The long corridor stretched before her, the white figure, light and lively like a sprite from the mountains, skipped ahead, a wine jug in hand, heading straight towards Lan Yixuan's courtyard. With a playful kick, she flung open the door, her eyes immediately falling on Lan Yixuan, seated at the table, absorbed in his book. His left hand held a small blue volume, his right turning the pages or occasionally lifting the cup of tea beside him for a sip. Moonlight filtered through the open door, casting a soft white and pale yellow glow on his serene profile, making him appear even more gentle and approachable.
At the sound of the door being kicked open, the corners of Lan Yixuan's mouth, hidden behind his book, curved upwards in a subtle smile. He put down the book and turned to look at Xianyue, his gaze, bathed in moonlight, was as warm and gentle as jade.
Xianyue smiled lightly, waving the jug in her hand as she ran over. "Lan Gongzi, have a drink with me."
Though her words seemed to request, she gave him no chance to refuse. She walked straight to him, placing the jug into his hands and casually flipping through the book on the table. It was full of dense text—one she could recite by heart, the *Book of Songs*. Boring. Xianyue frowned, sweeping the book off the table and flinging it onto Lan Yixuan's bed. "Save it for bedtime reading."
Without waiting for a response, she grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the door. Lan Yixuan let her lead him without saying a word. Just as they reached the threshold, Xianyue suddenly let go of his hand, ran back to grab a wine cup from the table, and tucked it into the sash around her waist. Turning, she saw Lan Yixuan watching her, and she raised an eyebrow. "Lan Gongzi, you're far too refined to drink straight from the jug like me."
She laughed, her bright eyes narrowing as she leaped lightly into the courtyard. By the time Lan Yixuan stepped out, Xianyue was already sitting leisurely on the rooftop, legs crossed, waving the wine cup at him. "Lan Gongzi, need a hand getting up?"
Her laugh, crisp as silver bells, rang through the quiet courtyard. Lan Yixuan took a step back, looking up at her, his lips curved in a soft smile as he shook his head. With a swift motion, his figure spun into the air, the purple shadow swirling upwards like a vortex. In the blink of an eye, he was sitting beside Xianyue.
"Here."
Xianyue handed him the cup she'd just retrieved, staring at him intently. "Lan Gongzi, drink slowly."
Then, she turned away, sipping her wine in silence. For a while, neither spoke.
The night deepened. Though the moon was not full, its light was beautiful, a faint silver glow spreading over the courtyard like a thin mist in a late autumn forest. The soft shadows of swaying trees danced on the walls, casting a peaceful, comforting ambiance despite the underlying melancholy.
Lan Yixuan poured himself a cup, set the jug aside, and tilted his head back, swirling the wine in his cup before drinking it all in one go.
"Xianyue."
His voice was soft, muffled by the wine, as he gazed up at the crescent moon. It was barely audible, like a whisper to the night, yet Xianyue heard it. She turned towards him, her gaze touched with a hint of sadness.
"Mm?"
She wiped the wine from her lips, her bright eyes reflecting the moon, laced with a quiet sorrow.
"Have I not done enough?"
Lan Yixuan's gaze remained fixed on the moon, his voice almost a murmur, as if he were speaking to himself or perhaps to the moon above. But Xianyue heard. She turned, surprise flickering in her eyes at his words tinged with a distant melancholy.
"Lan Yixuan."
Xianyue looked at his profile, a slight arch lifting her brow as she laughed softly. "Lan Gongzi, you are the kindest person I've ever known."
Lan Yixuan frowned. Every time she said that, it was with a flattering smile, but now, the rare sincerity made him uneasy. The bad feeling in his heart grew stronger.
"You've had Lei Yun tend to my every need, and even made Lei An my personal errand boy. You've been nothing short of meticulous, caring, and attentive. But I am a princess of Feng Kingdom, and you are the son of Lan Kingdom. That... simply isn't enough."
"Do you remember, in the Tianxia Pavilion, when you asked me if 'forever with one person' was what I wanted? Of course, it is—who wouldn't wish for 'till death do us part, hand in hand, growing old together'?"
Lan Yixuan smiled. "Even ordinary folk who are deeply in love may not stay together, let alone us, born into royalty. If it's already destined that we must share our spouse with others, then it's better to choose someone we don't love, right? But what if I told you that I will only marry one woman for the rest of my life, and that I will only be good to her? Would you believe me?"
Xianyue's lips pressed together as she stared at Lan Yixuan's earnest face, not giving a direct answer. "My father, who was so deeply in love with my mother, still filled the palace with concubines after she was gone. Even when she was alive, the result was the same. This is the helplessness of kings. No one can change that. Whether I believe you or not doesn't matter, Lan Yixuan. Perhaps you would indeed marry only me and be good to me, but that alone isn't enough to move me."
"You and Bai Zhanfeng are both remarkable men. Bai Zhanfeng hurt Nian Xiaoyu for me, and you used Hua Chuxue as a shield for my sake. Both of you treat me well, but I wonder—will I become another Nian Xiaoyu, or the next Hua Chuxue?"
"It's not that I don't trust your words; it's just that I've seen too much. Look at Ye Wuji and Liu Xinyou, or my mother with my father. How could I dare to believe? All I know is that no matter where I am or what I'm doing, there is someone in Feng Kingdom who constantly worries for me, who hopes I can live in peace and happiness. In the face of life and death, he would never let go of my hand. No one else in this world would ever do that for me."
"Men always use sweet words to deceive women. Only the foolish fall for them. Anyone can speak of love, but love is fragile, like a thin layer of glass—it shatters easily underfoot. Lan Yixuan, you are wonderful, but like me, you are also a selfish person."
Xianyue shook her head as she spoke. "You're even more selfish than I am. At least there's someone in this world for whom I'm willing to give up everything. But do you have someone like that? If it were a matter of life and death, would you hold on to my hand and never let go? You, Lan Yixuan, would certainly let go. You might grieve, but after some time, you'd live on just fine."
"Two people can't be together just because they love each other. The most important thing is mutual trust. You don't trust me, and I don't trust you. Even if we were together, we'd only be on guard, scheming against each other. Isn't it better to remain as we are?"
Xianyue took a deep swig from her cup. "My brother is different from you or Xuanyuan Hao. He lacks ambition, and so do I. What's the point of ruling the world if there's no one by your side to share it with? I only want to stay by my brother's side, to see him endure every hardship. Perhaps someday, for some reason, we might be together. Lan Yixuan, if you truly care for me, keep your distance. I will help you achieve your grand ambitions. Two tigers cannot share one mountain, not even a male and a female. When the time comes, I hope you will treat all people well—not only those of Feng Kingdom but also of Chuguo and Xuanyuan. And then, let my brother and me go free."
Lan Yixuan stared at her, pain and complexity flashing in his eyes. As Xianyue turned away, he suddenly turned his back too, pouring himself more wine. His gentle gaze, softened by the moonlight, seemed emptier than ever.
"Xianyue."
His fingers twitched around the cup. "This is the first time you've spoken so much to me."
And with such honesty.
Xianyue nodded slightly, letting out a soft "Mmm." "Tomorrow, I will return to Feng Kingdom. For this last night, of course, I must have a good conversation with you, Lord Lan, or I would truly be heartless."
She smiled, her eyes curving gently, while the crimson of her lips still carried traces of fine wine. Yet she was perfectly sober, especially those eyes—brighter than the stars in the night sky. She met Lan Yixuan's unreadable gaze without flinching. "I've been in the Chu Kingdom for quite a while now, yet I've gained nothing. My brother wrote to me, saying that our father's health is deteriorating, and he has to handle all the affairs of the Feng Kingdom. His own health is frail, so how can I not worry? I originally intended to go to Death Valley to find medicine for him. Everyone says it's perilous, a place from which none return. If something were to happen to me there, wouldn't my brother be even more heartbroken? Moreover, I still don't know how to even reach that place. After much deliberation, I've decided to go back. Tonight, I'm here to bid you farewell."
These were, indeed, her concerns—fearing the danger of Death Valley, but knowing there was a slim chance of survival if she went. If she didn't go, she would never be at peace.
Lan Yixuan's little finger twitched around the wine cup, a deep sorrow swirling in his eyes like aged wine, growing ever stronger. With a sudden motion, he flung the cup to the ground. The sound reverberated, splashing droplets of wine everywhere. Xianyue turned sharply, fixing her gaze on Lan Yixuan as he grabbed the wine jug and began pouring drink after drink down his throat. A flash of surprise crossed her face, followed by understanding.
"You met with Hua Chuxue last night."
His head hung low as he stared at Xianyue, his brow twitching with frustration. "Since you already know all this, why do you still persist?"
Xianyue chuckled lightly, raising her bottle to clink it against his jug. "Lord Lan, as I said, neither of us truly trusts the other."
She drained the bottle in one swig, wiped her lips with the back of her hand, and her eyes sparkled, brighter than the night stars. "I'll be relying on you more in the future, Lord Lan."
She smashed the bottle to the ground, stood up, and patted the dust from her clothes. Lan Yixuan rose with her, his hand pressing against his forehead as he swayed, his gaze dazed and hazy as it followed her.
Xianyue smiled, stepped closer, and wrapped her arms around him, standing on her toes to whisper in his ear, "Lord Lan, is this your first time being outwitted by someone?"
Her voice carried a teasing lilt, a hint of triumph. Lan Yixuan raised his head, catching only a glimpse of her profile—soft lines, a faint smile, as radiant as the March sun, warm and brilliant. She held him close, her hand lightly tapping the acupoint that would induce sleep. "Rest well, Lord Lan."
Gently, she lowered herself to the ground, using his right hand to support her weight as she descended as gracefully as a falling leaf. She placed Lan Yixuan on the bed, removed his shoes, then left to fetch warm water and a towel. She carefully wiped him down and changed his clothes before covering him with a blanket. Once everything was in order, she sat quietly at the bedside, gazing at the unconscious Lan Yixuan.
Her hand brushed over his forehead. For a moment, she closed her eyes. His high forehead was smooth and proud, a sign of natural wealth. His eyes, now closed, had lashes that were long and soft, brushing against her palm like tiny bristles. When open, those eyes were like the calm sea, warm and serene, yet hiding deep undercurrents. His nose was high and straight, and even with his lips closed, the natural upward curve of his mouth made him look as if he was always smiling, exuding a sense of gentle intimacy. But in reality, this man was cold and indifferent by nature.
She smiled, and the image of another figure in purple flashed across her mind. Retracting her hand, she observed him in the flickering candlelight. His face was bathed in a faint golden hue, looking serene and harmless.
Kneeling by the bed, she stared at him for a long while before suddenly laughing softly. "Lan Yixuan."
She called his name, then quickly corrected herself, "Lord Lan."
She continued to chuckle. "How many in this world can resist your tenderness? It's truly difficult not to fall for you."
What young girl doesn't yearn for love? Though she was a princess, she was also a girl in her prime, encountering the finest man in the world—elegant, noble, tender, and considerate. Even if reason dictated restraint, could a heart truly be controlled by reason?
Supporting herself on the bed, Xianyue stood up. Under the soft glow of the room's light, she cast one last glance at the sleeping Lan Yixuan, then resolutely turned and walked towards the door. Her pace wasn't hurried, but every step was firm and unyielding. Once taken, there would be no turning back.
Inside, Lan Yixuan lay on the bed, his jade-like skin cast in a soft orange glow. His previously smooth brow furrowed in tension. His hands, tucked under the blanket, clenched tightly, his little finger twitching as if struggling against invisible bonds.
Xianyue reached the door, standing with her back to the room. She closed the door with a gentle push and stretched lazily under the bright crescent moon. Just as she approached the courtyard gate, she ran into Lei An head-on. "Lei An, what are you doing out here in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?"
Lei An peered past her towards the courtyard, only for Xianyue to block his view. "Don't bother looking. Your master is fast asleep."
She yawned several times, then smiled and patted Lei An on the shoulder. "Tell Lei Yun to make me some Lanxiang noodles."
Lei An glared at her with displeasure. "You really know how to eat."
Lanxiang noodles were a complicated dish, requiring strength to knead and cook the dough, and the broth needed to be simmered for hours. It couldn't be made in less than five or six hours, meaning Lei Yun would have to stay up all night. The more Lei An thought about it, the more he felt his master and Lei Yun spoiled Xianyue too much, giving her whatever she wanted. If she asked for the stars or the moon, he wondered how they would deliver them.
Xianyue chuckled, showing no guilt at all. "Only now you realize?"
Aside from sleeping, her only other passion was eating.
Lei An left in a huff, while Xianyue didn't head back to her own courtyard but instead climbed over the wall. In the darkness, her pale silhouette resembled a nimble cat prowling the night, disappearing towards the main gate.
It was late at night, and everything was silent. Xianyue stood at the gate, leaped onto a tree on the opposite side, and landed gracefully. She then disappeared into the shadows, treading lightly on the scattered moonlight, heading in a new direction. Whether it would lead to life or death, it was her choice to make.