Host! I told you to do a task! I didn't tell you to bbb.

this day.

Li De bowed and entered the warm pavilion.

"Your Majesty, outside the palace gates, the heir of the Marquis of Puyang has presented a plaque requesting an audience."

"It is said that... Old Madam Hou is seriously ill and misses her granddaughter, so she wants to bring Miss Liu back to the mansion to visit her."

There was a moment of silence in the warm pavilion.

Liu Yunshu's fingers, which were turning the pages of the book, paused slightly, and the originally pretty and gentle curve of her lips faded almost imperceptibly.

Han Fei noticed the slight tremor in her fingertips.

He didn't respond to Li De immediately, but instead turned to look at her, his gaze gentle: "Nanfeng, what do you think?"

Liu Yunshu gently closed the book and placed it on her lap.

She was silent for a moment, her long eyelashes drooping down, casting a faint shadow on her eyelids.

"The Marquis's residence..."

She spoke, her voice soft and clear, with a hint of barely perceptible bitterness.

"I don't really have any attachment to this place. Over the years, apart from my grandmother, there's no one else there that I care about."

She paused, looked up at the window, her gaze seemingly drifting to a very distant place.

"But my grandmother... she has always been very good to me since I was little."

"When I was sent to the laundry department, my grandmother... strongly opposed it, even threatening to go on a hunger strike, but..."

Her voice gradually lowered, carrying a cool tinge of reminiscence:

"Now that she is seriously ill, it is only right and proper for me to visit her."

Upon hearing this, Han Fei paused in his fingertips, and the tenderness in his eyes deepened.

He reached out and ruffled her hair, his voice filled with affection: "If you want to go, then go. But..."

He abruptly changed the subject, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"I am really worried about you going alone. Why don't I go with you?"

Liu Yunshu was slightly taken aback and looked up into his eyes.

"Jun Huai, isn't this... a bit too ostentatious?"

Han Fei lowered his head and placed a light kiss on her forehead, gently pinching her cheek with his fingertips.

"It's better to be more flamboyant. Let everyone see that my Nanfeng is no longer a pushover that can be easily manipulated."

Looking at the protective intent surging in his eyes, Liu Yunshu felt a warmth in her heart and a slight soreness in her nose.

She reached out and gently wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her face against his warm collar, her voice soft and sweet:

"With Jun Huai by my side, I have nothing to fear."

Han Fei chuckled softly and reached out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

His fingertips traced her delicate earlobe, and he said in a doting tone, "That's a good girl."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Liu Mingxuan had been waiting for a long time outside the palace gates.

The autumn sun shone on his brocade robe, but it couldn't dispel the restlessness and impatience in his eyes caused by the long wait.

He was planning to meet his "sister" who had been working in the laundry department for three years.

How can we use both kindness and severity to make her obedient, return to the mansion and behave herself as a mere decoration, and appease her grandmother?

Just then—

"Slap! Slap! Slap!"

Three crisp, loud cracks of the whip shattered the tranquility outside the palace walls like thunderclaps!

Liu Mingxuan's heart skipped a beat, and he and several servants from the Marquis's mansion behind him bowed their heads.

They stood still, not daring to even breathe.

All the palace servants and guards who came and went also bowed their heads.

The emperor's ceremonial guard, gleaming in bright yellow, slowly emerged from the depths of the palace gates.

The wide and luxurious bright yellow imperial carriage, surrounded by attendants, proceeded slowly and solemnly towards the palace gate.

The imperial carriage slowly passed in front of Liu Mingxuan.

Li Decai appeared before him without him noticing, his voice steady and calm, revealing no emotion whatsoever:

"Young Master of Puyang, let's go."

Liu Mingxuan looked up in bewilderment.

"Eunuch Li? Where...where are you going? Your Majesty...your Majesty has not yet received your sister..."

"Miss Liu is with His Majesty."

He raised his eyelids slightly, his gaze calm and unwavering, yet it made Liu Mingxuan feel an invisible pressure.

"No need for the young master to trouble himself. Let's go back to the Marquis of Puyang's residence."

Liu Mingxuan suddenly looked up, staring at Li De in utter astonishment, almost doubting that he had misheard.

"Eunuch... what... what does this mean? Yun Shu... wasn't she in the laundry department? How... how could she be with His Majesty...?"

"Your Highness, that question is unnecessary."

His voice remained steady, yet every word was clear.

"Where Miss Liu is now is none of your business, Your Highness."

He paused, then turned slightly to the side and gestured for them to proceed, emphasizing his words:

"Let's go. Don't keep His Majesty waiting... any longer."

Liu Mingxuan's gaze involuntarily followed the departing bright yellow carriage, his heart churning with turbulent emotions.

The "fake heiress" who was abandoned by her father and toiled for three years in the laundry department...

Liu Yunshu, who was regarded as a disgrace by everyone in the Marquis's household and had long been removed from the family genealogy...

How could... how could His Majesty treat me like this?

Riding in the same imperial carriage?!

His Majesty personally visited the Marquis's residence, all to... accompany her back?!

Absurd! Unbelievable! How could this be?!

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The vermilion gates of the Marquis of Puyang's residence were already wide open.

Liu Cheng'an led nearly a hundred people from the Marquis's residence, kneeling in the entire courtyard.

The bluestone path leading from the main gate to the main hall was swept spotless.

The lanterns hanging under the corridors have all been replaced with brand new bright yellow silk covers—a standard that can only be used when the emperor personally visits.

The sun shone faintly after the snow, and the cold air was still biting.

The group knelt on the cold stone slab for nearly half an hour, their knees already numb, yet no one dared to move an inch.

Finally, the sound of horses' hooves and wheels rolling over the snow came from the street corner.

"The Emperor has arrived!"

Li De's high-pitched, drawn-out voice pierced the silence above the Marquis's residence.

Liu Cheng'an trembled, lowering his head even further, his voice trembling uncontrollably:

"Your Majesty, we respectfully welcome Your Majesty's arrival—Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

The crowd behind him roared in response, the sound echoing through the empty courtyard.

The imperial carriage, adorned in bright yellow, slowly came to a stop in front of the Marquis's residence.

Li De stepped forward, bowed, and lifted the carriage curtain.

A black dragon-patterned boot with gold trim stepped out and landed steadily on the scarlet carpet that had already been laid out.

Han Fei dismounted from the carriage but did not immediately take a step.

He turned around, bowed slightly, and reached his hand into the car.

A slender, fair hand gently touched her.

Using this force, Liu Yunshu slowly stepped out of the imperial carriage.

When she appeared in everyone's sight, Liu Cheng'an, who was kneeling at the front, suddenly narrowed his eyes and his breath caught in his throat—

She wore a wide-sleeved ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) in a rosy hue with gold embroidery of crabapple blossoms, and over it was a matching silver fox-fur collar brocade cloak.

The snow-white, fluffy fox fur around her neckline made her small face appear as white as jade.

Her black hair was styled into an exquisite flowing cloud bun, adorned with a red gold hairpin inlaid with kingfisher feathers and pearls.

Adorned with countless pearls and jade ornaments, she swayed gently with her movements, refracting a dazzling, sparkling light like scattered diamonds.

A bright red flower between her brows, shaped like a fallen plum blossom, added a touch of beauty and nobility to her already delicate features.

That...that's...Liu Yunshu?!

Shouldn't she still be in the laundry department, dressed in coarse linen clothes, her hands red, swollen, and festering, looking utterly haggard?!

How could... how could it be like this?!

Her overall demeanor and the delicate refinement she had cultivated were even more impressive than when she was the "eldest daughter" of the Marquis's mansion!

And... His Majesty actually helped her out of the carriage himself!

The movements were so natural, so precious!

What... what on earth is going on?!

The same shock and horror, like an icy tide, instantly engulfed every member of the Marquis's household who was kneeling on the ground.

Wang clenched her fist tightly, while Liu Yueyao bit her lower lip hard.

His eyes instantly flashed with disbelief and almost bursting jealousy.

Liu Mingxuan arrived following behind the ceremonial guard. Upon seeing this scene, he stumbled and nearly lost his footing.

Han Fei took Liu Yunshu's hand and slowly stepped onto the steps in front of the Marquis's mansion.

The black dragon boots trod on the scarlet carpet silently, yet each step felt like a blow to the hearts of everyone in the Marquis of Puyang's mansion.

He tilted his head slightly to look at the person beside him.

His fingertips gently caressed the back of her slightly cool hand; the sound was soft, but clear enough for those nearby to hear clearly.

"Aren't you cold? It snowed this morning, and the chill seeps into your bones."

The concern and gentleness in his tone were completely different from the domineering imperial demeanor he had displayed when he stepped out of the carriage.

Liu Yunshu gently shook her head and looked up at him.

A faint yet genuine smile curved her lips, her voice soft and sweet, carrying a hint of natural reproach:

"With His Majesty watching over us constantly, providing everything from hand warmers to handkerchiefs, how could we possibly get cold?"

Liu Cheng'an's throat tightened. All his previous anxiety, impatience, and condescending contempt had vanished.

All that remained was boundless fear and a bone-chilling cold that crept up my spine to the back of my head.

He spoke again haltingly, his voice trembling uncontrollably:

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty, I respectfully welcome you... Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty!"

Besides that, he couldn't squeeze out any other words.

Han Fei then glanced at him indifferently.

That glance was extremely brief, extremely faint, and barely showed any emotion.

Yet it carried the innate, condescending aura of an emperor.

This caused Liu Cheng'an to break out in a cold sweat instantly, and even his fingertips began to tremble.

Han Fei ignored him and naturally put his arm around Liu Yunshu's waist.

He led her slowly across the high threshold of the Marquis's mansion and into the mansion.

Liu Yueyao knelt beside Wang Shi, clutching her skirt tightly.

The meticulously maintained nails dug deep into the soft flesh of the palm, leaving several crescent-shaped bloodstains.

She kept her head down, but out of the corner of her eye, she could see how Liu Yunshu was being protected in the emperor's arms.

How could she step into this place, once hers and now abandoned, dressed in opulent attire and radiant with beauty?

Why should I?!

A usurper and imposter!

A lowly maid who spent three years washing dirty clothes in the laundry department and associating with the lowest of criminal slaves!

How could someone so suddenly change their appearance and gain such favor from the emperor?!

That dress, that hairpin, and the tender, almost tear-inducing look in His Majesty's eyes when he looked at her...

These should all have been hers! She is the true daughter of a noble family!

Jealousy, like a poisonous vine, grew wildly and entwined in her heart, almost bursting through her chest.

Liu Mingxuan followed behind his parents, his steps unsteady, his mind a complete blank.

Three years ago, when Liu Yunshu was sent away, he felt reluctant, but also thought it was only natural.

A fake is a fake. Having taken advantage of Yao'er's wealth for over a decade, it's only right that they suffer some punishment.

But he never imagined that three years later, things would turn out like this.

The emperor's entourage personally escorted them, showing them the utmost care and protection...

How can this be treated like a slave?

This is clearly how she treats the person she cherishes most!