The candles in Huatang Pavilion had already been extinguished. Hongli was used to leaving a dim light on when he went to sleep. Su Yushan didn't like light at night because it would keep her awake, but he said he liked to watch her charming appearance as she succumbed to him in his arms by candlelight. So whenever he was there, the light would always be on in the room.

He made it clear tonight that he wouldn't be coming, so Su Yushan didn't leave the lights on and, as was her habit, had Chang Yue extinguish all the candles.

The room was dark and quiet, and Su Yushan could clearly hear her own heartbeat.

Hongli had been with her for several months, and tonight her pillow was suddenly empty. To be honest, she was quite unaccustomed to it.

But she also understood that this was Gao Xiuwen's most vulnerable moment, and she needed someone to be with her. The maids and nannies were useless; Hongli was the only one who could truly soothe her grief.

She understood the reasoning, so Su Yushan secretly warned herself not to take it too seriously. However, she couldn't fall asleep no matter how much she tossed and turned. She unconsciously imagined that Hongli was holding Gao Xiuwen, sitting side by side, whispering softly to her.

His gentleness was never exclusive to her. When facing Gao Xiuwen, he must have been very considerate and tender, right?

Just thinking about that scene made Su Yushan's heart inexplicably feel heavy and uncomfortable.

This reaction terrified her. She didn't really care about Hongli. In the past, she really hoped to have some time alone. Now that Hongli said he wasn't coming, she should be glad. Why should she care where he stayed?

Covering her head with the quilt, Su Yushan forced herself to stop thinking about him and only by sleeping could she forget her troubles.

In the past, she could sleep for a while after Hongli left in the morning, but this morning she couldn't sleep soundly. She got up to wash and dress as soon as it was light. After breakfast, seeing the warm sunshine outside, Su Yushan decided to go out and bask in the warmth.

Even just wandering around, she still felt her heart was hanging in the air, adrift, and longed to find something to do.

She used to paint when she was in a bad mood, and this time was no exception. But painting flowers and plants didn't seem to be very fun, so she suggested that she paint a portrait of Chang Yue.

"Oh! Princess, you can also paint portraits?" Chang Yue had only ever seen her mistress paint flowers and trees, but she had never seen her paint people. If her mistress were willing to paint for her, she would certainly be more than happy to do so.

Overjoyed, Chang Yue hurriedly prepared paper and pen. She had intended to stand, but her master made her sit by the beauty's bench and painted her portrait.

This was Chang Yue's first time having her portrait painted, and she was so excited that she sat motionless, stiff as a board. Seeing this, Su Yushan chuckled and gently reminded her:

"There's no need to be so stiff. Relax and it's okay to move around occasionally."

Hearing her master's words, Chang Yue secretly breathed a sigh of relief and replied with a smile, "Alright!"

She knew her master's painting skills; she figured the painting would be even more beautiful than the painting itself. Chang Yue eagerly awaited the final artwork, while Su Yushan focused intently on her painting.

With something to do, she focused intently and stopped thinking about trivial matters. After about 15 minutes, the lines had been drawn and it was time to add color.

Su Yushan pursed her cherry lips, her eyelashes lowered, busy applying color, when she suddenly heard Chang Yue say in a flustered voice, "Greetings to Fourth Master!"

Su Yushan looked up in surprise and saw that Chang Yue had already stood up and was respectfully bowing in the direction behind her.

When she looked back, she saw a figure in dark blue.

At this moment, Hongli had just finished court and was still dressed in his official robes. He wore a black fox fur winter crown, which was round and sloping with an upturned brim around it. The mink fur between his collar was dense and soft, and the dark, short, fine hairs swayed gently in the wind, making his features appear deep, handsome, fair, and noble.

When she saw who it was, Su Yushan did not greet him with a smile as before. She put down her paintbrush and gave him a curtsy with a faint expression.

In a moment, Hongli was already close by. He looked down at the table and was surprised. "Did you draw this? This painting is very peculiar. Why is the head so big and the body so small?"

Upon hearing this, Chang Yue, who had been filled with anticipation, was terrified. Her master's painting skills weren't top-notch, but they were passable! Surely he wouldn't have painted her too ugly? Why was the Fourth Master frowning?

Curiosity drew her closer to take a look, and she discovered that the portrait her master had painted for her was indeed different from ordinary portraits. The person in the painting resembled her by about 70%, but had large, round eyes, and the proportions of the head and body were not conventional, yet it was striking.

"I'm not bragging, but I feel that Your Highness has drawn me so adorably. I really like it. Thank you, Your Highness!"

She painted this picture for Chang Yue, and as long as Chang Yue liked it, she would be satisfied. With a slight glance, Su Yushan snorted, "Some people think my painting is ugly!"

Hongli felt wronged. "I didn't say it was ugly, I just thought it was unusual."

Chang Yue quickly chimed in, "The princess's painting is indeed unusual. This is the first time I've ever seen a portrait like this. Is there anything special about it?"

In reality, what Su Yushan drew were modern chibi-style portraits, but this term was inconvenient to explain to others, so after thinking for a moment, she made up a name for it.

"This is a miniature portrait."

The two of them were chatting happily, completely ignoring Hongli. Hongli coughed lightly, and Changyue then realized she had been somewhat superfluous. She offered to leave, but Su Yushan stopped her.

"Hey---don't go, I haven't finished drawing yet!"

If she doesn't leave soon, she'll become a thorn in the Fourth Prince's side. Chang Yue is very perceptive and would never linger here. "This servant is not in a hurry. You can paint another day, Princess. The tea is getting a little cold. This servant will go and brew another pot."

After saying this, Chang Yue immediately slipped away, no longer wanting to remain in the way.

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