Gu Ziyu's voice carried a hint of trepidation, but also anticipation.

Su Wanwan didn't know how to answer him.

Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for family reunion, and it is usually spent together with family.

Gu Ziyu never gave up on the idea of ​​marrying her.

Even now, her reputation is ruined, and she is trapped in the palace, unable to move.

Gu Ziyu's bright eyes made it impossible for her to ignore him.

After a long silence, she finally spoke:

"Ziyu, the Empress Dowager is right. You should actually spend more time with your family."

Gu Ziyu didn't speak, but just looked at her quietly.

That look in his eyes was unspoken.

In my heart, you are family too.

After quite some time, the two of them slowly made their way towards the Ning Shou Palace.

When they arrived at the entrance of Ning Shou Palace, Lu Xingjian was being escorted out of the palace by a crowd.

He didn't even glance at the two men, and calmly instructed Steward Li, "Take them to the East Palace."

After saying that, he left directly.

Su Wanwan gripped the armrests of the wheelchair tightly, her face a little pale.

Manager Li arranged for someone to push the wheelchair, but Gu Ziyu said, "I'll push it over; it's on my way."

Steward Li smiled and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Guard Gu."

Gu Ziyu had been Lu Xingjian's study companion since childhood, and they also practiced riding and archery together. They used to have a very good relationship and were staunch supporters of the princeling faction.

Furthermore, because he was backed by the Duke of Anguo's mansion and held a noble status, even imperial relatives had to give him some face.

Even serving as a guard in the palace is different from being a regular person.

The wheelchair was pushed to the entrance of the East Palace when Chief Steward Li finally stopped Gu Ziyu: "Guard Gu, please return."

Gu Ziyu hesitated for a moment.

What was the Emperor doing taking her to the East Palace in the dead of night?

The scene at the farm flashed through his mind.

Su Wanwan was a little uneasy, but she still comforted him, "It's okay, you go to your duty first."

Having lived in the palace for so long, Lu Xingjian seemed to have forgotten about her.

She thought he wouldn't do anything to her.

As Gu Ziyu watched the wheelchair enter and the vermilion gate close, a strange sense of unease rose within him, and he froze in the moonlight.

He looked up at the full moon in the sky, only to see a dark cloud drifting over, about to shroud it.

The guard who was on duty with him happened to come looking for him:

"What are you standing there for? Time to go on patrol."

Gu Ziyu glanced at the East Palace gate with a complicated expression, then left with the guards.

Su Wanwan turned her wheelchair and entered the East Warm Pavilion of the East Palace. She had a feeling of traveling through time and space, and her whole body froze.

Lu Xingjian was sitting under the lamp drinking.

The room was dimly lit and filled with the aroma of wine.

Like...the first night they slept together.

At that time, she was just accompanying Zhou Wanxiu to deliver hangover soup. After waiting for a long time without seeing Lu Xingjian, she planned to go back early.

It started raining as soon as I stepped out of the house, and then someone brought me here.

Lu Xingjian was also sitting under the lamp drinking, his usually straight spine slightly hunched, looking especially lonely and desolate.

She shouldn't have interfered.

But as if possessed, he went over and took the wine jug from his hand.

However.

The wine jug seemed to be welded to his hand; she couldn't take it away no matter what she did.

He looked up at her.

Her gaze involuntarily fell on the bruise on his forehead, and she froze.

The secret report I overheard from Zhou earlier today flashed through my mind:

"The Crown Prince pleaded with the Emperor to make Miss Su his Crown Princess... but the Emperor smashed his head with the Imperial Seal."

He pulled her, and she fell into his arms.

A kiss, reeking of alcohol, suddenly landed.

To him, her struggles were more like flirting.

Everything was spiraling out of control.

She was like a small boat lost in a storm, her hands, which had nowhere to go, were pressed against the window frame above her head by him.

My inner panic and guilt reached their peak.

Outside the window.

The wind and rain were fierce, with lightning and thunder.

The gale-force winds and torrential rain pounded against the lattice doors.

Zhou Wanxiu was standing in the courtyard, getting soaked in the rain, angrily rebuking the eunuchs of the Eastern Palace.

They accused them of being lazy and shirking their responsibilities by not reporting it to her.

Zhou Wanxiu almost barged into the main hall.

In the east-facing warm pavilion, separated by a window, Lu Xingjian kissed away her tears that kept rolling down her cheeks, and whispered in her ear:

"Wanwan, you are mine, mine..."

She fearfully covered his mouth, biting her lip to keep from crying out loud, afraid that Zhou Wanxiu outside would notice.

That's so embarrassing.

Now, five years later, revisiting the place, the initial excitement, shame, and fear have vanished.

The two were in the same room, less than ten feet apart, yet it felt as if there was an insurmountable chasm between them.

The atmosphere was cold and distant.

At least now, she wouldn't be so reckless as to take the wine jug from his hand.

Lu Xingjian gazed at her intently for a long time before asking in a low voice:

"Are you really planning to marry Gu Ziyu?"