After just a few days of being confined, I was released.

An envoy came to visit; the nation cannot be without its mother.

I wore luxurious clothes, a tall crown on my head, and sat beside Shen Weiming.

But our hearts were so distant.

I could only drink glass after glass of wine.

The performance was halfway through.

Suddenly, the envoy spoke.

“I’ve heard that the Empress of your esteemed nation was once the most skilled in singing and playing instruments in the capital’s brothel. Might I have the fortune of seeing this talent today?”

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone turned to look at me.

I could clearly feel Shen Weiming's atmosphere change.

He seemed angry.

How could an Empress of a dynasty be reduced to performing for a foreign envoy?

I carefully observed Shen Weiming's expression; he should not agree to this.

Shen Lang once said that a man should be staunch and never let a woman shield him.

I had yet to open my mouth to decline politely.

Song Wenying spoke up with a smile.

“Our Empress is indeed unmatched in singing and playing instruments, but she injured her finger recently, so she probably cannot perform for everyone.”

I was startled. Why was she excusing me?

At this moment, shouldn’t she add fuel to the fire and watch me make a fool of myself?

I couldn't fathom the calculation in her eyes.

I thought the envoy would back down, but unexpectedly, he persisted.

“If you can't play, you can at least sing, right?”

“Is this how your esteemed nation treats friends from afar?”

“Or do you think we are not worthy?”

He clearly wanted me to perform. I cast a pleading glance at Shen Weiming.

Coincidentally, he was also looking at me, his expression unreadable.

“Since the envoy insists.”

“Empress, why don’t you perform a song for us?”

I couldn’t believe he said that.

Is he still the Shen Weiming I knew?

“What? Empress, do you have any objections?”

Can I say I don't want to?

I could hear my heart pounding in my chest.

“This concubine…”

Before I could finish, Shuangjian knelt on the ground, her voice neither loud nor soft.

“Your Majesty is unaware; the Empress has recently caught a cold and her voice is hoarse, making it really impossible to sing.”

“I have been with the Empress since childhood. Although my skills are naturally inferior to hers, I have learned to some extent.”

“I boldly offer my services, hoping Your Majesty will grant permission.”

“Let it be you then.”

Shuangjian held a pipa and sang the tune we often hummed when we were children.

After the song ended.

The envoy applauded and walked step by step towards Shuangjian.

What was he going to do?

“Your nation's ladies are truly talented in singing and dancing. Even a maid is astonishingly impressive.”

He turned to kneel before Shen Weiming.

“I wonder if the Emperor would bestow this girl upon me?”

I immediately shouted.

“No!”

“Your Majesty, I have always regarded Shuangjian as my own sister.”

“Even better, our two countries would become closer through this marriage alliance.”

I was furious, caring about nothing else.

“I say no, and it means no!”

Slap!

A loud slap echoed.

The jeweled hairpins on my head fell to the ground with a crisp sound.

I trembled, touching my cheek.

It stung.

“Impertinent!”

A flash of pained confusion crossed Shen Weiming's eyes, then he quickly regained clarity.

Just like that, I watched Shuangjian get taken away by the palace attendants.

I didn’t sleep a wink all night.

My mind was filled with memories of Shuangjian laughing and practicing music with me.

The next morning, there was an announcement outside.

Shuangjian was back.

Perhaps Shen Weiming still remembered our past and spared Shuangjian.

I rushed to open the door excitedly.

“Shuangjian!”

No one was there.

Only something placed a short distance away on the ground.

All the palace attendants knelt before me.

I walked over, with each step, a tear fell, blending into the snow.

“No, impossible…”

I muttered incessantly.

“Empress, please restrain your grief. Shuangjian chose death over dishonor last night…”

Eventually, I couldn’t hold on anymore and collapsed into the snow, the attendants tried to pull me, but I shoved them away like a madwoman.

“Get out! All of you, get out!”

Then I crawled and rolled in the snow.

Seeing her face clearly.

It was Shuangjian; her eyes were wide open, staring at me.

As if blaming me, why didn’t you save her?

Her clothes were torn and tattered, her face and neck covered in bruises.

It was clear she had suffered unspeakable torment last night.

I held her in my arms, covering her with all my clothes.

Sobbing uncontrollably.

“Shuangjian, I’m sorry…”

“Shuangjian, let’s go home…”

“Didn’t we agree to never leave each other for our entire lives?”

Shen Lang, oh Shen Lang, why did you even take Shuangjian away from me?