It was Shen Hour
Petals drifted endlessly beneath the peach tree, soft and quiet—
The quiet of the Eastern Palace was suddenly broken—
The sharp, rhythmic sound of wooden chests being placed against stone floors echoed through the courtyard.
Thud.
The sound broke through the stillness.
Mei Yi turned sharply.
"…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.
Her eyes sharpened.
"Let's go and see."
The moment they entered the main hall—
They stopped.
The hall was filled
Completely.
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 stood in lines, heads lowered.
Imperial guards in dark armor remained stationed at the sides.
The atmosphere was heavy—formal—almost 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
A scroll
Sealed
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
Observing
Then—
Mammy Wei approached and bowed deeply.
"Your Highness."
Shayue's voice was calm. Her gaze shifted to her.
"What is all this?"
Mammy Wei lowered her head slightly before answering.
"These are the betrothal gifts sent from the Lin Empire."
A pause
"…From Crown Prince Lin Yechen."
Mei Yi gasped softly.
"…He accepted?!"
Ying's eyes widened slightly—rare for her
"…So quickly…"
But Mammy Wei was not finished.
She stepped aside—gesturing towards the scroll.
"In addition…"
Her voice lowered slightly.
"A marriage decree has been sent."
Silence fell
Complete
Mei Yi's eyes widened.
"A decree?!"
Ying's gaze shifted sharply toward the scroll.
"…They sent it already?"
Even Shayue—
Stopped
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
Her gaze lifted again
The surprise faded
Replaced by something else
A faint smile appeared
Not soft
Not relieved
Mischievous
Sharp
Hidden beneath perfect composure
"…How bold."
Mei Yi whispered, 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 did not touch it.
Lin Yechen…
Her eyes darkened slightly.
You accepted… and moved first.
A faint pause
Not for peace
For something else
Her smile deepened—just slightly.
Good.
That means I was right…
Mei Yi stepped closer, her voice softer now.
"…Your Highness… what do we do?"
Ying remained steady.
"We will follow your lead."
Shayue turned slightly towards them.
Her expression calm
Controlled
"There is nothing to decide."
A pause
"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 just slightly.
"…on my terms."
She turned toward Mammy Wei.
"Prepare the reply."
Mammy Wei bowed deeply.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Shayue's voice echoed clearly across the hall—
"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 her Highness said then her fingers tightened slightly—
"…W-willingly?!"
Ying looked at her, stunned—but silent, she inclined her head.
She understood.
This was 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
Unmoving
Lin Yechen…
A faint smile touched her lips.
Cold
Measured
So you made the first move of this game.
A pause
Her fingers brushed lightly against the edge of the table—
As if acknowledging the opening of a game.
Then look carefully…
Her eyes darkened, quiet and dangerous.
At mine.
The smile did not fade.
It deepened.
To be continued...