The morning air in the garden was fresh and cool. Xiao Zhi had come looking for peace, but peace seemed to avoid her these days.
"Princess Lian Zhi."
Her steps froze. Ruhan was already there. Leaning against the stone railing like he belonged to the place. This time, there was nothing plain about him. Instead of his usual sage robe, he wore a deep indigo one, embroidered with silver threads that shimmered with every movement. His hair was tied in a half-bun with a silver clasp, the rest of his hair flowing loosely over his shoulders like dark silk.
Xiao Zhi cursed under her breath. Ruhan just had to keep getting more impossible to ignore.
She forced a polite smile. "Envoy Ruhan. You appear everywhere, don't you?"
"Merely walking," he said, his voice was smooth as silk. His eyes lingered on her. Calm, unreadable, with just enough amusement to make her uneasy.
Before Xiao Zhi could reply, another voice cut in, sweet but mocking.
"Well, well. What are the chances I'd find the two of you together?"
Princess Lian Yue swept into the courtyard. Her gaze slid to Ruhan, admiration sparking instantly.
"Envoy Ruhan," she greeted, bowing just enough to keep it proper. "At the banquet you were striking. But in daylight… even more so."
Then, with a sly glance at his lower half, she added, "Too bad, of course… you don't quite function as other men do," without a hint of shame.
Xiao Zhi's face burned. "Lian Yue!"
Her sister only tilted her head innocently. "What? I meant it's a shame. If fate had made him different, well… I wouldn't mind making him mine."
Ruhan's lips twitched, almost a smile. He didn't look offended. If anything, he seemed entertained.
Xiao Zhi folded her arms. "Unbelievable. Can you at least speak like a proper princess?"
Lian Yue smirked. "I'm just being honest. Look at him. If all Tughril men were this handsome, I'd have begged harder for the marriage contract."
Xiao Zhi shot back, "Well, maybe their Grand Prince is just as striking. Regretting not being the bride, are you?"
Lian Yue's smile sharpened. "At least I would have handled it with grace. Unlike you, trembling like a rabbit every time he looks your way."
"I am not trembling!" she snapped. "And may I remind you, you're the one who shoved me into this marriage!"
Ruhan's smirk grew, his eyes moving between the sisters like a man enjoying a tennis match.
"You!" Xiao Zhi snapped at Ruhan this time. "Stop smiling like that. You're enjoying this."
"I enjoy harmony," he said smoothly, bowing his head with false seriousness. "It's rare to see such… affection between sisters."
"Affection?" Xiao Zhi spluttered. "She's trying to sell me off!"
Lian Yue let out a quiet, cruel laugh. "Don't worry, sister. I won't take your place as bride to the Grand Prince of Tughril. That honor belongs to you. But I do deserve something… someone."
Xiao Zhi narrowed her eyes, suspicious. "…Who?"
"Your childhood friend," Lian Yue said sweetly. "General Shen Han."
The words hit her cold, like ice water.
"Shen Han?" Xiao Zhi's stomach dropped. The original story flashed in her mind. Lian Yue stealing Shen Han, binding her power through marriage. If that path locked into place, Xiao Zhi's already fragile plans would collapse.
"You… you asked Father?" she said, masking her fear.
"I did," Lian Yue said proudly. "And he agreed. The decree will be issued soon."
Xiao Zhi's heart raced. If Lian Yue was tied to Shen Han, she had no one left to replace her spot as the bride.
For the first time, Ruhan chuckled softly. "How wonderful. Two princesses, two fine matches. The empire is truly blessed."
Xiao Zhi clenched her fists inside her sleeves, "We'll see, sister. We'll see."
Lian Yue let out a satisfied laugh. Her job here was done, she turned to leave just as a maid arrived.
"Your Highness, Consort Ling requests your presence," the maid said to Xiao Zhi.
Xiao Zhi's heart skipped. Mama? Why so suddenly?
She rose swiftly. "I'll go now."
But as she turned, Ruhan also stood up from his seat. "I'll accompany the princess," he said lightly, not even looking at her.
Annoyance was written on Xiao Zhi's face. "That won't be necessary. My mother didn't summon you."
His dark eyes met hers, flashing that dangerous smirk. "Ah, but if I happen to walk the same path, would it not be rude to turn away?"
Her jaw clenched, but with servants watching, she knew she couldn't openly refuse. "…Fine. But keep your distance."
He tilted his head slightly and walked beside her.
The palace corridors couldn't feel longer. Xiao Zhi walked briskly, refusing to glance at her unexpected companion. But Ruhan moved beside her, almost without effort.
"Princess," he said suddenly, his voice was casual, almost warm. "You and Princess Lian Yue have a fascinating bond. Sisters so close in age, yet so different."
Xiao Zhi pressed her lips together. "Fascinating is one word for it."
"I think it's enviable," he continued, ignoring her coldness. "Some say tension reveals truth. I find the contrast between you… illuminating."
Her glare snapped to him. "Do you always play with words like that?"
He only smiled. "Words are arrows. I simply aim them where they matter."
She balled her hands into fists, every word slicing at her.
And then, before she could punch him in her mind, a figure turned the corner.
Shen Han.
He slowed his steps when he saw them. Seeing Xiao Zhi beside Ruhan, his jaw tightened.
"Princess," Shen Han greeted first, bowing slightly to her, though his sharp gaze lingered on the envoy. "Envoy Ruhan."
Ruhan's bow was shallow but impeccably polite. "Commander Shen. An unexpected pleasure. Your reputation precedes you."
The air thickened instantly.
"I didn't expect to find you here," Shen Han said calmly, but the warning was obvious. "The envoy should be at the guest quarters, shouldn't he? Resting and enjoying the hospitality?"
Ruhan's smirk returned, small and subtle. "I find rest overrated. Besides, hospitality in this palace is best measured by the people, not the walls. Don't you agree?"
Shen Han's gaze hardened. "Hospitality has boundaries. There are places guests are not meant to wander freely."
"Then I am fortunate," Ruhan replied softly, "to be guided by the princess herself. Who better than the host to decide where I may wander?"
Xiao Zhi's pulse raced. Every word between these two handsome men was a duel.
Shen Han took a step closer, "Some paths are dangerous, Envoy. Stray too far, and even the host cannot shield you."
Ruhan's smile deepened. "Danger sharpens the senses, Commander. I welcome it."
Xiao Zhi could hardly breathe. The tension was too much for her.
"I should not keep Consort Ling waiting," Xiao Zhi cut in quickly, forcing her tone to sound cheerful. "You two can continue your bickering. I will move on."
Shen Han's eyes softened briefly when they met hers, as if offering a silent apology.
Ruhan only chuckled. "The princess is right. After all…" His gaze lingered on her, sharp and amused. "…some meetings are more delicate than others."
The words slid into her chest like a hidden knife. What is he up to now?
Xiao Zhi bowed slightly to Shen Han before moving away, Ruhan trailing with a smirk. Shen Han watched with his hands clasped at his sides as the two disappeared into the corridors
"I'll be watching you closely, Envoy Ruhan."