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

The year is almost over.

The palace was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and crimson silk ribbons stretched along the long corridors.

The cool fragrance of wintersweet mingled with the crisp scent of pine branches, drifting gently among the palaces and pavilions.

The cool fragrance of winter plum blossoms mingled with the refreshing scent of pine branches, permeating the air.

The entire palace was imbued with an atmosphere of bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new.

On New Year's Eve, officials and their families entered the palace for the imperial banquet.

Inside the hall, gilded palace lanterns hung high, shimmering with light and color, amidst the fragrance of clothes and the sounds of laughter.

After Han Fei sat down at his desk, Liu Yunshu stood beside him.

She wore a long silver-red dress embroidered with gold phoenixes, covered by a black fox fur cloak, her black hair loosely tied up, and adorned with a phoenix hairpin holding a pearl.

It accentuated her slender figure and beautiful face; the lamplight reflected on her smiling eyes, making her look gentle and charming.

As Xiao Jingyu sat in the banquet hall, his gaze involuntarily drifted toward the side of the throne.

She lowered her head and whispered to Han Fei, her expression intimate and serene.

A shadow crossed his eyes as he silently downed the wine in his glass.

The liquor was spicy, but it couldn't suppress the bitterness that welled up in my heart.

Not far away, Liu Yueyao stared intently at Liu Yunshu, her nails digging deeply into her palms.

She arrived today dressed in her finest attire, adorned with jewels and pearls.

But against that backdrop of silver and vermilion, even the finest silks seemed to lose their luster.

What made her heart ache even more was Xiao Jingyu's dazed gaze upon her.

There was pain, regret, and a focus in her eyes that she had never received before.

Liu Yueyao dug her nails deep into her palms, the stinging pain unable to suppress the surging jealousy in her heart.

She had thought that after that vile woman was banished to the laundry department, Brother Xiao would become her fiancé again.

In this lifetime, I will be able to trample her under my feet forever.

Who would have thought she had such ability to climb up to His Majesty!

What a shameless vixen!

Liu Yueyao's chest burned with rage, almost scorching her throat.

"Yao'er!"

Wang noticed that her daughter's expression was off, so she gently tugged at her sleeve under the table, keeping her voice very low.

"Watch your manners! What kind of occasion is this? Why are you acting like this?"

"mother……"

Liu Yueyao's voice trembled, and her eyes were red with anger.

"I'm not reconciled! She's a fake, a usurper, why should she...?"

"Shut up!"

Wang's face turned pale, and she hurriedly covered her mouth, her eyes scanning the surroundings warily.

Seeing that no one was paying attention, he released his grip, lowered his voice, and spoke with a warning in every word.

"Can't you see the situation clearly? Everyone in the court knows how His Majesty treats her! Don't be foolish and bring disaster upon yourself, dragging the entire Marquis's mansion down with you!"

She softened her tone and continued:

"Didn't you long to marry Jingyu? The wedding date is already set, so just focus on preparing for the wedding. As for her..."

Lady Wang looked toward the throne, her expression complex.

"They're now high above us, beyond our reach. From now on, avoid them and don't cause any more trouble."

"It's true that I love Brother Xiao."

Liu Yueyao's eyes reddened, and she bit her lip.

"But has he contacted me at all these days? Just now... just now he was looking at that slut!"

Following her gaze, Wang saw Xiao Jingyu staring blankly in Liu Yunshu's direction.

His wine glass was mostly empty, and his brows were filled with an unyielding sense of melancholy.

Her heart skipped a beat, but she suppressed her panic, patted Liu Yueyao's hand, and whispered words of comfort:

"Silly girl, men are always like this; they think what they don't have is better."

"Once you're married, be gentle and considerate, and he'll naturally settle down."

Liu Yueyao bit her lips until they turned white, and her nails almost dug into her flesh.

She stared at the dazzling silver and vermilion robes, at Han Fei's hand naturally protecting Liu Yunshu's waist, and hatred coiled around her heart like a poisonous vine.

On what grounds?

How could a fake heiress who stole her life win the emperor's favor, wear fine silks and receive such honors?

But he had to force a smile in this grand feast, not daring to utter a single complaint.

She absolutely could not swallow this insult.

As the banquet reached its climax, the sounds of string and wind instruments filled the air.

While Han Fei was talking to the Minister of Rites, Liu Yunshu felt annoyed and excused herself to the Empress Dowager, saying that the atmosphere in the palace was stuffy and she wanted to go to the plum garden for some fresh air.

The Empress Dowager, who always doted on her, immediately smiled and agreed:

"Watch your step carefully, don't slip on the snow."

Liu Yunshu smiled and agreed, then pulled her black fox cloak tighter around her and quietly left the warm pavilion with her maid.

Upon reaching the corridor, she ordered the palace maids to stop.

Alone, I strolled along the corridor adorned with red lanterns toward the plum garden.

A cold wind blew in from outside the corridor, carrying the crisp scent of plum blossoms, instantly dispelling the warmth and noise inside the hall. Palace lanterns on the eaves swayed gently, casting a warm yellow glow on the snow-covered ground, creating a serene and gentle atmosphere.

She reached out her hand, and a red plum petal drifted down into her palm.

My fingertips felt slightly cool, yet a serene smile involuntarily crept onto my lips.

Very light footsteps came from behind.

She assumed it was a palace maid who had come along out of concern, so she didn't turn around, but only whispered:

"Xing'er, you don't need to follow me. I'll just stay here for a bit and then head back."

The footsteps stopped a short distance behind her, but there was no response.

Liu Yunshu frowned slightly, turned around, and saw Xiao Jingyu standing in the shadow of plum blossoms under the corridor.

A thin layer of snowflakes settled on his dark robes, and the melancholy in his eyes was even more pronounced than in the palace.

Liu Yunshu's smile faded. She took half a step back and nodded slightly across a brightly blooming red plum tree: "General Xiao."

The distant and polite way of addressing each other acted like an invisible wall, completely separating the meager old feelings between the two.

Xiao Jingyu's Adam's apple bobbed, his gaze falling on her face, which appeared even more pale against the backdrop of the black fox cloak. His voice was terribly hoarse: "Yun Shu..."

Behind a pillar not far away, a cold gaze was fixed on the two of them.

The veins on the back of Liu Yueyao's hand, which was clutching the handkerchief, were visibly prominent, and the resentment in her eyes was almost frozen into an ice blade.

Okay, that's great.

Liu Yunshu, you really are a restless person!

Not content with currying favor with His Majesty, she even dared to meet with Brother Xiao in private…

If His Majesty were to witness this scene with his own eyes...

Her heart pounded, she quietly took a few steps back, then turned around and quickly walked towards the warm pavilion.

His footsteps were both hurried and light, like a beast that had caught the scent of blood.

Inside the warm pavilion, Han Fei was talking to the Empress Dowager, his expression languid.

Suppressing her surging excitement, Liu Yueyao stepped forward and curtsied, her voice carrying just the right amount of worry and urgency:

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, I was just changing my clothes when I passed by the Plum Garden and saw Consort Liu standing alone in the wind, her face looking rather pale..."

Upon hearing that Liu Yunshu was unwell, Han Fei's gentle expression was instantly replaced by worry, and he hurriedly stood up and walked outside.

The Empress Dowager also stood up and said, "Go and see, maybe the child has caught a chill."

When the emperor makes a move, everyone at the banquet naturally follows suit.

Liu Yueyao stared in disbelief at the scene before her, secretly filled with resentment.

His Majesty is actually so concerned about this wretched woman! He didn't even wait for her to finish speaking before…

Then she revealed a smug smile. This is good. Once His Majesty discovers that shameful scene, let's see how this wretch will continue to act arrogantly because of His Majesty's favor!

Suppressing her overwhelming joy, Liu Yueyao quickly followed behind the group, her eyes brimming with calculation.

She even deliberately slowed down, falling behind the crowd, her fingers tightly gripping her handkerchief, just waiting to see the show begin.

The wind under the eaves picked up a bit more, swirling up the red plum petals and letting them fall softly onto the two of them.

Looking at Liu Yunshu's distant eyes, Xiao Jingyu could no longer suppress the regret and pain that had been building up in his chest for three years.

He took half a step forward, his voice low, hoarse, and broken:

"Yun Shu, three years ago... I was wrong to you."

At that time, he believed the instigation of Wang and Liu Yueyao and thought she was a cunning and malicious liar who had taken over someone else's place.

The day she was driven out of the Marquis's mansion was also winter.

As the snow fell heavily, he stood at the gate of the Marquis's mansion, watching her frail figure disappear step by step into the wind and snow, without giving her even a word of explanation.

Looking back now, I realize how desperate that figure in the wind and snow must have looked.

Liu Yunshu lowered her eyes, watching the petal slowly melting at her fingertips, her voice as calm as still water:

"General Xiao, you flatter me. What happened three years ago is long gone."

It's over. Just three words, a light touch.

But it was like a blunt knife, slashing deeply into Xiao Jingyu's heart.

He staggered forward, trying to grab her wrist, his voice urgent and almost pleading:

"Yun Shu, I know I was wrong, I really know I was wrong! Tell me, how can you forgive me?"

Before his hand could even touch her sleeve, Liu Yunshu dodged to the side.

She looked up at him, her almond-shaped eyes devoid of any emotion, only a cold indifference.

"General Xiao, there's no longer any question of forgiveness between us. Now I am His Majesty's man, and you are the prospective son-in-law of the Marquis's family. It's best if we both live our lives peacefully."

"Are you all doing well?"

Xiao Jingyu smiled bitterly, and the light in his eyes completely dimmed.

"How can I be at peace? Yun Shu, I regret it every single day, every single day..."

As Han Fei approached the plum garden, he heard Xiao Jingyu's words, "Every day is here," filled with deep regret. His steps suddenly stopped, and the temperature around him instantly dropped to cold.

The palace lanterns under the corridor swayed, casting a long shadow of his bright yellow robes, the black trim fluttering slightly in the wind, carrying an undeniable air of authority.

He didn't say anything, but stood behind the most vibrant red plum tree, his gaze fixed on the two figures under the eaves.

The Empress Dowager and Granny Qin glanced at Liu Yunshu with concern, just about to speak.

Han Fei raised his hand to stop him, his voice low but each word clear.

"Mother, I believe in Nanfeng. She is not the kind of person who would overstep the bounds."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable certainty.

His gaze fell on Liu Yunshu's straight back, his eyes deep but without a trace of doubt.

The Empress Dowager followed his gaze and saw Liu Yunshu slightly turn her body to avoid Xiao Jingyu's outstretched hand.

His back was ramrod straight, like a green bamboo in the snow, pure and aloof.

She nodded gently, suppressing her worries, and whispered:

"I know that this child has always been very perceptive."

Among the crowd, General Xiao and his wife were already drenched in cold sweat.

Looking at his son's discomposure, and then noticing the Emperor's somber expression.

General Xiao clenched his fists so tightly they cracked, and veins bulged on his forehead. He wished he could drag this unfilial son back to the mansion and punish him according to family rules.

"Xiao Qing,"

Han Fei did not turn around, but spoke in a calm voice.

"I'd like to hear what else your son has to say."

General Xiao froze, then hurriedly bowed, his voice filled with fear:

"Your Majesty, please forgive me..."

"Shh... keep your voice down..."

Han Fei raised his hand, his fingertips lightly touching his lips, his tone so indifferent that no emotion could be discerned.

His gaze swept heavily over General Xiao, startling him into silence, cold sweat pouring down his forehead.

At that moment, a lively electronic voice rang out in Liu Yunshu's mind:

[Beep beep! A major gossip event is about to unfold: Your ex, your current partner, your arch-enemy, and all the VIPs are ready to witness your late-night reunion with your former lover at the Plum Garden! The tension and excitement level is five stars!]

Liu Yunshu raised an eyebrow almost imperceptibly, a slight smile playing on her lips.

"Hachi, it's show time!"