Ling Shush, the chief minister of the current dynasty was alone. From the moment he first saw the third prince, Chu Junli, he fell deeply in love.

And afterwards, disregarding the fact that he had affections for someone else, he asked the emperor to grant them a marriage.

I always thought that time could heal all wounds, but I never expected that Chu Junli would harbor such resentment for a lifetime.

……

In the first year of Emperor Jing's reign, it was a harsh winter.

In the depths of winter, the sky is cold and the earth is frozen.

Today's sky is exceptionally gloomy, with a biting wind blowing. It feels like a harbinger of an impending heavy snowfall.

Once bustling and vibrant, the main streets of the capital city are today surprisingly deserted and eerily quiet.

A few people in sight, all hurried past.

Unlike before, today the gate of the East Palace was adorned with large red wedding characters. People thronged the area, making it a bustling scene with a constant stream of vehicles and pedestrians...

The main hall was decorated with lanterns and banners, the atmosphere was grand, guests gathered in droves, laughter and cheers filled the air, it was a truly lively celebration.

East Palace.

In an ordinary, unremarkable courtyard, beside a bed carved from rosewood, a young maid was crying softly.

On the delicately carved bed lay a boy, pale and thin, his features withered. At this moment, he closed his eyes, his brow furrowed slightly, as if enduring immense pain.

In a moment, the sleeping child let out a pained whimper.

"Mmm..."

Lying on the bed, Ling Shushu felt her head pounding and dizzy, with no strength in her body. She was like being boiled in oil, suffering immensely.

Even the simple act of opening my eyelids felt extraordinarily difficult.

Little girl Chun Tao was crying sadly when she suddenly heard the voice of her young mistress. She immediately lifted her head.

"Miss, you're finally awake, sniffle…"

Could this be... Chun Tao's voice?

Ling Shushou is still in a half-awake, half-conscious state, her consciousness not yet completely clear.

Hearing Chun Tao's cries, struggled to open his eyes with all his might. His voice was hoarse as he weakly said, "Silly girl, don't... cry, I... I... I'm fine."

"What time is it now?"

Upon hearing this, Chun Tao's heart ached deeply. However, she managed to hold back her urge to burst into tears and quickly wiped them away.

Even at this time, Miss, you still worry.

"Miss, it's past the afternoon hours (1 p.m. to 3 p.m.) now."

Ling Shushus muttered, “It's almost time? How long have I slept?”

Chun Tao saw her young mistress looking at her with suspicion, and she felt a sharp pang of pain in her heart.

For these days, the young lady has always been in a coma. When she wakes up, she is often confused and disoriented.

Today, this godly state looks pretty good.

"Miss, you have been unconscious for two days. I will go get some warm medicine for you right now."

"Once you drink the medicine, you'll feel better."

"Hmph...cough cough..."

Ling Shushou let out a soft chuckle upon hearing this, and a long-lost bright smile appeared on her face.

She had only laughed twice before she coughed violently. Chun Tao hurriedly poured a cup of water and fed it to her, after which Ling Shushu finally stopped coughing.

"Silly Chun Tao, how old am I? Why do you still treat me like a child?"

Chun Tao stared blankly at the smile on Ling Shushu's face.

Since Ling Shushu married the Third Prince, now the Crown Prince Chu Junli, she hasn't smiled in front of her family for a long time.

How clever Miss was in the past.

As soon as she thought of this, tears welled up in Chun Tao's eyes and seemed about to spill over.

He said a word to Ling Shusheng, then rushed out to fetch the medicine, afraid that he would cry in front of her the next second.

Watching Chun Tao rush away, Ling Shushu fell into thought outside the door...

His consciousness was gradually returning, and his brain was slowly clearing.

Suddenly, I remembered it was the current Grand Tutor Ling Shusheng. And her husband is Crown Prince Chu Junli.

Ling Shushu likes Chu Junli and has liked him for almost ten years.

Never concealing her feelings, she throws herself into it like a moth to a flame, giving everything she has and willing to do anything for him. He is put through the wringer by this all-consuming love.

but never earned him even half a moment of warmth…

Until later, when the two embraced, Chu Junli's attitude became increasingly cold. He only acted on his own accord when he had needs or was forced to.

Between the sheets, Chu Junli was always fierce and cold.

Even at the most extreme moments, he remained with his eyes closed, his face devoid of any emotion, appearing cold and indifferent.

It was as if he were instinctively venting his, grain debt…

It's like just opening my eyes and looking around makes me feel sick to my stomach, it's such a downer.

Especially after countless obstructions prevented him from marrying his beloved Shen Yu as his legitimate wife, Chu Junli's attitude towards him grew increasingly hostile, even to the point of vehemently opposing everything he did.

It was common for him not to return home day and night. Every time Ling Shushu finally got the chance to meet him, he would only speak coldly and sarcastically, with a cold attitude and tone.

Shen Yu was a lowborn member of the Prime Minister's household, initially not being seen by those from noble and wealthy families.

But unexpectedly, he gained the favor and attention of Chu Junli, the prodigy born with the admiration of everyone.

Chu Jun was aloof from worldly affairs and indifferent to people. He always seemed distant and unapproachable, but towards Shen Yu, he was kind and patient.

As a result, people later came to overlook Shen Yu's humble status and instead treated him with respect, even subtly trying to curry favor with him.

Even though Long Shushu has a good family background, outstanding appearance, and abilities, so what? She is just not...

Ling Shushushou spent all her effort but couldn't get a smile from Chu Junli, which was something Shen Yu obtained effortlessly.

When Ling Shushou first met Chu Junli, who was as cold and jade-like as a god, she felt a strange sense of familiarity on his face. Instantly, her heart fell hopelessly for him at just one glance.

From then on, regardless of propriety or public opinion, he acted like a shadow, shamelessly clinging to Chu Junli and relentlessly pursuing him.

As long as there's a place where Chu Junli might appear, she would dress up elaborately and wait there early, then pretend to run into him by chance.

My ardent love for Chu Junli burns brightly, never concealed. He fills my every thought and vision.

Thus, everyone in the capital knew that Ling Shush was infatuated with the Third Prince, Chu Junli.

Even Chu Junli, who never paid attention to these things, had no doubts about Ling Shusheng's sincerity towards him.

Before Shen Yu appeared, Ling Shushou had always believed that as long as she put in enough effort, Chu Junli would eventually discover her goodness, little by little. And even just a little bit would make her content.

Until Shen Yu's sudden appearance, Ling Shusheng's all fantasies were shattered.

It is rumored that Shen Yu is the lifesaver Chu Junli has been looking for. When they were young, Shen Yu saved the Third Prince, Chu Junli.

This made Ling Shushu quite envious for a time, envious of being Chu Junli's lifesaver.

At first, Ling Shushu saw that Shen Yu's family background and appearance were all inferior to hers, and she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

I feel that he is as cold and aloof as Chu Junli. A man who looks down on others like him shouldn't easily fall for Shen Yu.