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When night fell, fiery sparks of golden, vermillion and green ignited against the backdrop of the dark sky. They bloomed uniformly like beautiful flowers above the pavilion in the imperial garden, embellishing the otherwise black sky with an array of colors. The vivid colors reflected on the surface on the calm jade lake, glistening in all its glory.

That fireworks spread out in the sky. The royal couple stood at the water pavilion with a smile as they admired the scene that unfolded before their very eyes. The lady donned in lavish dress and jewelry looked up. Though vivid, the colors in the sky was nothing compared to the radiance in her eyes.

She looked at the fireworks, but her gaze landed on the horizon.

At the corner of the water pavilion, a man clothed in a black embroidered robe had his hands behind his back, refusing to participate in the splendor that this feast brought. He stood quietly like a rock, gazing at that slim back.

Further down, in a certain part of the palace, a man dressed as a lady watched the sky still. In his eyes, one could see the troubles hidden in his heart.

Zhao Ning Year 12, winter. The last of the fireworks vanished into nothingness.

Outside the bustling palace, Little Seven waited painfully at the market for Eunuch Zhao.

He waited for the entire night without a single bite of food or a drop of water. Some people, who couldn't bear watching him, tried to persuade him. ”Today is the ceremony where the Empress is crowned. Eunuch Zhao is definitely swamped with work. You should go back first and come back to wait for him tomorrow.”

Little Seven nodded and continued to wait. After all, where else could he return to?

At night, though it was not Eunuch Zhao, Eunuch Li from the palace came to recruit eunuchs to do hard labor.

Unlike the hard labor outside, those who had been recruited into the palace for hard labor were required to remove an organ for a man, which most workers were unwilling to do so. Normal eunuchs were also unable to carry out hard labor. 'What a tough chore.'

He had unintentionally noticed the confused Little Seven squatting in a corner. Even though he was young, it was obvious that he had a well-trained body. His eyes lit up as he went up to ask, ”We need some laborers, do you want to go?”

Little Seven beamed. Laborers, the last time Eunuch Zhao also asked him if he wanted to enter the palace as a laborer. He was afraid that he would have to be a eunuch and especially clarified with Eunuch Zhao. Since he didn't have to become a eunuch, he, of course, was doing it.

He had been on the street for a long time and somewhat had acquainted with the treacherous aspect of human nature. Carefully, he inquired once more. ”Labourer?”

”Labourer, the ones that do hard labor,” replied Eunuch Li.

”I'll go!”

”Sure.” Eunuch Li smiled widely. ”I still have some stuff to settle. I'll give you a list, and you can go outside the palace to look for me. My surname is Li.”

Little Seven nodded as he kept the list while strutting along. 'Where should I sleep tonight? There is a bridge near the Nation Protecting Temple, which keeps the wind out. I guess I'll sleep there tonight.'

He had no money — he had worked for three days and left without getting paid. Furthermore, he had forgotten what money even looked like.

Little Seven plodded on the long streets. He was elated that he had a sheltered place to stay tonight, elated that he could enter the palace tomorrow to find Meng Fuyao.

After she whipped him, he could then return to look for His Majesty.

Not far from the Nation Protecting Temple is the palace. Right in front was the intersection.

On the long lonely street, the lanterns lit up the crow-black road. The sides on the road were littered with withering sunflowers that could not withstand the cold, bitter winter. The corners of the golden petals curled slightly as they unwillingly descended onto the ground, shivering in the brutal weather. As the heavy footsteps of passersby trampled over it, desolation fell.

Zhan Beiye was on his way back from the palace.

The hooves of his horse flattened the flowers on the ground. The soldiers from the Black Wind Calvary followed behind him, treading over eggshells.

Regardless, His Majesty was definitely in a bad mood. All of his 'unbothered' display or 'unperturbed' behaviors were all mere acts to not affect Meng Fuyao's plans. Which man on this earth would be unmoved upon seeing the love of his life standing beside another man, getting married? Which man would be able to happily congratulate the woman he loved marrying another man, even if it was fake?

He wanted to Xuanyuan to be in trouble, but yet, in his heart, how could he not have wished for the reply to contain another answer?

The soldiers of the Black Wind Calvary remained silent as they thought about Little Seven being chased away, Commander Ji Yu breaking his arm and leaving for Chang Han. His Majesty's right and left-hand men all left because of the King of Han… His Majesty, too lonely…

Zhan Beiye did not utter a single word as he waved his whip absentmindedly.

A figure that had his head down suddenly passed by his horse with ragged and shabby clothes.

Zhan Beiye froze! This figure resembled Little Seven.

Then, he quickly dismissed that thought with a smile. Little Seven did not hang his head down in his entire life. This fiercely, stubborn child would never bend down his neck. He would always joke that his neck was made with gold and he would rather break than bending it.

The shabbily-dressed man brushed past quickly with his head lowered. As he walked past, his head tilted to the side to rub against his own shoulder.

Zhan Beiye was shocked!

A certain someone had a pitiable birth and was raised up by wolves. The habits of an animal that was deeply ingrained with him could not be changed with the experiences he had living amongst people. When his neck itched, he would move his head to rub it against his shoulders, forgetting that he could use his hands.

Little Seven!

Zhan Beiye grabbed the shoulder of the figure.