In her panic, she blurted out, "Ah? How do you know my name?"
Ji Yu blinked, momentarily taken aback, but his lips soon curled into a knowing smile. "How could I not know your name? It's been etched in my heart for a long time."