It was Shen Hour the time when the sun began its slow descent, casting long shadows across the palace grounds.
A quiet golden light lingered over the Eastern Palace.
Inside the chambers—
Mei Yi struggled to lift a small chest, nearly losing her balance before catching herself at the last moment.
"…Why does Her Highness have so many things?"
She muttered under breath, clearly frustrated.
Nearby, Ying folded the last of Shayue's robes with precise, practiced movements.
"Be careful," she said quietly.
"This is not the time to make mistakes."
Mei Yi huffed, but said nothing more.
The usual liveliness between them felt… dimmed.
Because this was not a journey,
It was a farewell.
Beneath the same peach tree—
Yu Shayue stood in silence.
Petals drifted around her, brushing lightly against her sleeves before falling to the ground.
Her gaze lingered on the courtyard—
On the place she had trained
On the paths she had walked countless times
On the palace that had shaped her.
The Eastern Palace
The first to welcome spring
And now—
The first to let her go.
She did not move
Did not speak.
The wind shifted slightly, lifting the ends of her sleeves.
Behind her, Ying and Mei Yi stepped forward quietly, stopping a few steps away.
Neither dared to speak first.
At last—
Shayue turned.
Slowly and gracefully
Her expression was calm
Too calm
"Is everything prepared?" she asked.
Ying lowered her head "Yes, Your Highness. Everything is packed."
A brief pause
And yet—
She remained where she was,
Because she was still waiting…
Not a gesture
Not for courtesy
She was waiting for Lin Yechen to accept the proposal sent by her father.
For the first time—
She found herself wanting an answer.
A memory surfaced
Cold and clear
The proposal from the Qiu Empire.
A Crown Prince admired for his status—
his ambition praised across courts.
He had spoken of power
Of alliances
Of what she could bring to him
Never once—
Had he spoken to her.
Her father had approved.
The court had praised the match.
It had been… politically perfect.
And yet—
She had refused.
Without hesitation
Because she had seen through him
To him—
She was not a partner
Not even an opponent.
To him, she had been nothing more than a symbol.
A step toward greater authority.
Her gaze lowered slightly.
But now—
This time—
Was different
Not because she trusted the man in the Lin Empire.
Not because she expected kindness.
But because this was not an illusion
But because this decision—
This acceptance—
Would determine everything that followed,
This was a battlefield
Slowly, her fingers relaxed.
He may be ruthless…
Her gaze lifted, steady and sharp.
…but at least he will not pretend.
A faint pause
Will you accept…
Her eyes lifted, calm yet sharp.
…or will you reject this before it even begins?
If you accept—
Then this will no longer be my father's game.
The wind stirred once more, petals drifting past her like fading memories.
if this is the hand fate demands I extend…
Her gaze lifted, calm, unwavering.
…then let us see who dares to take it.
Lin Yechen…
Her expression remained unchanged.
So do not disappoint me…
To Be Continued...