I looked up at Weilo’s expressionless face. I had originally thought he was an angel who would rescue me from hell, but now I realized he was just a demon hiding black wings.
“If Godmother wishes Yan’er to accompany her, of course Yan’er is willing!” I forced a smile, though the expression was probably uglier than crying.
I desperately told myself that returning here was originally my plan, that I was meant to enter the palace and uncover my relationship with Shui Zizhou. Things were developing exactly as I had hoped. Yet the more I tried to convince myself, the more unwilling my heart became. Coming here, my life had always been manipulated, my thoughts always stripped away. I was truly unwilling.
“As long as you don’t find this old woman boring, I’m glad you’re willing,” she said, her smile becoming even more radiant. Her slender, apricot-red fingertips stroked the back of my hand, making my hair stand on end.
Weilo’s face had remained calm from the beginning, occasionally showing a hint of reluctance, but never contradicting his mother, only acquiescing.
I supposed this was what he meant when he said I shouldn’t regret returning.
“Yan’er, come! Mother will show you your bedroom!” She lovingly held my hand, as if the room prepared for me had long been ready.
I obediently let her lead me inside.
I began my monotonous palace life, as if everything had returned to the starting point, to the days before I met Weilo.
I couldn’t guess why Weilo’s mother, the Imperial Consort Yu, kept me by her side, but I knew that every move I made was now in her control. My current life was even more restrictive than when Cang Lian had confined me in a small house – at least then, I wasn’t being watched. Now, I could feel eyes watching me even while eating.
He did not pay attention to me, just quietly looking at my face, as if he could not look enough.
I also did not speak again, just letting him look at me. Although I had many doubts in my heart, many questions I wanted to ask, I knew that asking him would be futile, and some answers still needed to be found by myself.
