Linyue walked briskly down the corridor. Her steps were fast and determined, like someone desperately trying to look casual after absolutely not sneaking out of the Demon King's chamber at sunrise. She smoothed her robes as she walked, fingers brushing out invisible creases and dust. By the time she reached her own chamber, her expression was calm and her posture perfect. No one would guess she had sprinted out of Demon King's chamber to escape.
She opened the door. And of course, there they were. Song Meiyu, He Yuying, and Shen Zhenyu, lounging around like they owned the place. At this point, Linyue wouldn't be surprised if they replaced the nameplate outside to say "Shared Living Quarters of Three Nosy People and One Escaping Princess."
"Good morning!" Song Meiyu squeaked the second she spotted her. "Sister Linyue! Another night in the Demon King's chamber?"
Linyue walked in and sat in her usual chair. Her voice was completely serious. "We were just reading scrolls."
"Mhm. So believable," Song Meiyu said, her eyes sparkling. "Anyway, you've already decided to marry him. So I understand."
Linyue's eyes narrowed. That "understand" sounded far too knowing. But she let it slide. For now. "So," she said smoothly, steering the conversation elsewhere. "Everything's alright here?"
Shen Zhenyu spoke up, his voice quiet and calm as always. "I heard the emperor passed away last night."
"Oh! Right!" Song Meiyu leaned in. "And now King Shen will be the next Emperor!"
He Yuying, sitting nearby, sipped his tea and nodded without a trace of excitement. Clearly, imperial drama was not enough to distract him from his morning tea.
Song Meiyu's eyes wide with a mix of excitement and concern. "Turns out King Shen is actually the emperor's illegitimate son!"
Shen Zhenyu gave a slight nod. "Mm."
Then Song Meiyu's face softened, her nosiness briefly replaced with real worry. "Brother Zhenyu, are you okay about it?"
He sat there for a moment, quiet and thoughtful, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest. Then to everyone's surprise, he actually chuckled. A quiet sound, but enough to make Song Meiyu blink.
"I'm more concerned about what troubles you all are going to cause next," he said lightly.
Song Meiyu gasped. "We're not going to cause any trouble! It's just… trouble always finds us! Really! We're just innocent bystanders!"
"Mhm," Shen Zhenyu replied without a hint of belief in his voice.
Song Meiyu huffed, her cheeks puffing. "I'm serious! About the trouble. And about you, Brother Zhenyu." Her voice softened again as she leaned closer. "You must feel betrayed. Are you really okay?"
Shen Zhenyu glanced at Song Meiyu, then at Linyue, who was already smiling, and finally at He Yuying, who had somehow curled up on a floor cushion.
"It happened a long time ago," he said lightly. "I've already forgotten about it." Then with the faintest hint of a smirk, he added, "Besides, I have three troublemakers to take care of. Do I even have time to think about such unnecessary things?"
"We're not troublemakers!" Song Meiyu squeaked, puffing out her cheeks.
"You are," He Yuying said flatly without even lifting his head.
"Hey! I said we're not!" Song Meiyu flailed her sleeves, her voice full of fake outrage.
"And I said you are," He Yuying replied.
Linyue watched them with quiet amusement, the corner of her lips curving up. Somehow, their constant bickering felt warm and familiar. Like home. Then she spoke up, her voice soft but clear. "Shall we go out? It's been a while since we walked outside."
Song Meiyu's eyes lit up at once. "That's right! Let's go find some snacks!"
He Yuying's entire mood shifted. His eyes actually sparkled. Without a word, he stood and was already halfway to the door.
Shen Zhenyu let out a soft sigh. "Fine."
And just like that, the three troublemakers and one unwillingly appointed peacekeeper strolled out of the palace gate. They moved at a leisurely pace down the stone-paved road, the morning sun warming their backs. Ahead, the market was alive and loud. Bright colors hung from stalls. Sellers shouted over each other to advertise their goods. The smell of fresh bread and sizzling oil drifted through the air. Compared to the tense quiet of past weeks, the street felt different now. Lively. Comforting. Like the world was trying to return to normal.
Song Meiyu took a deep breath and spread her arms wide. "It's great. Everything's back to how it used to be. Lively and filled with the smell of good food." Then she turned to the others with a sparkle in her eyes. "Now let's follow the scent and find the first fried bun of the day!"
Linyue gave a small nod.
He Yuying's eyes sharpened. He was already walking faster.
Shen Zhenyu let out another sigh, quieter than before.
The trouble had officially begun. Not the dangerous kind. The snack kind.
"Look!" Song Meiyu squeaked, pointing so fast she nearly hit He Yuying's arm. "There's a spicy clay pot rice restaurant! Shall we give it a try?"
He Yuying nodded quickly.
Linyue gave a small amused smile.
Shen Zhenyu, of course, accepted their new mission. As long as they were chasing food and not setting anything on fire, he was willing to support their so-called culinary adventures.
They strolled into the restaurant and chose a table tucked in the corner near the window. The place was warm and noisy, with the scent of chili oil and sizzling rice making even Shen Zhenyu's stomach grumble.
Quite a few heads turned when Linyue walked in. She noticed. Ever since she stopped using jade dust powder to hide her face, the stares had become more frequent and honestly more annoying. Even earlier on the street, people had been glancing too much. But Shen Zhenyu had a secret weapon for moments like this: his death stare. Any time someone stared a little too long, Shen Zhenyu would turn his head slowly, raise one brow, and lock eyes with them. That was all it took. People would instantly look away, their faces stiff as if they just remembered they had somewhere very important to be. Like under a rock. Thanks to his silent intimidation, Linyue ignored all the stares with ease and walked like nothing happened. Let them stare. She had spicy rice waiting.
They had already ordered two steaming clay pot rice dishes to share and four cups of sweet soy milk. Now all that remained was to wait and survive the endless smell of spicy food wafting from every other table.
Song Meiyu leaned across the table with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Sister Linyue, if you marry the Demon King, will you stay here and not go back to Luyan?"
Linyue blinked. Ah. She hadn't thought that far ahead. Song Meiyu had a point. Shu Mingye probably would not let her run around freely once she became his wife. He would keep her close. But maybe he would let her visit Luyan sometimes. He wasn't completely unreasonable. She just had to bribe him with pie and kisses first. That usually worked.
"I'll visit often," Linyue said at last, her voice calm and certain.
Song Meiyu pouted. "But I'll still be sad if you're not there!"
Linyue smiled softly. "You can visit Shulin too. And besides, we haven't even gotten married yet."
Song Meiyu instantly perked up. "That's true! I gave him my blessing too early. I should've made him pass three trials, solve ten riddles, and win a cooking contest first."
Shen Zhenyu nodded like he was seriously thinking about that cooking contest idea.
He Yuying, on the other hand, was completely lost in his own world. His eyes were locked on another table where a plate of crispy dumplings sat untouched.
"…Are they not going to eat those?" he muttered, still staring.
Song Meiyu waved him off, refusing to let dumplings derail the conversation. "Anyway, he hasn't even gotten Master's permission yet. So it's not like the wedding will happen tomorrow."
Shen Zhenyu nodded. "That's right. He still has to go to Luyan and ask properly."