Twilight drifted over the dark green tiles, and the copper bells hanging from the eaves swayed gently, emitting a faint, crisp sound. Lin Zhaoxue leaned against the carved wooden window, her fingertips lightly brushing over the mottled grain of the windowsill as memories surged into her mind like a rising tide.
Ten years ago, on an evening much like this, she had first entered the prime minister's residence. Back then, she was merely an orphan girl sold into servitude, believing she would spend her entire life as a lowly maid in this deep, labyrinthine courtyard. She had never expected to meet him—Shen Yanqing, the legitimate son of the prime minister.
That afternoon, she was carrying a bucket of water past the garden when she accidentally collided with Shen Yanqing, who was returning from the academy. Crystal-clear well water splashed out, soaking his moon-white brocade robe entirely. Trembling with fear, she turned deathly pale and dropped to her knees, kowtowing repeatedly as she begged for forgiveness.
Chapter 222