"It's so fun dining with you. I'm really glad your mother let us go out for the day," Duyi beamed, happily munching on a sweet pastry.
Huan stayed silent, her expression unreadable.
"Hey, that Ping shop looks like it sells nice artifacts. Should we go check it out?" Duyi added cheerfully.
Huan gave a slow nod. "It's getting late," she murmured.
"But this is a rare chance—we finally get to go out together with her permission! Let's make the most of it," Duyi said, hopping off the wooden cart and offering his hand to her.
She hesitated, then took it. His palm was warm, steady—familiar.
"I don't know though..."
"Come on," he encouraged with that boyish grin that never failed to bring a sliver of comfort.
Duyi always carried the look of a wide-eyed dreamer. Just a year older than Huan, he acted more like an eager youth than a man, his bright eyes full of hope and adventure.
They had met as children, racing barefoot through the dusty streets of Yúhé Town, where their fathers once worked side by side to rebuild a fragile economy. Though his father had been merely a mid-level official, Duyi's presence had always felt far more significant than his status. That made her mother furious, but Huan never cared. He had become her closest companion, her refuge. Her heart.
"Okay," Huan said with a small smile. "Let's go."
⸻
Meanwhile, within the winding palace corridors...
Yíchén wiped sweat from his brow, his paper map half-crumpled in his hand. He fanned himself while mumbling under his breath.
"This place is a maze... I can't clearly remember the layout," he muttered. "How do I find it?"
"Find what?" a calm voice asked behind him.
He flinched. Turning slowly, he found himself face-to-face with Bǎihé.
"H-Ha... Gōngzhǔ Fāng," he stammered.
She narrowed her eyes slightly. "General Kōng, what are you looking for?"
He gulped. "Water," he blurted. "I—I was asked to fetch water."
She blinked, then smiled faintly. "Ah. Right. Wángzǐ Feng did ask you for that."
Yíchén relaxed just a bit, exhaling quietly.
"This palace is huge. I don't blame you for getting lost," she added.
"Thank you," he replied.
"Come. I'll show you the way." She turned and began walking.
He followed her quietly until she suddenly gasped. Before he could react, she slipped.
"Min!" he cried, catching her just before she hit the stone path.
"I'm alright," she winced, grabbing her ankle. "I stepped on a rock..."
He knelt down and examined it. "It's swollen," he said, pulling a small bottle from his robe. "Here. Jasmine oil—it'll help with the pain."
She eyed him curiously. "What's that you just called me?"
He paused.
"You called me Min. That's not my name."
A silence passed between them.
"That was my sister's name," he said softly. "When you fell, I... I'm sorry."
Bǎihé looked down, touched by the unexpected vulnerability.
"It's alright," she said gently, attempting to stand—only to flinch in pain.
"I'll help you." He moved to her side, letting her lean on his shoulder. The warmth of her body against his sent a jolt of nervous tension through him.
She glanced at him. Her cherry blossom scent, her soft breath near his ear—it stirred something in him. A feeling he couldn't name.
Just then—
"Gōngzhǔ Fāng!" A servant exclaimed and three other servants came rushing toward them.
"Are you alright Gōngzhǔ?" One of them asked head bowed.
"I slipped on a rock," Bǎihé said.
"Let us help you." They said in unison rushing to her aid.
"We'll take the princess back to her quarters," the servants offered.
"No. I've got her," Yíchén said, gently helping Bǎihé walk. The servants followed behind, casting quiet glances at the pair.
⸻
At the edge of the city gates...
Duyi sat atop his horse, looking down at Huan. Her eyes shimmered with tears.
"Don't cry. I can still visit you—"
"No, you can't," she said, her voice cracking. "My mother forbade it. And she means it."
"She wouldn't really hurt you, would she?"
"You don't know her like I do."
Duyi's fists clenched around the reins. "I'll write to you and visit you in a few weeks. Please don't cry."
"It's better if you don't—for now," Huan whispered, wiping her face. "Just wait until she calms down, I will inform you when she does."
He nodded slowly.
The air was heavy with unspoken words. People bustled around them, heads down, oblivious. The palace gates loomed just ahead.
"I should go," he said softly.
Huan nodded. "Goodbye, Duyi."
He gave her one last look before kicking his heels into the horse's sides, disappearing into the crowd as her tears spilled freely down her cheeks.
⸻