As the year draws to a close and people bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new, the palace is gradually becoming lively.

After that day, Xiao Heye seemed to become much colder towards Su Tiyue.

Several times, Su Tiyue took the initiative to talk to him, but Xiao Heye always ignored her, and it seemed that the two were not as close as before.

Although Su Tiyue couldn't understand it, she didn't delve into it. After all, Xiao Heye's temperament was unpredictable; sometimes he was very kind to her, and sometimes he was very mean to her...

Sometimes, he'll be just as indifferent as he is now, seemingly uncaring about everything.

She visited Yelan Pavilion less and less each day, and sometimes the two of them would go for days without speaking to each other.

After Su Tiyue's legs recovered, she became even more restless and wanted to go out for a walk whenever she had free time.

However, there weren't many places Su Tiyue could go in the palace, so she simply had Liu Wan accompany her to Wenhui Pavilion to pick up a few books to take back to Tingyu Tower to read.

However, the two had only walked a short distance from the Wenhui Pavilion when they bumped into Crown Prince Zhou Tingyue on the narrow, long path.

The case of the murder of Yong'an City officials was still unsolved and was related to the Chongming Sect, so Zhou Tingyue thought of coming to Wenhui Pavilion to look for relevant files and archives. Unexpectedly, he ran into her here.

Su Tiyue couldn't avoid it even if she wanted to. She lowered her eyes, stepped forward, and nodded slightly, saying, "Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Her voice was cold and indifferent, and her face showed no unusual expression, as if she was intentionally distancing herself from him.

"Hmm." Although Zhou Tingyue only replied with a single word, his deep black pupils scrutinized her from head to toe, never leaving her for a moment.

After the two greeted each other, seeing her leave with her head down, Zhou Tingyue hesitated for a long time before turning around and calling out to her, "Your Majesty, may I speak to you in private?"

Su Tiyue stood there, stunned, and looked back at him with some confusion.

Fearing she would refuse, Zhou Tingyue explained nervously, "It won't take long."

"Okay, sure."

Su Tiyue agreed readily, not for any other reason than that she understood him and trusted him.

In her eyes, Zhou Tingyue was upright, selfless, and devoted to public service; he loved the people like his own children and was a gentleman of integrity and upright character.

Su Tiyue followed him to the backyard of Wenhui Pavilion.

Everything was asleep, except for a few red plum trees in the corner, blooming precariously, yet vibrant and captivating.

Su Tiyue probably doesn't want to hear trivial greetings and expressions of concern.

Zhou Tingyue pondered for a moment before speaking gently, "I spent quite some time with the army in the southern border region. Only after returning to the palace recently did I discover that Yong'an City is not as peaceful as I had imagined. Your Majesty must have heard some rumors about the murder of the Yong'an City officials..."

What he said was exactly what Su Tiyue was worried about, so she couldn't help but ask, "Is the rumor true? Were those officials who were killed the ones who had previously impeached Minister Xiao?"

"At least those who have been killed so far are."

Su Tiyue frowned, not daring to think any further: "Then my father..."

"Your Majesty, rest assured, this is just a rumor and is not true."

Su Tiyue said, "Then what does Your Highness plan to do next? They have harmed so many people, they may not stop. If the real culprit is not found soon, more officials in Yong'an City will be harmed."

“What I mean is, the case must be investigated, but the safety of officials and the people must also be considered.” Zhou Tingyue stared at her, his gaze gentle, and after a long while, he continued:

“Last night I increased the number of garrison troops patrolling the city, and my men are also secretly protecting the residences of important officials, including your Minister’s residence.”

In fact, Zhou Tingyue talked a lot about handling and investigating cases, but most of it was unrelated to Su Tiyue.

What Zhou Tingyue wanted to say most was to reassure Su Tiyue that he would definitely protect her family.

However, given their identities... it wouldn't be good for either of them to be too blunt.

Su Tiyue naturally understood, and seeing Zhou Tingyue say this, she felt much more at ease. She smiled at him and said, "Thank you, Your Highness."

"Your Highness, there's something I'd like to say, though it might be inappropriate..."

Zhou Tingyue said, "Your Majesty, please speak."

"Thank you for helping me out that day. If I encounter a similar situation again in the future, I hope Your Highness will not have to help me again." Su Tiyue paused, then continued, "Since we've already come this far, let me say a few more words."

"Your Highness, our bond has ended since I entered the palace. We each have our own paths to walk. You bear a heavy responsibility; you are the hope for the future of the people of Beiliang. Why should you ruin your promising future for my sake..."

“I’m already mired in trouble, while you’re completely upright. I don’t want you to bear those dirty stigmas because of me. Anyone could save me, but I just don’t want that person to be you…”

Zhou Tingyue took a deep breath, his handsome face showing a hint of pain: "So, you hope that the person who saves you is Master Xiao?"

In fact, he had been silently observing Su Tiyue's every move.

He knew a lot about the relationship between Xiao Heye and Su Tiyue.

But everyone in the palace knows what kind of person Xiao Heye is...

Zhou Tingyue couldn't just stand by and watch her jump into an even deeper swamp in order to escape the quagmire of her father.

He took a step closer to her, trying to grab Su Tiyue's arm, but Su Tiyue took a half step back, avoiding him...

Zhou Tingyue's eyes were filled with disappointment, and his heart ached terribly. "He can't save you. He'll drag you down to hell, into an even darker abyss."

Su Tiyue nodded and gave a soft "Mmm." She forced a smile and said, "I know, but I'm not afraid. Your Highness, it's all hell anyway... I can't possibly share a bed with the father of the person I love, can I?"

“I can’t do it… I’m afraid I’ll break down, and I’m afraid Your Highness won’t be able to handle it…”

She shook her head, tears welling in her dark eyes. "What in this world could be more despairing than this?"

For many people, the idea of ​​lovers finally getting married is a simple and easy thing.

However, for Su Tiyue, lovers could not be together.

What's even more difficult is that... she couldn't resist the tricks and arrangements of fate.

When Zhou Tingyue learned that Su Tiyue was on the list of betrothed, he said he would do anything to take her away from all of this, and he was willing to give up his position as crown prince and everything else.

But Su Tiyue couldn't. She knew what fate awaited the Su family if she eloped with the Crown Prince.

In the end, she chose to sever all ties with Zhou Tingyue.

She chose to enter the palace and became the Consort Shu.

Seeing her tears, Zhou Tingyue wanted to take another step closer and wipe away her tears.

But Su Tiyue stepped back again, widening the distance between them, and said, "Your Highness, I want to be alone for a while..."

Zhou Tingyue paused, then stopped approaching, standing there for a long time before slowly leaving.

Su Tiyue gazed at that retreating figure, overwhelmed with sorrow. She covered her face and wept softly…

Until Xiao Heye emerged from behind the red plum tree, clapping his hands with an evil grin...

It turns out, he had always been there.

He heard everything...