Chapter 5, Ziyu

"There is no need for your false kindness!" Ziyu shot her a glare, unappreciative.

After Granny Wei left, Ziqing once again scrutinized Ziyu, who had his eyes tightly shut and clearly had not fallen asleep, indicating that he did not wish to pay her any attention

Old Madam Wei served her porridge, "Miss, you must force yourself to eat a little. You haven't had any food or water for over ten days, and now you can only drink porridge"

He is the child of a prince and a woman of low status, and his position in the princess's royal residence is undoubtedly precarious. Even his prince father has been scolded mercilessly by the princess and does not dare to confront her directly, let alone him

Everyone had fallen asleep, including the two maids on duty who were slumped against the intricately carved partition in a deep slumber. The silence of the night was suffocating for her. Having always lived amidst the omnipresent noise of the city, the sudden absence of car horns and the faint sounds of the market made her feel... instead, the quiet was terrifying.

How old were you that year

Two maids brought in a beautifully crafted small kang table, which was laden with what appeared to be very delicious food

"Go on, go on. You look tired, your complexion is not good at all," Zhiqing said enthusiastically

"You should go to sleep, I'm fine now," she said apologetically, feeling embarrassed for causing so much trouble.

This time, Ziyu found himself unable to sleep as he silently gazed at the sleeping Ziqing. She, who had been injured and lost her memory, appeared so endearing. If he had had such an elder sister from the very beginning, perhaps his heart would not have been filled with despair and resentment

Zi Qing could not help but turn around, while Zi Yu wore a serious expression, arms crossed, staring blankly at the flickering candlelight. Granny Wei leaned wearily against the bed railing, drowsy and on the verge of sleep.

Ziyu furrowed her brows more tightly

He initially wanted to break free, but he unexpectedly found himself so easily enchanted by her; her tight embrace of his arm reminded him of his mother

This is you, stabbing me with an iron fork alongside Princess Ziqing! It is precisely because I am an illegitimate child, unworthy of sharing the same noble bloodline as you! You would be delighted to see me dead!

Seeing the tears in her eyes and her fragile expression left Ziyu in a daze

Zi Yu looked at her in anger, but instead, he sneered. "Indeed, whether your intentions are genuine or not, I cannot compromise my own well-being." Saying this, he walked over and lay down with his back to Zi Qing.

She simply cannot untangle this mess

After a long while, no one spoke, nor did anyone leave

Originally, I intended for us to sleep separately and quietly get through the night. However, she, who never suffers from insomnia, found herself unable to feel sleepy any longer. Indeed, how could one possibly sleep soundly in such a situation upon opening their eyes? What kind of thick nerves would that require?

Ziqing nodded

"As you wish, as you wish! I only laid this out for you because I saw you were uncomfortable sitting. Fine, consider it my false kindness." After being rejected by him repeatedly, she became angry.

If her injury heals and she remembers the past, will she become that crazy woman like her mother again

"I won't ... ..." Ziqing wanted to argue a bit more, but upon seeing his gaze, she felt a bit angry and said, "Do as you please!" She turned over in a huff and lay down.

After hearing such warm words, Ziqing felt a bit like crying again

Ziqing was stunned. Were the wounds on this resentful youth truly inflicted by "her"?

After sending off the Grand Princess, Lady Wei walked anxiously to the bedside and leaned down to touch Ziqing's forehead

If... she changed the subject, she couldn't clarify the issue about her parents with him. "Aren't you afraid, suddenly finding yourself in a completely unfamiliar place, surrounded by strangers?"

I am Granny Wei, who has raised you since childhood. Even if you do not remember me, you should still feel a sense of familiarity, shouldn't you? Please do not cry, as it is not good for your health

"Did we really have such a deep grudge before!" she couldn't help but exclaim, "I don't remember anything! Here, you, Prince and Princess! Everything... I don't know why! I don't understand why you hate me so much!"

It is truly pitiful; a twelve-year-old child losing his mother is painful enough, and suddenly finding himself in an environment filled with hostility. One can imagine that the Grand Princess must be exceedingly harsh towards him, venting all her frustrations on this innocent child. Lady Wei has been quite kind to her, yet she is intentionally or unintentionally very indifferent towards him.

Ziqing felt a pang in her nose, "Don't worry, I can't remember anything, but I'm perfectly fine, I... I won't cry anymore." She said she wouldn't cry, yet tears welled up in her eyes, and she quickly held them back.

Stop tormenting yourself! It is yet again that unbearable, resentful voice. Ziyu had unknowingly approached her from behind, expressing his disdain for her capriciousness. Could she not simply lie down in bed honestly and leave him be?

Zi Yu still has not responded

"I'm sorry..." she said, tears streaming down her face, "It must hurt, right? It must hurt a lot!"

Ziqing recalled Prince Shun and the Grand Princess, sighing, he has misunderstood again. Such parents truly make it difficult to feel close to them

Delicious

Zi Yu walked in with a stern expression, silently taking a seat in the chair farthest from her, not even glancing in her direction

Is there really such a thing as time-space interleaving? Did the one living in 2007 die? Where is this place? What era is it? Who is she? Can she go back?

Ziqing lowered her eyes in grievance; apart from Granny Wei, everyone else treated her with coldness and disdain. She had done nothing wrong.

Zi Yu was frozen in place, and what emanated from her small body was unexpectedly a long-lost warmth

"Gege, aren't you going to eat?" Wei Mama instructed the maid to remove the table, while she herself sat by the bedside, showing no intention of leaving

Ziqing sniffed and nodded slightly

In this silent space, it seems as if only she exists

Without the reflection of neon lights, without the obstruction of skyscrapers, and without the myriad lights of residential areas... there is nothing but the night. She gazes into the distance, and all she sees are layers upon layers of rooftops devoid of light

It seems that she arrived here inexplicably; although it felt very frightening to her, the specific details of life were too satisfying.

No one has a soothing effect on her helpless soul. It is either a forced response or a lack of understanding.

"As soon as I leave, you will report to your mother again, won't you?" Ziyu scoffed, curling his lip; hasn't he been fooled enough already?

"Your mother asked me to stay here and keep watch, in case you cry again in the middle of the night, so that I can immediately summon the imperial physician!" he replied in a harsh tone

She quietly got out of bed, tiptoeing past Ziyu. The night breeze was quite cool, yet she could not help but think of going to the courtyard to take a look at the distance

Zi Qing took a sip of porridge and couldn't help but smile with joy. There was no way around it; whenever she ate something delicious, she felt very happy, reflecting her low expectations of life

Zi Yu did not respond, only letting out a hum.

In this indifferent environment among people, she feels afraid! Some people are high and mighty, while others are subservient. Some people insult others wantonly, and there are those who endure in silence. Yet these people seem to be her "relatives"!

Just lie down here. Ziqing kindly took one of her own pillows and placed it on the floor mat

She couldn't help but let out a soft sigh, murmuring to herself: "I miss my mom and dad; they must be worried sick... How did I get here? How did I end up in this place? Why can't I remember anything?" She sniffled, holding back her tears, fearing that if she cried, a crowd would make a fuss again.

I am sorry! She sincerely embraced him tightly, and although it should not have been her to apologize, she still felt guilty. A girl had done such a cruel thing to him, and even as an onlooker, she could not bear it.

"You should go to sleep too, I won't tell on you." She wanted him to believe her

"Dad, Mom?" Ziyu, who had been pretending to sleep with his back turned to her, finally spoke coldly. "Are you referring to Father and Mother? It's quite something that you would still think of them at this time." His tone was filled with sarcasm.

"Are you hungry? First, have a sip of water." As Wei Mama turned around, the sharp-eyed maid Qingqing had already brought a cup of tea and handed it to her.

Ziqing finished a bowl of porridge, and when she looked up to ask for more, she saw Ziyu. He was probably around fourteen or fifteen years old, with a mature demeanor for his age. The corners of his tightly pressed lips seemed to suggest that he was enduring humiliation and bearing a heavy burden.

Old Madam Wei suddenly opened her eyes wide and, after a moment of realization, said: "Miss, do not worry about this old servant; you have just recovered a bit, and I must keep watch over you"

Ziqing fell into a deep sleep. The crying had exhausted her strength. Fortunately, Ziyu's attitude towards her had changed; the look in his eyes was no longer one of deep hatred. Just this alone allowed her to sleep peacefully. She had made her first friend, hadn't she

Zi Yu remained stiff, and after a long while, there was still no sound. Zi Qing rolled her eyes in disappointment, turned over to face the bed, and could only sit in a daze, as communicating with him was too difficult

"Are you asleep?" she asked Ziyu softly, but there was no response

The resentment on his face caused her heart to ache deeply, he was so pitiful, so pitiful... a hundred times more pitiful than she was now. Beneath the facade of indifference and resentment lies the maturity that was forced out of him after enduring so much pain and torment

I, "Zi Yu suddenly said in a low voice, Zi Qing was somewhat surprised, holding her breath to listen to what he had to say. "I am also afraid. Mother is dead, and Father..." He paused, acknowledging that his useless father indeed had nothing good to say. "All I see are disdainful looks... They, those legitimate princes, all think I am just a bastard..." His voice drifted off, clearly lost in his own memories.

The night here is exceptionally tranquil, with the distant sound of the gong announcing the hour. That fleeting and hollow sound makes the world seem even more desolate

It is no wonder that he harbors such animosity towards "her," keeping his own heart tightly guarded, fearing the possibility of being hurt

Zi Qing sat up, took the cup, and had a sip. It was really delicious! She almost cheered out loud

Seeing him frown and glare at her, Ziqing truly felt a sense of despair. Could it be that he and she could not interact normally? Setting aside their relationship as siblings, even if they were merely strangers who had just met, she had made such an effort to get close to him, yet he still should not dislike her so much!

Ziqing gently nudged Granny Wei, "You should go to sleep as well." She advised her with reluctance.

This ... ... Wei Mama is truly exhausted, hesitating.

Ziqing waved to the two maidservants, "Bring several thick quilts and spread them on the floor"

This magnificent royal residence is filled with coldness, and no matter how many servants there are, they cannot warm the familial bonds that have grown so cold as to verge on hatred

The moonlight tonight is beautiful; she marvels at the purity of the sky here, and the air is filled with unpolluted freshness

Ziqing glared at his back with indignation, what a difficult child! Could it be that he has a deep grudge against "her"? It shouldn't be, after all, they are siblings. But recalling the way the eldest princess scolded him while pointing at his nose, she was no longer so certain.

Zi Yu also became agitated, suddenly pulling open his robe to reveal two deep wounds on his chest. The wounds were so terrifying that they must have penetrated deep into the chest cavity at the time, posing a life-threatening risk.

He had never seen such a heart-wrenching fragility in "Ziqing's" eyes. He knew she was originally very beautiful, but because of her humiliation towards him, her arrogance had reached an unreasonable level of wantonness, and he had never found her beautiful.

Aren't you going to sleep?" Ziqing deliberately spoke to him in a warm tone. Although she did not know him well, he should be the illegitimate son of the prince mentioned by the eldest princess, and it must be difficult for someone so young to live in such a complicated family.

twelve

At this moment, under the moonlight, silently shedding tears, with a face full of helplessness and confusion, he is reminded of his own arrival at the Wang residence, and it also makes her beauty evoke an inexplicable pity.

The maid swiftly laid out the bedding under her bed

How could this be? How is this possible?

Seeing his tall figure half-reclining in the cold, hard mahogany chair, Ziqing could not bear to be angry with him; after all, he was still just a child. In her time, he would probably still be in high school.

If it is delicious, eat more! Seeing her enjoy the food so much, Granny Wei also became happy, her face filled with smiles

Fortunately, there is no fever. Gege, I know that you are a bit scared because you don't remember anything right now. But don't cry, it would be such a pity for your beautiful eyes to become swollen from crying

Ziqing stared blankly, still wanting to hear him speak, but he fell silent again, seemingly holding back. Given their situation, it must have been quite difficult for him to say those things to her. Ziqing looked at him with sympathy

Seeing how concerned Gege was for her, Wei Mama's eyes also turned red. "The old servant is in the next room. If you need anything, just have the little maid wake me up," she said, pointing to the maid standing by the partition with the outer room.

Aren't you really leaving?" she asked again, not willing to give up