At this time, Shu Ying was guarding outside the Jade Dew Hall and would not enter without my summons. It goes without saying that she wouldnt let someone else in silently, even if it were Nan Chengyao.

  I hastily pulled over the clothes by the pool to wrap around my body, which was only wearing a cloak, and quickly turned back. However, when I saw the person coming, I couldnt help but feel a sense of relief in my heart, and a warm smile spread across my face.

  My mother walked towards me with a smile and said, "Silly child, did I scare you? I deliberately didnt let Puyu announce my arrival, thinking it would be a surprise for you. Who knew it would end up scaring you instead. A girls home should not have such strong vigilance, I wonder who she learned that from."

  "How did mom come?"

  I smiled and asked, just about to get out of the water, but my mother hurried over, stretched out her hand to hold my shoulder, and pressed me back into the water: "Dont get up yet, Ive heard from Poshuang that youll feel more comfortable if you soak for a while."

  My face suddenly turned red, and I said somewhat unnaturally: "This girl is good at learning nothing, only learning what others say thats useless."

  "Mother laughed: "Dont blame her, I thought it was strange that you were soaking in the hot spring at this time. After asking for half a day, she hesitated and said that the third prince stayed overnight in your room last night. However, you should also be restrained, how did you end up in such a state?"

  I was deeply embarrassed, lowering my eyes and gazing at the reflection on the waters surface, where my face appeared red to the point of almost dripping blood.

  "Mother couldnt help but laugh out loud: Youre really something, youve been married for so long and Im not an outsider, whats there to be ashamed of?"

  I felt a slight relief, it seemed that Pusu Ying hadnt revealed anything she shouldnt have. My mother probably still didnt know that Nancheng Yao and I had never been husband and wife in reality. I wasnt intentionally hiding it from them, I just didnt want them to worry about me anymore.

  When it comes to this topic, I still cant let go of it, and with a red face, I dont know how to respond.

  My mother saw me and let out a soft sigh of relief: "Seeing you like this, Im reassured. It seems that I was worried for nothing these past few days."

  I was taken aback for a moment, Mother has always felt guilty towards me, and because of this, she is always worried that I will be bullied in the three palaces. This I am aware of.

  But she just said it was these past few days.

  I recall the Mid-Autumn Festival dinner that night, which was also the last time I saw my mother. Her face had a complex expression as if she wanted to say something but hesitated, her heart slightly sinking, yet she spoke calmly: "Whats going on?"

  The mother suddenly realized her slip of the tongue and hastily covered it up with a smile: "Youre not unaware, you and Huaner, which day have I had an easy time?"

  I quietly looked at her, for a moment, and softly said: "Mother once said that I am different from Huaner. Mother also said that there are some things that I will eventually know, its better to know earlier than later. So, please dont keep secrets from me, no matter what happened, Qinger can bear it."

  She stared at me for a moment, and finally let out a long sigh: "Qinger, youre so clever, but its hard to say whether thats good or bad. Sometimes I wish you were a bit more foolish, didnt understand things so well, and didnt see through everything. That could also be a kind of blessing."

  I smiled, but didnt say a word. Mothers face still looked hesitant and uncertain as she asked: "Qinger, that piece of music you played on the qin at Qinghe Temple, where did you learn it from? Was it taught by Mr. Su?"

  "It was Qing Ers first time hearing it at the Mid-Autumn Moon Appreciation Banquet."

  I shook my head and calmly repeated what I had said to Nan Chengyao last night, but in my heart, I felt a slight chill, knowing that something was wrong.

  Her mother paused for a while, her gaze slowly turned to the window, and her voice was somewhat ethereal: "You wont understand how we felt back then, its like a dream. Five years later, in this world, the sound of the qin has reappeared."

  I couldnt say a word, I just felt that in a certain corner of my heart, it was getting cooler and cooler, until it was cold and desolate.

  Her mothers eyes were filled with a mix of pity and reluctance, yet she continued to speak: "That melody is actually the Surprise Goose Song composed by Princess Ning Yue of the previous dynasty. At the birthday banquet of the previous empress dowager, she played the guqin and sang with a clear voice, leaving behind a lingering sound that astonished the world. I thought this Surprise Goose melody would never be heard again in this life, but unexpectedly, it was you, Qinger... Is this what they mean by predestined fate?"