The carriage swayed gently as the horses climbed the slope toward the princess's mansion.
Shen Miao sat by the window, the curtain pulled back just enough to watch the lanterns flicker to life along the avenue. The setting sun bled gold and crimson across the sky, painting the rooftops in warm light.
Across from her, Shen Yao sat in silence.
He had insisted on riding outside at first. But Xi Shu had quietly reminded him that the carriage was large enough for two, and that arriving separately might invite gossip. So here he was—sitting across from his sister, the jade-green silk of her robe brushing against his dark blue sleeve.
Neither spoke.
Shen Miao glanced at him from the corner of her eye. His profile was sharp against the fading light, his expression unreadable. He had been like this since the morning. Distant. Watchful.
She looked down at the hairpin tucked into her sleeve—the one he had given her. Light green with dangling flowers. She had been saving it for tonight.
"Brother," she said quietly.
He turned his head slightly. "Mm?"
"Why did you buy me that hairpin?"
The question hung in the air between them. The carriage wheels rumbled over the cobblestones.
Shen Yao was silent for a long moment. Then he said, "You deserved something pretty."
Shen Miao's breath caught. She hadn't expected that.
He wasn't looking at her. His gaze had drifted to the window, to the darkening sky.
She reached across the small space and touched his sleeve—just briefly, just enough to feel the fabric beneath her fingers. He didn't flinch. He didn't pull away.
"Thank you, Brother," she whispered.
He said nothing.
But after a pause, he reached up and adjusted the pin in her hair—not because it was crooked, but because he wanted to.
The carriage climbed on.
---
Shen Yao rode in silence.
The streets were emptying as the sun dipped below the rooftops. Lanterns were being lit along the main avenue, their warm glow spreading across the cobblestones.
Behind him, the carriage wheels rumbled. Inside, his sister was preparing herself for a room full of strangers.
"She's nervous," he thought. "She doesn't show it, but she is."
He didn't know why that bothered him. He didn't know why he had told Xi Shu to stay close to her tonight. He just knew that the idea of her walking into that hall alone—surrounded by vultures in silk—made his jaw tighten.
Xi Shu rode up beside him.
"Young Master, we're approaching the princess's residence."
Shen Yao nodded. Ahead, the mansion's gates came into view—wide, ornate, flanked by guards in ceremonial armor. Lanterns hung from every pillar, casting the entrance in a warm, golden glow.
"The princess's personal attendants will receive the Fourth Miss," Xi Shu continued. "Young Master will enter through the main hall with the other noble heirs."
Shen Yao glanced back at the carriage. He couldn't see her face, but he imagined her smoothing her robes, checking her hairpin, taking a deep breath.
"Stay with her," he said quietly. "For the rest of the night"
Xi Shu bowed his head. "As you command."