That night, Shui Ruo Han carried a basin of blood water and walked out. I followed closely. After walking along the corridor, he handed the basin to a maid, turned to face me, and a hint of helplessness passed through his pale eyes. “In the Floating Cloud Pavilion,” he said.
“Ruo Han treats me well,” I smiled triumphantly. He had locked Night Lock up, so he naturally knew where Night Lock was.
He sighed, his light purple figure walking out of the corridor. I followed, passing through the mansion’s pavilions and water features, heading directly to the back mountain. Shui Ruo Han pushed open the stone door of a fake mountain, bowing to enter. I leaned in, unexpectedly discovering a hidden world within the mansion’s rear.
A lake shimmered under moonlight, with an octagonal pavilion sitting above the water. Delicate bridges extended in four directions, with blue curtains hanging around the pavilion. Candlelight cast a tall shadow on the curtains.
Joyfully lifting my cumbersome skirt, I leaned forward onto the small bridge. As soon as I stepped on the first step, darkness turned to daylight. I was startled, looking around. A group of soldiers surrounded the lake with torches. I looked questioningly at Shui Ruo Han. In the blazing firelight, sweat streamed down his pale face, his eyes holding a pitiful despair.
Suddenly, he knelt down, his lips deathly white. “This subordinate deserves to die. Please punish me, Your Highness.”
I staggered, supporting myself on the bridge railing. Behind the stone door, a figure gradually emerged. Liu Yu stood outside the door, accompanied by several attendants. He wore only a thin silk robe, his black hair slightly disheveled in the weak night wind. His calm eyes looked at the kneeling Shui Ruo Han, coldly saying, “From the moment you followed me, I don’t remember you betraying me.”
Shui Ruo Han’s tall figure trembled violently, unable to say anything more. “This subordinate deserves to die.”
Liu Yu glanced at him without speaking, then turned to look at me. In the firelight, his clear eyes held a trace of sadness like a silver-white dagger ready to pierce me. He ordered his attendants, “Bring her over.”
“No need,” I refused, standing straight and walking to Liu Yu. I knew how dangerous his appearance here was. My heart could be stopped by his single word at any moment.
