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Night embraced the Guo'an Empire in a sea of glowing lanterns.
Unlike the quiet elegance of Tianzhou, Guo'an possessed a livelier atmosphere even after sunset.
The capital city beneath the imperial palace remained awake beneath the deep navy skies, filled with warm lights, distant laughter, and the faint melodies of traditional instruments drifting through the evening air.
Countless lanterns hung across streets and bridges like fallen stars.
From above, the entire city looked breathtaking.
Alive.
Warm.
Almost welcoming.
The architecture of Guo'an differed greatly from Tianzhou's refined grandeur.
The palace buildings here carried softer curved rooftops decorated with golden phoenix carvings and intricate blue ceramic tiles that shimmered beneath moonlight.
Even the gardens within the palace grounds were different-less strict and orderly compared to Tianzhou.
Here, nature seemed freer.
Flowering trees grew around stone bridges naturally while streams flowed peacefully beneath small wooden walkways illuminated by floating lanterns.
It was beautiful.
Yet-
To Princess Xiao Lihua, it still did not feel like home.
Inside her temporary palace residence, Lihua stood quietly near the open window of her chambers.
A cool breeze drifted inside, gently moving the thin curtains around her.
From where she stood, she could see the city below the palace.
Rows of glowing lanterns.
Moving silhouettes of people walking through evening markets.
The occasional sound of guards changing shifts outside the palace gates.
Even after three days of staying within Guo'an-
Everything still felt unfamiliar.
Lihua quietly rested her hand against the wooden window frame.
Her eyes softened with longing.
She missed Tianzhou.
She missed the familiar palace gardens.
The sound of fountains outside her chambers.
The servants who had watched her grow up.
Her older brother.
Even his constant worrying and scolding.
And strangely enough-
She also missed Shen Yunxi.
The quiet male concubine who barely spoke yet somehow carried gentleness within his silence.
Lihua sighed softly.
The room behind her remained warmly lit by lanterns while several opened boxes filled with silk robes and jewelry still rested untouched nearby.
Three days.
And yet-
She still had not properly spoken to the man she was supposedly going to marry.
Guo Mingze.
The First Prince of Guo'an.
Her future husband.
They had exchanged greetings during formal gatherings after her arrival, but nothing more than polite words and ceremonial smiles.
And honestly-
Lihua did not know whether to feel relieved or disappointed.
A gentle knock suddenly interrupted her thoughts.
"Princess?"
A soft young voice called from outside.
Lihua turned slightly.
"Enter."
The doors slowly opened.
A young maid stepped inside carefully carrying a folded shawl in her arms.
The girl looked around sixteen or seventeen years old with bright almond-shaped eyes and soft brown hair pinned neatly with simple flower ornaments. Unlike many palace servants who moved cautiously around nobility, this girl carried a naturally gentle energy.
Her name was Lin Yue.
One of the young maids assigned personally to Lihua after her arrival in Guo'an.
Though they had only known each other briefly, Yue had already become one of the few familiar comforts within this foreign palace.
The maid bowed politely.
"Princess."
Lihua smiled faintly.
"You don't need to bow every time we are alone."
Lin Yue looked embarrassed immediately.
"But... it is proper etiquette."
Lihua sighed softly.
Even the customs here felt stricter.
Yue hesitated briefly before continuing carefully.
"Princess... His Highness the First Prince is here."
Lihua blinked slightly.
"He is waiting outside your chambers."
For a moment-
Lihua straightened unconsciously.
A strange nervousness settled within her chest.
"...Now?"
"Yes."
The maid smiled softly.
"He asked politely if he could speak with you."
Lihua lowered her gaze briefly.
Then after a moment-
"...Let him enter."
Lin Yue bowed quickly before hurrying outside.
A few seconds later-
Another figure appeared at the doorway.
Tall.
Elegant.
Composed.
Guo Mingze stepped inside calmly.
The prince wore layered robes of deep blue and silver embroidery that reflected softly beneath lantern light. His long dark hair was tied neatly behind him with a jade ornament resting atop his head.
Compared to Xiao Zhenyu's cold commanding aura-
Mingze appeared gentler.
Softer.
His features were refined and handsome, carrying the calm elegance expected of a future emperor.
Yet his eyes seemed thoughtful.
Almost distant.
The prince bowed respectfully.
"Princess Lihua."
Lihua returned the greeting properly.
"Your Highness."
For a brief moment-
Awkward silence lingered between them.
Then Mingze spoke gently.
"I hope I am not disturbing you."
"You are not."
Lihua motioned politely toward the seating area near the open window.
"Please sit."
Mingze nodded.
The atmosphere remained somewhat formal as servants quietly prepared tea before withdrawing from the room, leaving only Lin Yue standing quietly near the far corner.
The prince glanced briefly around the chambers.
"Have the servants arranged everything properly for you?"
Lihua nodded.
"They have."
"If there is anything lacking, you may tell me directly."
His tone remained calm and courteous.
"I will make sure it is prepared immediately."
Lihua looked slightly surprised.
"...Thank you."
Mingze gave a faint smile.
"The alliance between Tianzhou and Guo'an is important."
Then after a brief pause-
"And so is your comfort here."
Lihua quietly lowered her gaze toward her tea.
The prince observed her expression carefully.
"...You miss home."
It was not a question.
Lihua hesitated before answering softly-
"Yes."
Mingze looked toward the glowing city outside the window.
"When my younger brother first left the palace for military training near the western borders..."
His voice softened slightly.
"He cried the first night."
Lihua blinked slightly.
The image felt unexpectedly amusing.
Mingze smiled faintly.
"He threatened several servants not to tell anyone."
That finally caused a small laugh to escape her.
The prince looked relieved seeing her smile.
"Guo'an is very different from Tianzhou," he continued calmly.
"The customs. The people. Even the food."
Lihua nodded slowly.
"I still get lost inside the palace."
Mingze actually chuckled quietly at that.
"That happens even to servants who have lived here for years."
The atmosphere gradually became less tense.
Softer.
More natural.
After a moment, Mingze spoke again.
"...About the wedding."
Lihua stiffened slightly.
The prince noticed immediately.
Then sighed softly.
"I know this arrangement was not your choice."
Silence.
The lantern light flickered gently between them.
Mingze lowered his gaze briefly.
"To be truthful... it was not entirely mine either."
Lihua looked surprised.
The prince smiled faintly.
"But that does not mean I intend to treat you poorly."
His tone became more sincere.
"I know political marriages are often cold."
His eyes lifted toward her again.
"But I do not wish for ours to become miserable."
Lihua quietly looked at him.
There was honesty in his voice.
No mockery.
No arrogance.
Just calm sincerity.
Mingze continued gently-
"If there is anything you need... anything at all... you may tell me freely."
"Whether it is servants, books, gardens, musicians, or letters sent back to Tianzhou."
"I will arrange it."
Lihua's expression softened faintly.
"...Why are you being kind to me?"
The prince seemed slightly surprised by the question.
Then after a moment-
"Because you looked lonely."
The room fell quiet.
Outside the palace, lantern lights continued glowing warmly beneath the night skies of Guo'an.
And for the first time since arriving there-
Princess Xiao Lihua no longer felt completely alone.
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(End of Chapter 23)