Chapter Eighteen: The Sky Takes on a Strange Hue

"Rise, no need for formalities," Ji Wuqing lifted his gaze to Yan Consort, and for reasons unknown, Blood Snow sensed a faint displeasure emanating from him. "It’s late, Lady Yan. Why are you not staying in your own palace?"

Hearing the words "Lady Yan," no matter how much Yan Consort tried to smile, she could not hide the crack in her composure. She froze, her smile demure but forced. "Your Majesty, I was on my way to beg forgiveness from the Queen. I know I committed a grave offense today and my heart is uneasy about it. After much thought, I decided a personal visit would show my sincerity. I did not know Your Majesty and Her Majesty would be here… I have overstepped."

She spoke cleverly, her eyes drifting toward Blood Snow, humility written across her face as she gauged her reaction.

"The night is cold and deep. Lady Yan, you’d best return," Blood Snow graciously addressed her by her title, knowing the decree for her demotion would not be issued until the next day. Until then, she remained Yan Consort.

"Your Majesty…" Yan Consort seemed to want to say more, but Blood Snow had no patience for unnecessary words and gave her no chance to speak. "Lady Yan, you worry too much. Such trivial matters do not trouble me."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your understanding. That sets my mind at ease." Yan Consort curtsied, then stepped aside to let them pass.

The path wound along the lakeside, exquisitely fashioned but still too narrow. Blood Snow walked past Yan Consort with composure, but Yan Consort’s expression shifted, and she suddenly let out a sharp cry, nearly collapsing.

"What’s wrong, Lady Yan? Are you feeling unwell?" Blood Snow, quick and deft, caught her. Facing Yan Consort, her silent, hollow eyes seemed to radiate a thousand beams of icy light, startling Yan Consort, who was closest to her. "I thought you were clever, but it seems I overestimated you," she murmured, her voice so low that none around could hear.

"Th-thank you, Your Majesty. I merely felt a sudden discomfort." Yan Consort turned her head, uneasy. The Queen before her was once again serene, as if the earlier moment had been nothing but a figment of her imagination.

She had acted rashly. It was only a whim, and she had not expected herself to be so impulsive one day. The source of this impulse was the girl before her, calm as still water.

"In that case, Lady Yan should rest well in her own palace these next few days, and refrain from tiring herself with outings," Ji Wuqing said, his expression dark, but his eyes smiling.

"Yes," Yan Consort’s face paled, a beauty repeatedly startled.

Watching their figures depart, Yan Consort’s lips curled subtly, her delicate hands clenched tightly into fists.

No hurry—the days ahead are long.

Inside the vast hall, square lanterns veiled in red silk were lit, winding their golden glow throughout. The tables, chairs, and walls shimmered with gold and silver, heavy black drapes gathered beside carved golden pillars—luxury to the point of excess.

Blood Snow faced a table laden with delicacies, feeling somewhat troubled. So, she had been summoned here merely to dine?

But in such a place, how could one summon any appetite? Though she could not see, the emptiness and cold still pressed upon her keenly.

It felt as if someone had locked her unexpectedly in a dark room—endless dread and darkness rushing in, suffocating her.

Was this Ji Wuqing’s bedchamber? Truly unique, much like the man himself—deep and unfathomable, concealed and mysterious.

She carefully observed her surroundings, but all was quiet, not a sound to be heard.

"Your Majesty?" Blood Snow was deeply puzzled. What was Ji Wuqing planning?

"How do you feel, Xue’er?" Ji Wuqing, silent as a shadow, stood at her side, studying her with a smile upon his flawless face.

Blood Snow was startled—she had not noticed him approach.

"Does Your Majesty refer to the dishes? They are, of course, excellent." She calmed herself, betraying no confusion, inwardly noting Ji Wuqing’s extraordinary skill. She had always been confident in her hearing.

"In that case, why has Xue’er not begun to eat?" Ji Wuqing sat opposite her, propping his head with his hand, watching her serene countenance.

Blood Snow made no fuss, picking up her chopsticks and choosing dishes, accurately bringing them to her lips. She chewed slowly, paying no mind to the gaze cast her way, only moving her jaw with quiet grace.

At last, the sumptuous dinner ended in this atmosphere of calm and unease.

"Why did Your Majesty not eat?" After the meal, Blood Snow wiped her mouth elegantly, asking the silent Ji Wuqing across from her.

"Merely watching Xue’er, so beautiful, I have no need for food," he replied, his words tinged with ambiguity yet spoken with unusual seriousness, leaving Blood Snow uncertain of his intent.

"Your Majesty, I must disagree. The palace is filled with beauties—if that were so, would Your Majesty never need to eat at all?" She countered his teasing with poise, her face adorned with a gentle smile.

Her smile was delicate and pure, like a lotus emerging from water, naturally sculpted.

"What are you saying, Xue’er? I detect a hint of jealousy," Ji Wuqing’s mood seemed to improve as he watched her smile. He walked to Blood Snow’s side and suddenly drew her into his embrace. "No need for jealousy—in my eyes, only Xue’er’s beauty is worthy. None else compare."

Blood Snow found herself inexplicably in Ji Wuqing’s arms, unable to grasp his meaning. He, usually so dignified, was uncharacteristically strange tonight.

Just as she pondered this, Ji Wuqing gently lifted her into his arms and strode toward the bedchamber. The suddenness startled Blood Snow, who instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck. At the same time, a sense of foreboding settled in her heart.

It was the weather—it was changing…

"Your Majesty, I should return to Snow Palace. Would I not disturb your affairs here?"

"There are no affairs tonight. Xue’er is my business tonight."

"Your Majesty, little Xi’er is likely making trouble in the palace, I…"

"No matter. Xi’er is well-behaved today, and there are attendants to watch over her. Xue’er need not worry."

"Your Majesty, I fear tonight may be inconvenient for me…"

"Does Xue’er dislike me so?"

Ji Wuqing’s words cut off anything she wished to say. Her head was pressed tightly against his chest, hidden beneath her fringe, beads of sweat forming on her brow. She seemed to be suppressing something, her teeth biting hard into her lower lip until blood seeped out. Her arms around Ji Wuqing’s neck tightened uncontrollably, turning pale.

Yet Ji Wuqing seemed not to notice, simply holding her as he sat on the grand bed in the bedchamber.

Blood Snow sat in his lap, her head pressed against his chest, hands gripping his shoulders to support herself.

"Your Majesty, has the weather outside… changed?" It must have; otherwise, how could such abnormality occur?

Outside the window, the sky was dark, the stars long gone.