The palaces of the Tang Dynasty stood grand and magnificent. With carved beams and painted rafters, they exuded the majesty of the imperial family. The glazed golden tiles sparkled dazzlingly in the sunlight, as if condensing the splendor of the prosperous era. The relationship between Lin Yue and Li Yi blazed like a raging fire, bright and passionate, lighting up each other's hearts. Amid the pavilions, terraces, and towers of the imperial court, they left behind countless sweet memories. Every affectionate gaze and heart - to - heart conversation added fuel to their love, making it burn even more intensely.
However, beneath the seemingly prosperous and harmonious surface of the imperial harem, a cold and menacing undercurrent was quietly surging. Like a venomous snake lurking in the depths of the darkness, it flicked its forked tongue, eyeing its prey with hostility, waiting for the right moment to strike.
Concubine Shu, a woman who had survived the intrigues of the imperial harem for years, had aged physically but become even more calculating. For a long time, she had regarded Li Yi as her exclusive possession. In her eyes, Li Yi was her only hope of ascending to the pinnacle of power, her lifeline in the cold and ruthless harem, and something she coveted with all her heart. Over the years, she had racked her brains and resorted to every conceivable means to please Li Yi. She had painstakingly prepared extravagantly luxurious banquets. The sumptuous delicacies at the banquets were sourced from all corners of the world. Each exquisitely crafted dish was either as artistically shaped as a masterpiece or exuded an enticing aroma that made people salivate. The singing and dancing performances featured the most talented entertainers from across the land. Their graceful figures, light - footed dances, and melodious voices were like the songs of heaven, all in an attempt to win a smile from Li Yi. She had also spared no expense in searching for rare treasures from the common people and purchasing them from foreign kingdoms. Those precious curios sparkled with dazzling light, carrying her deep - seated feelings. Or in front of Li Yi, she would display a gentle and charming demeanor, speaking in a soft and delicate voice, with every word dripping with just the right amount of tenderness. Her gestures were elegant and dignified, exuding the imperial aura, all in an effort to gain Li Yi's favor.
However, no matter how hard she tried, she had never managed to open Li Yi's heart and win his genuine affection. Every cold response from Li Yi was like a sharp blade piercing her heart, causing her jealousy and resentment to grow wildly in her heart. Her jealousy was like the wild grass growing frantically in spring, spreading uncontrollably and almost consuming her. Since then, a sinister glint often flashed in Concubine Shu's eyes. In the dead of night, she often sat alone on her couch. The surroundings were deathly silent, with only the flickering candlelight. Grinding her teeth, she schemed to get rid of Lin Yue, the thorn in her side. Various vicious plans constantly flashed through her mind, and she weighed the pros and cons repeatedly, determined to find the perfect scheme.
One day, the sun shone down unreservedly. The sky was as blue as a precious stone, clear and pure, without a single speck of impurity. Lin Yue wore a light - green silk skirt with delicate orchid patterns embroidered on the hem. As she walked, the skirt swayed gently, like a blooming lotus dancing in the wind. She strolled through the imperial garden, enjoying the beautiful scenery to her heart's content. Colorful flowers were blooming competitively in the gentle breeze. The red ones were like flames, passionate and unrestrained, as if demonstrating the passion of life. The dewdrops on the petals sparkled brightly in the sunlight. The pink ones were like rosy clouds, soft and charming, just like the shy blush on a maiden's face. The petals were stacked layer upon layer, surrounded by the golden stamens. The white ones were like snow, pure and flawless, like the purest elves in winter, exuding a delicate fragrance. Butterflies fluttered among the flowers, their resplendent wings flapping. Some wings were adorned with variegated patterns, while others glistened with a metallic sheen. They complemented the flowers, forming a breathtakingly beautiful picture. A gentle breeze wafted by, carrying a refreshing fragrance of flowers. The fragrance seemed to be tinged with a hint of sweetness, making Lin Yue extremely happy. She would sometimes stop to admire a blooming peony, its large and delicate flower exuding a charming luster, with petals as soft as silk. Sometimes she would gently sniff a delicate jasmine, letting the fresh fragrance linger at the tip of her nose. A happy smile adorned her face, as if all the troubles in the world had been cast aside.
Suddenly, a shrill cry for help pierced the beautiful tranquility: "Help! Someone has fallen into the water!" Lin Yue's face instantly changed. The smile that had been on her face vanished, replaced by a look of extreme solemnity. A hint of tension and worry flashed in her eyes. Without hesitation, she sprinted towards the source of the sound like an arrow leaving the bow. There, a palace maid was struggling desperately in the lake, splashing up large waves. The lake water was churned into a murky mess. Her hands flailed wildly in the air, trying to grab anything that could save her life. Her cries were filled with despair and fear, and her voice had become hoarse. Lin Yue had learned to swim since childhood and was an excellent swimmer. At this moment, there was only one thought in her mind—save the maid. She quickly removed her outer robe, revealing the white undergarment beneath. The white fabric looked extremely pure in the sunlight. Without hesitation, she plunged into the lake. The water was ice - cold, instantly enveloping her body, but she paid no heed. Her mind was focused solely on the maid struggling in the water.
In the water, Lin Yue moved like a fish, with a lithe and vigorous figure. She quickly swung her arms and kicked her legs forcefully, creating layers of splashes. Each stroke was full of strength as she swam rapidly towards the maid. Her eyes were firm and focused, fixed intently on the struggling maid, as if everything around her had ceased to exist. Her breathing was steady and strong, with each breath taken at the right moment. Her movements were skillful and smooth. She was like a nimble fish, darting through the water with ease, getting closer and closer to the maid. Finally, she reached the maid's side. Summoning all her strength, she tightly wrapped one arm around the maid's waist and used the other arm to paddle vigorously, pulling her towards the shore. Her arm trembled slightly from the exertion, but her eyes were unwavering. Her only thought was to get the maid to safety. Her muscles were taut, and she exerted all her strength with each stroke. Sweat and lake water mingled and trickled down her cheeks.
However, after saving the maid ashore, Lin Yue realized to her horror that she had fallen into a meticulously designed and seamless trap. Concubine Shu rushed over with a group of people. She was dressed in resplendent robes embroidered with gold and silver threads and inlaid with various precious stones and pearls. The robes sparkled dazzlingly in the sunlight. She wore a phoenix coronet inlaid with countless glittering gems, each worth a fortune, proclaiming her exalted status. On her face, however, she feigned surprise, covering her mouth with both hands and widening her eyes. "What's going on here? Miss Su, why did you try to harm this palace maid?" she exclaimed loudly. Lin Yue looked around. Everyone was casting suspicious glances at her, as if she were a heinous criminal. Those glances were like sharp blades, piercing her heart. Some palace maids were whispering among themselves, their eyes filled with disdain. They were gossiping about Lin Yue's "evil deeds." Some eunuchs lowered their heads and remained silent, but from their expressions, it was clear that they didn't trust Lin Yue. They furrowed their brows, their eyes filled with doubt. Taking the opportunity, Concubine Shu ordered her men to take Lin Yue to the dungeon. A triumphant smile spread across her face, filled with the satisfaction of a successful conspiracy, as if declaring her victory. The corners of her mouth curled up, and a malicious glint flickered in her eyes.
In the dark, damp dungeon filled with a foul stench, the walls were covered with moss, giving off a nauseating smell. Water droplets dripped from the ceiling from time to time, making a tick - tock sound, adding to the eerie atmosphere. The ground of the cell was damp and cold. Lin Yue's clothes were still not dry and clung to her body, making her shiver with cold. Her body trembled slightly, whether from the cold or from anger. She knew that she had been framed by Concubine Shu and fallen into this vicious trap. But she didn't despair. Her eyes were filled with
determination and defiance. Her mind was filled with memories of her time with Li Yi. She remembered the tender look in his eyes when he looked at her, as if he could tolerate everything about her. His eyes were full of love and trust. She remembered his trust and support, and the encouragement he gave her when she faced difficulties. His words seemed to still echo in her ears. These memories were like a warm fire, burning in her heart, giving her strength. She paced back and forth in the small cell, her steps hurried and forceful. She was thinking about how to clear her name, and a hint of determination shone in her eyes. She secretly vowed to let the truth come to light and make Concubine Shu pay the price.
When Li Yi learned of this, he was furious. He slammed the memorial in his hand to the ground. The memorial arched through the air and then landed heavily on the floor, its pages crumpled. Anger blazed in his eyes, as if he could incinerate everything to ashes. His chest heaved violently, and his breathing was rapid, like an enraged lion. He immediately summoned his confidants and, in a deep and authoritative voice, ordered a thorough investigation. He demanded that the truth be uncovered at all costs. His voice was filled with an air of finality, and each word seemed to carry a thousand - jun weight. In his heart, Lin Yue was kind and upright, like a pure white lotus. He simply couldn't believe that Lin Yue could do such a thing. His confidants were well aware of the seriousness of the matter. They all accepted the order and launched an in - depth and meticulous investigation. They went around interviewing everyone in the palace, leaving no detail overlooked. They scoured every corner of the imperial court, gathering clues from the mouths of palace maids and eunuchs, and learning the situation from the palace guards, not missing any trace.
After a thorough investigation, Concubine Shu's conspiracy was soon exposed. It turned out that Concubine Shu had bribed the palace maid. She had told the maid to pretend to fall into the water by the lake in advance, deliberately creating this accident to frame Lin Yue. To make the act more convincing, Concubine Shu had given the maid some silver coins. The silver coins sparkled alluringly in the sunlight, making the maid struggle more convincingly in the water. She had even threatened the maid that if she didn't cooperate, both she and her family would lose their lives. The maid, helpless, had no choice but to follow Concubine Shu's instructions. Li Yi was beside himself with anger. He ordered Concubine Shu to be placed under house arrest, forcing her to reflect on her actions in the depths of the imperial palace. At the moment when Concubine Shu was placed under house arrest, her eyes were filled with resentment, but she was powerless to resist. She could only stay in her palace, facing the cold walls alone, reflecting on what she had done, filled with unwillingness.
After that, he personally went to the dungeon to fetch Lin Yue. When Li Yi appeared at the entrance of the dungeon, his tall figure was silhouetted against the dim light in the cell. Tears welled up in Lin Yue's eyes and streamed down her face. She rushed into his arms without hesitation. She held onto Li Yi tightly, as if holding onto the whole world. Her body was still shaking. Her hands clutched tightly at Li Yi's sleeves, as if she was afraid he would disappear. Li Yi gently stroked her hair and blamed himself: "It's my fault. I've made you suffer. I didn't protect you well." Leaning against him, Lin Yue sobbed uncontrollably: "I knew you would believe me. I've never done anything to harm others." Li Yi held her tightly, as if trying to dispel all the shadows with his embrace and give her endless security. He comforted Lin Yue softly, telling her that everything was over and that he would never let her be hurt again. His voice was gentle and firm, like a warm spring breeze, soothing Lin Yue's wounded soul.