The night has deepened.

  Meili sat on the bed, sizing up the small room of the side hall by the faint candlelight. When she used to live in the palace, she was always accommodated here, but now it seemed somewhat unfamiliar.

  She quietly got out of bed, not wanting to wake up the palace maid Hong Ling who was sleeping on a small bed under the window. She was afraid that she would scream in her sleep and scare others, and it was also embarrassing to ask Hong Ling, who was two years older than her, to keep watch for her, so she could only use the old method - not sleeping.

  The night sky in spring is the clearest and most gentle, although it can't compare to the vastness and depth of autumn. In the warm breeze, looking up at the starry sky, my heart feels more expansive too.

  Meili leaned against the pillar, gazing at the starry sky, but her heart was filled with a sense of melancholy. In the same quiet palace of the Forbidden City, she, who was equally lonely and small, looked up as if it wasn't the same sky.

  Perhaps life has taught her too much, but she learned too slowly. The joys and sorrows of the past have all sunk into today's apathy in the long and lonely years. As for the future... She helplessly drops tears, not knowing when she will again gaze up at the starry sky alone, with what kind of mood?

  "Who?!" A low, cautious shout startled her, and the patrol guards quickly approached with lanterns raised to shine on her face.

  "It's all right, you can continue with the patrol." The voice that had spoken first relaxed and whispered to stop the guards who were getting too close.

  Meili's eyes adapted to the brightness, and the guards also lined up in a row and exited the small courtyard. As the light dimmed, she saw the newcomer more clearly.

  Stardust-like brightness shone on his body, the young and handsome face outlined a pleasant arc, under the dark shadow of long eyelashes, clear and friendly eyes held a shallow smile, it was him, Yonghe.

  As the night wind blew, she felt a coolness on her face and suddenly realized that tears were still hanging on her face without being wiped away. She hastily raised her hand to wipe them with her sleeve.

  Yonghe... She felt a wave of embarrassment, recalling the conversation between her ancestors and Ying Ruo Fu Jin, Ying Ruo Fu Jin's expression... She couldn't be as calm and composed in front of him as she used to. He... Would he still treat her with the same kindness as when they first met? Or would he resent her, hate her, for all the troubles and worries she had brought upon him?

  She slowly lowered her head, not daring to look at his handsome face again.

  "You..." He furrowed his brow, his voice low and husky.

  Mei's heart ached with bitterness and anguish because of his tone, he no longer smiled at her.

  "Aren't you cold?" he asked with concern.

  Meili was slightly startled, and she looked up at him with a dazed expression. He was looking at her with a disapproving face, and when their eyes met, he seemed to flinch slightly, and she also felt a bit embarrassed, quickly shifting her gaze away.

  The starlight also shone softly on her.

  She was as delicate and weak as when he first saw her. Everyone said that Su Ying was beautiful, but when he entered the old ancestral temple, among the women with sparkling eyes and jewelry, she lowered her head, with only a elegant flower on her long black hair, her small face was slightly tilted down, he didn't know how he did it, but he clearly saw her long eyelashes fluttering gently, Su Ying... who could compare to her beauty?!

  When she heard Lao Zu and E Niang discussing him, her bright, sparkling eyes with a hint of water light quickly glanced over at him, but he actually tensed up and intentionally looked away, his heart... racing.

  When the frail and weak her, pale face let the imperial physician treat the bloody wound, tightly biting the cherry red lips, refusing to cry out in pain with a stubborn expression, yet deeply stabbed his heart. Having just seen Su Ying's pear flower-like tears, his heart also felt a few points of pity, but she... made his heart ache even more.

  There were so many rumors about her, so vicious, that he too had sneered at her when he hadn't seen her, and had joked and teased along with everyone else. But when he really saw her face...he couldn't laugh, and was even furious at the numerous sharp-tongued jokes about her.

  What she said was so unbearable... In fact, she's just a poor girl who has nothing! Perhaps it's because of her weakness and lack of support that everyone dares to hurt her even more, the cruel and ruthless nobles, how can he not understand? If she were the emperor's own sister, who would dare say such things about her?!

  She half-lowered her eyes and shook her head, and the soft and smooth long hair that came down with the loosening of her bun also floated gently. His heart softened, and he almost wanted to reach out and touch that silky black hair.

  "Are you... on night shift again?" The silence in the darkness was awkward, she made small talk.

  "You're not even daring to sleep?"

  She smiled and he said what was on his mind again, though... it's quite intimate.

  When he saw her smile, he couldn't help but smile too.

  She looked at his handsome smiling face, and her chest felt a bit stuffy. He still didn't know the old ancestor's thoughts, she suddenly felt a little reluctant, when he knew, she would lose this friend too.

  "You can't always be like this, I'm on shift, tomorrow you can rest, what about you?" He worried for her.

  "It's okay." She turned away, not wanting to say more. If he regretted what he said tonight, her non-participation would make it easier for her later. "I'm going inside." She smiled faintly, her face half-lowered.

  "Hmm..." He hesitated for a moment, "It's still a long time before dawn, what can you do to stay awake?"

  His sincerity pained her heart, "I...do some needlework, read a bit."

  He didn't want to call out to her again either, and let out a sigh.

  "Don't worry, when you're no longer afraid, you won't have nightmares anymore." He realized as he spoke that he had already said this to her before.

  She turned back and smiled gratefully.

  "Wait for me!" He suddenly remembered something and hastily turned around and ran.

  As she gazed at his back disappearing into the night, she genuinely smiled. He was truly a good person, with a childlike enthusiasm.

  After a while, he ran back panting and handed her a book. "This is a collection of jokes and funny stories circulating among the people. When you're bored at night and can't sleep, read this and it'll make you laugh so much that you won't feel sleepy."

  She silently clenched the book in her hand.

  "You see, if you think it's interesting, there are many more in the book market, I've bought them all. However, you must get better before finishing reading all of them!" He instructed, saying it with a serious tone.

  She nodded and said "thank..."

  He hastily waved his hand, not wanting to hear her say thank you. "I'm going on patrol, you should also hurry inside."

  She watched him walk away quickly, and couldn't help but lift her head again to gaze at the night sky. The stars of spring were indeed beautiful. She let out a long sigh, if only she could always be under such a beautiful starry sky... it would be great.