Princess Moyin passed the palace gate without looking back, her steps quick, her heart beating fast. The night air was cold, but she didn't care. She only wanted to marry the man she loves.
Not far behind, Prince Rong Yuan followed in silence. His eyes never left her small figure as she hurried through the dark path.
When she reached a street, she almost bumped into two guards on patrol. Her heart jumped, and she quickly turned to another corner, only to run straight into a man standing in the shadows.
Moyin gasped, her breath caught in her throat, thinking she was caught. When she saw that the person was a stranger, she felt relieved. "Please help me," she said, grabbing the man's arm in panic, her voice trembling. "My uncle wants to marry me to the prince of Yunhai," she said, lying without thinking.
"Are you a princess?" he asked, narrowing his eyes as if trying to read her soul.
"No," she quickly denied, shaking her head fiercely.
"But aren't you supposed to be happy marrying a prince?" he asked, raising a brow.
Her face dropped, her lips quivering as she said, "The prince is a fool. He talks with saliva coming out of his mouth. And he beats people. He was the one that killed his first wife. If I marry him, he will also kill me." Her eyes filled with tears as she clutched her chest, her whole body trembling in fear. She looked up at him pitifully, like a cornered bird begging for freedom.
"What!" Prince Rong Yuan exclaimed, his eyes flashing in disbelief at the way his bride-to-be described him.
"And where exactly are you going?" he asked, raising a brow.
"The kingdom of Xiyue," she whispered, lowering her head, her voice breaking.
"At this hour?" he exclaimed, almost in shock.
"Please, you have to help me," she sobbed, tears rolling down her cheeks. "If my uncle catches me, he will tie me up and send me to him." Her voice cracked as she continued to lie and act pitifully, her hands clutching desperately at his sleeve.
"See," she said, her fingers trembling as she brought out a pouch full of coins, "you see, I have money. Just help me get to my sister at Xiyue, and I will give you all this." She hurriedly started removing her bracelet, earrings, and even her hairpin, her movements frantic. "This can give you a better life. But if you allow me to die, my soul will haunt you forever!" she acted so we'll making her eyes blazed with both fear and determination as she pressed the items into his hands.
Rong Yuan's lips curved slightly under the moonlight. His eyes glinted with hidden amusement, yet he kept his expression steady. Driven by curiosity, he accepted the gifts, pretending hesitation as he said, in a low voice, that he had a sick mother to care for.
With that, he collected the gifts and led her into the darkness.
Princess Moyin followed closely, clutching her robe tightly, her heart pounding with both fear and hope. Every step felt heavier, but she forced herself forward, her eyes darting around the silent streets.
Rong Yuan walked ahead, his pace steady, his figure calm beneath the moonlight. His grip on the pouch tightened slightly, his face unreadable, though a faint curve lingered at the corner of his lips.
Behind him, Moyin whispered shakily, "Thank you… thank you," her voice breaking as though she feared the night itself might swallow her words.
The path ahead stretched into shadows, and together they disappeared into the stillness of the night.
Early the next morning, more visitors arrived at the palace, their carriages lined in rows as servants hurried to welcome them. The maids continued from where they had stopped the night before, rushing about to prepare the halls and chambers. Today was the long-awaited day—the engagement between Princess Moyin and Prince Rong Yuan.
Inside the princess's chamber, two maids entered quietly, carrying fresh water and silk robes to dress her for the occasion.
"She is still sleeping," one whispered with a small smile, pointing toward the figure lying beneath the blanket.
The first maid stepped closer and touched the figure gently. But as her hand pressed down, her eyes widened—it was only a neatly arranged pillow, hidden beneath the blanket to look like a sleeping person.
Their hearts skipped a beat. Panic rushed through them as they hurried to the bathroom chamber and pushed the door open. Empty. The princess was nowhere to be found.
Fear rose in their chests. Without wasting another moment, one of the maids turned and ran out of the chamber, her hurried footsteps echoing down the corridor as she rushed to inform the Empress.
The maid ran breathlessly through the corridor, her face pale, until she reached the Empress's chamber. Falling to her knees, she cried out, "Your Majesty! Princess Moyin… she is gone!"
The Empress froze, her hands tightening on the edge of her seat. "Gone?" her voice trembled, her heart racing. "What do you mean gone?"
The maid lowered her head, tears threatening to spill. "W-we thought she was still sleeping… but it was only pillows beneath the blanket. We searched the chamber, even the bathhouse. She is nowhere to be found!"
The Empress's face turned white. She rose to her feet so quickly that her silken robe swayed around her. Her chest tightened with panic, but she forced herself to stay steady. "Send for her brother at once!" she commanded.
Moments later, the young prince entered, his steps quick and eyes sharp. Seeing his mother's pale face, he asked, "Mother, what has happened?"
The Empress gripped his arm tightly, her nails digging into his sleeve. "Moyin has run away. The engagement is today, and she is nowhere to be found. You must go to His Majesty immediately—tell him before the court discovers it!"
Her son's face darkened, shock flashing in his eyes. He gave a deep nod, his jaw set. "I understand." Without another word, he turned and strode swiftly down the hall, his footsteps heavy with urgency as he made his way to the Emperor.