The bare foot held in his hands suddenly squirmed, as if trying to pull away. His hot, rough palm immediately gripped her ankle tighter, preventing her escape.
In that instant, desire triumphed over fear.
Perhaps sensing that Shen Yue was already asleep and her rationality had long since fled, he trembled as he lowered his head, daring to touch the snow-white bare foot.
He lingered for a long time, his control gradually slipping like churning ink. When he finally withdrew, a red mark remained on her delicate skin.
Fu An, entering from the doorway, saw this scene and his face instantly changed.
The slender, pale eunuch knelt on the ground, his back hunched, his entire body trembling nervously with excitement and agitation.
Seeing that Shen Yue still showed no reaction, he, in a display of insubordination, attempted to lift Shen Yue's hem. Fu An, enraged, rushed forward and kicked the eunuch over.
The eunuch was startled. The kick was heavy, and he spat out a mouthful of blood, feeling as if all his bones were about to fall apart.
He knew he was finished, that he would die, die a terrible death. As his rationality returned, fear tightened around his neck like a noose.
He looked up in panic, and Shen Yue had been woken by the commotion. The eunuch noticed Shen Yue's indifferent and dazed gaze. His fear vanished, and he couldn't help but wear an infatuated smile.
Shen Yue looked at the blood-covered face of the eunuch on the ground, his smile so eerie and ferocious. She frowned, a flicker of disgust appearing in her eyes.
The person on the ground trembled even more violently.
Gasping for breath, he smiled and choked out, "...Your Highness... Your Highness..."
Fu An swiftly stepped forward and dragged the eunuch away, afraid of soiling Shen Yue's eyes for even a second longer.
The eunuch met a gruesome end, his tongue crudely cut out and his arms severed while he was still alive.
Fu An dared not let anyone else serve the Fourth Prince. He hadn't expected such a thing to happen when he had only left for a moment.
The mere thought of that night sent chills down his spine.
Fu An had followed Shen Yue since childhood. No one knew better than he how dark and tragic Shen Yue's early years had been.
At that time, Consort Shu was mentally unstable, oscillating between lucidity and madness. The very young Fourth Prince was obedient and sensible. When Consort Shu, in her delirium, scolded and hit him, he neither cried nor made a fuss. When Consort Shu regained her senses and saw the small Fourth Prince covered in bruises, weeping heartbreakingly, she would comfort that woman instead.
The palace servants were also opportunistic. Seeing that Consort Shu was out of favor and insane, they naturally neglected her, and her meals were meager and perfunctory.
The young Fourth Prince could only watch enviously as other princes ate delicate, soft pastries. Fu An’s heart ached. Under the cover of night, he crept into the imperial kitchen and stole some pastries.
He was eventually discovered and subjected to a thorough beating, but he managed to escape, the pastries wrapped in a silk handkerchief still intact in his arms.
Imagining the look of joy on the young Fourth Prince's face when he saw the pastries, his own pain seemed insignificant, filled instead with happiness.
However, he hadn't anticipated that within the short time he was gone, a bold eunuch would sneak into the Fourth Prince's chambers. He heard muffled sobs from inside when he reached the doorway.
Pushing the door open, he witnessed a scene that would forever be etched in his memory.
In that instant, he felt a surge of violent, bloodthirsty emotions. By the time he reacted, the eunuch was already dead by his hand, the blood that flowed was cold.
The thick smell of blood was overpowering. Fu An was covered in blood, his face also stained, like a ghoul from the underworld.
He wanted to embrace the small figure curled up in the corner, but he was afraid the blood on his hands would frighten her.
He could only carefully crouch down on the ground, coaxing gently as he always did.
"Your Highness, do not be afraid. The bad person has been driven away."
He smiled, his voice soft and choked, tears streaming down his face.
In the cold palace, a half-grown youth sobbed uncontrollably.
***
The Golden Imperial Hall.
On the dragon-carved throne within the hall, the Emperor's expression was furious.
A crowd knelt below.
"The plague in Xuzhou is severe, refugees are displaced, and the common people have no grain at home. The harvests are poor, and they are starving. I allocated so much relief silver and dispatched so many people, yet why has the situation not improved? What use do I have for you useless fools?!"
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger, Your Majesty."
The ministers trembled, their sounds of kowtowing following one after another, sweat pouring down their brows.
The Emperor's might was self-evident, his gaze icy.
"If you cannot devise a solution by tomorrow, you will all be sent to Xuzhou. If you fail to govern properly, do not dare to appear before me again."
With these words, the Emperor left with a flick of his sleeve, leaving the assembled ministers exchanging bewildered glances.
Exiting the Golden Imperial Hall, he happened to see the Crown Prince standing with the renowned Cheng Qian Gong, conversing in hushed tones. Some civil officials were also nearby.
Cheng Qian Gong listened attentively, exuding an air of serene elegance.
Shen Yue wore a deep violet court robe. The rich color was difficult to carry, yet it suited her exceptionally well.
Warm sunlight fell upon her, like golden light, making her appear even more ethereal.
The tear mole at the corner of her eye was a vibrant red, her captivating beauty possessing a catastrophic allure.
The Crown Prince looked over first, his gaze lingering for a moment. Cheng Qian Gong, feeling perplexed, followed his line of sight.
Their eyes met. Shen Yue's gaze was as still as a deep spring.
The Crown Prince was surrounded by officials, while Shen Yue stood alone, creating a stark contrast.
Shen Yue broke eye contact first, then turned away, walking past them without another glance.
"The Fourth Prince is far too arrogant..."
The babbling of the officials nearby went unheard by the Crown Prince, whose vision remained hazy, fixated on the slender, graceful figure as she departed.
Cheng Qian Gong observed all of this and couldn't help but frown. He softly called out, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince?"
The Crown Prince startled back to reality, clearing his throat as if to conceal something. Even after returning to the hall and continuing to discuss the plague, Cheng Qian Gong could clearly sense that the Crown Prince's mind was elsewhere.
Seeing that the Crown Prince was not listening attentively, Cheng Qian Gong saw no need to continue.
The Crown Prince hesitated for a moment before finally speaking, "Recently, the Fourth Prince seems to have become unusually quiet."
Cheng Qian Gong's gaze deepened considerably at this statement.
"Is this not what the Crown Prince had hoped for?"
"Of course not!" The Crown Prince exclaimed, his voice agitated, his sharp jawline tense, and his tone fierce. "I know the Fourth Prince; she will not stand idly by. She will surely make a move!"
Although the Crown Prince spoke with such certainty, the hesitation and anxiety in his eyes revealed his true emotions. His fingers even nervously fiddled with the hem of his robe.
Cheng Qian Gong remained silent for a long time before finally asking, "Your subject does not understand, Your Highness, what is your opinion of the Fourth Prince?"
Outsiders always said the Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince had a terrible relationship, that they would erupt into chaos whenever they met, detesting each other like sworn enemies rather than brothers.
Cheng Qian Gong had initially believed this, but the current situation suggested otherwise.
The Crown Prince's attitude towards the Fourth Prince was peculiar.
It was as if a mischievous, childish child was going to great lengths to attract an adult's attention, desperate for even a single glance.
The Crown Prince's eyes darted away, his knuckles turning white. His face remained impassive, "What opinion can I have? Naturally, we are irreconcilable enemies."
Cheng Qian Gong had already formed a guess. Whether it was disappointment in the Crown Prince's softheartedness or indecisiveness, he said no more and rose to take his leave.