It’s early winter in the northern land but there has already been snow. The howling sound of the frigid wind is eerily similar to the soldiers’ screams before they died. 

Flames of fire leaped…neighing sounds of horses…the blinding light of swords appearing and disappearing…the blood that is everywhere…the chaotic sounds of footsteps from the besieging crowd…the fortress made of blood and flesh…someone sneering coldly in the distance…the white robe on a black horse…sudden snowfall…the lonely tombs deep in the woods. 

With a groan, she opened her eyes. 

A pair of hands reached over with a handkerchief to meticulously wipe away the sweat on her forehead. A crisp voice called out cheerfully “Miss is awake.”

Sounds of footsteps approaching quickly were followed by an unfamiliar yet gentle scent that belonged to a man. 

The bedding underneath was smooth and soft, a faint fragrance permeated the air. A faint sound of bells swaying in the wind could be heard. 

She didn’t need to open her eyes to know that this is not the dark prison cell from before. 

With her eyes closed, she silently sorted out all the thoughts in her head. 

This is a relatively sealed secluded room belonging to a wealthy family…because of the lack of airflow…someone is sitting by her…wearing the scent of imperial dragon fragrance…skilled fighters on all sides, their breathing are subtle…a bit further away…there are sounds of springs grating as it turns…sigh, whose families do these silly kids belong to, can’t even install a trap properly, it is either a brand new trap or it’s too old, why don’t they know to put some oil on it. (Imperial dragon fragrance= a scent only the royal men can wear. Not sure why all royalty would want to smell the same but apparently it’s a symbol of status since usually only emperors and princes can wear the scent.)

“Why aren’t you opening your eyes if you are awake?” 

A very gentle sounding male voice, of course she certainly doesn’t think he is gentle. 

She opened her eyes and glanced at the gold-crowned imperial robed man. Seemingly finally recognizing him after a bit, she carefully pulled out her hands that are wrapped up like winter melons to show him “I hurt, hurt so much that I don’t want to talk.” 

Taken aback, Jin Siyu didn’t expect that her first sentence upon opening her eyes would be this. Yet, seeing the sweat on her forehead, Jin Siyu is reminded that she not only has wounds all over her body but she is also suffering from internal injuries. His heart softening involuntarily at the sight of her sad state, Jin Siyu looked over and motioned the maid to come wipe up her sweat. 

“A change of place today?” She said lazily with eyes closed as she was being tended to, “But I tell you, I still don’t remember. If you are going to get annoyed and throw me back into the dark prison, then please hurry up, or else if I fall asleep too comfortably it will be very painful for me to get up later.”

Jin Siyu couldn’t help but smile but quickly hid it and said “You seem to want to be tortured.”

“I just don’t want to face the torture instrument after enjoying the good life.” She frowned and opened her eyes to look at him, “Are you not going to send me? If you are not going to then I am going to make a request. Is there anything to eat? I am hungry.” 

Jin Siyu was dumbfounded again. Being a prince, he has seen his fair share of all types of women but never this kind. She was both fierce yet indifferent, bold yet cautious, cunning and shrewd yet straightforward and honest. When she is telling the truth she seems to be telling lies. When she is telling lies she seems to be telling the truth. Very lazy and also very shameless yet one can’t help but feel dignity and nobility from her. 

Truly a woman that is very special, as complex as a kaleidoscope. 

He waved his hand and ordered the maid to bring a bowl of hot porridge. She indeed ate very well, as if she had nothing to worry about. After finishing a bowl, she asked for another one. Watching her eat, he said, “In a bit, you will be sent to the Red Tent.” 

The maid’s hands shook with shock but she didn’t seem to notice anything amiss and yelped “Ah! Don’t pull it away, I am not done eating.” Moving her head closer, she asked casually “What’s a red tent?”

“Military prostitute.” Jin Siyu also answered casually. 

The movement of porridge eating finally slowed down. She raised her eyes, looked him up and down, turned around, took a close look at herself in the bronze mirror by the bed, and sighed. 

Jin Siyu really didn’t want to keep asking her what she is thinking, making himself looking foolish as if he couldn’t guess at all. However, he truly can’t guess what thoughts are in this person’s bizarre mind. After holding himself back for while, he finally asked “Why are you sighing? Are you scared? If you are scared then say what you should say, perhaps there is still a chance of turning this around.” 

 She raised her eyes to look at him then looked at her hands that are wrapped up like winter melons before saying slowly “Wang Shaoyao just thinks, she is actually not ugly so why is that some people just can’t see it?” (That last sentence in Chinese is a less direct way of saying why don’t you like me.) 

“………”

The maids held back their laughter. The expression on Jin Siyu’s face was quite odd. Before he was about to say something, her expression suddenly changed, pushed away the bowl, threw herself to the side of the bed, and started to vomit. 

Jin Siyu quickly backed away but he was still a tad bit too slow. The corners of his dark purple robe were already covered with filth. She kept on vomiting, her face turning red, seemingly trying to vomit not only the porridge she just ate but also her very own internal organs. 

The maids were rushing all around. One was pouring water, one was holding a basin, one was cleaning up the filth and one was patting her on the back. Standing to the side, Jin Siyu too felt his own inside is in chaos. After a bit, he said angrily “You clumsy lot, can’t even feed porridge properly!” 

Leaning on the edge of the bed, she vomited until she was as pale as death but still forced herself to raise her head to roll her eyes at him “…why are you blaming the porridge feeding? I am sick, I need a physician, physician!” 

Jin Siyu glared angrily at this brazen woman. She didn’t even spare him a glance but turned her head to continue to vomit. Jin Siyu stood there fuming, pushed away the maid that came over to help him change, and coldly ordered “Bring the physicians!” 

The best physicians in the city were quickly dragged over, one by one took the woman’s pulse, and gave all kinds of prescriptions. Looking at the mess of prescriptions, Jin Siyu could tell that they were ridiculous. He knew in his heart that these physicians were useless– the chaos that exists in her internal energy is not something these ordinary physicians can deal with. 

She finally vomited everything out, utterly exhausted, laying on the bed with a colorless pale face. Jin Siyu stared at her, took out a handkerchief to personally wipe the corner of her lips before he said suddenly “There is someone, you need to go meet.” 

“Who?” She refused, “I am tired. I don’t want to go.”

“If you don’t, then there might not be a chance anymore.” A cold sneer appeared on the corner of his lips. 

“Why?” She opened her eyes feebly, “Who is so important?”

He stared into her eyes. 

“Hua Qing” 

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