The news did not enter the Fengyu court as a mere report, it spread with quiet inevitability, unsettling the carefully maintained order of the grand hall. What begun as low murmurs soon grew into a restrained yet unmistakable unrest, as ministers exchanged measured words that carried more weight than their composed expression reveal.
"The Crown Prince of the Longlin Empire has departed for war?" A minister's voice broke the stillness, restrained yet edged with disbelief. He stepped forward, bowing slightly, but his words carried unmistakable weight. "At such a time, when both the empires stand on the brink of formal alliance, this action cannot be viewed as a mere coincidence. Your Majesty, this… is a matter that touches upon the dignity of our court." Another official followed, his tone more measured, yet no less firm. "If word of this matter spreads beyond the wall, it will not be seen as a necessity, but as disregard. The Crown Prince's absence may be interpreted as a lack of respect toward our empire and toward Her Highness, whom he is soon to wed."
A faint murmur rippled through the hall. "War may be important," a third voice added, slower, more deliberate, "but timing is never without a meaning. To depart now… is to make a statement, whether intended or not." The Emperor's gaze darkened. "So," he said at last, his voice low but carrying across the entire court, "you all believe this, to be an insult towards our empire?" No one dared to answer directly. Yet their silence spoke louder.
"To accept a marriage alliance, to allow preparations to begin and then to withdraw without even presenting himself, tell me," the Emperor continued, his tone sharpening, "does the Lin Empire believe our court so easily dismissed?" Still, no one dared to respond. Then—his gaze shifted, toward Yu Shayue. "Crown Princess," he said, more pointed now, "this matter concerns you the most. Speak. Do you consider this conduct acceptable?"
All eyes turned towards Shayue. For a moment, she remained seated, her expression composed, as though the tension in the hall had yet to reach her. Then she rose, her movements unhurried, her gaze steady. "It is not unexpected, Your Majesty. The words fell simply, yet the effect behind it was immediate. "…Not unexpected?" one minister repeated unable to restrain himself, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince has departed in the midst of your marriage preparations, how can such a matter be spoken lightly?"
Shayue's gaze slightly shifted toward him, calm and unwavering. "Because the Crown Prince of the Longlin Empire has never been known to place ceremony above state affairs," she replied, evenly and calmly, her tone non hesitance. "If the borders demand his presence, then his departure is not an act of disrespect, but of responsibility." Another minister frowned. "Even so, Your Highness, there are matters of propriety that must be observed. A marriage between two empires is not a trivial affair. His absence at such a moment cannot be dismissed so easily." The minister faltered.
She continued, her gaze sweeping lightly across the court. "You speak of dignity. Yet dignity is not upheld through ceremony alone. It is upheld through actions, through judgments, through the ability to discern what must take precedence." The hall grew quitter, the Emperor's eyes narrowed. "And what of your own position?" he asked. "Does his absence not diminish you?"
Shayue met his gaze without hesitation, she said calmly, "Is that so? Then allow me to ask you a question…" her eyes swept across the hall, brief and unyielding, "If our empire were under threat—would you still claim that a ceremony must come first… and then the state or military affairs later?" her voice did not rise, it carried every corner, the words fell like a blade, cutting everyone without hesitate, Shayue continues speaking, "as for my position, it is not as fragile as you think," she answered calmly, "that it could be shaken by the absence of a single ceremony. If the Crown Prince has chosen to act in accordance with the needs of his empire, then it is not for me to interpret it as an insult." After a brief pause she said quietly "On the contrary… it speaks clearly of the kind of man he is, worthy for being the Crown Prince of his empire, he will not leave his empire behind."
The words lingered in court, no one answered, no one dared to, the officials who had spoken with their earlier confidence dissolving into a quiet silence, all lowering their heads, even those who had intended to echo them remained still, at the high seat, His Majesty did not speak, even he allowed the question to stand, he could not answer this. Then finally a minister spoke again, more cautiously this time. "Then Your Highness does not tale offense?" Shayue's expression did not change. "Offense is taken when intent is uncertain, in this matter, his intent is quiet clear." the Emperor asked her "And that intent is?" Shayue said calmly, "To place his empire above all else."
Silence, for a moment, no one spoke. All the ministers did not dared to spoke further. The Emperor did not respond, he looked at Shayue for a moment then— "…You defend him so well," he said at last. Shayue inclined her head slightly. "I merely speak as the situation demands." The tension that had filled the hall did not vanish but it shifted, because the meaning behind it had changed. Shayue said in last, "Your Majesty, than this subject will take her leave, as now that all the things have been settled." The court went silent, again, but this time heavier.
After Shayue withdrew from the hall… whispers was filled in halls, echoed… One of the minister said, "…Her Highness defended him so easily…" Another minister said in a low voice, "Not just defended him. But she also justified his actions as though she had anticipated them. It is… unusual, given the circumstances." Third minister said, "There might be reasons perhaps." Their voices remained controlled, yet they had an uncertain doubt. Meanwhile upon the throne, the Emperor remained silent. His expression remained unchanged, yet his gaze calm, steady and unmoving lingering toward the direction Shayue had just departed.
A minister finally said something… "Y…Your Majesty," the minister ventured carefully, "Shall this matter be pursued further?" the emperor's fingers tapped lightly against the armrest before coming to a still halt, "No." the single word fell without force yet carried finality, "Let the Longlin Empire act as it is necessary," he continued, his tone even, revealing nothing of thoughts. "We shall only observe… and remember." No further discussion followed, yet the unease did not entirely fade, because what had unsettled them was not merely the Crown Prince's absence—but the calm with which Shayue had just received it.
--
Shayue returned to her chamber, quiet but the echoes of the court still lingering faintly in the air, as though the unrest had not entirely settled even after her departure. Yu Shayue stood by the window, her gaze resting upon the distant horizon, where the last traces of daylight had already begun to fade. Her fingers brushed lightly on the edges, absent movement that betrayed nothing but her thoughts, "To depart at such a moment," she murmured softly, as speaking to herself, "without hesitation, without regard for appearance…" she said with a faint smile, "You are really something, Lin Yechen." The words faded before they fully formed, for a brief moment like instant, something unfamiliar crossed her mind, not doubt, not even suspicion but understanding.
"He did not remain for the ceremony," she continued quietly, her voice steady, yet carrying a faint trace of contemplation, "nor did he delay for the sake of diplomacy… he chose the battlefield over formality and his people over, his own reputation." Her gaze slightly lowered, "That alone… is not the decision of a careless or irresponsible man." The thought settled and with it, came something she had not intended to think, a faint shift appeared on her face, not warmth but of recognition, for a fleeting moment, she almost regarded Lin Yechen differently. Almost, her fingers stilled at that moment, then—as though catching herself off guarded—her gaze sharpen once again, the brief softness vanishing without a trace,
"…No." the word left from her mouth quietly yet firmly, "To place his empire first is expected of a Crown Prince," she said, her tone returning to its usual composure. "It is not a virtue… it is a necessity." A faint breath escaped her, "And a man who acts without any hesitation… is not the one who to be taken lightly." The earlier thought whatever it had been was dismissed just as swiftly as it had appeared, her posture straightened, her expression grew dark and still yet somewhere behind that calm—remained something, understanding…
To be continued...