Mentioning Verdant, Tanya's brows furrowed slightly.

“How is she doing now?” Tanya casually finished the pastry in her hand, her gaze not lingering on Tiffany.

“Verdant said,” Tiffany raised her eyebrows, seemingly reluctant, and finally gritted her silver teeth to speak, “Verdant wants the Empress to release her now, or it will bring a crisis to the Empress.”

At these words, Tanya’s beautiful eyes narrowed deeply, and the coldness around her suddenly intensified. “Oh? She said that?”

Tiffany trembled slightly, quickly dropping to her knees. “Your Highness, there may truly be a misunderstanding between you and Verdant. Verdant genuinely trusts you, and begs for a chance to explain her side.”

Tanya picked up a celadon cup from the table. “What does it matter to me if she is misunderstood?”

After saying this, she took a sip, the fragrance of tea wafting through the air.

Tiffany curled up, her jade fingers digging tightly into the redwood floor beneath her, her shoulders trembling. “I understand.”

As night fell, the chill in the palace increased. Tanya allowed Tiffany to light a white candle, placing it on the table in the inner chamber.

The sky opened up into a pitch-black expanse, and the coldness struck Tanya's delicate face. She tightened the thin shawl around her shoulders, gazing at the moonlight. “You know, Eunuch Belmont just said the Emperor wanted me to recite The Book of Her Wisdom, yet today it has changed.”

Tanya tilted her head back, her gaze lingering on the bright moon in the sky.

“Your Highness…” Tiffany hesitated, thinking Tanya was troubled by her confinement, a shadow of worry crossing her brow.

Tanya looked seriously ahead, where there was a space only she could see.

A faint smile appeared on her face, which Tiffany noticed, her own expression clouded with concern. “Your Highness… don’t think too much. It’s chilly outside; let’s go inside.”

It took Tanya a moment, hearing Tiffany call her name twice before she finally snapped back to reality. “What did you say?”

“Please don’t be so downcast, Your Highness. Tiffany feels upset seeing you like this. Fragrance Hall is quite nice—there are snow-laden plum blossoms in winter and peach trees in summer. You must take care of yourself.” Tiffany's eyes were already brimming with tears as she spoke.

“Ha? I… I’m not upset.”

“Your Highness, you’re being stubborn. If you weren’t worried, why would you gaze sorrowfully at the moon? Why would you mention the Emperor's decree? Isn’t it because you’re reminiscing about the radiant times spent together with him?” Tiffany’s tears could no longer be contained, spilling over onto her delicate cheeks.

Tanya’s lips twitched…

Tiffany… I’m just watching the bullet comments!

[Fan] Empty Account: Hahaha, what is Tiffany thinking?!

[Fan] Whales: Where are we in the plot?

[Fan] Red Fruit: The female lead has entered the cold palace; is the obstacle a moral decline or a distortion of humanity?

...

For several days, Tanya's life was relatively bearable. Little Eunuch Yew had been arranged to another place early by Heliam, presumably locked up in prison.

Under the bright sun, there was a commotion outside Fragrance Hall. Before Tanya could step out to see, a weak figure was thrown into the hall.

“Go inside, and behave.”

“Who is it? Although Fragrance Hall has become a cold palace, it’s not a place for just anyone to enter, is it?” Tanya strode forward, her beautiful eyes narrowed.

“Reporting to Lady Vivienne, I am here under the Emperor’s order to return this dog servant to Fragrance Hall.” The leading guard spoke sternly, his tone icy, causing Tanya to feel displeased.

“What dog servant? Are the servants in my palace to be called that by you guards…”

Tanya’s gaze fixed on the frail figure on the ground, dressed in dark eunuch robes, his lips pale as he held his head tightly.

It was Little Eunuch Yew.

“Oh, I don’t know this person. You can take him away.” Tanya turned coldly.

“Please spare me, Your Highness… I beg you to save Little Eunuch Yew’s life. Little Eunuch Yew is willing to serve you faithfully, just asking to stay in Fragrance Hall. It’s all my fault, I’m the dog servant!” Little Eunuch Yew rushed forward, grasping Tanya’s slender leg, tears streaming down his face.

The guard also showed a difficult expression. “Your Highness… this is the Emperor’s wish. We hope you will not make things difficult for us.”

“What does the Emperor’s wish mean? To place a servant who slandered me in my Fragrance Hall? I don’t want to starve to death here.”

Tanya's delicate brows were tinged with anger, and the atmosphere around her suddenly chilled.

“We are only carrying out orders. Your Highness, please stay well.” The guard bowed low and retreated with the others, inciting Tanya’s rising anger.

“Your Highness… what about Little Eunuch Yew…” Tiffany timidly interjected, her voice softening.

“Throw him into the firewood room.” Tanya replied irritably.

Tiffany hesitated, “But Your Highness… Verdant is also in the firewood room.”

Tanya pondered for a moment, her brows knitting again. “Then bring Verdant out and throw this person in.”

The moonlight was sparse, and after days without news from the outside, Tanya couldn’t help but feel anxious, her dark brows tightly furrowed as she strolled through the garden.

Verdant had been released in the morning, and Tanya hadn’t spoken much to her. Now, whenever Tiffany had free time, she would look after Verdant in the room.

“The temperature in the deep palace drops lower by the day; a thin shirt won’t be enough to fend off this harsh winter.” Tanya muttered to herself, her peach blossom eyes sparkling beautifully in the night.

A soft sound drew Tanya’s attention.

Tanya's gaze shifted slightly as a faint sound of footsteps approached. Before she could react, she was pulled into a strong embrace.

“It’s me.” His deep voice was like a melodious concerto, wrapping around Tanya's ears, leaving her with a sense of comfort.

“What are you doing here, Guard Alexander?” Tanya turned around, the dazzling silver armor gleaming in her eyes, the light dancing in a way that captivated her.

She remembered they had been in a disagreement.

“My little maid is lost; I came to find her.” The moonlight highlighted the handsome contours of his profile, like a masterpiece from the most skilled artist.

“How could your little maid be lost here…” Tanya suddenly realized, pouting her small face.

“You’re the little maid!”

Alexander chuckled lowly, his smile refined, the perfect curve of his jaw resembling the finest jade.

“I came to find her.” Alexander narrowed his eyes, his gaze flicking over Tanya.

Tanya raised her eyebrows in triumph. “What do you want her for?”

“To wash clothes.”

“…” She truly felt defeated by this man!

In the distance, flickering lights appeared, shimmering like stars in the night, and Tanya pondered, “Why are there still people lighting torches at this hour…”

Before she could finish, Alexander wrapped his broad hand around her waist and led her into the inner chamber.

He extinguished the only white candle, covering Tanya's lips with his hand, peering through the paper window.

“Lady Vivienne, we come in the Emperor's name to take you to a certain place. May we trouble you to open the door?”

A rough voice came from outside. Tanya instinctively frowned and moved to push the door open to investigate, but Alexander held her tighter.

“Are you thinking of going out when there’s about to be a fight outside? Truly a little maid, with a wooden head!”

Alexander whispered reproachfully in her ear. Tanya looked up just in time to meet his eyes. “What’s happening?”

Alexander’s expression darkened. “You don’t know?”

Tanya shook her head. “Of course not! I’ve been stuck in this wretched place for days; how would I know?”

“Southland is in rebellion. Heliam is surrounded on all sides; the Southland rebels, along with several foreign nations, are demanding Heliam hand you over.” Alexander’s voice was grave.

“Who do they want?” Tanya asked instinctively.

“Of course, they want you.” Alexander glanced at her, a hint of disdain in his eyes.

Tanya collected her thoughts. “You mean to say that people from several countries are waiting outside for me, and Heliam is out there negotiating with them to protect me?”

“Not too dim,” Alexander smirked, a glimmer of light in his eyes. “But I must make it clear: you’re saved by me, and it has nothing to do with Heliam. You owe me a favor.”

Tanya regarded him seriously. “Childish.”

The rough voices outside grew louder, and Tanya anxiously bit her lip. “What do we do now? If Heliam can’t hold out, he’ll definitely hand me over.”

Her slender fingers twisted the pale pink sleeves of her robe as she paced, the moonlight streaming through the window, illuminating her bright eyes like stars in the sky, sparkling brilliantly.

“Come here.” Alexander extended his long arm, pulling Tanya into his embrace again, then poked a small hole in the paper window. “Can you see clearly outside now?”

Tanya looked seriously for a moment. “I can see clearly. Why are there so many torches outside? Are they coming to attack?”

“Do you have to be so cowardly, little maid?” Alexander sighed in exasperation. “With me here, who would dare to harm you?”

Tanya widened her eyes. “Are you going out for me?”

Alexander’s lips curled into a cold smile, his silver armor glinting more sharply in the moonlight. “Go by yourself.”

“Then why comfort me so much! Are you playing with me?” Tanya’s delicate face was filled with despair.

“Do you believe me?”

Alexander’s indifferent voice came from above. Tanya paused. “What does believing you have to do with this?”

His eyes curved with disdain, pulling Tanya back toward the thumb-sized hole in the window. “When they come for you, let them take you. No matter what, do as they say. With me here, I won’t let anyone harm you.”

Tanya struggled to voice her concerns but, seeing Alexander’s serious expression, she finally nodded firmly.