After Kang Luhai left, Zhen Huan felt that Suiyu Xuan had become much quieter.

Since Huan Bi had talked to Zhen Huan, her mood had lightened up considerably.

She spent her days laughing and joking with Liu Zhu, always staying by Zhen Huan’s side, and Zhen Huan didn’t find it boring at all.

However, the Neiwufu (Imperial Household Department) treated people differently based on favor, and seeing that Zhen Huan was no longer in favor, Suiyu Xuan couldn’t even get decent charcoal.

The meals were mediocre as well.

When Zhen Huan saw Jin Xi and Xiao Yun Zi’s eyes almost closing from the smoke, she felt an uncomfortable pang in her heart.

These were the people who had been loyal to her in her past life.

Zhen Huan had managed to survive one difficulty after another in the harem, and she couldn’t have done it without their help and companionship.

When she first entered the palace, without Jin Xi’s constant guidance, she wouldn’t have been able to understand the complex harem situation so easily.

Later, Jin Xi had even sacrificed herself to help her return to the palace, submitting to Su Peisheng…

Xiao Yun Zi was skilled in martial arts. There were many things they couldn’t do, but Xiao Yun Zi could handle them excellently—like catching the little seal delivering the medicine, or scaring Li Pin.

Liu Zhu had even sacrificed her life for her.

Though Huan Bi had made mistakes in the past, she had also given Zhen Huan much sincere companionship.

Zhen Huan was deeply moved in her heart, thinking to herself that in this life, she would protect each one of them properly.

While Zhen Huan’s thoughts wandered, Xiao Yun Zi came to report that Doctor Wen had arrived to check her pulse.

As usual, Wen Shichu first placed a handkerchief over her arm, then began to feel her pulse.

After he finished, Wen Shichu stepped back and gently asked:

“I wonder what the young master plans to do? Should I continue the medication and delay things, or would you prefer otherwise?”

Zhen Huan expressed her thoughts honestly:

“Please, Brother Shichu, cure my illness. It would be best if I recover before the new year.”

When Zhen Huan saw the pained expression on Wen Shichu’s face upon hearing her words, she felt a deep sense of guilt.

In her past life, she knew full well that Wen Shichu had feelings for her, but she had recklessly used his feelings.

When she needed his help, she called him “Brother Shichu,” and when she didn’t, she called him “Lord Wen.”

She even used tears to win his sympathy and achieve her goals.

“Things that come too easily are often the hardest to cherish.”

Zhen Huan asked herself honestly: in her past life, she had never truly given Wen Shichu her heart.

She only remembered him when she needed something, and when there was no need, she pushed him out of her mind.

She only cared whether Wen Shichu was useful to her, but never once wondered if he would feel hurt by her words.

Even when he had castrated himself for her after being accused by Qi Gui Ren, she hadn’t felt the slightest sorrow for him.

How cruel that was!

I can’t act like this in this life. I must at least make sure to clear things up with Wen Shichu!

Fortunately, I’m still sick, and Suiyu Xuan has few visitors.

“Brother Shichu, thank you.”

Zhen Huan spoke very sincerely, as if to condense all her past debts to Wen Shichu into this one sentence.

Wen Shichu didn’t expect Zhen Huan to speak to him like this. He was stunned for a moment, then tears welled up in his eyes, but he quickly held them back.

He was at a loss for words, finally muttering, “Please, don’t say that, this is just my duty.”

Zhen Huan said, “Brother Shichu, today I’m not speaking to you as the young master, but as Huan’er.”

“Huan’er?”

Zhen Huan nodded.

“Brother Shichu, Huan’er knows that you have feelings for me, but now that I have entered the palace, it’s clear that my fate with you is sealed. In this life, we are destined to be apart.”

“Please, Brother Shichu, don’t hold on to this anymore. Treat me as a sister, and in the future, seek out a good match. That way, we can both fulfill each other’s feelings.”

Wen Shichu stood there, stunned. He cupped his hands, wanting to say something, but all that came out was an “I…”

“Huan’er knows that hearing this will upset you, Brother Shichu, but I also believe that once you think it through, you’ll be able to let go.”

Wen Shichu saw how serious and open Zhen Huan was, and though his heart ached, he felt a sense of comfort.

At least his genuine feelings hadn’t been disregarded by her.

He also understood that what was done was done, and struggling with it would be useless.

So he spoke to Zhen Huan, “Huan’er, now that we’ve said everything, I promise you that from now on, I will treat you as a sister.”

“If you ever need anything, I will stand by you as a brother.”

“That would be best.” Zhen Huan smiled and said to Wen Shichu.

Zhen Huan had experienced love in her past life, so she understood that forgetting someone wasn’t easy.

But once the person’s hope was cut off, it would be much easier.

In her past life, she had kept giving him false hope, which made him hold on so stubbornly.

They agreed that in public, he would still address her as “Young Master,” and she would call him “Doctor Wen.”

She hoped that in this life, Wen Shichu would meet someone good!

Zhen Huan thought to herself.

The next day, Shen Mei Zhuang and An Ling Rong came to visit Zhen Huan at Suiyu Xuan.

Shen Mei Zhuang brought several baskets of silver charcoal and mentioned that she had seen that Jin Xi and Xiao Yun Zi were using black charcoal. It must have been the Neiwufu’s servants making trouble, and she would report it to the Empress Dowager.

Zhen Huan looked at Shen Mei Zhuang, who was still as caring as ever, and smiled happily:

“It’s always like this in the palace, why should you get angry, Sister? Your thoughtful gesture, like ‘sending charcoal in the snow,’ is what’s most precious!”

Shen Mei Zhuang scolded, “You have such a good temperament. Even with someone like Kang Luhai leaving, you can endure it.”

Zhen Huan replied that it wasn’t about how many servants there were, but about whether they were loyal or not.

This gave Shen Mei Zhuang and An Ling Rong a reminder to be more cautious of the people around them in the future.

They also discussed how the Emperor hadn’t visited the harem for a long time. Shen Mei Zhuang held An Ling Rong’s hand and said:

“Don’t worry, sister. The Emperor is busy with state affairs, and it’s normal that he can’t attend to the harem.”

“When I saw the Emperor, he occasionally mentioned you, and I think once he’s done with his work, he’ll surely remember you.”

“Thank you for always thinking of Ling Rong, Sister.”

An Ling Rong looked at Shen Mei Zhuang gratefully.

She then took out two handmade stove covers from her sleeve and said:

“I know it’s cold now, and we all need to hold a stove. With these covers, you won’t burn your hands. I made two, one for each of you.”

Zhen Huan and Shen Mei Zhuang accepted the stove covers, both praising An Ling Rong for her craftsmanship.

Then Zhen Huan said, “This flower brocade is given to each new palace entrant. Such good material—using it for a stove cover seems too wasteful.”

An Ling Rong quickly replied, “It’s not a waste. Since I’ve met both of you, you’ve always been so considerate of me. I don’t have anything good to give you, so I hope you like it.”

Zhen Huan saw how sincere An Ling Rong looked when she spoke, and her heart felt very comforted.