"I'm sorry, Little White Flower—I've spoilt Yuan'er too much, which is why he turned out like this. Don't worry, I'll discipline him well from now on so that he won't bully you ever again, okay?"
"Yes, Big Sis." Little White Flower sobbed even as she clutched on Liu Rushuang.
"Could you heal those wounds on your cheeks? Do you need my help?" Liu Rushuang asked tenderly then.
"It's fine, Big Sis. I'm alright—I will heal in just a few hours."
Little White Flower appeared to be much calmer now, but there was an indescribable melancholy that dwelled in the bottom of her heart.
Was it that the people in the palace disliked her? Did they hate her for being too silly and naïve?
Han Moze watched them for a while, before breathing a deep sigh and turned to leave.
"Ze, don't…"
"You don't have to meddle this time, Shuang'er. The boy must pay for everything that he had done."
With those somber words, Han Moze left without another pause.
***
Longyuan was taken to Han Moze's study and left there.
He looked around, but found nothing aside from rows of books.
The bookracks also obstructed any light, which left the room quite dark.
Feeling a little cold, Longyuan rubbed his arms. He was a tiny person, and being alone in a room which was neither dark nor bright left him fearful.
He turned towards the door and tried to open it, but soon realized that it was not budging.
As such, he had to slap the door and yell, "Let me out! Let me out! I don't want to stay here! Let me out right now!
"Father, Mother, where are you?
"Little White Flower and the others set me up, really! I didn't do anything!
"I was innocent! Believe me!
"Everything I said was the truth! Why wouldn't you believe me?
"Open the door! It's so cold in here!
***
Eventually, Longyuan's voice became hoarse, but no one came to open the door.
Cough, cough…
Longyuan coughed a few times and rubbed his throat, sniffling as he stared tearfully at the door, hoping that Han Moze and Liu Rushuang would come to free him.
15 minutes passed, and it was soon 30 minutes… and then 45 minutes…
His lips were getting drier and his gaze even more crystalline.
Growl—
His stomach was rumbling. He was very hungry since he had not eaten, even though it's already afternoon.
His legs were stiff and numb—which was unbearable.
With red circles around his eyes, Longyuan went to the bookrack, took out a tome and put it on the ground. He then lay on it, curling into a ball while he stared at the door.
***
Four hours passed.
Growl—
His stomach continued to rumble, and it was getting louder now.
His heart hurts more just as his head spun, while his throat burned.
Cough, cough…
Longyuan started to cough without end, while tears rolled all over his cheeks. He had forced himself not to cry since noon, but he really could not hold back now.
"Sob… Mother, father, when are you letting me out? I'm so hungry, cold, sleep… boo-hoo…"
Soon, Longyuan had no more tears to cry, but no one came to open the door.
***
Six hours had now passed and it was almost evening, with the twilight sun seeping between the windows.
Longyuan curled inward to himself even more now, and his whole body had started to shake uncontrollably.
He was so hungry it was as if his stomach had bunched into a knot, and he twitched in pain, his head now muddled and the only thought he had was to sleep.
But just as his eyelids were about to close, the door finally opened.