At the Carriage (Yilin's POV)
The carriage moved steadily along the road, wheels humming against the earth.
I looked at Lei Zi, who sat across from me with arms folded.
> "Hey… are you angry because Miss Liu asked you to come with me?" I asked softly.
He glanced at me and shrugged.
> "No. I was just acting."
> "What?!" I blinked in surprise. "Why would you do that?"
He chuckled, leaning back casually.
> "I'm not your enemy. Why would I be upset over something like that? I was just… testing my acting skills."
> "Oh…" I muttered, a little embarrassed. "Okay then…"
I looked away, realizing quietly—he's not that bad after all. And maybe… I was the one who was at fault last night.
After a pause, Lei Zi looked outside the window.
> "We're still in Tianxia Guo, right?" he asked. > "Can I get breakfast?"
> "You haven't eaten yet?" I asked, surprised.
He shook his head.
> "Not yet. And you?"
> "I already ate," I said, nodding.
He stepped out briefly at the next stop. When he returned, he had a tray of food—and a small packet tucked under his arm.
He handed it to me.
> "Here. This is for you."
> "What's this?" I asked, taking the packet. > "Why did you get snacks for me?"
> "Just take it," he said simply.
I smiled and took it gently.
> "Thank you…"
He nodded with a calm, understanding look.
We sat quietly for a while, the gentle rhythm of the carriage lulling the silence between us.
Then he said,
> "We should keep moving."
> "Okay," I replied.
As the road stretched on, I glanced at him again. He always acts in such different ways… It's hard to tell what kind of person he really is.
> "What are you thinking about?" he suddenly asked.
> "Ah—" I sat up straight. > "I wanted to ask something."
> "Go ahead."
> "Did you only come with me because Miss Liu told you to?"
He nodded slowly.
> "Yes. But…"
> "But?" I repeated.
He looked out the window, then back at me.
> "It's also for your safety."
> "Oh…" I said, lowering my eyes. > "Okay." I nodded quietly.
Then he stared at me—eyes slightly narrowed, a teasing glint in them.
> "What is it?" I frowned. > "Why are you looking at me like that?"
> "Nothing," he replied with a small smirk.
> "Fine then."
The silence between us returned—but this time, it didn't feel cold. It was a quiet kind of calm, like the start of something unsure… but not unpleasant.
And so, we continued our journey.
The morning air was light and cool as I stood before the grand gates of the royal palace. It had been three years since I last stepped through these doors.
Now, I had returned—not as a princess, but as Miss Liu from Baolai, a simple craftswoman with a box of hairpin designs in my hands.
My steps were steady, but the moment I crossed the threshold, a strange ache bloomed quietly in my chest. Everything looked almost the same… but the feeling had changed. The marble tiles I once ran across barefoot as a child now seemed cold. Distant.
A maid approached. Her steps were soft, her eyes curious.
> "Are you Miss Liu from Baolai?"
I gave a small nod.
> "Yes."
> "Miss Liu, please follow me."
I inclined my head again and followed her down the long corridor. Every step echoed softly against the floor, trailing ghosts of the past behind me.
When we stopped in front of a room, my breath caught for a moment.
This was once my room.
Now, it belonged to Princess Mu Ruoxi.
The maid opened the door.
I controlled myself and entered. Inside, Ruoxi sat on the edge of the bed, a maid gently massaging her shoulders.
She looked up.
> "Long life to Princess Mu Ruoxi."
> "Come. Sit here."
I walked over and quietly took the seat beside her.
> "What have you come for?"
> "I brought a few hairpin designs."
I handed her the folded sketches. As she browsed through them, I allowed myself a glance around the room. The silk curtains, the vase near the window, the woven mat near the bedpost—nothing had truly changed.
Only the people.
> "I like this one," she said.
> "Your Highness has excellent taste."
She smiled faintly.
I hesitated just a moment.
> "Are you preparing anything special for His Majesty?"
Her head tilted.
> "What do you mean?"
> "A gift, perhaps."
She nodded slowly.
> "I wanted to… but I haven't decided on anything yet."
> "Then… what about a hairpin?" I suggested. "I could design a couple's set. You could present one to His Majesty."
She paused, then said:
> "Not a bad idea. But make sure there's no fragrance. His Majesty dislikes it."
> "Of course."
I stood.
> "If there's nothing else, I shall take my leave."
> "Mm. You may go."
As I left the room, I adjusted the veil over my face. Just as I stepped into the corridor, I saw him.
Bai Long.
His steps were slow but direct, his crimson robes catching the morning light. For a moment, I thought he was coming toward me—but then I realized, he was headed for the room behind me.
I lowered my head instinctively.
But he stopped.
> "What are you doing here?"
> "I came to show some hairpin designs to Princess Mu Ruoxi."
He nodded slightly.
> "What about the rings I asked you to create?"
> "I have the designs with me. I was going to send them to you."
I handed over the folded papers.
He took them, eyes skimming the sketches with his usual quiet focus.
Then I saw it.
The ring on his hand.
Xiao Long's ring.
---
(Flashback: The Day Before the Engagement)
The moon hung high over the palace garden, pale and serene.
I stood beneath the flowering trees, looking up.
> "Jiejie! Look what I found!" Xiao Xiao ran over, clutching a couple of old wine bottles.
> "Come here. Give it to me quickly."
We sat together, drinking and laughing under the stars.
I reached into my sleeve and pulled out a ring.
> "Look. How is it?"
He took it, blinking.
> "It's beautiful. Really beautiful."
> "Then wear it. Why are you just holding it?"
He looked shocked.
> "This is for me?"
> "Mm."
> "I thought… this was for Bai Long. Never mind. I love it. I promise I'll take care of it."
I smiled and hugged him tightly.
> "It's yours now."
(Back to Present)
My gaze dropped to the ring on Bai Long's hand.
Why…? Why is that ring on his finger…?
> "What is it?" he asked, noticing my eyes.
> "It's nothing."
He held out a design sheet.
> "This one is good."
> "Understood."
> "You may go."
I bowed slightly and stepped away, walking back down the corridor.
As I left the palace, I glanced back one last time.
> "I'll take back what's mine. And you… will face what you've done."
Outside, the sunlight felt harsher.
I returned to Baolai, but as I neared the shop, I noticed a carriage parked nearby.
Something told me—it wasn't just a customer.