Chapter 5 February Snow

Under the cold snowy sky, it was already the 5th day. The peaceful atmosphere of the Ho Hoan Courtyard suddenly became chaotic. Palace servants were moving restlessly. Mộ Thanh Thư had been waiting outside the Emperor's study for two full watch hours, but there was still no sign of activity. Her hands and feet had long frozen solid. The old eunuch looked at her with a trace of pity in his eyes.

"Please forgive me, Princess. The Majesty has countless matters to attend to. Perhaps you can come back tomorrow," he sincerely advised.

She merely smiled and shook her head. She had never expected anything, but her cousin was still waiting for her. Without the Emperor's permission, no one could pass through the cold gates of the imperial palace. From afar, she could hear:

"Fifth Princess, you should slow down."

She turned her head slightly and saw a child about a year or two younger than her. The little one was extremely lively and cute. She rushed past Mộ Thanh Thư, hurriedly paying her respects, then pressed something into her hand, smiling brightly before quickly entering the Imperial Study. No announcement, just a gentle push of the door, and she sweetly called:

"Father, Chỉ Nhi has arrived."

The Fifth Princess was someone Mộ Thanh Thư had heard about a few times. She was known as the lucky star of Nam Yến. Once the most despised princess in the palace, anyone could trample on her because she had a twin brother, the Sixth Prince, who was a fool, yet...

She didn't care about these trivial details. She smiled at the maid Lan Tâm, who was shivering in the cold February snow, and sneered:

"It's cold. If I were to envy her, would I be a bad person?"

A few minutes later, a rather young eunuch came over, arrogantly looking at her.

"His Majesty has allowed the Princess to leave the palace. Please convey His Majesty's regards to the Triệu family."

He said this without any courtesy, then turned and hurried away, showing no regard for the rules.

Mộ Thanh Thư just bowed her head and said nothing. Her eyes were tinged with frustration as she turned away. It was understandable. Even though she had the Tần family's backing and had been adopted by Ninh Phi, she was just a neglected princess. Ninh Phi despised her, and everyone in the palace knew it. Only the Emperor turned a blind eye. Surviving in this cold, distant palace as a 14-year-old child was far from easy.

Amidst the remaining chill of spring, she gently parted the beaded curtain, and everything was still blanketed in white snow. She draped her silver fox fur cloak over her shoulders and silently watched the falling snow. The maid Lan Tâm respectfully handed her a letter. Mộ Thanh Thư's gaze darkened as she laughed softly:

"Cousin, are you deceiving me?"

Maid Phương Nhi, trembling, softly reminded her:

"Your Highness, the Triệu family... is here."

Mộ Thanh Thư gently pushed the curtain aside, revealing the Triệu family estate covered in mournful white. People were whispering. Some said Triệu Madam passed away from grief after losing her child, others claimed the soul of the child refused to rest, wishing to drag the whole family along...

Mộ Thanh Thư didn't care about these rumors; she only cared about what she saw. Suddenly, in the stillness of the atmosphere, a sharp scream broke the silence, startling everyone. Mộ Thanh Thư gently covered her face, showing a look of surprise, her eyes revealing coldness, and she muttered:

"The drama is about to begin."