10-32

The warm late afternoon sun shined brightly, its rays dancing on the crystal clear surface of the palace pond. The weather was beautiful, with not a single cloud on the azure sky. The deep green wines and the magenta flowers decorating the white marble columns of the summer house located right by the water seemed even more vibrant than usual in the bright light. A soft, refreshing breeze carried the gentle sound of a violin duet.

It was a peaceful, relaxing atmosphere.

But, despite the beautiful scenery surrounding him and the calming music, Yu Qingyu felt anything but relaxed. In fact, he was so tense that despite the table in front of him being filled with mouthwatering dishes that he normally would love to try, he could hardly swallow a bite. Even when he forced himself to eat to appear normal, he was still too distracted to savor the taste.