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Meng Fuyao lost herself in that dream, that person's embrace, in the scent and body temperature that only belonged to him. That night, she dreamt of the most beautiful dream she ever had.

A dream like that.

As the daylight shone into that side of the bed, the warmth eventually cooled down, and the scent eventually dispersed.

Meng Fuyao did not get up but closed her eyes and lay on her stomach. It was as though as the warmth was still there, the scent still lingered; that scent was certainly odd. She always felt that it was a warm scent, yet today, as she smelled it on her blanket, there was a cold scent of snow. Or was it because the person that could bring her warmth had left?

The truth was that the previous night, she wasn't drunk at all.

Meng Fuyao knew that he was eventually going to leave and merely did not want to face it.

In her entire life, she had always been escaping with all her might, yet, ironically, she was terrified of separation—especially after such a lively reunion, the separation seemed all the more forlorn, like the fireworks in the sky that would eventually fade into nothingness. She would be left alone to pick up the empty dishes as the once warm and liveliness days slipped through her fingers.

But there were some things that one could not run away from in spite of fear. If she didn't get used to separation now, in the future, she would be even more lonely.

To hope that the sharp knife of time would cut away the scars burned one's heart.

Meng Fuyao got up and sat on the bed. On the bed, there was an impression left from him hugging her the entire time. She reached over in an attempt to smooth the bedsheets, but eventually, she stopped herself.

In the frivolous, fluttering sunlight, she sat there quietly for a moment. Then, she got up to wash up. Today was the day where an official position would be conferred upon her. After lazing around for so many days, it was time for her to show some respect to the new emperor and turn up in court.

After breakfast, she called Tie Cheng over and ordered him to bring a portion of guards with him to her fief in Changhan. Yao Xun had already brought the generous gifts Zhan Beiye granted to Changhan, but Tie Cheng refused the order and simply replied, ”Where you are will be where I am.”

Meng Fuyao could only say, ”Then you can stay home for today to arrange for someone to take care of Princess Ya. She has yet to wake up from her slumber after drinking last night, and Sir Zong is not around. Who knows where he is… I haven't hired a butler here, and now even Yao Xun is not around. You don't have to follow me to court.”

Tie Cheng thought about it and finally agreed. Meng Fuyao donned on her court robe and posed in front of the bronze mirror for a substantial amount of time before getting on to the sedan-chair and head to court. She was now very famous, and once she stepped out of the house, she would be recognized and surrounded. As such, she had especially customized a pair of black crystal sunglasses for herself, feeling like a big celebrity from her previous life.

The spring night was awfully short, while the days were painfully long. The King of Han rarely made an appearance in morning court, and when she finally made an appearance in the resting quarters for the high officials, officials, regardless of ranking, all got to their knees. Some of the newly appointed officials that did not recognize her quietly tugged on another to ask of her identity and then came to the realization. 'Oh, she is that General Meng that publicly announced on the city walls of her desire to be a traitor.'

Meng Fuyao sat in a corner, keeping a low profile as she sipped her tea, dealing with the never-ending people surging over to pay respects.

”Wishing your highness good health…”

”With pleasure, with pleasure, I'm already dying from an illness.”

”May it be auspicious for your highness…”

”With pleasure, with pleasure, the weather today is not bad.”

”Your Highness.”

”With pleasure, with-”

Meng Fuyao looked up upon hearing a familiar voice.

”His Majesty would like you to make a trip to his temporary residence, there is something he would like to discuss with you.”

Meng Fuyao stared suspiciously at Little Seven. 'What is it that Zhan Beiye cannot speak of in court or in the palace but have to specially go to his residence to talk?' But under the watchful gaze of the crowd, she could not question his order and could only nod her head.

Little Seven bowed and walked out with a poker face. Meng Fuyao watched his back as he left. Although she felt it was a little odd, but considering that this fellow never lied, she felt relieved; Afterall, this was probably some tricks Zhan Beiye came up with.

At this time, the golden clock chimed, and the officials entered the palace hall in an orderly manner. The tall dome that greeted everyone as they entered reflected the brilliant prestige of the emperor. They did not even dare to let out a soft cough. In the middle of the palace hall was a golden table and on it were golden files and a gold seal. Meng Fuyao stood in the middle, mindlessly counting the tiles on the floor as she waited. Her mind wandered as she did a random estimate of the weight of the gold seal sitting on the table when suddenly, an announcement by the eunuch interrupted her thought process. ”The Emperor has arrived-”

The officials immediately got on their knees once again. It was at this point Meng Fuyao realized an important issue… she had to bow down to this damn Zhan Beiye!

At this point, everyone in the palace hall was on their knees except for Meng Fuyao. The longer she stood there, the more she stuck out like a sore thumb. Meng Fuyao rubbed her nose and decided to slowly kneel down. Suddenly, she heard Zhan Beiye's low voice, asking, ”I've heard that recently official Meng's knees have been affected by the cold, are you fully healed?”

”Ah, Your Majesty.” Meng Fuyao smiled and immediately rubbed her knees. ”Ay, my old knees…”

The hundred of officials looked at the ”old knees” of this 18-year-old in contempt. Meng Fuyao remained unfazed as Zhan Beiye's dark eyes swept past her face. ”I shall pardon you from kneeling then.”

”Thank you for your understanding!” Meng Fuyao replied cheerily. It turned out that comrade Zhan Beiye could be quite obedient at times and perhaps, she could be a bit more gracious and forgive him a little.