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The imperial palace of the Great Empire of Tianzhou had not known peace since the incident at Princess Xiao Lihua's chambers.
Even by morning, tension still lingered heavily in the air.
Guards stood at every corridor entrance.
Patrol routes doubled.
Servants walked with lowered heads, whispering nervously whenever soldiers passed by.
Every corner of the palace seemed restless.
As though the walls themselves had realized danger had already entered once-
And could return again.
Inside a quieter part of the inner palace, however, another atmosphere existed entirely.
Soft sunlight streamed through the carved windows of Shen Yunxi's chambers, illuminating the peaceful stillness within.
Yunxi sat near the window with a book resting gently in his hands.
The pale morning light softened his delicate features while strands of dark hair fell neatly beside his face. His expression remained calm, though faint exhaustion still lingered beneath his eyes.
For once-
The palace outside felt distant.
Quiet.
Safe.
At least until-
The chamber doors burst open.
"Young Master Shen!"
Mei Lian hurried inside breathlessly, nearly tripping over her own steps in panic.
Yunxi immediately looked up in surprise.
Mei placed both hands against her knees, trying to catch her breath.
"Oh heavens..." she muttered. "The palace is in complete chaos..."
Yunxi frowned slightly.
Concern quickly surfaced across his face.
Mei noticed instantly.
"You haven't heard yet?"
She rushed toward him.
"Something terrible happened last night!"
Yunxi slowly lowered the book onto his lap.
Mei glanced around before lowering her voice dramatically despite the empty room.
"An assassin entered the palace."
Yunxi's eyes widened immediately.
Mei nodded quickly.
"And not just anywhere! They say he entered Princess Lihua's chambers!"
Yunxi stiffened.
His fingers tightened slightly against the edge of the book.
The princess?
Mei continued speaking rapidly.
"The whole palace is talking about it! The guards are terrified, the servants are panicking, and this morning His Majesty immediately went to see the princess himself."
Yunxi's expression slowly paled.
He remembered the kindness Lihua had shown him only days ago.
The warm smile.
The gentle conversations.
The way she never looked at him with mockery or pity.
A faint ache settled in his chest.
Mei's expression softened slightly as she noticed the concern in his eyes.
"They said the assassin threatened her badly..."
Yunxi lowered his gaze quietly.
His chest tightened further.
Then Mei sighed softly.
"And now His Majesty has ordered the princess to leave for the Guo'an Empire."
Yunxi looked up instantly.
Mei nodded sadly.
"She's leaving today."
Silence filled the room afterward.
Outside, faint sounds of hurried footsteps echoed through the palace corridors.
But inside-
Only sadness remained.
Yunxi slowly looked toward the window.
Leaving...
The princess was leaving.
So suddenly.
His fingers unconsciously tightened against his sleeve.
Mei watched him carefully.
Then-
A thought seemed to form inside Yunxi's mind.
He suddenly reached toward the small writing table nearby.
Mei blinked.
"Hm?"
Yunxi quickly took a brush and began writing carefully upon paper.
Mei leaned closer curiously.
'I want to give the princess something.'
Mei's expression softened almost immediately.
"A gift?"
Yunxi nodded quietly.
His eyes lowered slightly afterward.
Even if their friendship had been brief-
Lihua had shown him kindness during a time when almost no one else did.
And he wanted her to know he would remember it.
Mei smiled gently.
"That's a lovely idea."
She tilted her head slightly.
"What would you like to give her?"
Yunxi hesitated briefly before reaching toward a small wooden box resting near the shelf beside his bed.
Opening it carefully-
He revealed a delicate jade pendant.
Simple.
Elegant.
A pale white jade flower carved carefully into the shape of a blooming plum blossom.
Mei's eyes widened slightly.
"You're giving her that?"
Yunxi nodded slowly.
The pendant had once belonged to his late mother.
One of the very few things he treasured.
Mei immediately understood the sincerity behind the gesture.
Her expression softened deeply.
"She'll treasure it," she whispered.
Yunxi carefully wrapped the pendant in silk cloth before standing quietly.
Mei brightened slightly.
"Then let's hurry before the princess leaves!"
The inner palace remained busy as they made their way toward Lihua's residence.
Servants carried wooden boxes across corridors while guards moved in organized formations nearby.
The atmosphere felt hurried.
Uneasy.
Everyone understood the seriousness behind the sudden departure.
When Yunxi and Mei finally arrived outside the princess's chambers, several attendants were already loading belongings into decorative chests.
Mei stepped forward first politely.
"We came to see the princess."
The maid guarding the entrance nodded before allowing them inside.
Inside the chamber, Princess Xiao Lihua sat quietly near the window while several maids finished organizing her belongings nearby.
She looked calmer than yesterday.
But exhaustion still lingered within her eyes.
When she noticed Yunxi entering-
Her face brightened immediately.
"Yunxi?"
Mei bowed politely.
"Princess, Young Master Shen heard about your departure and wished to see you before you leave."
Lihua looked genuinely touched.
"You came all this way for me?"
Yunxi nodded softly.
He stepped closer before carefully presenting the wrapped silk cloth with both hands.
The princess blinked in surprise.
"For me?"
Mei smiled warmly.
"Young Master Shen wanted to give you something."
Lihua carefully accepted the gift before unfolding the cloth slowly.
The moment she saw the jade pendant-
Her expression softened completely.
"It's beautiful..."
Her fingers gently traced the delicate carved flower.
Then she looked back toward Yunxi with warmth in her eyes.
"Thank you."
Yunxi lowered his gaze slightly, embarrassed by the sincerity in her voice.
Lihua smiled faintly.
"I'll keep it with me."
Her voice softened further.
"So even in another empire... I won't forget the friend I met here."
Yunxi's chest tightened quietly.
Mei suddenly sniffled dramatically beside them.
"Oh no... now I'm emotional..."
Lihua laughed softly for the first time since the incident.
Even Yunxi's expression softened slightly.
For a brief moment-
The heaviness surrounding the palace seemed lighter.
But then-
The chamber doors opened again.
And General Liang Fengxiao entered alongside several servants behind him.
The general wore formal armor today, silver details gleaming beneath the daylight. His posture remained straight and composed as always, though faint exhaustion lingered beneath his sharp eyes.
He bowed respectfully.
"Princess."
Lihua immediately understood.
"It's time?"
Liang Fengxiao nodded once.
"The carriage is prepared outside the palace gates."
Silence settled briefly afterward.
The reality of departure finally arrived fully.
Several servants lowered their heads quietly.
Mei's expression dimmed slightly.
Lihua looked around her chambers slowly one last time.
The room she grew up in.
The place filled with memories.
And now-
She had to leave it behind.
The princess inhaled softly before standing.
"...Very well."
The servants immediately moved to assist her.
Yunxi watched quietly nearby.
Then unexpectedly-
Lihua walked toward him again.
"Take care of yourself while I'm gone," she said softly.
Her gaze carried genuine concern.
"And don't let those awful concubines bully you too much."
Mei immediately nodded enthusiastically.
"I'll protect him, Princess!"
That earned another small laugh from Lihua.
Then her eyes softened once more.
"...Thank you for coming today."
Yunxi gave a small bow.
A silent farewell.
Outside the palace gates-
A large imperial carriage awaited beneath the bright afternoon sky, surrounded by armed guards and servants preparing for departure.
The flags of Tianzhou fluttered gently in the wind.
Liang Fengxiao personally escorted the princess toward the carriage while soldiers lined both sides of the pathway.
As Lihua stepped inside, she glanced back toward the palace one final time.
A complicated sadness lingered in her gaze.
Then the carriage doors closed.
And the journey began.
Days later-
The royal procession finally arrived at the borders of the Guo'an Empire.
Unlike Tianzhou's colder elegance, Guo'an carried an atmosphere of warmth and prosperity. Golden banners fluttered proudly above the palace gates while rows of attendants waited respectfully outside.
At the front stood a young man dressed in refined royal robes.
Tall.
Elegant.
Composed.
This was Guo Mingze.
The future husband chosen for Princess Xiao Lihua.
As the carriage doors slowly opened-
Their eyes finally met for the very first time.
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(End of Chapter 17)