Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Consort Wei refused to let me leave, forcing me to kneel outside the palace gates.

Inside the hall, music and singing drifted softly; outside, the wind howled and the rain lashed down, soaking me to the bone.

I had no title or rank. Even though I was recorded in the Wei Family genealogy as a concubine’s daughter, my birth was still considered lowly. No one was willing to speak up for me.

The only person who would have defended me, General Shen, was gone.

Suddenly, a eunuch announced the arrival: “His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has arrived-”

Since I was already kneeling, there was no need for me to rise. Knowing full well that the Crown Prince loathed my lowly status and the embarrassing past I carried, I kept my eyes lowered, not daring to move an inch.

I watched as the hem of a black robe brushed past me, touching my soaked, lake-blue skirt.

Only the Crown Prince was permitted to wear black.

I waited in silence for him to pass.

Instead, a voice came from above. The Crown Prince asked coldly, “Wei Fu, do you regret accompanying me into exile?”

I froze, certain he was speaking to me.

I looked up and gave him a soft, genuine smile. “No,” I said. “Ah Fu has never regretted it.”

The rain fell like a waterfall. I didn’t know if the Crown Prince heard my words, but he seemed momentarily dazed by my smile, his hand twitching within his sleeve.

Ah Fu had never regretted it.

Never regretted accompanying the Crown Prince into exile, and never regretted shielding him from so many hardships.

Because this was General Shen’s wish.

Whatever he wanted, Ah Fu would do it for him.