The Palace of Hua was quiet, but Lian Yue did not sleep that night. Her stubborn mind refused to accept the silence, as if admitting it meant admitting she had been left alone once again. The stillness felt like an insult, and that irritated her so much. No one dared to insult the Princess of Hua.
Shen Han had not come to her room as he should. Again.
Even after she threatened his father, he still resisted her. She hated being denied. She was meant to have the world at her feet, and Shen Han was supposed to be the first one to kneel.
Finally, the door opened. Shen Han stepped inside and bowed. His manner was respectful but distant, more like a general reporting for duty than a husband entering his wife's chamber.
"You summoned me, Your Highness?"
She rose slowly, careful to keep her posture calm and composed. "Must you always speak as if we are strangers, my dear husband?"
He did not step forward to meet her, and that alone irritated her more than she cared to admit.
"Sit." She gestured toward the table.
He obeyed without argument, like a wild horse that had been tamed.
She circled him once, as if examining something that already belonged to her. "The court has begun to whisper," she said lightly. "They wonder why my husband does not remain by my side. Why the prince consort so often sleep elsewhere."
"That is not their concern." He knew there was a lie in her words. No one in the court cared in the slightest about his marital life.
"They will make it their concern," she replied calmly. "And soon, it will become Father's."
His shoulders stiffened at that. He knew where this was going.
She smiled at the reaction. "You see? We understand each other after all."
"What do you want, Lian Yue?" he said, dropping the title as he no longer felt the need to pretend.
She stopped in front of him and lifted his chin, forcing him to look at her. "What I am owed. I want you. Completely."
"I have given you everything that I could give you."
"I am still far from being satisfied, Shen Han."
Lian Yue took a piece of paper from her sleeve and placed it down on the table between them.
Shen Han wondered how many more of his father's secret letters she had in her possession.
She straightened. "Or have you forgotten what happens if I'm not satisfied?"
Shen Han clenched his hands.
She watched him carefully, savoring the conflict flickering across his face. She had always enjoyed this part. The pause before resistance collapsed. His pride, his principles, his stubborn loyalty had never stood a chance against her power. Her control was absolute, and they both knew it.
"Lian Yue, I have told you before. You can have my body, my title, even my soul, but you will never have my heart."
"Your loyalty to her will cost you your family." Lian Yue's voice was sharper now, no longer bothering to hide her temper. "Do you truly believe you can afford to lose everything?"
The resistance drained from his face. He hated this part the most. This slow, humiliating surrender. He hated being helpless. No amount of training or battle-hardened skill could save him from her calculated manipulations.
And she saw it clearly. The way his shoulders lowered, and his clenched fists finally loosened. It was the same expression he had worn the day he agreed to the marriage.
Defeat.
"What more do you want?" He fixed his eyes on hers, as if he was challenging her. The resolve he had clung to was gone. He knew there was nothing left he could say against her.
The smile on Lian Yue's face returned. "Stay."
He swallowed. "Lian Yue—"
"Stay," she repeated firmly. She would not take any more defiance.
She walked closer, her hand brushing against his chest. "And play the role of a loving husband."
His body tensed. He knew exactly what she meant. His hands curled into fists once more.
"Every night," she added dangerously.
Then she pushed him onto the bed. He turned his head away and avoided her gaze.
What followed was not spoken of.
Shen Han kept his eyes fixed on the shadows above, his body rigid, his mind far away. He told himself this was duty as a soldier. As a son.
And as his father had promised, everything would turn in his favor. When everything was over, he would have Lian Zhi back in his arms.
Still, resentment weighed heavily in his chest.
When it was over, he rose immediately, reaching for his robe.
"Are you happy now?" he asked. The blatant bitterness in his voice was not enough to stop her smile.
Lian Yue sat back against the cushions, watching him dress. "Of course I am," she replied lightly, a triumphant smile playing on her lips.
He left without another word. The door closed behind him quietly.
Lian Yue remained where she was, staring at the empty space he had left behind. He didn't stay as she had commanded.
But she had won. She had always known she would. She had him.
But it wasn't enough.
She rose at last, pulling a robe around her shoulders, and turned toward the bronze mirror. Her reflection stared back, eyes cold, lips curved in quiet resolve.
If force would not bind him completely, she would sever what kept him standing.
"Qinghe."
A maid appeared instantly, head bowed.
"Spread word," Lian Yue said lightly. "Nothing formal."
The maid hesitated. "Your Highness means…?"
"Our marriage," Lian Yue replied. "Let it travel naturally. Through servants. Through merchants."
She turned, smile sharpening.
"Say my husband is content. That duty has brought him peace. That the past was merely a youthful sentiment."
She paused. "Emphasize how attentive he is. How devoted and relieved he is to be my consort."
The maid bowed and withdrew.
Left alone, Lian Yue returned to her seat and lifted a cup.
"He does not need to love me," she said quietly. "He only needs to belong to me."
She drank.