The Northern Liang was wealthy, but due to the late emperor's lack of virtue, the eunuchs seized power and imposed exorbitant taxes, which caused widespread resentment and fear among the people.

But now, the late emperor has passed away, and the crown prince has succeeded to the throne.

Although there were infighting in the court and various forces were still fighting openly and covertly, people had a greater sense of hope.

The new emperor, Zhou Tingyue, was an upright and selfless man, and was respected by all.

He was separated from his father, the emperor, by an immense distance.

He was the hope of the people and the only hope of Beiliang.

After Zhou Tingyue ascended the throne, he granted a general amnesty, reduced taxes, and appeased the people.

The late emperor's harem consisted of several thousand people. When Zhou Tingyue ascended the throne, he abolished the practice of funerary sacrifice in Northern Liang, and the world was grateful for his kindness and benevolence.

...

Three days after the late emperor, at dusk.

Zhou Tingyue summoned Su Tiyue to the Chaoyang Palace.

In fact, the two did not reminisce or discuss anything else during their meeting.

Zhou Tingyue simply wanted to ask Su Tiyue about her future plans.

Zhou Tingyue treated all of the late emperor's concubines with courtesy, and they had the freedom to choose whether to stay or leave; they had three options:

Firstly, if they remain in the inner palace, they will naturally be served and cared for.

Secondly, they were granted gold and released. This meant they could return home on their own, and if they met someone they were meant to marry, they might be able to remarry.

Thirdly, guarding the imperial tombs.

Clearly, for Su Tiyue, being able to go home and reunite with her family is what she longs for.

To avoid gossip, Su Tiyue did not stay long in Chaoyang Palace. In less than the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, she returned to Tingyu Tower.

But how could Xiao Heye not know about this?

*

Night falls and the city lights come on.

Xiao Heye ordered several more stoves to be placed in the room.

The already warming temperature was made cozy by the several stoves burning brightly.

Xiao Heye, dressed in a moon-white robe with dark floral patterns, sat upright behind a long marble table, concentrating on his painting.

He wanted to paint a red plum blossom.

The paper used was top-quality coral paper, but after several attempts, none of them were satisfactory.

Perhaps he was restless and uneasy...

He recalled Su Tiyue's words from that day.

Su Tiyue said she wanted to live, and she hoped that more people could live...

Xiao Heye had always been a heartless and extremely cold-blooded person, but when he heard Su Tiyue say that she was working so hard and suffering so much just to live a good life, a thought suddenly arose in Xiao Heye's mind.

He wanted Su Tiyue to live.

She is like the bright moon and the gentle breeze, and should not be tainted by the filth and evil of this world.

Xiao Heye thought he would never let go of that slender, jade-like hand.

He thought he would drag Su Tiyue down to hell with him until his death, and reincarnate together.

...

It was already midnight when Su Tiyue entered.

Xiao Heye painted for a long time but was still not satisfied until he saw her walking gracefully in a pink, high-waisted ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress).

"Eunuch Li said the master craftsman was painting inside, so I thought I should come and take a look..."

Su Tiyue smiled, her eyes crinkling: "I've heard that Master Xiao's painting skills are superb, I can't miss out."

After that day, the two did not see each other for several days.

Xiao Heye glanced at her, put down his pen, and slowly picked up a corner of the drawing paper with his fingers to show her the red plum blossom he had only finished halfway.

Su Tiyue initially thought that Xiao Heye's painting skills were just exaggerated by others. If she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, she wouldn't have believed that Xiao Heye's hands were not only beautiful, but also that he was such a skilled painter.

"It's so beautiful... The handprint is much prettier than the flowers on the tree."

Su Tiyue walked to the long table, just about to reach out and take the painting to admire it.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Heye raised his finger and threw the painting into the furnace. In an instant, the paper turned to ashes.