The wind had softened, the drifting petals slowed, as if even the world had quieted for this moment. Yu Shayue stood beneath the peach tree, unmoving and in deep thought. For a long moment—no one spoke. Then—
Mei Yi suddenly stepped forward. Her usual clumsiness energy was gone, her eyes were slightly red. "Your Highness…" Her voice trembled despite her effort to steady it. "…you're really leaving." Shayue did not answer immediately, behind her, Ying lowered her gaze, her hands tightening slightly at her sides, she said daringly, without any hesitation,"…We will go with you," Ying said quietly. It was not a question but a decision Ying made. Mei Yi quickly nodded her head, stepping closer. "Yes! Wherever you go, we go too!"
After a brief moment, Ying continued "For as long as I live." her voice calm yet firm, "I will stand by Your Highness." Mei Yi sniffed lightly before adding—"Even if it's the Lin Empire… even if it's dangerous… I won't leave your side!"
Silence fell, Shayue looked at them. For a brief moment, something softened in her eyes, something only they were allowed to see. "You both…" Her voice was quiet. "…are foolish." Mei Yi froze for a second, "…Huh?" Ying lifted her gaze slightly. Shayue stepped closer and said calmly yet concerning voice, "The path ahead with me is not just simple, it will not be kind." Her gaze rested on them—steady and searching. "You may not be able to turn back."
After a moment of brief pause, Mei Yi clenched her fists and says… "I don't want to turn back!" Her voice shook—but did not break. "I've already decided!" she said with determined tone. Ying stepped forward beside her. "We made that decision long ago."
Silence felt again. The wind stirred again. Petals drifted between them. Slowly and steady—Ying knelt and Mei Yi followed immediately, lowering their heads. "In this life," Ying said softly, "We will follow Your Highness." Mei Yi quickly added "no matter what it is we will follow you through life and death!" After a brief pause,"…Through honor or ruin," Ying continued. Mei Yi nodded, her voice trembling but determined—"Through happiness… or suffering." They spoke together, "We will never leave your side."
Silence lingered through the courtyard, the petals fell, soft and endless Shayue looked at them, truly looked. Then—slowly she extended her hand and said softly, "Then stand." They lifted their heads in surprise, Shayue's voice was calm—yet carried something deeper. "If you walk this path with me…"
Her gaze sharpened slightly. "Then do not kneel." A faint pause, "We stand together". Ying's eyes widened slightly. Mei Yi blinked her eyes rapidly, holding back her tears. "…Yes, Your Highness." They rose, three figures stood beneath the falling petals—not bound by any rank, not by duty alone, but by something far stronger. A promise that was, unspoken yet unbreakable.
"Where you stand—we stand. Where you fall—we will rise. And no force in this world will tear us apart."
"Then let this world stand against us—we will still stand together."
--
It was the Shen Hour, petals drifted endlessly beneath the peach tree, soft and quiet but the quiet of the Eastern Palace was suddenly broken—the sharp and rhythmic sound of wooden chests being placed against stone floors echoed through the courtyard. Thud, the sound broke through the stillness. Mei Yi suddenly turned towards the direction of the sound, "…What was that?" Another sound followed. Thud—thud, Heavy and repeated. Ying frowned slightly, her gaze shifted toward the main hall. "…Something is being brought in." Mei Yi took a small step forward. "At this hour?" Behind them—Yu Shayue had already turned around, her eyes sharp and clear, "Let's go and see." The moment they entered the main hall—they stopped.
The hall was filled, completely with rows upon rows of lacquered chests stretched across the entire space, each covered in deep red silk embroidered with gold-threaded dragons. Servants stood in perfect formation, they all stood in lines, heads lowered. Imperial guards in dark armor remained stationed at the sides. The atmosphere was heavy—formal—almost like ceremonial.
At the front—
Stacks of treasures gleamed under the light, rolls of the finest silk from distant regions, gold ornaments and jade pendants, rare herbs and ceremonial gifts, exquisite jewelry fit for an empress, red wedding fabrics, carefully folded. Everything spoke of one thing—A formal betrothal. There was also a scroll, sealed and marked with imperial insignia.
Mei Yi's voice dropped to a whisper. "…This… looks like…" Ying expression tightened slightly. "…A formal court preparation." Shayue stepped forward slowly. Her gaze moved across everything—Precise and observing, then—
Nanny Wei approached them and bowed deeply to Shayue. "Your Highness." Shayue's voice was calm. Her gaze shifted to her. "Nanny Wei, what is all this?" Nanny Wei lowered her head slightly before answering. "These are the betrothal gifts sent by the Lin Empire." After a serious pause nanny Wei said. "…from the Crown Prince Lin Yechen." Mei Yi gasped softly in shock… "…He accepted?!" Ying's eyes widened slightly—which was rare for her, "…So quickly…"
But Nanny Wei was not finished speaking. She stepped aside—gesturing towards the scroll. "In addition…" Her voice lowered slightly. "A marriage decree has been sent."
Complete silence fell in the hall…
Mei Yi's eyes blinked again and again then her eyes widened a said shockingly "A decree?!" Ying's gaze shifted sharply toward the scroll. "…They sent it already?" Even Shayue—she stopped for a moment.
For the first time—there was a flicker of surprise in her eyes. 'He even sent the decree as well…' Her fingers tightened slightly, then slowly—her expression shifted and her gaze lifted again. The surprise faded but got replaced by something else, a faint smile appeared on her face, not soft, not relieved but mischievous, sharp and something hidden under that perfect composure. "…How bold."
Mei Yi whispered but still stunned—"…That was… fast." Ying's voice was quieter. "…They wasted no time in making their position clear." Shayue stepped closer to the table. Her fingers hovered just above the sealed decree—but she did not touch it.
'Lin Yechen…' Her eyes darkened slightly. 'You accepted to easily… and moved first, huh?' Staring at the decree she immediately figured out this was not for peace but for something else. Her smile deepened slightly. 'Good. That means I was right…'
Mei Yi stepped closer to Shayue her voice softer now. "…Your Highness… now what do we do?" Ying remained steady. "We will follow your lead." Shayue turned slightly towards them, her expression calm and controlled, "There is nothing to decide. It has already begun." Mei Yi swallowed lightly. "…Then… we are truly going to… the Lin Empire."
Shayue's gaze shifted back to the decree. "Yes." A faint breath "And this time…" Her eyes narrowed slightly. "…on my terms." She turned toward Nanny Wei. "Prepare the reply." Nanny Wei bowed deeply. "Yes, Your Highness." Shayue's voice echoed across the hall—Clear. "Inform the court—The Crown Princess of the Yu Empire…" her gaze lifted, unshaken, unyielding "…accepts this marriage willingly."
Mei Yi was surprised by what Shayue had just said then her fingers tightened slightly—"…W-willingly?!" Everyone in the hall looked at Shayue in surprise. Ying looked at her, stunned—but silent, she inclined her head. Because she had understood what Shayue meant, this is not submission.
This was her master's strategy. Shayue did not look back, she looked towards the decree. The red silk lay still. The golden seal gleamed under fading light. A union—her gaze lingered on the decree unmoving.
'Lin Yechen…' A faint smile touched her lips, cold and measured. 'So you made the first move of this game.' Her fingers brushed lightly against the edge of the table—As if acknowledging the opening of a game.
'Then look carefully…' Her eyes darken, quiet and dangerous. 'At mine now.' The smile did not faded but it started to deepened.
To be continued...