From cannon fodder villain to beloved heroine

The firelight flickered, and the footsteps of the guards grew closer. Xu Moqing's eyes sharpened, and with a light touch of her toes, she leaped up like a swallow and disappeared into the shadows of the rugged artificial hill.

This artificial hill, dilapidated over the years, with its jagged rocks and deep crevices, has become an excellent hiding place.

He held his breath, his heart pounding like a drum, as if each beat was striking his eardrums.

The guard's torch illuminated a corner of the artificial hill, and he could even feel the heat emanating from it.

In the nick of time, he pressed his body tightly against the cold stone wall, as if he had become one with the artificial mountain.

The guards walked by, talking in hushed tones, their shadows stretching long in the flickering firelight.

"That's strange, I clearly heard some noise..." "Maybe it was a stray cat, there are plenty of stray cats in this palace." The footsteps gradually faded away until they disappeared into the night.

Xu Moqing then slowly exhaled, and her tense body relaxed.

He emerged from behind the artificial hill, a confident smile playing on his lips. "You little punk, you think you can catch me? Don't you know who I am?" The palace gradually returned to calm, save for the occasional bark of a dog in the distance.

He looked up toward the palace where the female lead was, a hint of tenderness flashing in his eyes.

He moved with light steps, his figure blending into the night, continuing towards his goal.

"Who goes there?!" A delicate shout suddenly rang out, and a woman dressed as a palace maid appeared in front of him. Under the moonlight, her face appeared particularly cold and aloof.

Xu Moqing bowed respectfully, a harmless smile on his face. "Miss, you misunderstand. I'm just lost." The palace maid sized him up, her eyes full of suspicion. "Lost? The palace is heavily guarded; how could an ordinary person get lost so easily? Who exactly are you?" Xu Moqing's eyes darted around, a plan forming in his mind. "To be honest, I'm here to find..." He deliberately paused, lowering his voice, "...to find Miss Yan." The palace maid's expression hardened. "You're Miss Yan's...who are you?" Xu Moqing smiled mysteriously. "I have some private dealings with Miss Yan, but I can't reveal them." The palace maid was Cuizhu, a trusted maid of the Empress. She scrutinized Xu Moqing, noticing his extraordinary bearing, unlike an ordinary person. She made up her mind. "Wait here while I go and inform her."

After Cuizhu left, Xu Moqing was secretly delighted. It was truly a case of finding something without even looking for it.

Before long, Yan Ruyu appeared at the corner. She saw Xu Moqing and said, "I've come to see you."

Under the moonlight, the two looked into each other's eyes, their eyes filled with love and worry.

Yan Ruyu felt a warmth in her heart and grasped his hand in return, everything understood without words.

The final assessment of the talent show has begun, and the assessment content is a talent show.

Yan Ruyu chose to play the zither. Her fingertips lightly plucked the strings, and the melodious music echoed in the hall.

Lin Xiunü and the others sat below the stage, exchanging sinister glances.

Just as Yan Ruyu was playing the climax, Lin Xiunü suddenly coughed loudly, and the other Xiunü followed suit, creating a noisy commotion.

Yan Ruyu frowned slightly, but her hands continued to move, and the music remained smooth.

Her gaze swept over the crowd below, a cold smile playing on her lips. "Child's play." The assessment was in chaos. The Empress sat regally on her phoenix throne, her sharp eyes scanning the crowd. "What's going on?"

Yan Ruyu smiled coldly, her slender fingers dancing more smoothly on the strings, the music becoming clearer and clearer, like a clear spring flowing through the noisy world, washing away all the clamor.

Her eyes sparkled, her gaze captivating. When the music ended, the hall fell silent, then erupted in thunderous applause.

The Empress was overjoyed and praised, "Miss Yan is indeed exceptionally talented. This piece is poignant yet not sorrowful, fresh and refined. I like it very much."

Lin Xiunü and the others looked ashen-faced, as if they had swallowed a bitter pill. Their carefully planned "coughing interference" scheme had no effect on Yan Ruyu at all; on the contrary, it made her look even more outstanding.

The other young women's gazes toward Yan Ruyu shifted from initial disdain to admiration, and even a hint of...

Envy, jealousy, and hatred?

After the assessment, a palace maid approached Yan Ruyu and bowed respectfully. "Miss Yan, Her Majesty the Empress requests your presence." Yan Ruyu was delighted, but remained outwardly composed, gracefully following the maid to the Empress's palace.

Inside the palace, the Empress was sipping fragrant tea when she saw Yan Ruyu enter, and a kind smile appeared on her face.

"Miss Yan, I have witnessed your performance today. You are truly a rare talent." Yan Ruyu responded modestly, displaying the demeanor of a well-bred lady in every gesture.

Cui Zhu, who was by the Empress's side, would occasionally chime in with a few words, creating a harmonious and pleasant atmosphere.

Outside the palace, Xu Moqing learned that Yan Ruyu had been summoned by the Empress, and a gratified smile appeared on his lips. "My little fox, she's really something." He looked up in the direction of the palace, his eyes filled with tenderness and anticipation.

Yan Ruyu and the Empress had a very pleasant conversation. During their conversation, she subtly expressed her thoughts and won the Empress's appreciation.

Cuizhu, who was by the Empress's side, also praised Yan Ruyu's talent and insight.

As night fell, the palace was brightly lit.

Yan Ruyu walked out of the Empress's palace, took a deep breath, and noticed that the night sky was exceptionally bright.

Cuizhu walked to her side and mysteriously handed her a small brocade pouch. "Miss Yan, this is a small token of Her Majesty the Empress's affection. Please accept it." Yan Ruyu took the pouch, her fingertips touching its texture, and a vague premonition filled her heart...

"Tomorrow will be the day the final results are announced..." Cui Zhu's voice drifted in the night breeze.

The Golden Palace was solemn and dignified.

The young women, their faces pale with shock, anxiously awaited the final result.

Yan Ruyu, however, remained calm, as if she were detached from the matter.

The eunuch's high-pitched voice echoed in the hall, announcing the Empress's decree.

As each name was read out, some were happy, some were sad; some were joyful, some were sorrowful.

Finally, it was Yan Ruyu's turn.

"The daughter of the Yan family is of decent appearance, but her temperament is too unruly and unsuitable for court life. She will not be accepted." As the eunuch's voice fell, Yan Ruyu was secretly pleased, but she remained calm on the surface, slightly curtsying her knees in a graceful and proper manner.

Stepping out of the palace gates, Yan Ruyu let out a long sigh of relief, feeling refreshed and relaxed all over.

"Yes! We're finally free! I can't stand being in this deep palace any longer!" She cheered inwardly, a bright smile spreading across her face.

Outside the palace gates, Xu Moqing had been waiting for a long time. He saw a familiar figure walking gracefully towards him from afar and excitedly went to greet him.

"Yu'er, are you alright?" He pulled her into his arms, his voice trembling slightly.

"I'm fine, let's go home!" Yan Ruyu hugged him tightly, her eyes slightly red, all her grievances and worries turning into tears of joy at this moment.

A burst of enthusiastic applause and blessings erupted from the surrounding crowd, and the scene of the two embracing each other looked especially warm and touching in the afterglow of the setting sun.

"Congratulations, Miss Yan! Congratulations, Miss Yan!" Cui Zhu's voice came from the crowd. She held an exquisite food box in her hand. "These are pastries bestowed by Her Majesty the Empress. Please accept them, Miss Yan."

Yan Ruyu accepted the food box, her heart filled with gratitude.

"Please thank Her Majesty the Empress for me," she said with a smile.

Just as the two were immersed in joy, the sound of rapid hoofbeats broke the harmonious atmosphere.

A man in official robes rode up on horseback, his face solemn. He walked straight up to Xu Moqing and whispered a few words in his ear.

Xu Moqing's face instantly turned gloomy. He looked up in the direction of the palace. Yan Ruyu also noticed something was wrong. She followed his gaze and saw that the once magnificent palace was now shrouded in a dark cloud, making it look particularly oppressive.

In the distance, dark clouds rolled in, lightning flashed and thunder roared, as if foreshadowing an impending storm.

"It seems things aren't that simple..." Xu Moqing murmured to himself, gripping Yan Ruyu's hand tightly, his gaze resolute, "Yu'er, no matter what happens, I will protect you."