That night, the moon shone brightly and the stars scattered scarcely. It was near midnight, and the lanterns in the Fallen Phoenix Palace were still lit.
Han Moze waved off the last of the eunuchs and imperial maids, then quietly stepped into the Fallen Phoenix Palace alone.
As he stood in the center of the Fallen Phoenix palace, he stared out at the familiar surroundings. Emptiness was all he felt deep in his very heart.
Shuang’er, I just can’t seem to get used to life without you. Life seems to be colorless without you by my side.
Deep down inside, he grew ever longing for her, but just when he was going to go crazy, Han Moze spun around and slowly walked over to the window. He looked up and quietly gazed into the sky above.
All he could see was the scarlet, sickle-shaped moon which made the evening feel unusually eerie. With just one glance, it froze hearts.
Han Moze felt even more sullen. He sighed deeply and felt something hard and stifling in his chest. Why couldn’t he breathe properly?
He sighed helplessly, then pulled a bitter smile after some time has passed. “Shuang’er, without you by my side, even breathing hurts. What should I do?”
Without knowing it, a thin haze settled in Han Moze’s deep icy eyes and his eye-catching, handsome face had a permanent look of melancholy and loneliness.
Han Moze shut his eyes and took a few deep breaths in an attempt to calm himself down.
Thereafter, Han Moze reached his hand out to pull out a piece of jade.
He looked at the white and red jade in his palms, and revealed a faint smile as though a sudden thought came to mind.
But in a split-second, his face turned ominous again.
Han Moze gazed up at the moon with his handsome face and an intense sense of longing in his eyes. “Shuang’er, I miss you. Really, really miss you. Where are you right now?” He whispered.
He tightly clenched the jade in his hands, as his eyes became distant. His sharp side profile had a stubborn look of determination and resolution. “Shuang’er, as long as I can save you, I’m willing to pay any price. Wait for me, Shuang’er,” he mumbled in sorrow.
…
“Ah! Ahhh…” All of a sudden, Han Moze heard the faint sound of a raspy shriek that seemed to come from beyond the palace.
In the blink of an eye, the shrieking gradually subsided and eventually disappeared.
Han Moze’s brows couldn’t help but furrow slightly. “Wuhen!” He cried.
“Yes, Your Majesty!” Wuhen appeared in a flash from the shadows, and kneeled before Han Moze.
Han Moze’s ears slightly moved, and then he heard the shrieks again. His brows furrowed in curiosity, then he asked in a deep voice, “Can you hear the shrieks from outside the palace?”
Wuhen composed himself, then replied after some time. “Your Majesty, I can’t hear any shrieking!”
Han Moze waved his hand. “Alright, retreat!” He said in a tired voice.
“Yes, Your Majesty.” In a flash, Wuhen disappeared into the shadows.
Han Moze listened again but didn’t hear any cries of agony. He raised his hand and rubbed his forehead in exhaustion.
Deep in the night, a gust of cold air blew which oozed a hint of sinister intent. All of a sudden, Han Moze woke up.
He heard the inconsistent sound of tragic cries again.
Han Moze squinted. Could it be? Did something happen outside the palace? With a second thought, he spun around and walked out of the Fallen Phoenix Palace.
“Ahhh! Ahhhh…” As he stood outside the palace, Han Moze heard waves of blood-curdling shrieks in his ears. The cries seemed to grow clearer.
He furrowed his brows in deep thought for a moment, then flew up onto the roof. In an instant, he had disappeared beyond the Fallen Phoenix Palace.
