The fright-inducing night finally passed. Before dawn, Shao Ning was sent back to her place, Feng Zhi Wei and Gu Nan Yi left the palace, and Ning Yi stayed in the palace to wrap up last night’s loose ends. No one knew, that night, blood soaked the ground of the Tiansheng Palace. 

That night, a group of imperial guards who were on duty guarding the emperor were promoted and promptly sent on a mission to Shannan Mountain to suppress bandits. On the way into the mountain, they were ambushed and completely wiped out. The emperor ordered Prince Chu to reward the fallen soldiers with great compensation. 

Yuming Palace (Shao Ning’s place) had been sealed. Other than Mama Liu who had left with the Princess to meditate in the temple to be built outside of the palace, all of Yuming Palace servants have been sent to the Laundry Department (supposedly the most overworked department) or the Cold Palace (where the emperor’s concubines are banished to when they have done something to displease him) sort of terrible places. It is a safe guess, that before long, all of them would die of either some sudden illness or commit some wrong (giving people a reason to punish them then they could then conveniently die of their wounds), thus disappearing into the crimson blood-red of the Tiansheng Palace. 

In this world, only the stoned cold chilling name plates (for the deceased) would stay silent forever. 

At the same time, Feng Zhi Wei had also strengthened the security and defense around herself and Gu Nan Yi– She was very worried that the old emperor would say one thing while doing something else entirely later on. Or perhaps, he would get more angry with time and in a moment of fury send out the Gold Feather Guards to kill her. Those doubts filled Feng Zhi Wei with unease for some days. 

What was more frightening is that Gu Nan Yi’s condition has indeed become a problem. He looked normal when he appeared that day but once they left the palace, his steps became slower and slower. When they almost arrived at the manor the emperor had gifted Wei Zhi, Gu Nan Yi suddenly collapsed on Feng Zhi Wei. 

At that moment, Feng Zhi Wei felt as if a giant iceberg had smashed down over her head. 

His body was as cold as an iceberg, and the way he collapsed made her feel as if her heart had been smashed into pieces by an iceberg as well. 

Feng Zhi Wei carried the freezing cold Gu Nan Yi into her new manor and due to being unfamiliar with the place, she was soon lost and almost ran head straight into a wall. The person in her arms was freezing cold, like a dead body. Running against the wind with him in her arms, she ran frantically in circles. Filled with panic and fear, she ended up running up to the rooftop, yelling Zong Chen’s name loudly, completely unaware that her voice carried her sobs in it and that tears had started to form, turning into ice beads by the time they hit Gu Nan Yi. 

In the end, it was Zong Chen who quickly ran out and grabbed Feng Zhi Wei who was running around like a headless fly. Even after Zong Chen had taken Gu Nan Yi from her, Feng Zhi Wei’s arms still remained in the outstretched position– her hand had become numb from the cold. 

It was a long time after Zong Chen had dragged her down that she finally let out a long breath and crumbled to the floor, not taking her eyes off the person in front of her. For someone who had always been able to remain calm in the most treacherous situation, there was a rare expression of wretched sadness in her eyes. 

The sadness that came from the fear of parting. 

Since they met, he has always stayed within three feet of her. Anytime she turned her head, that silent veiled figure would be there. She had gotten used to his presence and it had allowed her to press forward with confidence. It was only when one day that silent person suddenly collapsed in front of her that she abruptly realized that tiny three feet is all that was left of her world.

She had thought her heart was as unmovable as a mountain but it was only when that young man collapsed in her arms that she realized that deep inside, there is a piece of her heart that is as fragile as a mirror that can be shattered on impact. Those people who have always stayed by her, are the true reasons why she could bravely charge onto a path of no return without fear. 

She, the one who has lost all families in this life, her only weakness is to face the separation of death. 

Zong Chen took over the task of healing Gu Nan Yi. The palace physicians were not familiar with the type of weapon that cause this sort of condition. Gu Nan Yi could have used his internal energy to force out the frigid coldness but the process was interrupted when he left to capture Ni Wenyu and gave the cold poison the chance to enter straight into his lungs. Zong Chen kept assuring Feng Zhi Wei by saying the problem is not a big one, as long as Gu Nan Yi takes good care of his body and avoid cold damp places in the future. However, Zong Chen’s words didn’t bring Feng Zhi Wei much comfort– doesn’t this mean Gu Nan Yi is now plagued with this illness for life?

Filled with hatred toward Second Price and his people now, Feng Zhi Wei shut herself in her room plotting how to get back at them but also a bit relieved that the whole thing with Shaoning had allowed them to leave the palace in time, or else things might’ve gotten worse with Gu Nan Yi if he was left in those useless palace physicians’ care. 

After a few days, the emperor’s edict came and Feng Zhi Wei was made the main overseer of the Spring Exam. Although Feng Zhi Wei wasn’t promoted but the emperor had sent plenty of rewards. Another edict immediately followed that talked about Shaoning meditating outside of the palace and the imperial temple that is to be built under Official Wei’s direction. The court officials are a smart bunch and the moments the edicts were given, a crowd of them came saying “Congratulation to Lord Wei, congratulation to Lord Wei.” When Feng Zhi Wei asked them what the congratulations were for, they all winked their eyes at her saying that they are very envious of Lord Wei being an exception in the empire with the emperor’s favor allowing her to not only have a glorious career path but also enjoy a wedding night. Feng Zhi Wei listened to them with a half smile, her inside burning with fury– Such favor, a favor that had wiped out many innocent lives. 

Carriages came and go, crowding in front of Wei Manor. Feng Zhi Wei finally had enough of it and shut the manor by announcing she is sick so she could spend the rest of the days taking care of her Master Gu. 

The phrase “taking care” is a bit of an exaggeration since Master Gu actually refuses to have anyone in his room. Every day, Zong Chen would make sure the room is covered with heavy curtains, with the windows all closed tightly as a large quantity of water and medicine came flowing out. Because of this, they even dug out a small gutter in the back to funnel out the continuous flow of black-colored medicine. 

After not seeing her dad for a few days, Gu Zhi Xiao face immediately turned pale white with fear when she saw her dad returning in the manner he did. Feng Zhi Wei had thought this little demon would’ve for sure made a huge ruckus but she didn’t. Her eyes stared blankly all day as if she lost her senses. Feng Zhi Wei then worried if the fright had turned the child into a fool but that didn’t happen either. Completely focused with an unmovable determination even though her dad would not allow her in, the child stationed herself in front of the closed door or the windows. 

On the second night of Gu Nan Yi’s return, her face suddenly broke out into a bright smile after pressing her face to the door and listening to the motions inside. Feng Zhi Wei’s face was also pressed against the door at that moment and jumped with surprise when she turned her head to see the big grin on the kid who had been going around with a sad face. Just when Feng Zhi Wei started to wonder if the kid had lost her mind, Gu Zhi Xiao held a finger to her lips and made a “Shush” sound before dragging her to the side and whispering to her nonsensically “Yiyi Daddy is fine now!”

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