Chapter 3

Chapter 3

The messy history between Qi Yu and me was known throughout the entire palace, and Changying was naturally no exception. There had been several occasions before when Qi Yu came to find me while Changying was present. Qi Yu never showed any restraint just because someone else was there, and Changying would simply turn around, step out, and silently pull the door shut behind him.

Changying and I lived in this remote, deserted side wing. Although our days were somewhat meager and difficult, he didn’t have to be on duty and I had nothing to do. As long as no one came looking for trouble, we were both quite content with our simple life.

However, such peaceful days used to be rare. Those out-of-favor concubines always loved to drop by just to assert their presence. Every few days, Changying and I would end up being punished together-well, mostly he was the one accompanying me through the punishment, even though it originally had nothing to do with him.

Now that we were married, the matter had become common knowledge because Qi Yu had publicized it specifically to humiliate me. Since I was now a married woman and no longer a threat to them, those concubines finally had no reason to come here and cause trouble. I clutched my hot tea and giggled like a fool; life finally seemed to have some hope.

Changying added charcoal to the stove. He didn’t ask what I was laughing about; he just smiled along with me. Seeing him like this made me laugh even harder.

Bang!

“Search the place!”

The courtyard door was suddenly kicked open. Guards wearing longswords swarmed in, indiscriminately ransacking the courtyard. Items were scattered across the ground with a series of crashes.

I rushed out. “What are you doing? Who gave you permission to rummage through our things?”

The leader glanced at me, his expression indifferent.

“By order of the Emperor, we are here to search Miss He’s quarters for something.”

“I don’t have anything of his here.”

“If the Emperor says you do, then you do!”

I wanted to argue further with the leader, but Changying pulled me back, shielding me behind him.

“It’s alright, Huai’an. Let them search. We cannot defy an imperial decree.”

I watched as those guards made a complete mess of the small courtyard Changying and I had worked so hard to decorate. The lanterns fell to the ground and were punctured, and the clothes on the bamboo poles that we hadn’t had time to bring in were covered in muddy footprints.

The wintersweet under the eaves was Changying’s favorite. A few scattered blossoms had just begun to bloom, but now it had been overturned onto the ground, its roots exposed.

I couldn’t bear to look any longer. Changying reached out and covered my eyes.

“It’s okay, Changying,” I said to comfort him. “We’ll just plant another wintersweet.”

Changying shook his head. “I’m just worried about that pot of charcoal. My monthly stipend is all gone, and I’m afraid you’ll be cold!”

I pulled Changying’s hand away from my eyes and opened my arms to embrace him.

“Don’t be afraid. Men have plenty of body heat. If I hold you, I won’t be cold anymore.”