De Shun froze for a moment before bowing respectfully and replying, "This servant obeys His Majesty's command. I shall carry it out at once."
Liu Ruyan stood rigid as an ice sculpture, her beautiful eyes brimming with glistening tears, as if she had suffered an unbearable injustice. She cast a deep, lingering glance at Li Yuanjing and said stubbornly, "A sovereign's favor flows like water. Ruyan remains the same as she was years ago, but Your Majesty is no longer the same emperor."
Li Yuanjing felt a headache coming on and snapped impatiently, "Take her away."
Palace maids entered and, with measured politeness, escorted Liu Ruyan out of the tent. Her eyes still shimmered with unshed tears as she threw one last disappointed look at Li Yuanjing.
Love severed, sorrow dissolved.
