After Shayue's figure disappeared beyond the doors, the imperial study fell into a thick silence. For a moment, the emperor remained still. He felt no anger or regret, only indifference. Then,
Bang!
He slammed his hand down on the table.
"Filial child! She is becoming more and more arrogant every day." His voice was cold and emotionless, as if he were talking about a stranger. "To speak to me like that… she has truly forgotten her place."
A eunuch stepped forward cautiously. "Your Majesty… should this servant—"
The emperor's gaze turned dark. "No." He cut him off without even looking. "She will understand her place soon enough." His voice was cold.
"For years, I allowed her freedom, allowed her to involve herself in matters she shouldn't have touched." His voice dropped, becoming dangerous.
At that moment, soft footsteps approached, and a graceful figure entered the study. "Your Majesty." The Empress bowed gracefully, her voice gentle but with a subtle edge.
The emperor did not turn but eased slightly. He finally lifted his gaze. "Empress, the matter has settled."
The Empress smiled faintly and walked closer, her sleeves brushing lightly against the floor. "The Crown Princess has agreed?"
The emperor replied flatly, "She has."
A brief silence followed. The Empress's eyes flickered slightly. "She may hold resentment."
The emperor scoffed coldly, almost dismissively. "Resentment is irrelevant." He leaned back slightly. "Daughters are not meant to be cherished forever. As long as she fulfills her role properly, that only matters." He paused. "She is meant to be used; after all, we have done so much for her."
The Empress lowered her gaze, hiding her satisfaction. "Your Majesty is wise." Then softly, she said, "The Lin Empire will not refuse this marriage. The Lin Empire has long been a threat. If this marriage can bring peace…"
She lifted her eyes. The emperor picked up a scroll, already uninterested. "If this sacrifice is worth it for our Empire, then it is decided."
There was no hesitation, no emotion—as if he had not just sacrificed his own daughter.
--
The corridors were quiet. Shayue walked steadily, her steps neither fast nor slow, her expression calm as ever. But the moment she entered her bedchamber, the doors closed behind her, and the silence became heavy.
She stood still for a long moment, then she slowly exhaled. "So this is how it ends." Her fingers tightened slightly around her sleeves. For years, she had given everything, yet in the end, she was nothing more than a piece to be sacrificed.
Ying stepped forward first, her expression serious. "Your Highness… what did His Majesty say?" Behind her, the other maid Mei Yi hesitated, clearly anxious. "Y-Y-Your Highness… is everything alright?"
Shayue turned to them, a faint smile appearing on her lips—gentle, calm, and distant. "Nothing important."
She hesitated to tell them about the marriage. She wanted to calm down and think about it some more, so she walked past them slowly. "I wish to be alone for a while."
Her tone was soft but left no room for refusal. Ying immediately bowed her head. "This servant understands." Mei Yi looked reluctant but followed. "We will be outside, Your Highness… if you need anything just call us…"
The doors closed again, this time completely. The smile on Shayue's face faded instantly. Her eyes grew colder, and in a dark tone, she said,
"If I am to be sacrificed, then I will decide who burns with me."
To be continued...