The Chu army was poised to attack the city, and the first day of the siege ended in failure. Standing on the towering city walls, one could see the Chu army tents in the distance, with flickering lights.
The last people left to defend the city were some of the imperial guards left to Wei Qin by the late emperor, and some old men who were ready to die for their country. No one could persuade or drag them away; they wanted to leave their last piece of flesh and blood on this homeland.
The moonlight was as clear as if it had been washed, and its cool light poured down from the sky onto the earth, as if a god were coldly observing the joys and sorrows, the partings and reunions of mortals on earth.
The once bustling and lively palace, where palace servants came and went, is now eerily silent, its ornate buildings shrouded in darkness.
No one lit candles, and the land simultaneously lost its life and light. The biting winter wind swept by, silently mourning the fall of a dynasty and the sorrow of things changing beyond recognition.
The winter wind, whipping up frost and snow, lashed against the paper-covered windows, forcing it to change course. Even on the eve of the dynasty's demise, people still lived in its palace.
Who else will stay here?
Outside the window, heavy snowflakes fluttered down, covering the earth in a blanket of white. Inside Jingren Palace, however, the lights were on and the place was bustling with activity. The servants who usually attended to Empress Wang were all there. Behind the heavy red curtains, Empress Wang sat on the edge of the bed, looking somewhat nervous, her hands clasped together in front of her in a nervous twist.
The thick snow outside the window snapped the bare branches with a "crack," which only intensified her unease. She clenched and unclenched her embroidered red dress with gold phoenixes on her knees repeatedly, until the dress was wrinkled.
She hadn't been this nervous in ages...
The sound of boots clicking on the carpet came from afar. An ordinary person might not be able to hear it, but as a demon, she could naturally detect it if she listened carefully.
The newcomer lifted layer after layer of red curtains and walked slowly but firmly toward her.
She could feel the intense gaze of the newcomer on her, and she nervously moved her fingertips, touching the pearl inlaid on the golden phoenix on her dress.
A soft laugh came from above.
Empress Wang looked up with some annoyance. She couldn't see the man's expression clearly through the veil, but she felt that he was mocking her for being so nervous even though she was clearly no longer a first-time bride.
Wei Qin leaned down slightly and took her hand. "Your dress is all wrinkled."
On his wedding night, Wei Qin naturally had to coax his beautiful bride. He used his other hand to lift her red veil, revealing her shy and demure face.
Today's makeup was more elaborate than ever. Peiju carefully applied red lip rouge to her soft, pink lips, applied face powder, and used mule ink to draw the Queen's favorite arched eyebrows. The eyebrows were slightly pointed but did not appear harsh; instead, they were delicate and petite.
Finally, the pink peach blossom decoration between her eyebrows was the finishing touch to her makeup, making her look beautiful and charming.
Her eyes, as clear as autumn water, stared unblinkingly at Wei Qin, the curve of her lips never changing from beginning to end.
What could be more beautiful and captivating than the sight of a young woman facing her beloved?
Wei Qin raised his hand, curled his fingers, and stroked the corner of the eye where the person in front of him had touched rouge. That bright line seemed to burn fiercely in his hand, the heat going straight to his heart.
The most beautiful thing in the world is a woman's expression when she is moved by love.
But she... is a demon.
Empress Wang smiled and said, "A-Qin."
"Um."
Wei Qin responded to her in a low voice, and pulled her hand to touch the blankets behind her.
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