“…You don’t believe me?”
After a long silence, she asked him, her face full of sorrow.
Looking at his cold, unyielding expression, she felt the last flicker of hope in her heart be snuffed out completely.
He did not trust her.
At the thought, her eyes suddenly reddened.
“…”
“Did I say something wrong?”
Seeing he remained silent, she lowered her gaze, her voice heavy with disappointment.
She did not understand what she had done wrong.
“Why don’t you believe me either?”
She murmured distractedly, “You’re doubting me, but I don’t even know what you’re talking about. Why suspect me? I haven’t betrayed you—ever since we met, I’ve stayed right here by your side, with no ill intentions toward you.”
Even if she had a purpose, it was for his own good—born of necessity from being pulled into this story.
Though a system had given her tasks, they were only to gain his favor and ensure Xiao Keyu’s safety in the future.
Even if she did eventually work to bring peace between the two brothers, helping them live in harmony—would that really be considered betraying or harming him?
Not to mention that since the system had vanished last time, she had done nothing out of the ordinary. Why was he doubting her, accusing her of crimes she had never committed?
She felt deeply wronged.
But Xiao Fusu paid no heed to her emotions now. Even if she wept or pleaded, it would not change his cold, stubborn, suspicious heart. He cared only about eliminating risks—even if he could not be certain of her guilt.
The warmth and intimacy of last night felt like nothing more than a dream she had imagined.
“You don’t need to explain yourself further. Whether I believe you or not no longer matters—the truth is, you can no longer stay in the Eastern Palace.”
Hardening his resolve, he spoke in a firm, cold voice.
He knew he could not afford to be indecisive any longer. Cutting ties now was for her own good—at least if he was the one to end it, he could still keep her safe.
His mother already knew about her, and he was certain more eyes were watching from the shadows, ready to pounce at any moment. After all, even he could not explain where she had come from. If word of her presence spread, who would believe her side of the story?
No matter what the truth was, she would be doomed. Those who opposed him cared only about framing him and pulling him from his position as Crown Prince—no one would truly care about the life of a woman with no background.
Even if he drove her out now, it was better than letting someone use her as an excuse to take her life later.
“Mother was right—there is a world of difference between us. Since we are destined to part ways, why not do it cleanly and spare us both more pain… ending things now will free us both. Let us pretend we never met, and begin our lives anew separately.”
He stood up and brushed off his sleeves.
“Your Highness…”
She looked at him numbly, whispering his title as tears streamed silently down her face.
She did not want to cry, but her nose was tight with emotion, and she could not hold back.
In the end, she had been cast aside by him.
She had thought he treated her differently from others.
Now she saw it had all been her imagination.
The tenderness of last night—perhaps he would have treated anyone the same way when the mood struck him.
She was not special to him at all.
She did not know if he could see her tears. From where she stood, she could see the sharp line of his jaw, his long eyelashes fluttering in the dim light, his eyes deep and unreadable.
She did her best to hold back her sobs, raising a hand to press tightly over her mouth as if even breathing had become difficult.
But nothing compared to the pain in her heart.
He did not turn to look at her—even though he might have caught sight of her tears out of the corner of his eye.
Instead, he chose to look away, his gaze drifting to the pale sky outside the window.
“On the other side of that wall lies the Cold Palace.”
He spoke, and the thought struck him as ironic.
The Cold Palace and the Eastern Palace were separated by no more than a single wall—close enough to reach, yet worlds apart. All it took was a glance upward for the hidden shadows in his heart to be exposed, with nowhere to hide.
He supposed those confined to the Cold Palace were often people whose power still posed a threat to those in charge. Keeping them close allowed their movements to be monitored at all times, preventing any chance of their return to power.
But was this punishment for the prisoner—or for himself?
They were like two sides of the same mirror—he and Xiao Keyu, shadows of one another, reflecting the demons in his own heart.
A cliff stood between them—one misstep would mean destruction. The view was the same, but their lives could not have been more different.
And now, he was sending the woman he cared for most to live in the world that belonged to Xiao Keyu.
She would no longer be his, no longer part of his life or his sight.
But if he had the chance in the future, he would still do his best to protect and care for her.
For now, he could only hope that Xiao Keyu would treat her as well as he had. That thought alone was enough to bring him some comfort.
“Even on that side, you’ll still be close to the Eastern Palace. If you ever need help, you can come to me anytime—I’ll do whatever I can to assist you.”
This was the last promise he could make to her. Then, forcing himself to be cruel, he continued, “But you cannot stay here any longer. After much thought, I believe that place is the best fit for you… from now on, you will live in the Cold Palace. There, no one will question where you come from or what your background is.”
Without waiting for her response, he made the decision for her. Turning away from her and taking a few steps toward the window, he spoke with his back to her, “Gather your things and go—I will not see you off.”
Even if he suspected she was a spy sent by Xiao Keyu, he could not bring himself to harm her.
This was the best solution he could think of—for everyone involved.
If she really was working for Xiao Keyu, then this would return her to him.
He could watch how Xiao Keyu treated her and what he planned to do next, keeping him under close observation. With her so nearby, right under his nose, he was confident he could protect her if Xiao Keyu ever treated her poorly.
Meanwhile, Lin Lin listened to his words and simply shook her head, her eyes empty. After the sharp pain in her heart faded, her tears had dried, leaving only a hollow sense of melancholy.
She had come with nothing—what could she possibly take with her now?
There was nothing she needed to bring.
She would just leave.
If that was what he wanted.
“No need,” she said finally, her voice calm and emotionless as she stood behind him.
“I have nothing to take with me… I’ll go now.”
With that, her gaze passed over him as she walked quietly out of the hall.
Watching her figure fade into the distance, Xiao Fusu raised a hand to rub his forehead and let out a soft sigh.
In the end, he could not bring himself to let her go alone. He sent his most trusted personal eunuch to catch up with her and escort her safely into the Cold Palace.