After much hesitation, I decided to take a shower. However, it's quite a distance from the kitchen to here, and carrying water back and forth would take forever. Besides, in this large Liangrenju, only my room is occupied, so I decided against going so far and making the hassle.

There's a lotus pond in the yard, why don't we take a bath in it?

I opened the closet, and all the clothes were still inside. I smelled them; they were clean and had no odor. I just grabbed a pink dress and went out.

The wind was strong outside, and the sky was overcast, looking like it was about to rain. I quickly pushed off my coat and jumped into the lotus pond.

It wasn't as cold as I'd imagined; the temperature was just right. I quickly washed up, changed into new clothes, and felt much more refreshed and energized, and I wasn't sleepy anymore.

Realizing that I hadn't looked in the mirror properly for almost two months, I picked up a bronze mirror to see my long-unseen pretty face and to see if I had become much prettier, since everyone on the way had been praising me for being good-looking.

What I saw was Wang Qiang, Qin Luofu, Yan Ruyu, or even Xiangfei—no, she was simply a celestial maiden.

Although the person in the mirror has some similar features to me, it is not me. I was born in the Northwest and have obvious high-altitude redness on my face. Even after living in Beijing for four years, it has almost faded and is no longer visible. I am still considered to be above average in appearance. In addition, with my natural temperament, I can compete with the beauties of this capital city.

But I can't compare to myself in the mirror. This image is too exaggerated and too dazzling.

No way, this isn't me. I quickly put the mirror away, afraid that I might accidentally break it.

Ji Ruchen was already asleep. I was filled with anxiety. Such beauty would be fine if I were born into a wealthy and powerful family, but I really shouldn't look like this. I'm too eye-catching, and it's not a good thing for an ordinary person like me.

I took the rouge that hadn't been touched much from my dressing case and started applying it. After fussing around for a while, it finally wasn't so conspicuous anymore, and I could finally go to sleep peacefully.

Honestly, why is she so good-looking? She's attracted unwanted attention and upset Ji Ruchen. How am I going to appease her?

……………………

I slept soundly through the night and woke up bathed in sunlight. Ji Ruchen was gone, leaving only those unsightly ropes.

It seems that Ji Ruchen really doesn't want me anymore. After four years together, he just wants to give me up like that. What made him so resolute?

"The imperial family is ruthless since ancient times," as the saying goes. I, Luo Qingyi, have become an abandoned woman for no reason.

On the table sat a small dish of side dishes and a bowl of porridge. The door was wide open, and Mu Bai, Ji Ruchen's personal bodyguard, stood guard at the door.

I got up, didn't even wash up, grabbed my bag and left Wanxiang Courtyard, with Mu Bai following closely behind me.

He is a loyal man, and he will do whatever Ji Ruchen asks of him.

I remember when I first came to the capital, I was extremely unaccustomed to it. Ji Ruchen was a very busy official, so I usually asked him to take care of me. He took very good care of me. At one point, we almost became sisters and made a pact to go out and fight for justice together and roam the world. But later I found out that he was actually a man and was Ji Ruchen's personal bodyguard.

Looking back now, Ji Ruchen lied to me quite a lot, including many things about Mu Bai alone.