The hall did not yet settled, yet the hall remained heavy with silence—Red silk unmoving, gold gleaming beneath the fading light. Then suddenly light footsteps echoed, coming from outside, quick and unrestrained, breaking through the stillness like a sudden little storm, "Shayue—!" The voice carried before the figure appeared. Bright like the sun.
All eyes turned towards her. Xinyi entered without pause. The daughter of the Duke Wang, a well-known minister from the court, she is the noble Lady Wang Xinyi, who is the best friend of Shayue, cheerful and bright. She wore a flowing Han-style ruqun in soft pink, the color of blooming spring—light, lively, impossible to ignore. The skirt moved with her steps like drifting petals, her outer robe, pale and translucent, shimmered faintly as it caught the light. Delicate embroidery traced along the edges—peonies and small clouds, elegant yet playful. A slender ribbon sash rested at her waist, tied slightly off-center, giving her an effortless charm rather than strict formality. Her hair was styled neatly, yet not overly rigid—A few loose strands framing her face, softening her otherwise bold expression. A simple pink jade hairpin rested above her ear.
Simple yet vivid, her expression was full of urgency, behind her, her two maids hurried in while trying to catch up to her—Qing Luo and Lan He exchanging helpless glances as they tried to keep pace. But Xinyi had already crossed the distance while keeping them behind, she stopped right before Yu Shayue, the two maids hurried and bowed to Shayue.
Xinyi did not bow nor did she slow down, her eyes moved quickly from the chests, to the decree, then back to Shayue. "…Is it true?" She did not wait for her response, "You're marrying the Crown Prince of the Lin Empire?" then, "The Crown Prince known for his coldness and ruthlessness?" then again, "The enemy?" again, "When did this happen?" "Why didn't you tell me?" "Did His Majesty force you?" "Did you agree?" The questions fell one after another—fast, relentless and almost breathless.
Mei Yi eyes blinked twice she said with a little chuckle, "…She hasn't changed at all." Ying lowered her gaze slightly—but there was the faintest hint of familiarity in her eyes. Shayue looked at Xinyi, calm and still. "…Have you finished?" Xinyi paused for a second, "…No."
While being breathless she said again, "…But I can continue." A short silence, a faint shift, barely noticeable—the corner of Shayue's lips lifted slightly. "Come," she said. She turned—walking toward the inner chambers. She ordered "Mei Yi." Mei Yi immediately straightened herself, "Yes, Your Highness?" she said to Mei Yi, "Bring water." Mei Yi blinked her eyes once—then nodded. "…Yes, Your Highness." The doors closed behind them with a soft sound. The noise of the hall faded instantly.
Inside the chambers—the air felt a little different, still and private. Xinyi turned immediately towards Shayue, "What is going on?" Her brows furrowed and lowering her voice but the worry and urgency remained. "That is the Lin Empire… The same one you've been preparing to face. You trained the troops yourself—and you were already ready." She stopped midway, her frustration rising. "And now suddenly you're going there… as a bride?"
She paced once then, twice. "And Lin Yechen…" a pause, "I've heard things about him." Her voice dropped further. "And… none of them are good." Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Cold, ruthless, untouchable, merciless and what not…" Another small pause, "And you agreed? Knowing all this rumors?" Before Shayue could answer—the door slid open. Mei Yi entered carefully, holding a tray. "Lady Xinyi…Water." Xinyi blinked her eyes, than she slowly turned toward Shayue. "…Wait." A pause "How did you know that I wanted water?" Shayue poured tea for her calmly, her movements unhurried. "You haven't stopped talking since you arrived."
Silence, Mei Yi lowered her head quickly—hiding a smile. Xinyi stared at her. "…That is not a proper answer." Shayue glanced at her, her expression faintly amused. "But it is accurate." A faint smile appeared on her face, than Xinyi huffed, grabbing the cup. "…Fine." She took a sip, one after another. "…I was thirsty."
A short silence followed. Then—her expression changed. Her playfulness faded, what remained was concern. She placed the cup down. "Shayue…now tell me the truth." Her voice had become steady and calm, no teasing, no laughter, only seriousness… "Did you agree to this marriage?" Shayue met her gaze. "…Yes." Xinyi's fingers tightened slightly. "…Willingly?"
Silence lingered, Shayue did not answer her immediately. Then—Shayue spoke. "Everyone leave." There was no room for question, not even hesitation. Ying bowed. Mei Yi hesitated—just for a moment—then all followed. Qing Luo and Lan He quickly exited as well. The doors closed only leaving Shayue and Xinyi inside, silence remained.
Now—Xinyi stepped closer to Shayue, her voice dropped to a whisper. "Now tell me." Her eyes searched Shayue's face. "What are you really planning?" A pause, Shayue did not look away. Her expression remained calm—perfectly composed. But her eyes—held something deeper something unspoken. The chambers fell into stillness and silence after the doors closed, no servants, no witnesses only them. Even the faint sound of wind beyond the window seemed to have disappeared. Wang Xinyi stood facing Yu Shayue, her brows slightly drawn, her earlier playfulness gone. What remained was something sharper—"…Now tell me." A pause, she looked at Shayue and said "…You're not doing this for peace."
It wasn't a question, a pause followed, Shayue stood with her back half-turned, her sleeve shifting slightly with the stillness of her breath. For a moment— she said nothing. Then very quietly she said, "…Peace?" The word left her lips as if it did not belong to her, distant and almost unfamiliar. A faint smile appeared on her lips, cold. "When has this court ever chosen peace..."A pause, "…for me?"
Silence deepened, Xinyi's expression changed instantly. "…Shayue…" Shayue's fingers tightened slightly against her sleeve. "They trained me." Her voice remained calm—yet something beneath it shifted. "Strategy, Warfare, Command." A pause followed, "They placed maps before me… and asked me how they should win, how they should act." Her gaze lowered slightly. "They gave me soldiers…" A faint breath left from her, "…and told me to make them stronger, they let me believe…" Her voice softened—not weak, but quieter. "That I had a place in all of it." Xinyi's hands clenched unconsciously. "…You did have a place." A pause, "You earned it." Shayue did not respond. Because both of them knew—that was not how the court saw it.
Then—she spoke again. "And when it was time to decide…" A faint pause followed, "I was the easiest piece to move." But the words fell lightly, they did not land lightly. Xinyi inhaled sharply. "…They used you." Shayue did not deny it. That silence—was enough, for her question… A long breath passed between them.
The suddenly—Xinyi stepped forward. "…So this marriage…is not surrender?" Shayue lifted her gaze, sharp and clear, "No. it is a choice that I made myself." Xinyi narrowed her eyes slightly deepening the silence, "…You're going to the Lin Empire…not as their enemy?" Her voice lowered. Shayue's lips curved faintly. "…Why would I destroy a place I have not yet seen?" she stepped forward her eyes clear and sharp "I will only destroy… what is deserved to be destroyed." The meaning settled slowly and steadily, Xinyi froze. "…You mean the Yu Empire…?" Xinyi said hesitatingly and more seriously, "…you're turning against the Yu Empire?"
Silence lingered for a breath between them, then she said quietly "…and the people too?" The question did not sound accusing, but it carried weight. Yu Shayue fully turned towards her. Her gaze was steady and clear before replying her, "No." The answer came without hesitation. "I will never hurt the people, they don't have anything to do with this things, they are innocent." Shayue said slightly lowering her voice calm but firm. "They are not the ones who made those decisions." She took a step forward, "They are not the ones who chose to use me." Her fingers tightened faintly at her side. "And they are not the ones who should pay for it." Xinyi's gaze softened—just slightly. Shayue continued—her tone was steady, carrying authority. "I have no intention of bringing suffering to them."
Her eyes sharpened. "If anything…I will ensure they never have to suffer for the court's decisions again." The words settled slowly, not loud, not dramatic but with absolute authority. Xinyi stared at her—really stared this time. "…You're not just planning revenge…you're planning to take everything." Shayue did not deny it, her silence spoke clearly. A faint breath escaped Xinyi. "…And rule it better." There was a slight shift in Shayue's gaze—not of pride, not of arrogance—but of certainty. "Yes." One word was enough to change everything. Xinyi let out a quiet laugh, shaking her head. "…You're terrifying." After a small pause, then she said softly— "…but if anyone should hold that power…" She looked at Shayue with a faint smile. "…I'm glad it's you."
Shayue said nothing. But the stillness in her eyes was no longer just cold. It carried something else now. It was responsibility. Then suddenly—she leaned slightly closer, squinting at Shayue as if inspecting her. "…Wait." She said with a pause, "…How long have you been thinking like this?" No answer, "…Don't tell me…" Her eyes widened slightly. "…you agreed the moment the proposal was mentioned?" Shayue remained silent, Xinyi gasped softly. "You did!" she took a step back. "You actually heard 'marriage' and thought—." She raised her hand dramatically. '"Perfect. Let me walk into the enemy empire and ruin everything from inside."' After a little silence, Shayue glanced at her and said, "…Your imagination is excessive."
Xinyi stared at her, unbelievable. "…That means I'm right." A faint pause, Shayue turned slightly away. "Not entirely." Xinyi crossed her arms immediately. "So you admit it's partly right." A brief pause then, unexpectedly—a faint smile appeared on Shayue's lips. Xinyi huffed "…You always hear what you want to hear and you always avoid answering directly."
Then her expression shifted again—Softer now. "…But I understand." She looked at Shayue seriously. "No wonder you accepted so easily." A faint breath, "You're not entering a marriage…" Her gaze sharpened slightly, "…you're entering a battlefield." Shayue's expression did not change. But her eyes—held something colder.
'Betrayal is not forgotten. It is answered.' A faint, almost invisible smile appeared on her face. "Then stay close," she said quietly. "It will not be gentle." Xinyi snorted softly. "When has anything with you ever been gentle?" A faint smile tugged at her lips again. "…Still." She stepped back slightly. "If you're going to start a war from inside another empire…at least make sure and try not to burn the entire world while you're at it..." Shayue glanced at her. "…Well no promises." Silence, then suddenly—Xinyi laughed, "…That's exactly what I am afraid of."
Shayue looked at her and give a faint smile while saying, "Don't worry too much… everything will be according to what I plan to do…" Silence, "I hope…." A slight pause… "…No…I am sure it will." She said with a smirk on her face.
To be continued...