Shiyi lifted her gaze again, her voice still remain gentle, still composed. "Elder Sister is truly fortunate," she said softly. "To be chosen to marry the Crown Prince of the Longlin Empire…" A faint smile curved her lips. "Such an alliance is rare, indeed." Her eyes lowered slightly, as if in admiration. "It is really an honor… even Father holds it in high regard." A slightly delicate pause, "I sometimes wonder…" She looked back at Shayue. "…what it would be like to receive such an honor myself." The words were smooth and carefully shaped, but behind those words were envy, comparison and something sharper.
Before Shayue could even respond—Wang Xinyi let out a soft, thoughtful hum. "…If that's the case," she said lightly, "…then perhaps the Third Princess should marry the Crown Prince instead." For the first time—Shiyi paused, just slightly. Then she smiled again, gentle as ever. "How could I possibly do that?" she replied with a soft laugh, "…I would never steal what belongs to my Elder Sister." Xinyi's smile widened—bright, harmless at first glance, she said again in a polite yet daring tone, "Steal?" she repeated lightly. A faintly tilt her head. "…That would require something to be taken." Her gaze lifted calmly. "If the Third Princess truly wished for such an opportunity… one might say it simply didn't thought about choosing you."
The words landed cleanly. Shiyi's maids were in sweat after listening to this. Shiyi's fingers tightened ever so slightly within her sleeve. Still—her expression remained composed. Xinyi continued speaking, her tone still playful. "Besides, marriage alliances are not decided by wishing." She added with a soft smile. A faint glance lingered on her, "…nor by standing at the right place at the right time."
Shayue finally spoke, her voice calm and unhurried. "If the Third Princess desires such an honor," she said evenly, "there will be other opportunities." Her gaze remained steady. "But this one—" A slight pause, "—has already been accepted." simple and final.
Shiyi held her smile—but it no longer reached her eyes. For the first time—she had no answer. She inclined her head gracefully, trying to retreat. "Then I will not disturb Elder Sister any longer," she said gently. "I only wished to see you before your departure." Her gaze flicked once toward Xinyi. "…and it seems I have to." Without waiting any further, she turned. Her sleeves swayed lightly as she walked away—poised, Elegant and untouched. But her thoughts—were not as composed.
'Yu Shayue…'
Her expression darkened slightly as she stepped beyond the hall.
'You accept this so calmly now. A marriage into the Longlin Empire…'
A faint, bitter edge surfaced.
'Let us see how long that composure of yours last long.'
Her lips pressed together.
'When you stand alone in another court… When your so-called husband looks down on you… When you will be shamed for having an ugly husband… When you are no longer protected there and here—'
Her gaze hardened even more, 'Then we will see… how long you can remain above me.' She did not look back.
--
Silence returned to the hall as Yu Shiyi disappeared from the view. Wang Xinyi watched the direction she had just left for a moment, than let out a quiet breath, "…Refined appearance," she said lightly, a faint pause, as her gaze lowered briefly. "…with unrefined intentions." She folded her arms, tilting her head just slightly. "…a serpent wrapped in fine silk." Then she turned towards Yu Shayue, her expression shifting—lighter, but no less sharp. "You handled that beautifully," she said, a small grin forming. "…though I must admit—" Her eyes glinted with amusement. "…I would not have minded saying a few more things."
Shayue did not respond immediately, she remained standing where she was, her gaze resting in the direction Shiyi had just left. Then—very faintly—the corner of her lips curved. Not warmth, not amusement with something quieter and sharper. A smirk that appeared and disappeared just as quickly—as if the moment itself had not been worth more. "She spoke more than enough," Shayue said calmly, steadily and in controlled, her gaze lowered just slightly, thoughtful. "And in those 'more than enough' words she revealed even more than enough." Xinyi blinked once—then smiled wider, "…So you did notice it." Shayue did not answer, but the faint stillness in her expression—said everything.
The courtyard had grown quieter and quieter, the last light of the day had faded, leaving behind the calm stillness of the You hour—when the sky deepened into indigo and the first lamps were lit across the palace. A gentle breeze stirred the falling petals, carrying with it the faint chill of night. Yu Shayue stood beneath the peach tree, her sleeves shifting softly with the wind. Beside her, Wang Xinyi lingered, quieter now than before. For once—she did not tease immediately.
"…It's getting late," Shayue said at last, her voice calm, her gaze lifting briefly toward the darkening sky. "You should go home now, it is getting late. Your parents would be concerned about you." Xinyi let out a small breath, as if she had expected those words but still did not quite like hearing them. "…You always know when to end things," she muttered lightly. Then, after a brief pause, she turned toward Shayue again—this time more serious. "…Let me ask you one more time." Her voice softened, but did not lose its firmness. "When you leave for the Lin Empire… are you truly certain, you do not need me to accompany you?"
Shayue did not answer immediately. Her gaze rested on Xinyi, steady and thoughtful. "I have considered it," she said quietly. "More than once, but the answer does not and will not change." Xinyi's fingers tightened slightly at her side. "…Even now?" Shayue stepped a little closer, her voice calm—yet carrying quiet weight. "This path is not one I can measure fully. I do not know what awaits me there." Her gaze did not waver. "And because of that—" A faint stillness passed through her expression. "…I will not bring you into it." Xinyi's lips pressed together, her usual smile absent now. "…You say that as if I would be a burden." Shayue replied immediately, "You would not," pause, "That is precisely the problem." Xinyi blinked. "If you come," Shayue continued, her tone quieter now, "…then I would have something to lose." The words settled between them.
Xinyi looked at her for a long moment she could clearly see the concern in her eyes for her. Then—she exhaled softly. "…You always make it difficult to argue with you." A faint, reluctant smile appeared. "…I don't like it." Shayue's expression softened just slightly. "…Alright," Xinyi said at last, lifting her chin a little. "If you have already decided… then I won't insist you." She turned, her sleeves swaying lightly as her two maids stepped into place behind her. "…Take care of yourself, do not worry too much," she added, her voice lighter again—but not as careless as before.
Shayue said nothing. She simply watched, watched as Xinyi walked away—step by step—without turning back. But Xinyi's thoughts—were far from calm.
'Not insists?' A faint glint appeared in her eyes as she moved forward.
'A-Yue, You really think I would listen to that easily? I won't let you go alone in that dangerous place, if you don't want to take me with you, than that is your choice for me, than as for me, my choice is…'
Her lips curved ever so slightly. A quiet pause,
'… I'll simply follow you myself through this and leave your side even if it is dangerous. This is my choice.'
Behind her— Shayue still watched, not even knowing that the figure in front of her, who is leaving and is thinking something far more than that she doesn't know, until the figure disappeared beyond the corridor. Only then did she turn.
--
Inside her chamber, the lamps had already been lit. Soft golden light flickered against the curved walls, casting gentle shadows across the room. Shayue walked slowly toward the window. Outside—the moon had risen, clear, cold and unmoving, she stood there in silence, her gaze fixed on it for a long moment—
'Lin Yechen…' The name settled quietly in her thoughts. Her fingers rested lightly against the window frame. 'You accepted this with not in hesitation and not in negotiation. Acceptance.' Her eyes narrowed just slightly. 'Why?'
Her mind moved through possibilities—politics, strategy, power—none of them simple, none of them clean.
'You are not a man who acts without reason.' A faint breath escaped her lips. 'So what is it that you want…?'
For the first time—her thoughts did not settle, and that—was rare.
--
The moon rose higher above the Fengyu Empire—cold, distant and untouched. Its pale light fell gently over the quiet courtyards, over drifting petals, over the still figure of Yu Shayue standing by the window. Everything beneath it seemed calm, refined and controlled. Like a painting that had not yet been disturbed. The phoenix banners swayed softly in the night wind—pink and red, graceful, elegant—symbols of beauty… and restraint, but the wind did not stop there.
It moved. Carrying the same cold light—the same silent witness—across mountains, across rivers, across borders unseen. Until—it reached another land. The moon did not change, but everything beneath it did.
In the Longlin Empire—there was no stillness. Torches burned like restless flames, their light fierce against the dark. The air was thick with the sound of steel, of movement, of command. The wind grew sharper, the air heavier, alive with movement. Where the phoenix drifted—the Dragon did not.
Golden dragon banners rose high against the dark—threads of gold catching the firelight. Each movement of the fabric reflecting authority, dominance… and something far less forgiving, Elegance became power. The banners here did not sway gently—they commanded the wind, bold and unyielding.
Beneath the same moon—two worlds existed. One watched, one moved. Yet one waited, one tested. And somewhere between them—a single decision had already been made. The phoenix had taken a step. Now—the dragon had turned its gaze, scheming and unwavering.
To be continued...