A night breeze gently stirred, carrying the soft chirping of crickets. In the center of the tranquil imperial pond stood a redwood pagoda. Shui Yi, clothed in a sapphire silken gown, sat at its edge, her bare feet dipping into the cool water. Tiny ripples spread beneath her toes as she gazed at the lonely full moon in the cloudless sky, its quiet beauty mirroring the sadness that lingered within. The Long Fei who journeyed with her in the transitional realm was gone, leaving a silent ache in her heart.
She sang her song of longing. For all these years, she had waited for him. She now understood why Ling Yue had kept the truth from her. He had returned with no memory of her.
The melody she sang was unlike anything she had ever shared with anyone, a song woven from her hopes and dreams, a song she had reserved for him. It was not meant for healing or magic, but a melody from the depths of her soul—one she had composed while mourning the man she thought she'd never see again.
***
The soft, lilting notes drifted along the night breeze and reached the chamber of the Crown Prince. Long Fei lowered his writing brush and picked up his jade flute. Drawn by the melody, he found himself at the pagoda in the imperial pond. He was enchanted by the grace with which Shui Yi sang, by the beauty of the song, by the vulnerability in her posture. This melody must be very personal to her; in this moment, she's revealing her soul. Should he let her be?
Her melody carried longing, an unexpected ache that resonated deep within him. He walked silently toward her, careful not to disturb her. Even though he was just within reach, she didn't move; her eyes were closed. She was lost in the melody. As he observed her, his heart fluttered strangely, making him feel vulnerable in ways he couldn't name. Without thinking, he lifted the jade flute to his lips and began to accompany her soft hum on his flute.
The notes of his flute echoed in the air, harmonizing with the lingering sound of her melody. The two sounds seemed to complement each other perfectly, as if they were two parts of the same song. At that moment, they were bound together by the music.
Long Fei's eyes softened as he played, his fingers gliding along the flute. She must have composed this song for the one he resembled. Why did that man leave her? A pang of discomfort stung him at the thought of her longing for someone else.
When the harmony ended, a soft silence fell between them. She gazed at him with a wistful smile, her silver hair flowing with the gentle night air. He lowered the flute, his gaze meeting hers. There was a quiet understanding between them.
He took off his outer cloak, gently draping it around her shoulders. "Shui Yi, you'll catch a cold out here."
As he tied the drawstrings of the cloak around her, she gently cupped his cheek. "Long Fei..." she whispered.
Shing! Long Yan emerged from the shadows, his blade gleaming under the moonlight. A streak of azure flashed before them and deflected his strike. The mysterious figure wore dark, stealthy garb that masked their identity, but the sharp, confident posture was unmistakable.
"Who are you?" Long Yan sneered.
The figure paused. A deep, almost amused tone rang out, "Your worst nightmare."
"Ling Yue, I know it's you. Stay out of this." He rolled his eyes, his voice sharp with fury.
The figure unmasked herself, revealing her silver-blue hair. "You dirty scoundrel, you didn't drink the Amnesia Elixir. I can't believe I used to respect you. No, I'm not going to stay out of this."
Long Fei stood protectively in front of Shui Yi, who trembled behind him. How did the treasonous former imperial guard know Ling Yue? And how was it that he spoke to his mother by her first name? What history could they possibly share?
Long Yan growled and charged at Ling Yue. She gracefully spun and kicked him in the back, causing him to stumble forward, caught off guard. They both smirked, reveling in the challenge. The clash of blades echoed through the courtyard as they sparred, each strike forceful and precise. Ling Yue somersaulted in the air; he barely dodged her kick. Her foot slammed into the ground with a resounding crack, splitting the stone beneath.
"I see you still haven't perfected your landing," he taunted, kicking at her head.
She blocked without looking. "And you've lost your edge. Guess being mortal is a power downgrade."
"Let me guess — Elder Brother told you not to hurt me?" he retorted, throwing a punch at her.
Long Fei could barely follow their movements. It was as though watching two old friends who regularly sparred with each other. They must have fought each other many times.
Then Ling Yue swiftly pulled a dagger from her boot and threw it at Long Yan, who deflected it, but she quickly disarmed him with her blade and knocked him back. He cursed under his breath and retreated at the sound of the imperial guards approaching.
She darted toward Shui Yi with lightning speed, grabbing her arm. "Sorry, Master, she can't stay here. I knew it was a bad idea to let her come here. We're leaving—now!"
The two women flew over the pond into the night.
Long Fei, watching the scene unfold, felt a surge of frustration build in his chest. He wanted to chase after them. But Ling Yue was right. The imperial palace was not suitable to keep two otherworldly women.
After witnessing the spar, he realized Long Yan's martial prowess exceeded his. Despite his burning desire to protect Shui Yi, he couldn't afford to leave the palace. He watched helplessly as she was taken away. She turned her head back, her silver hair and silk dress billowing in the breeze as Ling Yue hurried her away.
Torn between his feelings for her and his duty as Crown Prince, he clenched his jaws and fists. His priority was to seize the criminal for the safety of his people. He didn't have the heart to cage her within the palace walls, especially when he couldn't promise they'd ever be together.