The narcissus in the courtyard swayed in the wind.
I should have known better than to cut those flowers to decorate Lu Wuxian's room.
When the plum trees bear green plums, the Qinghe Hall holds lively banquets more frequently than before.
I heard that the emperor's health is getting worse day by day.
"Lian Mei... I'm sorry to trouble you, but can you please go to His Highness's place for me to work the night shift tonight?"
One night at a banquet, the maid, who had never put Lian Mei in her eyes, rarely paid her respects.
"I just worked the night shift last time."
"But there won't be a party that day, right? Please!"
The maid put her hands together and bowed.
Lian Mei thought it would be easy to reject her, but the maid in front of her had a completely different attitude than usual, which made her curious.
"……What's wrong?"
"It's scary. Not only me, but also the people who work the night shift after the banquet recently, all said that His Highness is scary."
"what happened?"
The maid pulled Lian Mei to the corner of the corridor and whispered to her: "Didn't His Highness have a particularly bad temper when he woke up?"
"yes……"
Lian Mei had heard about it before, but because she had never seen it with her own eyes, she had no sense of reality.
"It was the same when His Highness woke up in the middle of the night. Even if he was asked if he felt uncomfortable or if he wanted to drink water, His Highness would stare at me with a scary expression on his face and then curse."
"oh……"
From this point of view, Lu Wuxian was miraculously in a good mood that night a year ago.
"Not only that, especially the night after the banquet, His Highness often has nightmares."
"Having a nightmare...?"
"Yes. I was shocked, so I walked over to check. His Highness didn't know whether he was asleep or awake. He grabbed my hand hard and said some inexplicable words. It scared me to death..."
"..."
Could it be that he had a nightmare and was confused?
"What happened...after I grabbed your hand?"
"Because it was in great pain, I wanted to ask His Highness to let go, but he still wouldn't let go. He screamed out of nowhere, and then suddenly fell down and fell asleep again. Only then did he finally let go. After a look, he found that both hands were
It's a bruise."
The maid looked back at Lu Wuxian's bedroom in fear and clasped her hands together again to beg her.
"Lianmei, please. Aren't you always calm? There must be no problem."
"..."
Lian Mei felt that this was not the problem, but she was still a little worried about Lu Wuxian.
Sister Lian nodded.
"OK!"
"Really? That's great! That's great..."
The maid didn't seem to be shidding away from the hard work, but she was genuinely relieved that she didn't have to be frightened anymore.
She seemed genuinely scared.
The sound of music and laughter came from another house in Qinghe Hall.
The party is almost over...
After Lu Wuxian returned to the bedroom with the help of the maid, he snored loudly while sleeping.
Lian Mei prepared strong tea and sat on a chair in the corner of the room, just like she usually did during the night shift.
There were white lilies she had just planted by the window.
Because the fragrance was very strong, she only cut one branch from the garden.
No one asked her to put flowers in the bedroom, because everyone said that Lu Wuxian had a bad temper when he woke up, so she thought that if he saw flowers when he woke up, he might feel more relaxed.
That's all...
But later I found that regardless of whether he put flowers or not, he was in a bad mood when he woke up, so maybe it didn't have much effect.
If he saw flowers, he might feel calmer... This was just his wishful expectation.
Maybe Lu Wuxian was just like the woman who didn't want to be named, and didn't even notice the flowers in the room.
Lian Mei specially selected scented flowers, hoping that Lu Wuxian would pay attention to them.
...I am a fool too...
No matter how many people around encouraged Lu Wuxian to fight for the throne, Lian Mei knew very well that there was no way Lu Wuxian could win.
Now that you know it, you should find a way out for yourself as soon as possible. Even if you stay in Qinghe Hall, there is no future.
But...I can't leave here.
For some reason, she couldn't leave Lu Wuxian alone.
No, this idea is too strange. Lu Wuxian is a prince, has a mother, a lover, and many flatterers and maids.
Even if a low-key maid is missing, it will not have any impact.
...These are just wishful thinking on my part...
I just missed the past when he smiled happily and gave me snacks.
Just immersed in a small sense of superiority, thinking that he was the only one working the night shift, Lu Wuxian woke up in a good mood...
"Well……"
Hearing the painful moans, Lian Mei stood up quickly.
When he walked to the bed, he found Lu Wuxian clenching his teeth and groaning.
Everything the maid said was true.
Lian Mei immediately picked up Lu Wuxian.
Lu Wuxian opened his eyes and shouted, grabbing Lian Mei's arm.
"……Well!"
Lu Wuxian grabbed him hard, and Lian Mei tried her best to resist the urge to scream.
There will definitely be bruises on your arms.
"I will... I will take action, that guy..."
……What?
Lian Mei wanted to throw away his hand, but she still endured it. Lu Wuxian shook her arm vigorously and said clearly: "That guy is too much of a bother. That guy...I will treat that guy...not me."
No...it must be me..."
"..."
Under the candlelight next to the bed, his expression was truly terrifying.
Although he tried his best to talk, his tone seemed to express his confidence in himself, as if he was about to cry at any time.
"Does it have to be you...?"
Lian Mei asked softly.
"No matter what, it has to be you...?"
"..."
Lu Wuxian grabbed her hand hard and suddenly let go.
"...Yes, it has to be me."
"Why……?"
"anyway……"
Although Lu Wuxian opened his eyes, his expression was empty and he didn't seem to be awake.
Lian Mei slowly turned her painful wrist and held Lu Wuxian's head against her chest.
"It will be over soon..."
Lian Mei said softly, as if she was whispering.
"Don't worry...if you wait a little longer, you can sleep peacefully."
If the rumors are true, the emperor will not be able to survive Xia Tian.
If "that guy" succeeds to the throne, the noise around Lu Wuxian will disappear, and he can sit back and relax...
Although the sycophants around Lu Wuxian and Lu Wuxian did not expect this kind of stability.
Lu Wuxian resumed his calm breathing in Lian Mei's arms.
"...will it end soon?"
"soon."
"I'm sleepy……"
"You can sit back and relax."
Sister Lian slowly combed his hair and hummed a lullaby softly.
Lu Wuxian's shoulders gradually relaxed.
...Do you really want to be an emperor?
Do you really... do you want to be the emperor? Even if your mother and the nobles around you don't encourage you, do you still want to be the emperor?
Lu Wuxian gradually fell asleep listening to Lian Mei's lullaby.
Lian Mei carefully placed him on the bed.
Lian Mei sat by the bed like a year ago, looking at Lu Wuxian's sleeping face?
He didn't look in pain at the moment.
She reached out and stroked his hair.
"..."
As long as you lose, the problem will be solved.
If you can sit back and relax, of course, this result is more ideal...
After that, Lu Wuxian slept until dawn without having any more nightmares.
It would be better if you lose...
She indeed secretly hoped so.
One night not long after, a maid came excitedly and told her that the prince was dead. She said that the unnamed noble daughter had poisoned the prince.
Most of the maids knew at that time that the daughter's name was Cao Baoji.
Although it sounds full of cruel and bloody smell, the Qinghe Palace is abuzz with excitement about Lu Wuxian's upcoming enthronement, and Lian Mei feels that there is something fishy...
If someone poisoned the prince, it would logically not be publicized. If it was true, the killer would probably conceal the fact.
The next morning, news came that the emperor had passed away. The sycophants headed by the Cao family were arrested for treason. Prince Lu Fusu was indeed not dead.
The Qinghe Hall was filled with various rumors and fell into chaos.
Three days after the emperor's death, all the maids gathered in the main hall, and people from Zhongshu Province explained to them the whole story.
...I lost, I really lost...
Some people screamed, some cried, and some collapsed on the ground helplessly.
Lian Mei stood motionless in the corner of the hall.
The officials of Zhongshu Province spent a long time to calm down the maids. After the main hall finally calmed down, Zhongshu ordered Zhuge Ciyun to come forward and said: "Your master will not come back here, and the Qinghe Hall will also be temporarily closed. As for everyone,
Your future destination will be met as much as possible. Those who want to stay in the palace will go to the second hall next door to gather. Those who want to return to their hometowns will go to the third hall. Those who want to work as maids in the homes of nobles and officials will go to the fourth hall.
Those who have not decided where to go in the future can go to the Fifth Hall. And..."
Zhuge Ciyun looked around the main hall.
"...His Royal Highness Prince Lu Wuxian is about to be sent to Ranshui Pavilion. Although he has committed a crime, he is originally a prince. It is naturally very inconvenient to live independently. The new emperor specifically allowed several people to take care of His Highness Lu Wuxian.
daily life. If anyone is willing to go to Ranshui Pavilion with His Highness Lu Wuxian, please stay here."
There was a commotion in the living room, and someone couldn't help but ask: "Ranshui Pavilion... is the prison that used to be a noble residence..."
"That's right."
The hall suddenly started to boil with excitement. It was tantamount to asking...if anyone wanted to be thrown into a cell with Lu Wuxian.
"The choice you want to make depends entirely on your own will. We will not force you. Okay, let's all act separately!"
The officials opened the door, and the maids looked at a loss, but they still walked out of the hall one after another, discussing with others whether they should stay in the palace or return to their hometown.
Lian Mei still stood where she was.
"Eh? Sister Lian...what are your plans?"
Among the maids in Qinghe Hall, the older maid with an upright personality saw Lian Mei and came over to ask her.
"I plan to go back to my hometown first, what about you?"
"Well, because I'm homeless..."
The house in her hometown has been occupied by her stepmother, and she has no intention of going back.
Sister Lian smiled.
"Then we have to go to other officials' homes..."
"No."
Lian Mei was still standing where she was, with no intention of leaving.
The older maid took a breath.
"Could you...?"
"Thank you for your care these days..."
"Lianmei."
"please take care."
"But... you can find it wherever you want..."
"If you don't go quickly, the door will be closed."
The older maid asked her with her eyes: Are you serious?
Lian Mei smiled and said nothing.
"..."
"Take care of yourself."
Lian Mei said it again, and the older maid frowned sympathetically and quickly left the main hall.
The noise gradually faded away.
Zhuge Ciyun looked at the only maid in the main hall with a surprised look.
"...are you willing to stay?"
"right."
"come here."
Lian Mei walked up to Zhuge Ciyun and bowed deeply.
"My name is Jiang Lianmei, please take me to Ranshui Pavilion."
"...Have you thought it through?"
"yes."
She looked refreshed and didn't hesitate at all.
Zhuge Ciyun narrowed his eyes and nodded several times in succession.
"Although you went to Ranshui Pavilion, you yourself did not commit a crime, so you can come and go freely. However, if you contact the outside world for the sinner without authorization, you are committing the same crime, so you must understand this."
"yes."
"Do you have a family?"
"No."
"If you want to explain something to your friends, you should do it today."
"Thank you, Lord Zhongshuling, for your concern. I don't have such a friend either." Lian Mei raised her head and said clearly: "I live alone, so there will be no problem in serving His Highness Lu Wuxian."
"……Yeah?"
Zhuge Ciyun smiled slightly and straightened his body.
"You are very determined. To be honest, I didn't expect that only one person was willing to go. I thought there were either many people or no one at all."
"I don't think there's anyone else but me."
...And I should be the only one who hopes Lu Wuxian loses...
That's right...
She did hope so.
Once Lu Wuxian loses, he will become lonely.
When that willful, narrow-minded, and completely unworthy young master was alone, I was the only one by his side... Lian Mei asked herself, didn't she think so deep down in her heart?
"His Royal Highness should be very happy that at least one person is willing to follow him."
Zhuge Ciyun ordered the officials on standby to prepare carriages to go to Ranshui Pavilion.
The officials immediately left the hall.
"If you have luggage to bring, go and pack it immediately."
"Okay... Do you want to pack your Highness's luggage?"
"We will send people to prepare. The clothes and things His Royal Highness will wear in the future should not be too luxurious."
"Then I will only prepare my own things."
"Okay, wait a minute and I'll send someone to help you get your luggage."
Sister Lian returned to the maid's room.
She didn't have much luggage, only a box of clothes, a few combs, mirrors and other small items.
"..."
Lian Mei suddenly thought of something and ran to Lu Wuxian's bedroom.
She took Lu Wuxian's usual tea cup, bamboo vase, and snack basket from the unowned room, returned to her room, and put them together with her luggage. At this time, Zhuge Ciyun and the officials walked in.
"Is this all you need to bring?"
"right……"
"Then we will help you get it, and you can take the carriage there. His Royal Highness is already there."
Lian Mei left Qinghe Hall before she had time to sigh.