In the end, Murong Jin didn't ask about the assassin order Die Man commanded. In her heart, it no longer mattered.
She leaned against his shoulder as they sat on the steps, watching the moonlit courtyard. In each other's eyes, there was only a calm darkness, pure and unblemished.
"You should go," she said, sitting up. "If you're seen at dawn, your cover will be blown."
He smiled. "You're willing to let me go?"
She looked away. "Why wouldn't I be?" A light, genuine smile played on her lips, shimmering in the moonlight.
He was mesmerized. It was the most unguarded smile he had ever seen from her. So, it wasn't that she couldn't let down her defenses. It was that she hadn't met the one for whom it was worth dismantling the fortress around her heart.
"What are you looking at?" she asked, a blush on her cheeks as she rested her hand on his.
He came back to himself, his hand closing over hers. He could feel the calluses from her sword.
His fingers tightened. "Had we met earlier," he said, his eyes on hers, "I would've made sure you never carried it all alone."
"This isn't so bad," she said, a playful glint in her eyes. "At least you can't bully me."
Remembering how she had pinned him against the pillar, he laughed. "I think I'm the one who needs to worry about being murdered."
"No need. I'm not that petty." She lifted her chin, then her expression turned serious. "But that doesn't mean I don't get angry."
"Good. Saves me the trouble of teaching you," he laughed.
"Hm?" What did he mean, teach her?
"In a few days, if you hear ill news of the Minister of Appointments, it means I want to come home." He rose, pulling her to her feet. "Understand?"
She thought for a moment, then nodded. "Of course. But you had Yu Weide killed to force Xue Feiyan out. Why continue?"
"Wouldn't killing only one be too obvious? Even without proof, they'd be wary of a prince with that kind of power."
"Underestimating a fool will likely be the greatest regret of Xue Feiyan's life," she said, covering a smile. "Is the Minister of Appointments also one of Guo Shangzhong's men?"
"This one belongs to our seventh brother," he said, playfully twirling a lock of her hair.
She gazed into the distance. "First Guo Shangzhong's man, then Xue Feiyan's. You want to obscure who's behind this?"
"Spoken like a true general." He continued to play with her hair. "Besides, the world won't miss a few parasites."
"I didn't know our philandering Fifth Prince had such a noble heart," she teased. Suddenly, she felt a tug on her hair. As she moved to pull it back, she froze.
His long fingers had woven a lock of her hair with one of his own.
Knotted hair. An ancient vow.
She looked from the knot to his face. He was staring at it, his expression solemn. He met her gaze and smiled.
"Late, perhaps—but never too late to bind our hearts." He let out a breath, his lazy smile softening into a deep tenderness.
Her eyes grew moist. She quickly looked away. "That's going to be a mess to untangle."
"Why untangle it?" he asked. He drew the soft sword from her belt, and with a single, swift motion, the knotted hair was in his hand.
"A sharp blade," he said, admiring it.
"My father gave it to me." She took the lock of hair from his palm and tucked it into her sleeve.
He narrowed his eyes, holding the sword out in one hand and extending the other. "Give it back."
"What?" She sheathed the sword.
"Or do I have to search you for it?" he asked, a wicked glint in his eye.
"This?" She held up the knotted hair. "It's mine now."
"It's a token. One I'm asking from you."
"I haven't asked for one from you yet, and you're already demanding mine. Not fair," she said, her hands now behind her back.
He shook his head, a helpless smile on his face. "You never give an inch. No wonder you always win." He reached into his robe and produced a small, exquisite jade box.
In the moonlight, it seemed to glow, a faint blush of red spreading through the jade, like a peach blossom.
"Is this… Huaying rouge?" she asked, stunned.
"Yinghong. I had it brought from the Yang family, for you." He took her hand and placed the box in her palm. "A token. Is it enough?"
Enough. A genuine joy bloomed on her face.
"Since you've accepted my token, now give me mine," he said. Before she could answer, he retrieved the knotted hair from her sleeve and tucked it into his robe.
He looked at the sky. "I should go."
"Yes. You should." A trace of disappointment in her voice. She put the rouge box away. "Xue Liulan, if I see you at the Yichun Courtyard again, it won't be as simple as just getting angry."
He nodded, stepped forward, and pressed a light kiss to her lips. "I'll be waiting. In the meantime, you can stay home and store up all that vinegar."
With a laugh, he backed away, vanishing into the night. The courtyard was empty again. The moon was nearly full. She looked up and smiled. Even the moon seemed to know it was a night of reunion.
At Yumen Jiao, Yi watched Murong Jin enter. She wore the same dress, but there was a new color in her cheeks, a smile she couldn't hide.
"Jin, don't tell me you murdered your husband," he said, sidling up to her.
"Hm?"
"Why else would you be so happy? Honestly, besides news from Xing, the only thing that could make you smile like that is if you killed that unfaithful Fifth Prince."
Murong Jin just laughed and went to her usual seat.
Yi studied her. "The color of Yinghong is quite becoming on you. Especially with that lovestruck look."
"Since when did you learn to read faces?"
"Just now," he said, leaning back. "When I saw that rouge in his hands, I thought it was for Die Man. Turns out he's not a complete waste after all."
She rolled her eyes.
"But are you really going to let him spend his nights in brothels? The entire court is talking."
"Let them talk. When it's time, I'll make him come back," she said. "Do you really think I'd be left a lonely wife?"
"My mistake. I forgot you were a general," Yi said, and couldn't help but laugh.
She laughed with him. Just then, Liu entered.
"What's so funny?"
"Nothing," Yi said, still grinning. "Just saw a peach blossom in bloom."
Liu looked at Murong Jin, confused. It's the middle of autumn.
"Don't listen to him," she said, turning to Liu. "News from Xing?"
"Yes. She sent word. Gongzi Suyi will be in Jindu soon. He will meet you here." He handed her a note.
Her face lit up. "Finally."
"Good things come in pairs," Yi boomed.
"Keep talking and see what Zhen does to you," she said, clapping him on the shoulder, her own laughter bubbling up beside him.