Two weeks had passed.
Still, not a single word from Prime Minister Zhao Jinming.
Murong Yexuan had expected a letter demanding explanation or at least a complaint filed through the Ministry of Justice.
After all, he had beaten Zhao Yunxiang senseless in the Elegance Pavilion.
But silence.
A silence so thick, it was suspicious.
The truth is, Zhao Yunxiang was too terrified to speak.
If his father discovered that he was beaten in public by Murong Yexuan and was caught with a woman who was NOT his fiancée…
His father will skin him alive.
Since Bai Longyuan's family returned to Wuzhen City, his father has warned him several times to mind his behavior so as not to offend the Bai Longyuan family.
Because Zhao Jinming had long wanted this marriage, between him and Bai Rouyuan.
Why?
Her maternal family — the Wen Merchant Clan — was the richest merchant clan in the empire. The clan that supplied half the palace's gold.
And now her father, Marquis Bai Longyuan, had just been appointed the Minister of War.
Zhao Yunxiang's marriage to Bai Rouyuan would give Zhao Jinming wealthy, military influence and political leverage.
But Zhao Yunxiang hated the idea.
The Group of Troublemakers
Today was different.
Today, Yunyan Pavilion was hosting a special sale.
Members-only. Rare discounts. New products.
Wuzhen City flooded the streets.
Among the crowd swaggered Zhao Yunxiang with his five notorious friends — all known for abusing their fathers' power,
Bai Zhenyu — Son of Bai Zhenhai, the Assistant Minister —Bai Rouyuan cousin.
— Arrogant, cruel, jealous of Bai Yunchen and Bai Yanyu
— Secretly in love with Zhao Shaoqin.
Han Weifeng — Son of Han Zhengli, Assistant Deputy Imperial Treasury
— Gambler, drunkard, violent when bored.
3. Lu Mingjie — Son of Minister of Rites Lu Ping Ping
— Flamboyant, petty, always provoking fights.
4. Xue Qiandong — Son of the Imperial Treasury Deputy
— Loves showing off his father's rank — Enjoys harassing business owners for "discounts".
5. Liu Fangyu — Son of Scholar Bureau Chief Liu Zhenhai
— The brains of the group, but rotten to the core
Together with Zhao Yunxiang, they marched toward Yunyan Pavilion, smirking like they owned the street.
The Man Who Hated His Own Fiancée
Zhao Yunxiang's hatred was boiling.
He despised Bai Rouyuan.
He despised the arranged married.
He despised that he was forced to marry someone he did not choose.
And worst — he found her arrogant.
He had seen her "disfigured" face twelve years ago.
He had mocked her for it.
He believed she was still ugly beneath the veil.
Bai Yuxin, that foolish cousin of hers, had told him: "She's not pretty. She's boring. She's useless."
Bai Yuxin, whom he had bedded for years, think she was better than Bai Rouyuan, and she naïvely believed he would marry her instead of Bai Rouyuan.
He laughed at the thought.
He could have ANY woman in Wuzhen City, ladies obsessed with his wealth, power, and status.
Noble daughters lining up for him.
Why should he settle for a scarred, boring fiancée, or a slut who does not know how to preserve her dignity?
Zhao Yunxiang smirk.
Today, Yunxiang planned to embarrass Bai Rouyuan publicly.
Show everyone how unworthy she was.
Harassment Inside Yunyan Pavilion
The moment he stepped in, the atmosphere grew tense.
Customers stepped aside, frightened.
Bai Rouyuan stood behind the counter in her lilac xuesha veil, serving customers with gentle patience.
"Ah… here she is," Yunxiang sneered.
He walked right up to her.
SLAM.
He slapped his palm onto the counter.
"Miss Bai Rouyuan," he said loudly so the entire shop would hear,
"It's brave of you not to show your face in public—or should I say, HIDE it?"
His friends snickered.
Bai Rouyuan bowed slightly. "Welcome, Young Master Zhao. How may I assist—"
"You can assist by STOPPING this charade," he barked.
"No one wants beauty products from someone who won't even show her own face."
Han Weifeng snorted.
"She's hiding it because it's hideous."
Lu Mingjie laughed loudly. "Maybe her veil is glued on? Afraid to scare customers?"
Xue Qiandong leaned in, sniffing.
"What's this smell? Perfume?"
"Wasteful."
"She should make masks instead—to hide that scar!"
Customers began whispering.
Some girls looked frightened.
Some looked disgusted.
Bai Rouyuan stood firm. "I apologize if our products do not meet Your Excellency's taste—"
"Oh please," Yunxiang snapped.
"Drop the act. Stop pretending to be polite."
He circled her like a predator.
"You think wearing a veil makes you mysterious?"
"No—"
"it makes you PATHETIC."
Bai Rouyuan's fingers trembled slightly — but she stayed silent.
Wen Xianyi stormed forward, "BACK OFF, YOU ROTTEN GOAT—"
But Zhao Yunxiang's friends grabbed her arms and held her back.
Yunxiang smirked.
"Or what, little merchant girl?"
"You want to fight?"
"Do you know who I am?"
Wen Xianyi kicked his shin. "You're a useless, pig-headed—"
Han Weifeng covered her mouth.
Yunxiang laughed and reached forward,"Well then… let's all see her REAL face."
He raised his hand.
Grabbing the edge of Bai Rouyuan's veil—"Let me show everyone the ugly face you're hiding—"
A hand caught his wrist.
Strong.
Cold.
Unmovable.
Zhao Yunxiang froze.
He slowly turned.
Prince Murong Yexuan was standing behind him.
Next to him stood the four-celestial shield, or known as The Brotherhood of Blue Shield, Murong Yexuan best friends, also with Great General Bai Yunchen, expression dark.
All staring at Yunxiang, as if they were deciding which limb to break first.
Murong Yexuan's voice was calm, deadly.
"If you want to buy, just buy."
"If not… get your worthless self out."
He leaned in slightly, "Or do you want another beating like last time?"
Yunxiang turned pale.
His friends all turning their face away.
They can abuse OTHERS, but they can't fight THEM.
They were better than them in everything, martial arts, power…
They just fled — pushing through the crowd and nearly tripping over their own feet one another.
Inside, Wen Xianyi and Bai Rouyuan were guided into safety.
Bai Rouyuan turned and bowed slightly toward Murong Yexuan.
A small smile behind her veil.
A grateful nod.
Murong Yexuan's heart tightened.
"It's her…" he whispered to himself.
Wei Shensu snorted softly, "You're drooling."
Murong Yexuan glared.
"She didn't remember me," he muttered, wounded.
Wei Shensu patted his back.
"Then make her remember you…."
He walked inside, leaving Murong Yexuan standing there in silent suffering.
Elegance Pavilion — Their Worlds Collide
That evening, the Brotherhood of Blue Seal returned to their usual private room on the second floor of Elegance Pavilion.
And beside Murong Yexuan, sitting like an unmovable shadow, Great General Bai Yunchen.
Since Bai Yunchen had been assigned as Murong Yexuan's personal guard, he was like part of them.
Many said the legendary Four Celestial Shields should now officially be renamed the Five Celestial Shields.
Tonight, they sipped tea, chatted lightly, and enjoyed the soft melodies played by the musicians below.
Then—the doors of the pavilion opened.
And from their elevated room, they saw them.
Bai Rouyuan entered.
Beside her walked Wen Xianyi, lively, radiant, fluttering like a restless butterfly and Princess Murong Qingshi, elegant and smiling warmly.
Yexuan's teacup nearly slipped from his fingers.
Wei Shensu smirked.
Lin Changyu raised a brow.
Murong Yunxi blinked twice before suddenly calling out—"Cousin Qingshi! Over here!"
Murong Qingshi looked up, eyes bright.
She waved energetically and grabbed Rouyuan's arm.
"Come! Sit with us!"
Wen Xianyi stiffened instantly.
"Oh no… no no no— I'm not going—"
She still remembered.
The poetry debate accident.
Where she, Wen Xianyi, had boldly humiliated scholars, without realizing the gentle scholar opposing her was Prince Murong Yunxi.
She had nearly embarrassed a prince.
Luckily, nothing serious happened… but still—
She wanted to run.
But Murong Qingshi looped an arm with hers and dragged her along.
Rouyuan followed obediently—because she noticed her brother Bai Yunchen was there too.
Seeing him smiling softly at her, she feels relaxed.
The girls entered the private room.
They see the man were sat together in a table.
The Scent of Recognition
As Bai Rouyuan walked past Murong Yexuan—a scent drifted toward her.
Warm cedar.
Crisp frost.
Silver lotus.
Night musk.
A scent she knew better than her own breath.
Her own creation.
A scent made specifically for— her heart skipped.
She froze for half a second.
Then, gracefully, she took her seat.
Across from her—Yexuan was smiling.
A soft, helpless smile that visibly warmed his normally sharp demeanour.
Murong Qingshi blinked, confused.
Murong Yunxi coughed pointedly.
Wei Shensu raised a brow, already amused.
Lin Changyu and Wen Xianyi looked between them, sensing something entertaining.
Rouyuan lowered her head slightly.
Then she remembered—her brother was here.
That meant…Murong Yexuan must be here.
'Is he…?' thinking while looking at Yexuan.
Softly, she asked, "Are you… Prince Murong Yexuan?"
Yexuan's breath caught.
He smiled.
A small, rare smile that could melt frozen lakes.
"Why do you think I am Prince Murong Yexuan?"
Rouyuan answered gently.
"Your scent."
"It's the fragrance I created for Prince Murong Yexuan."
His eyes softened.
"Yes."
"I am Murong Yexuan."
And then slowly, almost reverently:
"Nice to meet you… Miss Bai Rouyuan."
Rouyuan felt warmth bloom in her heart.
"I've been wanting to meet you for a long time, Your Highness."
"I didn't expect our first meeting would be here."
"I'm sorry I didn't recognize you earlier."
"And… thank you for helping me today."
Before Yexuan could react—
Murong Yunxi, Wei Shensu, Lin Changyu, and Bai Yunchen all blurted together: "First time??"
Yexuan nearly kicked them under the table.
He glared, shaking his head slightly, silently ordering them to shut up.
Rouyuan furrowed in confusion.
A World of Two
And then…
Everything else faded.
Yexuan and Rouyuan began talking softly,
about scents,
about war letters exchanged,
about business,
about the frontier,
about the capital.
They forgot that others existed.
They forgot Elegance Pavilion.
They forgot about the world.
Just the two of them, smiling, giggling, eyes locked.
Soft laughter accompanies every conversation,
Hands occasionally brushing the table,
As if pulled by fate itself.
The four men stared.
The two girls watched.
And in every single heart at that table, the same thought rose silently—"Please let these two end up together."
"Please let them happy."