Morning – Fengxi's POV
I had just woken up when faint voices drifted in from beyond the wooden corridor. Still wrapped in the warmth of sleep, I sat up slowly and listened. The rustling of fabric, soft footsteps—something was happening.
Curious, I stepped out of my chamber, still adjusting the shawl over my shoulders.
In the small courtyard, Yilin was crouched near a trunk, carefully folding garments into a satchel. Liyu stood beside her, fastening straps with practiced hands.
> "What's going on?" I asked, my voice low and laced with sleep.
Yilin looked up, startled. Her hands froze mid-motion.
> "Miss Liu… actually…" she stammered.
Liyu straightened, brushing off her sleeves.
> "She's heading to Luojing Guo," she said calmly. "To purchase aquamarine stones for the ring you mentioned."
My brows furrowed.
> "But Yilin doesn't know anything about merchants or gemstones."
Before either of them could respond, I heard the soft tread of boots behind me.
> "What's all this noise?" Lei Zi asked as he stepped into the courtyard. His dark robe fluttered gently with the breeze. "Where is Yilin going?"
Liyu turned to him, arms folded.
> "She's been tasked to go to Luojing Guo. For the ring's aquamarine."
Lei Zi nodded with understanding, his expression unreadable.
> "I see."
I looked at him carefully.
> "Lei Zi, have you ever been to Luojing Guo?"
He gave a slight nod.
> "Yes. I know its roads. Its markets. Enough to guide someone through it."
I didn't hesitate.
> "Then go with her. She'll need someone to assist her. And to keep her safe."
At that, both Yilin and Lei Zi turned to each other with identical scowls.
> "I'm not going with her," Lei Zi said flatly.
> "And I don't want to go with him," Yilin huffed.
I stared at them both, silent.
That was all it took.
They avoided my gaze, then finally gave a reluctant nod in unison.
Liyu gave a satisfied sigh and clasped her hands together.
> "Very well. You two shall leave together before noon."
Without another word, Lei Zi turned and walked toward the waiting carriage. As he hoisted his satchel in, he called back with a dry tone:
> "Miss Liu, kindly tell your brainless little maid to come here quickly ."
The three of us looked at one another.
I give a death stare to lei zi
I stepped closer to Yilin, voice gentle.
> "Take care of yourself," I said. "And… look after him too. Try not to get into trouble. See you soon."
Yilin gave a quiet nod, her face unreadable. She turned and stepped into the carriage.
Liyu and I stood side by side as the wheels began to roll forward.
We watched in silence as the carriage disappeared into the mist of the bao lai's gate.
As the carriage disappeared into the morning mist, Liyu and I turned to return inside. Just as we stepped toward the threshold, a thunderous voice rang out:
> "His Majesty approaches! Kneel before the Emperor!"
The voice echoed like a drumbeat through the street. Servants, merchants, even guards fell to their knees without hesitation. All but me.
I stood frozen.
Liyu's eyes widened. She quickly reached for my wrist and whispered sharply:
> "Master, please—bow your head!"
She pulled me gently but firmly downward. My knees met the stone, and I lowered my head just in time as the imperial carriage rolled past.
Through the narrow opening of the curtain, I saw him.
> "Bai… Bai Long…" I breathed, the name escaping my lips before I could stop it.
He saw me. I knew he did. But he gave no reaction.
The carriage came to a halt before the gate of Bao Lai.
Silence swept over the street like a tide.
Then the door opened, and he stepped out.
People around us whispered in awe, their words like wind through tall grass:
> "So young…"
> "How handsome…"
> "The dragon prince himself…"
He walked toward me. His expression was calm, unreadable. No trace of recognition flickered in his gaze.
> "Are you the owner of this place?" he asked evenly, voice steady and regal.
I rose slowly and faced him.
> "Yes, Your Majesty. I am the one who oversees Bao Lai."
My heart was pounding, but I kept my tone composed.
He gave a small nod.
> "I see. Then let us go inside. I wish to discuss something."
I bowed slightly. > "As you wish, my majesty."
Liyu and I led the way.
As Bai Long entered the front hall, his gaze wandered across the shelves, the carved counters, the neat displays of jade, gold, and silk.
> "Your establishment is well-kept," he said. "Refined. It resembles the imperial artisans' quarters in Longshan."
> "Thank you, my majesty," I said softly. "Please… have a seat here."
He sat down with quiet grace, his robe folding neatly beneath him. Guards stood at the door, their presence a silent reminder of power.
I could hardly breathe.
I held my composure with all my strength, forcing back the tears that trembled in my eyes.
Then he spoke.
> "I have come to place an order. For a hairpin. It is a gift for my fiancée."
My hands went cold.
Still, I forced a calm voice.
> "What kind of hairpin would you like, my majesty?"
> "Gold as its base," he said without pause. > "Inlaid with pearls and rubies. Shape the top with a phoenix motif."
I nodded slowly. > "Understood."
> "How long will it take?"
> "I will deliver it together with Princess Mu Ruoxi's soul ring, as previously requested."
He gave another nod. > "Very well."
Without another word, he turned and left.
I bowed low as he exited, and only when his shadow disappeared beyond the threshold did I feel the tightness in my chest crack.
Tears spilled down my cheeks before I could stop them.
Liyu stepped beside me in silence and gently handed me a small cup of water.
> "I know it hurts, Master," she said quietly. > "But did you see it? He didn't even acknowledge you. Not a single change in his expression."
I shook my head.
> "I don't understand... Why did he act like this? His tone… his posture… everything felt different. It's as if he's not Bai Long at all."
Liyu looked at me, her voice steady.
> "Perhaps it's because he's no longer your Bai Long. Master… he didn't even remember you. I know you've blamed him for so much, but you've always tried to defend him too. Maybe now it's time to stop."
> "Time to let go. And take back what he stole from you."
I wiped my tears and stood tall.
> "You're right. No more hesitation."
> "I will take myRevenge"
As soon as Bai Long's carriage disappeared beyond the bao lai's gate, I turned away, my hands trembling slightly.
> "Liyu," I whispered, voice low but firm, "let's take revenge."
She paused, then slowly knelt before me.
> "Master," she said, her voice steady, "I will never leave you. I will never betray you."
My gaze softened. I looked down at her loyal face, the way the early sunlight caught the strands of her hair.
> "I know," I murmured. "Now… stand up."
She rose to her feet, as if about to say something else—but just then, a quiet creak echoed from the inner corridor.
A figure stepped out.
He was thin, dressed in plain robes, but there was a sharpness in his eyes—alert, intelligent. I instinctively took a step back.
> "Who are you?" I demanded. > "And how did you get in here?"
Without hesitation, the young man dropped to his knees.
> "Princess Fengxi," he said respectfully, "thank you for saving me and my father."
My breath caught.
> "Your… father?"
Liyu stepped forward.
> "He's Mister Zhang's son," she explained. > "Zhang Tianlei. You were resting when he arrived—we didn't want to disturb you."
I looked back at him. His face did resemble Zhang Shoudao's. But the calmness in his voice… it was more calculated.
Tianlei lowered his head again.
> "Princess—"
"Call me Miss Liu," I interrupted, a little too sharply.
He nodded, without protest.
> "Miss Liu," he said smoothly, "I specialize in poisons. I've studied and refined them for years. If you're preparing for revenge… my knowledge may be useful."
I stared at him.
> "Poison?" I asked coldly. > "Do you think it's so simple to poison a man like Bai Long?"
He didn't flinch.
> "Not simple," he said. > "But not impossible. I have an idea. If you'll allow me to share it…"
I exchanged a glance with Liyu, who gave a small nod.
> "Then speak," I said. "I'm listening."