Chun'er's hands shook as she pinned the comb in my hair.
"I can't get it to stay in your hair," she said nervously. "Maybe we should use the blue one instead."
"No," I said gently. "Keep the red one. But don't center it. Let it sit slightly crooked."
She blinked. "Won't the other girls laugh at you for that?"
"Maybe," I said. "That's fine."
Chun'er didn't understand, but I did. If I looked too perfect, I'd become a target. If I looked too plain, I'd be ignored. I needed to stand out—just a little—then disappear again.
I wore a soft pink robe, nothing fancy. The cloth was slightly wrinkled, the sash tied loosely. The crooked red comb sat like an accident in my hair.
To others, I would look like a nervous, low-ranked girl trying her best. Harmless. Forgettable.
Just the way I wanted it.
The banquet hall was huge and full of light. Lanterns hung from the ceiling, music played in the background, and the smell of flowers and perfume filled the air. Servants moved in smooth lines, pouring wine and serving dishes I hadn't seen in years.
I was placed far from the emperor's dais, among the lowest-ranked concubines. Our gowns were simpler, our seats colder. I kept my head bowed.
But my eyes watched everything.
There was Consort Ning, dressed in silver and black, surrounded by laughter. She hadn't noticed me yet.
The Grand Chancellor was also here—younger than I remembered. Less gray hair. But still sharp-eyed, still dangerous.
Then I heard it: heavy footsteps coming from the eastern side.
The music stopped suddenly.
The emperor had arrived.
I didn't look because I knew what he looked like. I had seen him in dreams, in memories, in nightmares.
I counted his steps.
Five.
Four.
Three.
I reached out for my wine cup.
Two.
I stood up slowly.
One.
I stumbled and the cup fell from my hand, spilling wine on my robe. I dropped to my knees with my hands on the floor.
Gasps echoed through the hall. I didn't cry. I didn't panic.
And I didn't look up.
But I felt his eyes.
Zhao Yunxie stood just a few steps away. I knew that silence.
He didn't speak.He only watched.
Then he turned and walked away.
I went back to my seat quietly. My robe was wet with wine. A few girls laughed behind their fans.
"She's already drunk," someone whispered.
"She's lucky she didn't get thrown out."
I acted embarrassed, head down, cheeks flushed red.
But I was listening.
Then I felt it again.
His eyes.
He was looking at me. Again.
I didn't lift my head. I just let him wonder.
Let him try to remember if he'd seen me before.
He turned away after a moment.
But the seed was planted.
~~~~~~~
That night, back in my room, Chun'er lit the lamp while I changed into fresh robes.
Someone came knocking on my door.
A eunuch stood in the doorway with something wrapped in silk.
"For Lady Yue," he said quickly then left.
Inside was a small yellow handkerchief.
Fine silk. No message and no signature. But I recognized the stitching. The dragon's claw and the color.
It came from the emperor's table.
Chun'er gasped. "Did he—did His Majesty—?"
I stayed quite.
Let the them guess.
Let them whisper.
Let them wonder why the emperor had sent something to a girl they all thought was nothing.
I turned the handkerchief over in my hands and smiled.
The game had begun.