Between the truth and the lie, Su Tiyue ultimately chose the truth.
Xiao Heye, on the other hand, was the exact opposite.
Xiao Heye is a person who does not like to lie, and given his status and position, he does not need to tell anyone those boring and false lies.
But he lied to Han Zhou, deceiving the person he trusted most in the world, the person who trusted him most, all for the sake of protecting Su Tiyue…
On the other hand, what about Su Tiyue?
Every word she uttered mentioned Zhou Tingyue; she thought of him in everything she did; her heart and eyes were filled with nothing but that Crown Prince…
Although those past events are meaningless to talk about now, Xiao Heye still feels resentful whenever he thinks about them.
Human desires are endless, and Xiao Heye always wanted to have a firm grasp on the things that interested him.
He was naturally happy that Su Tiyue could give him a moment of pleasure and tenderness.
He was so happy that he wished he could stay in this gentle embrace forever.
She is gentle and charming, pure and kind, seemingly fragile yet with a strong inner strength.
Xiao Heye loved everything about her—her person, her heart, and the faint jasmine scent emanating from her.
Even her love...
Xiao Heye was just an observer, which is why he could see more clearly how Su Tiyue loved another person.
Although she was a fragile woman who was easily defeated, her love was about sacrificing herself for others. Her love was rational, clear-headed, insightful, and capable of both loving and breaking free.
In this world, no one is braver than her...
Xiao Heye also wanted it; he wanted her sincere and courageous love.
But her love has already been given to someone else...
If you like something but can't have it, then just destroy it.
*
As dusk fell, the sky darkened.
When the eunuch serving at the Changsheng Palace came to Tingyu Tower to invite someone, Su Tiyue was idly flipping through the books she had brought back from Wenhui Pavilion by the window.
"Your Majesty, His Majesty said that he has not seen Consort Shu for some time, and has specially sent this servant to Tingyu Tower to invite Your Majesty to dine with His Majesty."
The little eunuch relayed the message in a high-pitched voice. Although he kept his head down, he couldn't help but steal glances at the gentle and beautiful Consort Shu out of the corner of his eye.
Su Tiyue didn't seem surprised by this.
What's meant to happen will happen.
Xiao Heye wanted to make things difficult for her, but he didn't even need to resort to underhanded methods. He only needed to occasionally mention Su Tiyue's name in front of the emperor.
That was enough to plunge her into an abyss of no return.
She slowly closed the book in her hand, glanced at the silent Night Pavilion across the way, lowered her eyes, and said softly, "I know, I will change my clothes and go."
After the eunuch who delivered the message had gone far away, Liu Wan held a peach-pink cloak and said worriedly, "Your Majesty, what should we do? Why would the Emperor suddenly come to summon someone?"
Su Tiyue's expression was calm, and her tone was gentle but more composed: "It's just a meal, Liu Wan... don't worry."
Liu Wan frowned, nodded in confusion, and draped the cloak in her hand over her shoulders.
It was already late outside, and the Emperor had chosen this time to invite people; it was probably more than just a meal.
For several days in a row, Su Tiyue did not go to Yelan Pavilion.
Now that the Hall of Longevity has come to invite people openly, Su Tiyue hasn't mentioned Xiao Heye at all...
You know, if this had happened in the past, the first person Su Tiyue would have looked for would have been Xiao Heye.
Liu Wan noticed that things seemed different between Xiao Heye and Su Tiyue than before.
Liu Wan vaguely guessed some things.
*
By the time they arrived at the Hall of Longevity, it was already completely dark.
That place was the emperor's bedroom, magnificent and adorned with pearls and jade. As soon as you entered, you could smell the atmosphere of extravagance and debauchery.
At this moment, the emperor was sitting at the round table in the main hall, drinking and dining alone. His most favored concubines, Consort Wan and Consort Ji, were not there. He could only see Xiao Heye standing not far behind him.
In the center of the main hall, three dancers performed a vulgar dance to the sound of drums and music. Their waists were supple, and their bodies exuded a seductive fragrance, making them incredibly alluring...
Su Tiyue, dressed in a green robe, walked past the dancers, stepped forward to the round table, and bowed slightly: "Your Majesty, I greet you. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings."
Upon seeing her, the Emperor's face immediately lit up with a smile. He waved his hand to dismiss the dancers and musicians in the hall, then gently lifted Su Tiyue's arm, inviting her to sit on the chair next to him.
"Your sudden summons tonight has startled you, my beloved concubine, hasn't it?" The Emperor gazed at her charming face, swallowed hard, and asked her with a lewd glint in his eyes.
The Emperor thought about it carefully and realized that his beloved concubine seemed quite afraid of him.
Whether it was their meeting at Jingxin Pavilion or their dance performance at Tongguang Hall...
Each time, Su Tiyue seemed to be quite frightened.
"Your Majesty is too kind. It is my honor to dine with Your Majesty. How could I be frightened?"
Su Tiyue's eyes curved into a smile as she noticed the Emperor's wine cup was empty. She then picked up the porcelain wine pot and slowly refilled it for him.
As she raised her hand, a small portion of her slender, smooth, white wrist peeked out from her sleeve.
Xiao Heye's gaze was fixed on that wrist. Perhaps he was looking too intently, because Su Tiyue's hand was trembling slightly.
Even though they were terrified and panicked, they still had to pretend to be nonchalant.
Tsk.
Xiao Heye smiled. He estimated that it wouldn't be long before the emperor's patience ran out and he fully revealed his lewd nature. This delicate little thing would probably be scared to tears again.
Xiao Heye stood aside, leisurely waiting to watch a good show.
"My beloved concubine, is your foot alright?" The Emperor drank a cup of wine, put it down, and rested one hand on the table, looking at her with ill intent.
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