The reception for the Southern Yan envoys was held with grandeur at the Pavilion of Twilight.
Thousands of jade lanterns hung in neat rows, silk drapes fluttered gently from fragrant wooden pillars, while the subtle aroma of tea mingled with the delicate strains of ancient Chinese instruments.
Xianlan sat quietly at the lowest tier, according to her humble rank within the palace.
She wore a white lingluo gown hand-embroidered with a crimson phoenix—its delicate threads casting a glow like moonlight reflecting off water.
She did not stand out… and yet, it was impossible to look away.
A court eunuch announced the latest arrival in a formal tone:
"Miss Su Mengyu, daughter of the Grand Chancellor of Southern Yan, and the betrothed of Crown Prince Feng Yuhan, has arrived to pay respects."
The entire hall fell silent.
Even the Emperor's gaze paused for a moment.
Xianlan arched a brow.
…Betrothed?
⸻
Su Mengyu entered in a pale pink silk gown, elegant yet restrained.
Tall and graceful, her face appeared calm—but with a quiet confidence that pulsed beneath the surface.
She offered a subtle smile as she walked toward the throne, her bow perfected by a thousand lessons in palace decorum.
"Your Majesty, I—Su Mengyu—offer my humble respects."
Feng Yuhan remained silent as she approached.
He did not speak.
Yet he did not turn her away—and that alone was telling to the sharp-eyed Xianlan.
⸻
After the banquet, the air behind the scenes turned taut with unspoken tension.
As Xianlan passed through the Plum Blossom Pavilion in the palace garden, her gaze was caught by a scene ahead—
Su Mengyu standing beneath the blossoms, facing Feng Yuhan. Her expression was serene.
As for him… he said nothing, but he also did not walk away.
"What are you doing here?" he asked evenly.
"I came as an envoy… and as someone who's always stood beside you."
Xianlan was about to turn away—
but then she stopped.
Instead, she stepped forward, stopping at a respectful distance.
"My apologies. I left my cloak at the pavilion."
Su Mengyu turned with a calm, gentle smile.
"Princess Xianlan, is it? I've heard His Highness mention you… quite a few times."
"So bold, for a child who walks alone in a palace that devours."
Her tone was sweet, yet laced with subtle derision.
Xianlan met her eyes and returned a soft smile.
"Thank you for your kindness, Lady Su.
But a phoenix that has once flown far is unlikely to fear the bars of a cage again, wouldn't you agree?"
Feng Yuhan watched the two women before him—
one calm as a lotus, veiling venom beneath her stillness,
the other composed, unhurried, bearing herself like a quiet master of the board.
"I can return your cloak another time," Su Mengyu said, offering it with her own hand.
Xianlan reached out to accept it.
For a brief moment, their fingers brushed.
A chill spread into her chest—not from the air,
but from the silent war that had just begun.
⸻
Not long after—
A whisper began to circulate quietly through the palace:
"The Fourth Princess of Li harbors secret affections for a foreign Crown Prince."
Some even claimed, "A servant saw her slip into the men's study at night."
Xianlan knew exactly… whose hand was behind this.
⸻
"You made the first move…"
"But I will be the one to end this game."