Emperor Wu Su did not hold court today, nor did he allow news of his awakening to be released.
He returned to Zhaoyang Hall and sat meditating on the daybed, his face grim.
Li Yuzong dared not utter a single word, standing by like a wooden statue and doing his utmost to fade into the background.
Zhao Mingyan regulated his breathing for a long while.
He could not truly quiet his mind because of what Ji Qingwu had said.
Her attempts to mask her true feelings were riddled with flaws. She feigned indifference, speaking words meant to wound, yet he could see it plainly: her clear eyes were filled with unspeakable hurt.
He still couldn't bear it...
Zhao Mingyan's body tensed, unable to quell the heat rising within him.
To be stopped at the very threshold... In exchange, he felt an agonizing, clawing itch in his heart, the sensation of being consumed by fire. He now understood it all too well.
