The twilight bled like crimson, casting sharp shadows from the eaves of Weiyang Palace under the setting sun. Ye Mingyue leaned against the carved window lattice, her fingertips absentmindedly tracing the silver bracelet on her wrist. Her mother had tucked it into her luggage when she left the Western Regions, inscribed with ancient blessings, but now it felt as cold as if it intended to embed itself into her flesh and blood.
The dripping sound of the clepsydra was crisp, mingling with the distant sound of the night watch drum. Ever since she entered the Central Plains, she had not slept a single peaceful night. Back on the grasslands of the Western Regions, she would fall asleep to the sound of the wind and wake to the neighing of horse herds, but now there was only this ceaseless dripping, like an endless number of unexpressed worries.
The door hinges creaked softly, and the familiar scent of aloeswood mixed with medicinal herbs drifted in. Ye Mingyue turned to see Xiao Yan standing at the doorway carrying a food box, the smoke from the medicine stove clinging to his moon-white brocade robe. His features were like jade, and a gentle smile curved his lips, yet the profound look deep in his eyes always remained impenetrable to her.
Chapter 219