After being sentenced to death, she came to her senses.

As dusk settled and even the last rays of sunset faded away, Fang Xiaoran finally left Luoxia Palace.

Consort Hui extended a warm invitation, and she had no reason to refuse. Besides, they were currently in the same boat, so she naturally didn't mind spending more time together.

Of course, Fang Xiaoran only had more contact with Consort Hui on this matter. As long as she stopped Zhao Jin's progress, she would not interfere in these matters again.

When she returned from Luoxia Palace, it was already late. The palace lanterns in the courtyard had been lit, and the palace servants were busy going about their business. They would pass by her occasionally, bow respectfully, and then quietly retreat.

Fang Xiaoran walked straight through the corridor with a calm expression.

"You're finally back."

A familiar voice came from the shadows. Wei Mingyue stepped out slowly, her brows furrowed and her eyes filled with worry.

Fang Xiaoran's eyes flickered slightly, but her tone remained calm: "It's so late, why aren't you resting yet?"

"I couldn't sleep, so I came out for a walk." Wei Mingyue said, glancing in the direction behind Fang Xiaoran. "You just came back from Consort Hui's place?"

"Hmm, maybe she's just bored and wants to come over and chat." Fang Xiaoran said dismissively, taking Wei Mingyue's hand and smiling, "Come on, I got some good tea, I'd like to invite you to enjoy it."

"Would you like to savor it, or would you like me to brew some tea for you?" Wei Mingyue asked with a hint of a smile in her eyes.

Fang Xiaoran smiled sweetly, "Let's cook and enjoy it at the same time."

Although Wei Mingyue was previously carefree and unrestrained, she was quite skilled in tea ceremony. At every tea gathering, people would praise the tea she brewed for its rich aroma and flavor.

Fang Xiaoran had never tasted it before and didn't know how much difference there could be between tea brewed by one person and another.

Of course, she clearly remembered that Gu Yuqing had disliked the tea she brewed, so she was quite particular about brewing tea.

Later, after getting to know Wei Mingyue better, she tasted tea quite a few times. She didn't know much about tea, but she knew that if it tasted good, it tasted good. The tea that Wei Mingyue brewed was the kind of tea that even a layman could tell was extraordinary after just one sip.

“In the palace, if we’re talking about who’s the most cunning, Consort Hui would dare to say she’s second to none. You’d better not get too close to her. The fact that she was able to stand out in the power struggle between the Empress and Consort Ning is enough to prove how terrifying she is,” Wei Mingyue warned.

They are not from the palace, so there's no need to pander to them; just be careful in your dealings with them.

It's best to stay as far away from quagmires as possible.

Wei Mingyue once had a cousin who was a concubine in the palace, but she died under mysterious circumstances.

Within the palace walls, what appears to be a splendid and prosperous place is actually fraught with danger at every turn.

As her friend, Wei Mingyue really didn't want to see Fang Xiaoran get caught up in that kind of life-or-death struggle.

After listening, Fang Xiaoran remained silent for a moment, then suddenly chuckled: "You overestimate me. I have no part in palace intrigues."

Wei Mingyue handed over another cup of brewed tea and said with a smile, "You are a smart person, so you naturally know not to put yourself in a predicament. Now that the establishment of the crown prince is imminent, various forces are emerging. Some want to take advantage of the situation, while others want to use someone else to do their dirty work."

Fang Xiaoran took the teacup, her fingertip lightly tracing the rim. When she looked up, the flickering candlelight reflected in her eyes, and she smiled faintly. "Mingyue is right. I'll remember that."

"You," Wei Mingyue shook her head helplessly, her voice tinged with a hint of etherealness, "you two are truly kindred spirits. No wonder you two became husband and wife."

Upon hearing this, Fang Xiaoran retorted irritably, "He and I are not on the same wavelength."

She doesn't even know what kind of person Gu Yuqing is, so how can she say they're on the same wavelength?

"Aren't we on the same path? Everyone says that husband and wife should be of one mind, but my wife always treats me like a stranger."

A clear voice suddenly came from outside the door. Gu Yuqing was already standing under the eaves. The moonlight outlined his tall figure. He held a jade-shaped folding fan in his hand and looked into the room with a half-smile.

Upon hearing this, Wei Mingyue, who was brewing tea, paused slightly, then smiled faintly, "See, I told you you two are kindred spirits."

"It's getting late, and I guess Changge has already gone back. I'll take my leave now and won't disturb you two any longer." With that, she put down her teacup, glanced at the two of them with a smile, and turned to leave before Fang Xiaoran could speak.

Just as Fang Xiaoran was about to speak to stop her, Wei Mingyue had already nimbly bypassed Gu Yuqing and disappeared around the corner of the corridor. The night wind lifted her clothes, leaving only a faint fragrance of tea.

The room fell silent, with only the occasional popping of candlelight.

"Didn't you go drinking? How come there's not a trace of alcohol on your breath?" Fang Xiaoran looked at Gu Yuqing suspiciously, then leisurely picked up a cup of tea and pushed it towards him.

Gu Yuqing swaggered over and sat in the spot where Wei Mingyue had just been sitting. He casually picked up the tea that Wei Mingyue had handed him, took a sip, and said, "A good chat about life doesn't necessarily require drinking. If I get drunk, I'll still need you to take care of me."

"When have you ever been drunk?" Fang Xiaoran lowered her eyes, staring at the teacup, slightly lost in thought.

"I've been drunk quite a few times. Once, I hosted a banquet for my friends at the Millennium Restaurant. After drinking a thousand cups, I got so drunk that I passed out. When I was sent back to the mansion, my grandfather saw that I was completely drunk and insisted on taking me to the ancestral hall to give me a severe beating. The whipping dispelled all the alcohol from my body."

Despite the tragic nature of the event, he spoke of it as if it were nothing, as if he didn't care at all.

To be honest, she knew nothing about his past; she only knew a little about it from other people.

Fang Xiaoran unconsciously rubbed the rim of the cup with her fingertips. The tea had long since cooled, reflecting a cold hue in the candlelight. For the first time, she seriously looked at the person in front of her.

The moonlight outlined his sharp features, and a hint of inexplicable loneliness was hidden in his smiling eyes.

"The Gu family's rules..." she said softly, "are indeed strict."

Upon hearing this, Gu Yuqing chuckled softly, snapping open his folding fan with a "snap," his captivating peach blossom eyes seeming to hold the scent of wine. "Is my wife feeling sorry for her husband?"

"Nonsense." Fang Xiaoran rolled her eyes and downed the cold tea in her cup.

“But after that incident, I never got drunk again. My grandfather really hurt when he hit me. I even suspect that he wanted to beat me to death and then tell the outside world that I died drunk.” Gu Yuqing shrugged, a smile still hidden in his eyes.

These words sounded particularly harsh to Fang Xiaoran, who asked suspiciously, "Would the old Marquis really do that? You wouldn't be saying this on purpose because you hold a grudge against him, would you?"

"Then why don't you take a look at my injuries? Those scars are still there." As he spoke, he actually reached out to tug at his clothes. Remembering what happened that night, Fang Xiaoran was immediately flustered. She hurriedly got up, grabbed his hand, and shook her head, saying, "No need. I have a miracle drug that can remove scars. I'll give you a few bottles later."

Seeing her flustered appearance, Gu Yuqing laughed, "I was just joking with you. Do you think you don't know whether I have scars or not?"

Fang Xiaoran was speechless for a moment. She let go of his hand, turned around and left. Behind her, the person's smile grew even wider, and he even laughed out loud, which sounded really grating.

However, even Fang Xiaoran trembled upon hearing his next words.

"I've heard that some people have trouble falling asleep when they're in a new environment. So tonight, let me play a tune for you so you can sleep peacefully sooner."

"You want me to never wake up again, don't you?" Fang Xiaoran was exasperated, wishing she could smash all his instruments. She wondered why someone who had no musical talent had collected so many instruments.

Are you planning to kill someone and steal their goods?

Gu Yuqing said from behind with a wronged look on his face, "Madam's words really hurt me deeply."

Fang Xiaoran really didn't want to deal with this person, so she quickened her pace and left quickly.