For the first time since the Imperial decree arrived—
Song Jia slept badly because she was happy.
That realization annoyed her.
She lay awake inside her room at the Song residence, staring at the ceiling.
The golden decree sat on the table nearby.
Official.
Sealed.
Irrevocable.
Her marriage was hers to choose.
It should have felt simple.
Instead—
her chest felt strangely tight.
Crystal's voice came faintly through their connection.
Mistress?
"I'm awake."
I noticed.
Song Jia closed her eyes.
"Don't say anything."
I wasn't going to.
"You were."
Crystal remained suspiciously silent.
Song Jia turned onto her side.
The competition replayed in pieces.
The hidden observations.
The examinations.
The final fight.
Sun stepping beside her.
Ding Shun reading the decree aloud.
And—
Her marriage shall proceed only with her own consent.
Such ordinary words.
