Chapter 126: Nothing More Than This

Jasmine extinguished the lamp, closed the door firmly, and retreated on tiptoe.

In the pitch-black room, Guli stared at the canopy of her bed, her large eyes clear and wide. She tossed and turned for a long time; the night was far advanced, yet she remained wide awake.

Unable to bear the torment any longer, Guli sat up. She did not intend to call for Jasmine, so she fumbled in the dark, preparing to get up and light the lamp.

However, Jasmine was keeping watch outside. Knowing that the Princess had been in low spirits for the past two days, she was constantly attentive to any movement within the room. Upon hearing the rustling, she pushed the door open immediately.

"Your Highness."

Jasmine called out softly and hurriedly lit the lamp. As expected, she saw the Princess sitting blankly on the edge of the bed, her eyes unfocused, a sight that tugged at the heart.

"Your Highness."

Jasmine knew the Princess was suffering from insomnia again. Just as she was debating whether to offer some company to help her drift off, Guli stood up and headed straight for the door.

"Your Highness, where are you going so late at night?"

It was cold outside. Jasmine asked the question while hurriedly grabbing the cloak hanging by the bed, chasing after her to drape it over the Princess's shoulders.

The night was deep. Aside from the eunuchs and palace maids standing guard at the gates, everyone else had retired for the night, leaving the entire Cloud Mist Palace in complete silence.

Guli glanced toward the direction of the side hall, but it was obscured by high walls and roof tiles, rendering it invisible.

Pulling the cloak tighter around her, Guli walked straight toward the side hall.

"Your Highness!"

Jasmine was startled. How could the Princess go running to the side hall at such an hour? Furthermore, a grown man resided in that wing, and the Princess was dressed so lightly.

Guli was well aware of Jasmine's concerns. She turned back and commanded with a stern look, "Stay here. Do not follow me. I am just going to take a look."

"But it is so late, Your Highness, you..."

Jasmine had not realized the Princess's obsession with General Lie Changan had reached such a point; she had still been hoping to persuade the Princess to set her heart on someone else.

"I know," Guli replied with a faint smile. "It is late, everyone is asleep, and no one will see. Besides, he must be asleep as well. I just want to go over and take a look—just one look."

She only wished to stand in his courtyard, clinging to the humble hope that this slight proximity might alleviate the yearning and bitterness in her heart.

That was all.

Seeing this, Jasmine could not bear to dissuade her further. She nodded and stood obediently in place, watching the Princess enter the side hall.

The side hall was equally silent, save for the whistling of the cold wind. Beyond that, Guli could only hear the soft sound of her own footsteps. Xiao Qiu and Xiao Yan were both asleep in the adjoining rooms.

Lie Changan did not have the habit of keeping attendants to watch over him at night.

Guli walked into the courtyard and looked up at the room, only to freeze in surprise.

A light was still burning inside.

Why hadn't he extinguished the lamp? Was he still awake?

Guli couldn't help but lighten her steps, cautiously making her way beneath the window. Taking advantage of the narrow gap left open for ventilation due to the charcoal fire burning inside, she peered in. It was quiet, with no sound to be heard, but due to the angle, she could not tell whether Lie Changan had retired for the night or not.

Guli approached the door and leaned against it, listening intently for any movement inside. A moment later, she heard a faint, labored breath.

Guli was startled. What was wrong with him? Why did he sound so distressed, as if he were suppressing some form of agony?

Unable to contain her worry any longer, Guli's heart surged, and her hand reacted before her mind could deliberate; she knocked firmly on the door.