Haoran walked with measured, unhurried steps across the wide courtyard toward the waiting carriage, his pristine black and gold roves drifted softly in the morning draft.
Beside the polished wooden wheel, Ye Hongyan stood watching him approach.
She had changed into a stunning set of deep crimson traveling robes embroidered with subtle golden plum blossoms along the hem.
Her pink hair was held up by a single pin of translucent blood-jade, while her fair skin glowed with quiet vitality beneath the morning sun.
Her arms were folded loosely against her chest, her fingers tapping lightly against her forearm, but the usual sharp impatience she wore in front of the academy elders was nowhere to be seen.
As Haoran closed the distance between them, meeting her pink eyes, a warm, genuine amusement flickered across both their faces.
"Shall we?"
"Mn. Let's go."
