"Greetings to Father. May you always be healthy and live a long life," said Roulan and Mo Lian in unison, bowing gracefully.
Mo Xianli, sitting upright in his chair, nodded slightly. "Sit."
The two daughters walked to their respective seats. Roulan sat on the right, while Mo Lian chose the left with a straight back. The room was silent, broken only by the sound of servants moving around, preparing refreshments.
"Good morning, Lord Mo," Crown Prince Fengyan greeted.
Mo Xianli stood and gave a small bow. "My respects to the Crown Prince. And Lord Zhao, please have a seat." He gave a signal to the maids to prepare tea and extra seats for the esteemed guests.
Once everything was ready, Mo Xianli looked at his daughter seriously. "Mo Lian, what do you think? Do you agree to your engagement with Crown Prince Fengyan?"
Mo Lian lifted her head. Her gaze briefly met the Crown Prince's before returning to her father. "Father... I think we should reconsider this engagement," she said softly.
Mo Xianli's brows furrowed deeply. He leaned forward and stared at Mo Lian. "What is it, Lian?"
Mo Lian stood up straight, her fists clenched by her sides. "Father... I do want to enter the palace. But I cannot marry the Crown Prince..." Her voice trembled slightly. "I don't want to hurt my sister. Roulan truly loves him. I don't want to be known as a heartless sister."
Mo Xianli let out a long breath. He picked up his teacup and emptied it in one gulp.
"Or could it be that Roulan is the one who forced you to refuse this engagement, Lian?" he asked sharply, shifting his gaze to his youngest daughter.
He knew well—if Mo Lian married the Crown Prince, the Mo family's status would rise significantly. Trade routes along the border would become much more accessible. But if Roulan married him, they would only receive a dowry and a plot of land in the eastern district.
Roulan quickly shook her head. "No, Father. I would never dare do that to my sister."
She lowered her head, feigning sadness. "Even though you know I'm close to the Crown Prince, I will still support Sister Lian's happiness." She glanced at the Crown Prince, her eyes glistening with fake tears.
Mo Lian rolled her eyes lazily. Deep down, she sighed. Her acting has always been this boring.
Before she could say another word, the Crown Prince stood from his seat with a serious expression.
"Lord Mo, I think this engagement should be reconsidered. Don't worry, I will speak to His Majesty myself."
"But Your Highness, the engagement was arranged a long time ago..." Mo Xianli's voice weakened.
"Yes, but Lord Mo, you saw for yourself—Lady Lian seems unsure of this arrangement." The Crown Prince lowered his gaze briefly before speaking clearly. "Besides... I am indeed close with Lady Roulan. I cannot accept an engagement to another woman, even if she is Roulan's sister."
Roulan, who had been sitting with a pitiful look, immediately looked up and added, "That's right, Father. I'm also worried that Sister hasn't completely forgotten Lord Zhao. How will she stay loyal to the Crown Prince?"
Mo Lian let out a quiet snort and flicked her hand firmly. "So you're saying His Majesty's judgment was wrong? Are you accusing your own sister of being an unworthy woman?" she said coldly.
Roulan quickly approached and held Mo Lian's arm. "Sister, please don't say that. I was only—"
"Enough!" Lord Mo shouted sternly.
The room fell into silence. Mo Xianli lifted his chin and stared straight ahead. "Since the Crown Prince has said so, I will discuss the engagement again with His Majesty."
In truth, he had already made up his mind. Whether Roulan or Lian became the Crown Prince's wife, the Mo family would benefit either way. So there was no point arguing further.
"Yes, Father," Mo Lian and Roulan replied together.
Roulan returned to her seat calmly, but her eyes clearly showed her satisfaction.
She—and even Zhao Tiangsheng—knew very well that Mo Lian deeply desired the position of Crown Princess.
At that moment, Roulan was sure that deep down, Mo Lian must be seething with jealousy, especially after the Crown Prince openly took her side.
Lord Zhao, who had been silent from the beginning, finally stood. "Very well. Then, I shall take my leave, Lord Mo," he said briefly and walked away, followed by the Crown Prince beside him.
But just as Zhao reached the doorway, he glanced back toward Mo Lian.
A faint smirk formed on his lips.
"So... what's your next move, Lady?" he murmured before finally stepping out.
---
Jianglan Pavilion
The late afternoon air was mild. Inside the red-pillared building with its curved roof, Mo Lian walked slowly, dressed in a light, pale white robe. Her long hair flowed freely without a single accessory, making her look even more natural and beautiful.
Lady Mei bowed respectfully. "The bath is ready, My Lady."
Mo Lian gave a slight nod and walked toward the round wooden tub, carved with tiny dragons spiraling around its edge. A gentle mist rose from the surface of the water.
She stepped in slowly and sat down. The warm water wrapped around her tired body, drawing out a soft sigh.
"Ah... So refreshing," she whispered as she closed her eyes.
The atmosphere was quiet. Only the sound of gently rippling water filled the room. But quietly, Mo Lian smiled.
She could feel it—an unfamiliar presence had entered the room.
Still, she chose not to move. Not to open her eyes.
And sure enough—
WHOOSH!
A small blade shot through the air, stopping mere inches from her neck.
"Mo Lian."
The deep, cold voice of a man made her open her eyes.
Zhao Tiangsheng stood at the edge of the tub, staring down at her. His handsome face hovered just above hers, their eyes meeting without flinching.
"Lord Zhao... what are you doing here?" Mo Lian asked calmly, even as the blade stayed pointed at her throat.
"Well? Are you afraid?"
Instead of answering, Mo Lian shifted her position. The water rippled gently as she moved. She tilted her chin up and looked straight into his eyes.
"Afraid? Of what exactly?" she replied softly.
Her slender fingers lifted and touched Zhao's wrist—right where he gripped the blade. Her touch was gentle, brushing across his smooth, tan skin.
Zhao didn't even blink.
"I wonder... what would people say if they found out you were alone here with me?" Zhao spoke low and slow. The blade traced lightly along her wet skin. "Would the Crown Prince still want to marry you? They'd call you the woman who once spent the night with Zhao, the King of Juxian."
Instead of being frightened, Mo Lian bit her lower lip and smiled sweetly.
Then—
SPLASH!
She stood up from the water in one swift motion. Her dress clung tightly to her body, outlining her curves in full view.
Now standing face-to-face with Zhao, she whispered, "Then how about this, My Lord?"
She moved even closer.
Zhao turned his head immediately. But unfortunately, his eyes caught her soaked figure. The way her body showed through her wet clothes made his breath hitch and his face flush.
He quickly pulled back the blade and turned around, facing away from her.
"You... idiot! Do you even realize I'm a grown man?!"
Mo Lian walked closer behind him.
"Why, My Lord? Isn't this more... convincing?" she said, touching his back gently.
Zhao exhaled sharply, trying to regain control.
"Damn it..." he muttered before storming out of the room without looking back.
Once he was gone, Mo Lian lifted her chin and smiled victoriously.
"Lord Zhao... I've just realized—you're actually quite adorable."
---
Zhao's Residence – Capital City
Zhao Tiangsheng sat down in his chair. His eyes stared blankly ahead. His right hand pressed against his chest, feeling the rapid thumping of his heart.
"Mo Lian... you..."
He ran a hand down his face roughly.
"Fine. I'll play your game."
---