With a shake of her head, Lan Shuqin began to explain "No.. not just her Husbands. She lost everyone who is close to her."


    "Her mother, her two little brothers, a big sister, her close friends and Husbands... all of them died."


    H-Huh?


    This startled Zhao Tian and his eyes quivered in shock ’Everyone close to her?’


    ’Her mother too? Then Jade Empress? Hmm... her mother must have been a second wife or concubine of the Jade Emperor.’


    Letting out a sigh Lan Shuqin continued, "People started to think that she was cursed."


    "That her presence brought death to those around her. People avoided her like she was some kind of plague. It didn’t matter that she was once surrounded by those who loved her; it didn’t matter that she had once been a beloved figure."


    "When everyone around her began to perish, people grew afraid. And it wasn’t just the common folk. Even those who had been close to her started to distance themselves. Even her own family... they could barely look at her."


    Lan Shuqin’s voice wavered as she continued. "In her most despairing moments, when the pain became too much to bear, there were times... when she tried to take her own life."


    "She felt that there was no reason to keep living, that the world would be better off without her. After all, everyone she loved was gone, and there seemed to be no end to the tragedy that followed her."


    "But it was her mother’s words that kept her alive for this long."


    "Gradually, she also began to distance everyone else and hate others."


    "She is distrustful of people around her. She puts on a front and never trusts others."


    "She has continued to doubt others; she has continued to protect her heart, and has completely stopped opening her heart to anyone."


    "Even me... she keeps myself at an arm’s distance and never interacts much with me."


    As she raised her gaze she spoke "But she is doing that to protect me."@@@@


    "She doesn’t want me to get too close, because she fears that if I do, I too will die. She believes that anyone who grows too close to her will be lost. And so she keeps herself distant, indifferent, and cold."


    "...and maybe... that’s why she also hates you, to protect you."


    Looking at his face, she spoke "She doesn’t hate you in the way you think..."


    "She doesn’t hate you for who you are. She hates the idea that you, too, could become someone she cares for... because that means you, too, would eventually leave her."


    "Hmm..." Zhao Tian mused under his breath upon hearing this.


    "I see, so the first thing we need to do is change your living place."


    Eh? Lan Shuqin tilted her head "Change my place?"


    Zhao Tian gave a nod "Mhm. I need to change your living place so that you’re closer to Hanyue. You should be there for her, whenever she needs something—whether it’s help, company, or just someone to listen."


    "You’re the one who has been by her side the longest, and it makes sense that you should be close enough to help her directly."


    Lan Shuqin shook her head "But Lady Hanyue won’t like that..."


    Zhao Tian smiled knowingly, "Let’s see, I know she’s pushing people away. I understand why she’s doing it, and I’m not going to force her to open up."


    "But sometimes, being there might be the first step in letting her feel safe again. And once she sees that you’re there to help, rather than to smother her, she might begin to change her mind."


    Lan Shuqin bit her lip, considering his words.


    A part of her knew that what Zhao Tian said made sense... Hanyue needed someone she could trust.


    And if that person was Lan Shuqin, then perhaps it was time to take the next step.


    But another part of her remained deeply worried.


    Could this plan truly work?


    Zhao Tian looked at her and asked "Are you afraid that you would lose your life if you stayed close to her?"


    Hm? Lan Shuqin looked up at his blue eyes.


    It was a risk, yes, but it was one Zhao Tian was willing to take... and that was something Lan Shuqin couldn’t ignore.


    With a bow she spoke "Master Tian, I trust you, and I will do whatever it takes to help Lady Hanyue. But... you must understand that she may not accept it easily."


    "She may try to push you away, or even me, but please... please be patient with her. She’s suffered so much, and it will take time."


    "I want her to be happy."


    ---------------------------------------------------


    I hope you guys liked this chapter!