Shen Yun finally entered his opulent chamber, the door's golden inscriptions radiated a slight glow. As soon as he opened the door—
Crash!
A clay pot thrown toward him, aimed at his chest. He didn't dodge that pot. The pot scattered everywhere, covering his garments in water. Shen Yun simply stood as if he had not been struck at all.
"Prince!" a servant exclaimed, surprised. He immediately ran toward the girl and slapped her across the face.
The girl collapse and her cheek grew red. She was weak, her hands shaking as she held on to the edge of her bare dress.
Before she could be completely stunned, Shen Yun's maid moved. A single flash of a silver needle—with the servant who slapped the girl dropping to the ground before his body could even hit the floor.
The maid knelt in grace. "Forgive him, Prince. He was foolhardy and new, it won't happen again."
Shen Yun's cold purple gaze lingered on her, he looked sharp and dangerous. For a brief moment, the chamber was still. At last, seeming to shake off the dust, he gave a smile— a warm and adoring smile that never reached his eyes.
"Good." His voice quieted. "Clean this. And prepare her properly. I want to spend time with my lovely wife tonight."
The girl—his wife—trembled. She opened her lips to speak something but nothing words came out from her mouth. The servants take her inside the room after few minutes she comes out. She was dressed a long white silk gown and pinned her hair up with jade butterflies.
She has smile on her face except her eyes were telling a different story; there was unmistakably fear, resentment, and despair.
Shen Yun rose from his chair. He could see her eyes transfixed on her. His voice was gentle yet almost teasing; "You're gorgeous... Do you remember the day I married you?"
Her chest tightened. That day was burned into her mind.
At the sect, Shen Yun had been a young prodigy. A handsome young man admired by some and envied by others. Until that morning—when she was shaking hands and crying in a whisper, blaming him for something he could not have done. Rape.
The sect lord, not wanting to kill a Prince but not willing to defend him, crippled his cultivation and exiled him from the sect.
But Shen Yun had not shouted. He had not begged. "If she's so convinced I ruined her... Then take her to me. I'll marry her. I will take responsibility."
She looked at her lover, but he looked away and stepped back. Left alone, she had no choice.
From that day, she was Shen Yun's wife name and prisoner in truth.
Now, in the palace, Shen Yun moved closer to her. His hand grazed the side of her face where the servant had struck her.
"My dear wife," he said sweetly, "you really are much nicer when you are silent."
Her body went rigid while she obediently forced a shaking smile, "Yes, Prince."
He extended his arm like a devoted husband. "Come on. Let's take a nice evening stroll in the market. The world needs to see how this Prince treats his beautiful wife."
She put her hand on his arm and lowered her head to hide her feelings. Her hold felt tighter than chains, even though their is no ropes bound her wrists.
They left the courtyard together and headed toward the Capital Market. The evening wind blew through the far streets of the market and carrying a faint sound that seemed like quiet laughter peoples are enjoying their time.
Captial's streets were peoples are laughing, buy something from stalls, children are playing and lanterns was floating gently in the cold wind as if they were dancing in the sky. Merchant called out to sell their products to customers and Food stall was also their smell of roasted chestnuts and sweet candied fruit filled around in the air
Shen Yun walked slowly through the market, dressed in a plain white robe with clean lines, exuding quite elegance, his wife's hand clasped gently in his own.
"Prince Shen Yun!" a merchant called out, bowing respect. "Please, try our finest candied hawthorn."
Shen Yun smiled kindly, the kind of smile that melted hearts. He took one meat on a stick and offered it to his wife, his tone was as smooth and gentle as silk.
"Here, my dear. Sweet things suit you."
Her fingers shook as she took it. She managed a smile, her lips barely grazing the candy with the bitter knot in her throat making it impossible to taste anything.
Children ran past them, laughing with joy, and one stumbled near Shen Yun's feet. Instead of ignoring the child like most nobles would, he bent down, helped the kid up, and smiled. "Careful, little one. You'll make your parents worry."
The crowd murmured with admiration.
"Look at the First Prince—so noble, so gentle."
"He will be the perfect Crown Prince one day."
"His wife is truly blessed."
Her nails dug into her palm at those words, but outwardly she leaned against him like a cherished consort.
Shen Yun take a delicate hairpin decorated with jade blossoms from a jeweler's store. Gently, he placed it into his wife's hair. "Perfect, it's really good on you," he whispered, looking at her with an almost honest admiration.
Her heartbeat thundered, she was thinking if it's was date with her lover than she doesn't have any regret in her life. Perfect. Yes, perfect for the mask he wore, perfect for the cage she could never escape.
Among the crowd, a man in plain robes stood watching. He whispered under his breath, voice nearly lost in the chatter.
"He's dangerous. Even the people love him. But he leaves no flaw, no weakness to expose. Nothing the Emperor can use as proof against him."
The spy's eyes narrowed as he turned away.
Shen Yun's smile was firm and confident. As he gently moved the hair away from her cheek, he quickly looked again at the direction where the person was going. It seemed maybe he didn't look at all because it happened so quickly. A soft, playful expression lifted the corner of his mouth.
Do you believe I missed you? The voice in his head was as cold dark as a graveyard, he thought.
Good. Keep looking. When the time comes, you will be the one delivering me exactly what I need.
He turned back to his wife and moved his hand in her direction then ask in soft voice. "Want to see the lanterns with me, honey?"
Her forced smile returned. "…Yes, Prince."
They walked down towards the lantern-lit street holding hands together. Each flame tilted gently in the cold wind like stars brought down from sky to earth and the glow of a thousand lights sparkled against the dark night sky.
With admiration in their eyes, the citizens whispered blessings as they went by. As if the entire world bowed before them, Shen Yun and his wife appeared to be the ideal pair: a noble prince and his beloved consort.
Shen Yun's smile was calm, noble, untouchable. His fingers were warm around hers, steady and firm, guiding her through the crowd.
She lowered her gaze, watching their joined hands. How strange… for years, that hand had been a chain, a cage. But tonight, she experienced a brief softness as the cool air brushed against her cheeks and the streets were given light by lanterns that glowed in red and gold.
Forget it, she told herself. Forget the pain. Just for tonight.
After a long time she has a gentle smile appeared on her lips. She let go of her all worries, pain and felt her shoulders relax. She accepted the sweet pastry without shaking when Shen Yun stopped at a stall to buy it, allowing the sugar to melt on her tongue.
For a brief moment, she almost allowed herself to believe.
Believe that the warmth in his hand was real.
Believe that his gentle gaze was more than just a mask.
Have faith that she was a woman who was enjoying normal life, not as prisoner who was always stay inside the house and getting torture.
She tilted her head up, looking at the lanterns drifting into the sky like dreams escaping into the heavens. Her heart whispered silently:
I don't know when I'll ever come out like this again… so let me remember this night.
Shen Yun, was standing by her side, looked at her, his eyes narrowing a little as he noticed the brief softness in her face. Then, in the same right away, his flawless smile showed up.
Together, they continued down the lantern-lit street — the perfect image of love and nobility, while beneath the mask, each carried thoughts the other could not hear.