The sun shone brightly over the kingdom of Hengling. Inside the palace, the maids hurried about, their hands never still as they prepared for the engagement ceremony of the only princess, Princess Moyin.
The throne room had been turned into a vision of beauty. Red silk draped from golden pillars, while embroidered banners shimmered in the sunlight that streamed through the crystal windows. Lanterns painted with phoenixes swayed gently above, and the sweet fragrance of peonies and orchids filled the air. Jade tables stood neatly arranged, their golden plates and jeweled cups sparkling in readiness for the celebration.
Princess Moyin, however, was not excited. She was the very girl Emperor Huojin once wished his son, Prince Lianyi, to marry. But fate had twisted—Lianyi had fallen in love with Mimi, and their engagement was canceled.
Now, to strengthen alliances, the emperor of a neighboring kingdom had requested Moyin's hand in marriage. Emperor Zhaokum was pleased; the other kingdom was as powerful as theirs. As a noble man with many wives, he saw this union as a wise choice. But Moyin—his only daughter—was stubborn.
Months had passed since the matter was brought up, yet the princess remained firm, insisting that she loved Prince Lianyi and would never marry another man.
Emperor Zhaokum had been patient with her tantrums, forgiving her every refusal because she was his cherished daughter. He believed that time would soften her heart. But as the days dragged on, her defiance only grew sharper.
That afternoon, unable to bear it anymore, Emperor Zhaokum stormed into her chamber.
Princess Moyin was curled on a couch, reading her favorite story, when she felt the sudden heavy presence in her door. She looked up—and froze. Her father stood there, his expression carved in stone.
Quickly, she set her book aside and rose, bowing deeply. "Father," she greeted softly, her voice tinged with unease.
"What is it, Father?" she asked, lifting her head hesitantly. To her, he had always been the warmest presence in her life.
"I want you to prepare for your engagement party," Emperor Zhaokum said firmly. "Your groom will arrive tomorrow with his family."
Her face lit up instantly, her heart leaping. "Has Prince Lianyi finally made up his mind?" she asked, nearly jumping with joy.
"No." His reply fell like a blow. Her joy shattered into despair.
"The young prince of Yunhai Kingdom, son of Emperor Xuanyuan Lie, will be here tomorrow—not Lianyi."
Her lips trembled, her heart sinking. "Please, Father… I don't love him. I don't want to marry him!" she pleaded, forcing tears down her cheeks—tears that had always softened his heart.
"They were the ones who first sought my hand. They must take responsibility!" she wailed dramatically.
"Nonsense!" Emperor Zhaokum's voice cracked like thunder. "There was never an engagement between you and Prince Lianyi. What Emperor Huojin said was just wine talk. We were just two friends who had enough to drink."
Her tears fell harder. As her father continue, "do you want me to force Prince Lianyi to marry you?" he snapped.
Her sobs echoed through the chamber.
"Tomorrow is your engagement with Prince Rong Yuan," he declared with finality. "That is the end of it." He turned sharply and stormed out, leaving her trembling.
For the first time, her father had not bent to her tears.
Moyin stood frozen in place, her face pale. She washed her tear-streaked cheeks and wandered to the throne room. When she stepped inside, her eyes widened.
throne room had been decorated beautifully for the engagement. Red silk curtains hung from the pillars, lanterns glowed warmly, and flowers were placed in golden vases. Tables were set with wine, fruits, and sweets, ready for the guests who would arrive the next day."
Her father had spared nothing to make this day dazzling, all to ease her heart.
But Moyin only felt a hollow ache. All the beauty before her was lifeless, gray in her eyes. What use were jewels and flowers when her heart belonged to someone else?
Maids hurried up to her, bowing deeply. "Congratulations, Your Highness," they chorused, smiling warmly.
"May your marriage bring peace to both kingdoms," another added.
Their words only made her blood boil. Her lips tightened, her hands clenched. She stormed out of the throne room, her silk skirts swishing in angry waves.
She went straight to her mother's chamber. Bursting through the doors, she found the room empty. Her frustration spiked. She turned and stormed out again, nearly colliding with a maid.
"Where is my mother?" she thundered.
The maid, startled, dropped her tray and stammered, "Th-the Empress and the Imperial Noble Consort have gone to the visitors' chamber—"
"Go and call her! Now!" Moyin snapped, her voice like a whip.
The maid trembled, bowed, and scurried away. She searched the visitors' chamber but found no one, then rushed back to the Empress's quarters. After knocking, a calm voice answered, "Come in."
The Empress sat gracefully at her desk. The maid bowed low. "Your Majesty, the Princess wishes to see you."
The Empress's brows knit faintly, but she rose and followed.
Back in the princess's chamber, Moyin was pacing like a caged bird. When the Empress entered, Moyin stopped, quickly bowing with trembling lips.
"Mother," she whispered, her voice cracking. Then she dropped to her knees. "Please… talk to Father. I don't want to marry that prince. I love Lianyi!"
The Empress's expression darkened instantly.
"Enough!" she snapped, her voice like ice. "It is your father's spoiling that has ruined you! You can no longer tell right from wrong!"
"Mother…" Moyin's voice shook, tears streaming.
"You, a princess of Hengling, throwing yourself away over a man who doesn't even love you?" Her voice rose, sharp with disappointment.
Moyin's heart clenched, her lips parted in protest. "I… I—"
"But the Empress would hear no more. With a sharp flick of her sleeves, she turned and stormed out, leaving Moyin kneeling on the floor, her heart sinking deeper into despair."
The princess screamed in frustration, clutching her chest.
"I must do something! They cannot just sell me away like a commodity. I must find a way…" she said, pacing, her eyes wild with desperation.
---
Meanwhile, in the Yunhai Kingdom, the atmosphere was lively. Preparations for the grand engagement filled the air with music and cheer.
The emperor had already sent his youngest son with soldiers carrying lavish gifts to the kingdom of Hengling. Yet, out of curiosity, the groom-to-be himself had disguised as one of the guards to travel alongside them.
His younger brother, riding close, gave him a curious look.
"What is the point of this disguise?" he asked, amused.
The prince smirked mischievously beneath his helmet. "To see my future wife with my own eyes… and to know her better before she sees me."