When Yuyan slowly opened her eyes, the light filtering through the silk curtains was soft and golden. For a moment, everything felt distant, like a dream she couldn't quite grasp. The scent of medicine and burning incense hung faintly in the air.
She blinked several times before realizing where she was, she was in her chamber in the palace.
Around her bed stood familiar faces, her mother, Empress Wei Ruyan, eyes glistening with unshed tears; Emperor Han Zixuan, his usually calm expression shadowed with worry; and beside them, Leng Yue, silent but watchful, his arms folded lightly across his chest.
"Yuyan…" her mother whispered with a trembling voice.
The Emperor stepped closer, his tone was heavy with concern. "What happened, Yuyan? Where is Tian Yu?"
For a moment, she just stared at them, confused, her mind fogged from sleep. Then, like a sudden rush, memories of the attack came flooding back . The turned witches. The explosion. Tian Yu's voice shouting her name...
Her heart clenched.
"Tian Yu!" she gasped, sitting up abruptly. "Where...where is he?!"
Empress Wei Ruyan reached out quickly, placing both hands on her daughter's shoulders. "Don't move, my child! You've been unconscious for three days. You mustn't strain yourself."
"But..he was there!" Yuyan's voice cracked, her eyes wide with panic. "He saved me...he.,.."
"Yuyan."
The voice that spoke was calm and deep. Then Leng Yue moved closer, his expression serious but gentle. "You can't walk around yet," he said quietly. "Your injuries haven't fully healed."
Her gaze darted toward him, stunned. "Leng Yue? You… you're here?"
He nodded slowly. "The soldiers found you at the edge of the northern woods. You were badly injured. There was no sign of Tian Yu."
The words hit her like a blow.
"No sign…" she repeated, her voice fading into a whisper. Her chest tightened painfully.
Her mother's hand brushed her cheek, trying to soothe her trembling. "You need to rest first, Yuyan. We will send search parties at once."
But Yuyan's eyes were distant, filled with sorrow and disbelief. Tears flowed down her cheeks as she whispered, almost to herself,
"I should have protected him… I promised I would."
Leng Yue looked at her for a long moment, then lowered his gaze. " We will look for him, I promised"
-----
The sun hung low over the quiet village when Princess Moyin and Prince Rong Yuan finally decided to leave. They had stayed longer than planned, but neither had truly wanted to go.
Rong Yuan stood by the doorway, handing the village woman, the kind soul who had sheltered them, the same purse Moyin once gave him for her journey to Xiyue.
"Please, take this," he said gently.
The woman smiled and pushed it back toward him. "No, traveler. You've already brought warmth to this old house. Few travellers ever pass by here. When they do, we treat them as family."
Rong Yuan gave a small nod of gratitude, his lips curving in a faint smile. "Then… thank you for everything." Before going inside.
When he stepped back inside, the sight before him made his heart pause.
Moyin was lying on the simple bed, her hair spilling over the pillow, a small, dreamy smile lighting her face. The soft morning glow wrapped around her.
Rong Yuan leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms. "You look far too happy for someone who's leaving," he teased.
Moyin turned her head, her smile deepening. "I just remembered my father," she said softly. "He used to spoil me endlessly. Whatever I asked for, he gave. He was… the perfect father. Until he forced me to marry the prince of Yunhai, a man I didn't even know."
Rong Yuan chuckled, his tone light. "I thought it was your uncle who arranged that marriage?"
Her eyes widened slightly, caught off guard. But she quickly turned her face away. "You remember wrongly," she said, pretending calmness, then quickly added, "Aren't we still going to Xiyue?"
He took a few steps closer, his eyes never leaving hers. "Perhaps," he said quietly.
When she turned toward him, their eyes met, and the air between them shifted. It was as if the world slowed. The warmth in his gaze made her heart flutter.
"Moyin," he said her name like a whisper of wind.
"Hmm?"
"Are you truly going to see your sister?" His voice was low, probing gently, his eyes searching hers.
Her lashes trembled. "No..." she said softly. "I was going to see pr—" She stopped herself abruptly, biting her lower lip. Then, with sudden courage, she turned fully toward him.
"Can you take me home?" she asked. Staring at him.
"Home?" he repeated, surprised.
"Yes," she said, her voice trembling. As she continues "I want to go back to Hengling. With you."
Rong Yuan froze. "Moyin…"
"I want to be with you," she whispered, her eyes shining with tears she didn't bother to hide.
He stared at her, torn. "I'm just a poor traveler," he said softly. "I have nothing to give you. Why choose a man like me, when you could have a prince?"
Her head shook in defiance, tears slipping down her cheeks. "You're not poor. The way you speak, the way you move, it's not like any commoner. You carry yourself like someone born of light. I've already fallen too deeply, Rong Yuan. Please… dont push me away."
His heart clenched at her words. He stepped forward, brushing her tears away with his thumb. "And what about your father, or your uncle?" he asked, still keeping up his disguise.
She smiled faintly through her tears. "My father will agree. I'll cry, beg, and plead if he refuses." Her voice cracked. "Please… let's just go home."
The look in her eyes broke him, so full of love and innocence that all his careful restraint shattered.
He reached out, his fingers trembling as they brushed her cheek. "Moyin…" he whispered, his voice rougher now.
She looked up at him, her breath catching. The distance between them vanished as he leaned closer, his forehead resting gently against hers.
"I shouldn't," he breathed.
"But I want you to," she whispered back.
And then their lips met.
The kiss began soft, testing, trembling, as though neither dared to believe it was real. But the moment her fingers clutched his robe and he drew her closer, the gentleness gave way to fire. Their hearts beat wildly in rhythm, the rest of the world fading into nothing.
His hand slid to her waist; her tears mixed with the warmth of his breath. When they finally pulled apart, her face was flushed, her lips trembling with emotion.
"Moyin," he murmured, his thumb still caressing her cheek. "You have no idea what you've done to me."
She smiled faintly, her voice a whisper. "Then don't stop me from doing it again."
He laughed softly, the sound low and tender, and drew her back into his arms.