All preparations were complete; only Shen Yuqing's master had yet to arrive. The morning air was crisp, carrying with it the fragrance of blooming plum blossoms across the courtyard. Sunlight filtered through the pavilion, spilling golden light onto the stone floor where Li Jun and Shen Yuqing sat, savoring tea and conversation.
A figure descended from the sky with flawless qinggong, her robes drifting like clouds in the wind. She landed soundlessly behind Li Jun, the hem of her dress brushing against the dew-laden grass. Dropping to one knee, she bowed low.
"Long live Your Majesty."
The Empress turned at the voice. Slowly, the kneeling woman lifted her face, and their gazes met.
Li Jun's breath caught. "The Luo River Goddess has stepped from legend," she murmured.
The woman's beauty was otherworldly, sunlight cloaking her in a radiance that made her seem untouchable. For a heartbeat, Li Jun forgot herself; an arrow seemed to pierce her heart, stripping away all composure.
Only when Shen Yuqing cleared her throat softly did the spell break. "Your Majesty…" she prompted.
Li Jun regained her poise. "Ah… rise. There is no need for such formality." She stepped forward to help the woman to her feet. Her eyes lingered, unwilling to turn away.
"Your Majesty, this humble one is Wang Wuyue."
Her voice was calm as still water, although she had already noticed the Empress's lingering gaze.
As the leader of the Heavenly Mountain Sect, one of the most revered sects in the martial world, she had never once been gazed at so openly, let alone by a woman.
Her heart stirred with faint displeasure. She was not accustomed to being regarded so casually. Wang Wuyue was a hermit, if not for the Empress Dowager's personal request to protect the Empress, she would never trouble herself with court affairs.
Shen Yuqing was just about to greet her master properly, lips parting to speak, when Li Jun suddenly leaned forward and asked with innocent curiosity, "Wuyue, are you Qing'er's senior sister?"
Wang Wuyue's brows knit faintly. This was the first time anyone had addressed her in such a way. She exchanged a glance with Shen Yuqing, who bowed her head and said softly,"Your Majesty… she is my master."
"Oh… Eh, what did you say?!" Li Jun's voice lifted half an octave, her eyes widening in disbelief. She looked back and forth between the two women.
"You… her master?! You look so young! How could you possibly be her master?"
Shen Yuqing, cheeks tinged with red, tried to explain, "Your Majesty, though Master is over thirty, her cultivation is profound. Her appearance has remained unchanged for many years…"
"Your Majesty, it would be best if we set out now. The journey to Luo City is long, we may not arrive for another five to seven days," Wang Wuyue cut in flatly, unwilling to hear Li Jun's nonsense.
The Empress gave a small nod. "Very well."
Li Jun gracefully stepped into the carriage first. Then she turned, offering her hand to Shen Yuqing with a smile. "Come, Qing'er, let me help you."
Shen Yuqing hesitated, her cheeks warming, before placing her hand in the Empress's. With gentle care, Li Jun guided her inside.
Then came Wang Wuyue.
Li Jun extended her hand again. "Wuyue..."
Before she could finish, Wang Wuyue walked straight past her, stepping into the carriage without the slightest glance and seating herself with the composure of a mountain unmoved by wind or rain.
Her hand froze midair. She stared at her empty palm for a moment, lips twitching. "…Did she just ignore me?"
Shen Yuqing pressed her lips together, struggling not to laugh. Her shoulders trembled, betraying her effort.
Without so much as a change in expression, Wang Wuyue turned her head just enough to send her disciple a chilling glare. Instantly, Shen Yuqing lowered her gaze. She knew far too well her master's nature, cold, sharp, and indifferent.
And yet, a faint smile lingered in her heart. She was curious to see how long the Empress could keep it up.
Who was Li Jun?
She was the type who could face court intrigue without flinching, unafraid of the old fox ministers, the one thing she could not endure was being ignored.
The more Wang Wuyue acted as though she were invisible, the more Li Jun insisted on making her presence known.
She sat down right beside her, shoulders nearly brushing. Wang Wuyue shifted away.
Li Jun leaned even closer, narrowing the space between them on purpose.
At last, Wang Wuyue rose with cool composure and moved to the opposite seat, right beside Shen Yuqing.
Li Jun, however, was relentless. She leaned forward, lips curling in a mischievous smile, clearly about to squeeze herself right between them.
Before she could move, Shen Yuqing quickly grabbed her shoulder.
"Your Majesty," she whispered urgently, pushing her back down, "please… don't provoke Master…"
Afraid that the Empress might stir up more mischief, Shen Yuqing quietly shifted from her seat and settled right beside her. Without warning, her fingers pinched Li Jun's arm hard.
The Empress stiffened, a hiss escaping her lips. "A-Ah! Qing'er, you traitor! Assaulting your Empress in broad daylight, rebellion!" she whispered dramatically, clutching her arm.
Shen Yuqing's lips pressed into a thin line as she struggled not to roll her eyes. "Your Majesty, this is not the palace. If you keep this up, it won't be your arm that suffers next time."
Li Jun pouted, puffing out her cheeks like a sulky child. "Ohh, so that's how it is, hm? Just because we're not in the palace, you dare to bully me?!"
She clutched her arm as though it were gravely wounded, eyes shimmering dramatically as she fanned at her lashes, pretending to wipe away nonexistent tears.
Her wailing grew louder and louder, until Shen Yuqing finally sighed in defeat. She scooted closer, gently rubbing the Empress's arm. "Does it hurt you so much, Your Majesty?" she asked softly.
Li Jun sniffled pitifully, nodding with exaggerated misery. Then she leaned in, lowering her voice into a conspiratorial whisper. "If you kiss me… it won't hurt anymore."
Her lips curved into a playful grin as she tilted her cheek expectantly. "Qing'er, kiss me here."
Shen Yuqing's face immediately flushed crimson. She glanced nervously at Wang Wuyue, who still sat across from them in meditative silence.
Li Jun leaned even closer, her whisper teasing. "It's fine… your master's eyes are closed, she can't see. Hurry up…"
Shen Yuqing bit her lip, shaking her head. "No! Absolutely not."
"Qing'er… if you don't kiss me now, the pain will only get worse. I might faint right here…"
Finally, unable to withstand her relentless pleading, Shen Yuqing sighed in defeat. With cheeks burning, she leaned forward and pressed the quickest, softest kiss against Li Jun's cheek.
Li Jun immediately brightened, her pain miraculously gone. "See? It worked. I feel all better now!"
Across from them, Wang Wuyue's eyelids twitched faintly as she clearly heard their conversation.
For the first time since boarding the carriage, peace returned. The wheels creaked slowly as the carriage carried them farther from the palace.
Wang Wuyue sat straight with her eyes closed, breathing calmly. Like a hermit atop a mountain peak, she sank into meditation.
No matter how deep she tried to immerse herself in silence… she could still feel something.
A hot gaze. Someone's eyes.
She did not need to open her own to know whose they were. And because of that burning stare, her concentration wavered.
Li Jun sat primly, chin propped on her hand, staring straight at Wuyue with a gaze as fierce as fire. Her eyes sparkled like a child gazing at a tray of sugar cakes.
At last, Wang Wuyue exhaled a long breath. She still did not open her eyes; her voice was flat, cold, yet edged with warning:"…Your Majesty, why do you keep looking at me? Is there something on my face?"
Li Jun only grinned, utterly unrepentant. "Oh? But how did you know… with your eyes closed?"