After who knew how long, Xue Ke finally calmed down and pulled away from Xue Qinghe's embrace.
Her eyes were red and swollen from crying, the tip of her nose tinged pink. She looked disheveled and pitiful.
She raised a hand and carelessly wiped the tears from her face with its back, smearing her exquisite makeup.
"I'm sorry, Brother. I got your clothes dirty."
Xue Ke looked apologetically at the patch of fabric over Xue Qinghe's chest that her tears had soaked.
The dark moisture spread across his brocade robe like a freehand ink painting, mottled with patches of varying shades.
"It's fine. I'll just change when I get back."
Xue Qinghe smiled and patted Xue Ke's head, utterly unbothered.
His smile remained gentle, as though those surging emotions had never appeared.
His fingers brushed lightly over the top of her head, tucking the strands disheveled by her crying behind her ear.
"It's almost time. Have the maids touch up your makeup. I'll stay with you until the very last moment."
"Thank you, Brother."
Xue Ke nodded firmly, a faint smile appearing on her face.
Though slight, that smile was far more genuine than the one she had forced earlier.
Back at the East Palace, Xue Qinghe changed into clean clothes.
He took off the tear-soaked brocade robe and casually draped it over a folding screen.
Standing before the bronze mirror, he adjusted his collar and smoothed out every crease.
The face reflected in the mirror was as refined and elegant as ever, gentle as jade, without the slightest flaw in his facade.
He stared at his reflection for a moment. Something flickered through his eyes, only to be concealed once more beneath that gentle exterior.
"She Long."
His expression turned cold again, and his voice rang out through the