One week later—
The Eastern Palace stood beneath the quiet embrace of early spring. It was the first place in the capital to welcome the spring season. Peach blossoms had fully bloomed, their soft petals drifting endlessly through the air, carried by a gentle breeze that no longer held winter's bite.
The courtyard was no longer still. Servants moved back and forth in careful order, carrying chests, silks, and ornaments. The once peaceful residence was now filled with urgency—every movement measured, every sound restrained, as if even the walls understood what this day meant. Inside the chambers—
The sound of rustling silk and wooden chests echoed softly. Clothes were being folded. Jewelry boxes opened and closed. Servants moved in silence—careful, precise and aware of the weight in the air. But not all remained quiet, Mei Yi slammed a folded robe slightly harder than necessary into the chest. "This is nonsense!" she burst out, unable to hold back any longer. Ying immediately glanced towards the doors before lowering her voice. "Mei Yi, be careful." But Mei Yi turned, with frustration clear on her face. "How can I be careful at time like this?" Her voice trembled but not with fear, but in anger.
"They are sending Her Highness like a peace offering—like a piece to the Lin Empire! And you expect me to be careful?" Ying's hands garbed the clothes in her hands tightly briefly as she folded a robe. Her expression remained composed, but her voice carried weight. "It is not that simple." Mei Yi scoffed, "Not simple? Then what is it?!" Ying looked at her with steady eyes. "It is political."
A pause "A war avoided is often valued more than a war won." Mei Yi shook her head immediately. "But we could win!" Her voice rose again and said with anger, "The Crown Princess trained the troops herself! She studied military affairs day and night even though she was tried or had been sick, she had never given up, she even leaded our army to won every battlefield with her strategies—she strengthened the army—without her, would our empire could be this better or… even saved? Without her the empire is nothing!" Her fists clenched tightly, "We were not weak anymore! She… does not… deserve… this…"Silence fell a moment. Ying did not argue this time. Because it was true "The soldiers trusted her," Mei Yi continued her voice softer now but filled with emotion and anger. "They followed her commands… they believed in her." She looked toward the open chest. "But for what cost?" she again, "All of that… is just thrown away so easily and immediately?" Ying lowered her gaze slightly. "…The Emperor does not act without reason."
But even she knew—that the reason did not always mean fairness. Outside, beneath the blooming peach tree—Yu Shayue sat in stillness.
Dressed in the refined elegance of Han attire, she wore a flowing ruqun—a long, high-waisted skirt paired with a soft inner robe, the fabric layered delicately over one another. The outer robe, light as mist, draped from her shoulders in smooth lines, its long sleeves cascading like water with every subtle movement. Her robes were a pale shade—soft ivory touched with faint blush, like the first bloom of spring—yet along the edges ran intricate embroidery of gold-threaded phoenix patterns, a mark of her royal status. A wide silk sash was tied just beneath her waist, accentuating her posture—straight, composed and unyielding. Her hair was half-up in a traditional style, secured with an elegant gold hairpin shaped like a phoenix, while the rest fell smoothly down her back like dark silk. No excessive ornaments, no unnecessary display. Everything about her appearance was refined—controlled. Just like her, but appearance can be deceiving, the long sleeves of her robe rested quietly at her wrists. Her fingers held a porcelain cup still and unmoving.
Her eyes were calm, sharp and cold… She had heard everything.
'Peace…' The word echoed in her mind 'Peace built on sacrifice is not peace.' Her gaze shifted slightly towards the distant palace walls.
'The army was ready. The strategies were complete. Victory… was not impossible.'
And yet she was being sent away, not as a commander nor as a leader… but as a solution… a piece. Her fingers tightened slightly around the teacup. 'So this is Father's answer…'
A faint and slight breath escaped her lips, not in anger, not in sorrow but something far more controlled and dangerous… 'Very well Father…' Her eyes started to darken, just slightly. Then this daughter will not be your sacrifice…' The wind stirred, carrying falling petals across the courtyard. Petals falling slightly on Shayue when she stared at the wind… '…But the reason you will regret this choice for the rest of your life...'
--
It was the Shen Hour the time when the sun began its slow descent, casting long shadows across the palace grounds. A quiet golden light lingered over the Eastern Palace.
Inside the chambers—Mei Yi struggled to lift a small chest, nearly losing her balance before catching herself at the last moment. "…Why does Her Highness have so many things?" She muttered under breath, nearby, Ying folded the last of Shayue's robes with precise and practiced movements. "Be careful," she said quietly. "This is not the time to make mistakes." Mei Yi huffed, but she didn't say anything. The usual liveliness between them felt… dimmed, because this was not a journey but a farewell…
Beneath the same peach tree—Yu Shayue stood in silence. Petals drifted around her, brushing lightly against her sleeves before falling to the ground. Her gaze lingered on the courtyard—on the place she had trained, on the paths she had walked countless times, on the palace that had shaped her, on the palace she used to play with her mother and grandparents… while her gaze was lingering throughout the courtyard, all the good memories passed through her mind, where she grow up, where she used to cry in her mother's warmth, where she used to play with her maids, where she used to be with her grandparents, filled with laughter and joy… now in that same courtyard she stood silence with no warmth at all, only coldness, she was going to leave this palace soon, her mind couldn't forget any of this moments.
The Eastern Palace, the first to welcome spring and now—it was the first to let her go. She did not move, she did not spoke, as the wind shifted slightly, lifting the ends of her sleeves. Behind her, Ying and Mei Yi stepped forward quietly and stopping a few steps away, they just stood there watching Shayue… Neither of them dared to speak first.
At last—Shayue turned, slowly and gracefully, her expression was calm was normal, she smiled at them before asking… "Is everything prepared?" she asked. Ying said lowering her head "Yes, Your Highness, Everything is packed."
And yet—she remained where she was, because she was still waiting… not for a gesture nor for courtesy… She was waiting for Lin Yechen to accept the proposal sent by her father.
For the first time in her life—she found herself waiting and wanting an answer immediately.
A memory surfaced through her mind, cold and clear, the Qiu Empire's marriage proposal that was declined. A Crown Prince admired for his status—his ambition praised across courts. He had spoken of power, of alliances and of what she could bring to him
Never once—he had spoken to her. Her father had approved and admired his power and ambition. The court had praised the match between him and Shayue… It had been… politically perfect.
And yet—she had refused without any hesitation, because she had already seen through him. To him—she was not a partner, not even an opponent. To him, she had been nothing more than a symbol. She was merely a step towards greater authority for him. Her gaze lowered slightly.
But now—this time—it was different, not because she trusted the man of the Lin Empire, not because she expected any kindness from them, but because this was not illusion, but because this was a decision—this acceptance—would determine everything that will followed from here… This was like a battlefield in which she had landed and made the first move, slowly as her fingers relaxed.
'He may be ruthless…' Her gaze slowly lifted, steady and sharp '…but at least he will not pretend.' She thought to herself, 'Lin Yechen, Will you accept…' Her eyes shifted, calm yet sharp. '…or will you reject this before it even begins?'
'If you accept—then this will no longer be my father's game.' The wind stirred once again, petals drifting past her like fading memories. 'If this is the hand fate demands I extend…' Her gaze lifted, calm, unwavering. '…then let us see who dares to take it.'
'Lin Yechen…' Her expression remained unchanged,
'So don't disappoint me…'
To be continued...