As the night stretched on, the Emperor, seated at the head of the pavilion, raised a hand to command silence. His regal bearing held the room's attention effortlessly.
"I am feeling a bit weary," he announced, his tone calm but authoritative. "I shall retire to my chambers. My Queen will continue to host you all in my absence. Ministers, please enjoy the rest of the banquet."
With that, he stood, nodding at the Queen. Her expression was poised, but a flicker of something unreadable passed across her face. The ministers and nobles bowed deeply as the Emperor departed, his steps echoing through the pavilion as he left, followed by a small retinue of attendants.
The atmosphere lightened somewhat, but the Queen remained a vigilant hostess, her eyes scanning the room, though there was a sense of distance in her regal demeanor. The nobles, somewhat more relaxed now that the Emperor had gone, resumed their conversations with renewed energy.
Jin Yue, seated with her family, felt an odd tension coiling within her. The heavy air, the constant chatter, and the lingering looks she had received throughout the night left her yearning for a moment of solitude. Her fingers lightly brushed against the bracelet that now adorned her wrist..an extravagant gift from the Emperor, no less. The weight of attention, while something she usually thrived in, felt suffocating tonight.
"Father," Jin Yue said softly, her voice smooth as she leaned slightly toward Lin Zhao, "I would like to step outside for some fresh air."
Lin Zhao barely glanced at her, his attention already diverted back to his wine. "Do not wander too far," he murmured, waving her away dismissively.
With a nod, Jin Yue excused herself from the pavilion, slipping away from the crowded space and into the cool, quiet evening. The gardens were illuminated with soft, glowing lanterns, casting a serene light over the perfectly manicured greenery. She took a deep breath, savoring the fresh air and the peaceful solitude.
Jin Yue wandered through the palace grounds, her feet carrying her along a path lined with lush trees and fragrant flowers. Before long, she found herself near a pond, the surface of which reflected the shimmering night sky like a mirror.
She stepped closer to the water's edge, gazing down at her reflection. The moonlight bathed her face in a soft glow, highlighting her flawless features. The jade bracelet glittered faintly on her wrist as she admired herself. A soft smile spread across her lips.
"You really are something, Jin Yue," she murmured to herself, her voice filled with playful vanity. "So graceful, so beautiful... No wonder all those girls were seething with jealousy tonight."
She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and sighed dramatically. "If I were them, I'd be jealous too. I mean, just look at this face." She tilted her head, studying her reflection with great admiration. "Flawless complexion, perfect symmetry… it's almost unfair."Who could blame them? It's hard to be this stunning."She sighed dramatically, folding her arms across her chest. "It's difficult, really, to be this breathtaking. One must suffer the envy of others." She pouted slightly, as if truly lamenting her own beauty.
Just as she was about to launch into another round of self-praise, a deep voice interrupted her from behind.
"Admiring yourself, are we?"Jin Yue straightened up immediately, cleared her throat.
As Jin Yue stood embarrassed after praising herself in front of Murong Yezi, she bit her lip, her cheeks flushed. Desperate to break the awkwardness, she forced a pitiful smile, her eyes wide with innocence.
"Isn't this the only way I can console myself?" she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. She glanced down at her feet, trying to look pathetic, though her heart was racing. "am so miserable, My stepmother... she's trying to frame me,Prince, do youknow? My stepmother was trying to catch me with a man to ruin my reputation." Jin Yue's eyes flicked up to gauge his reaction, hoping for a sign of sympathy.
Murong Yezi, standing tall and aloof, didn't seem moved by her act. His eyes remained cool, as if he saw right through her. With a simple gesture to his subordinate, Xiao Yi, he spoke, his deep voice calm and unwavering. "Xiao Yi will handle it."
Xiao Yi bowed and left silently, and the garden fell into a quiet stillness. Jin Yue didn't know what to say next. The silence between them stretched on, heavy and thick with unspoken tension. She risked another glance at Murong Yezi. His gaze was still on her, unreadable and piercing. Her pulse quickened. Why is he just staring at me like this?
Before she could say anything else, they heard the sound of approaching footsteps. Jin Yue's heart dropped. Panic surged through her as the thought hit her...she was with a man, alone, in a secluded part of the palace. Even if Murong Yezi was her fiancé, this situation would only add fuel to the fire her stepmother was trying to ignite.
Her eyes widened, and without thinking, she grabbed Murong Yezi by the arm. "Quick! We have to hide!" she whispered urgently.
Murong Yezi raised an eyebrow, his composure unshaken, but Jin Yue didn't give him a chance to protest. With surprising strength and speed, she pulled him toward the nearby pond, her feet barely making a sound on the stone path. Before Murong Yezi could react, she tugged him down, and with a small splash, they disappeared under the water.
The cool water enveloped them both, and Jin Yue felt her heart racing even faster now. Her body was pressed close to his, the sensation of his warmth despite the water sending shivers down her spine. For a moment, all she could think about was how close they were...his strong arm around her waist, his breath on her skin, their faces mere inches apart beneath the water's surface.
Time seemed to slow, the noise of the world above muted by the water. She looked up into his eyes, the moonlight filtering through the surface, illuminating his sharp features. The intensity in his gaze made her breath hitch. Why does it feel like the world is only him right now?
Murong Yezi's gaze softened slightly as he held her close, their silence filled with the quiet splash of water around them. The footsteps passed by, and the world above carried on, but in that moment, it felt like they were the only two people in the world.
Jin Yue's panic was replaced with some thing else as she suddenly realized how close they were, their breaths mingling beneath the water.
The footsteps got closer and soon,jinyue realised that she was right, it was indeed Madam Wang.... at the banquet, Madam Wang had already put her plan into motion. She glanced toward her loyal servant, who nodded and slipped away. Moments later, the servant came rushing back, feigning breathlessness.
"Madam! I saw your daughter… she was...she was with a man, in the garden!"
The banquet fell silent as everyone turned to stare. Madam Wang's eyes flashed with triumph as she rose, her voice filled with exaggerated concern. "My daughter? With a man? In the palace? She's ruining our family's reputation!" She turned to the servant, her expression severe. "Take me to her at once. I'll deal with this disgrace myself."
Everyone at the banquet murmured, curious and eager to witness the unfolding scandal.