The fragrance of tea lingered softly in the air as the steam curled upward in thin, delicate lines.
Yu Shayue sat by the low table, her posture straight, her movements unhurried as she poured another cup. Across from her, Wang Xinyi leaned slightly forward, watching her with a look that was no longer entirely playful.
"…So," Xinyi began, resting her chin lightly on her hand, "now that he has accepted…"
Her eyes narrowed just a little.
"…what will you do?"
Shayue did not answer immediately. She placed the teapot down with quiet precision, her fingers steady, her expression unchanged. For a moment, she simply looked at the surface of the tea, as if the answer might be reflected there.
Then she spoke.
"I will go."
Xinyi blinked.
"…That's it?"
Shayue lifted the cup, her gaze calm.
"What else should I do?"
Xinyi straightened slightly, clearly dissatisfied.
"Oh, I don't know," she said, her tone carrying a hint of mock frustration, "perhaps tell me the part where you turn this entire situation upside down?"
A faint curve touched Shayue's lips—barely there, almost unnoticeable.
"That part," she replied quietly, "does not need to be spoken."
Xinyi narrowed her eyes immediately.
"…You're hiding something."
Shayue took a sip of her tea.
"I am thinking."
"That is not the same thing," Xinyi shot back.
"It is," Shayue replied calmly, "when speaking too early ruins the outcome."
Xinyi stared at her for a moment, than leaned back with a soft huff.
"…You're impossible."
"And yet," Shayue said without looking up, "you are still here."
That earned a small, unwilling smile from Xinyi, "…For now."
Before Shayue could respond, footsteps approached from outside.
Measured.
Familiar.
At the entrance—
Nanny Wei paused briefly before stepping closer to Ying and Mei Yi, her voice lowered.
"The Third Princess has arrived."
Ying's expression stilled instantly.
Mei Yi blinked, than frowned slightly.
"…Now?" she muttered under her breath.
Ying cast her brief glance before stepping forward the courtyard.
Moments later—
Ying and Mei Yi approached Shayue, stopping at a respectful distance.
"Your Highness," Ying said quietly, "the Third Princess has come."
Mei Yi added, unable to completely hide her tone, "…she did not seem inclined to wait."
Xinyi's expression changed immediately.
"…Of course she didn't," she muttered.
Mei Yi added in a lower voice, "…she is waiting in the front hall."
Shayue sat her cup down gently.
Her gaze did not shift much—
But something in it cooled.
"…In the hall?"
Ying inclined her head,
"She did not enter the inner courtyard."
Xinyi let out a quiet, knowing sound.
"…Of course she didn't…"
She tilted her head slightly, lips curving with faint amusement.
"…she wants to be seen—but not overstep."
Shayue set her cup down gently.
Her gaze cooled—subtle, controlled.
"…We will go."
Shayue rose to her feet, adjusting her sleeve with quiet elegance, every movement measured, neither hurried nor delayed.
Xinyi turned her head slightly towards Shayue, "…She really chose today of all days."
Xinyi followed beside Shayue, lowering her voice slightly.
"…You know," she muttered, "standing in the hall like that…"
"…she's making it very obvious she wants attention. If she starts speaking too sweetly, I might actually get worried."
A small pause
"…That would mean she's planning something."
Shayue did not respond
But the faint stillness in her gaze—
Meant she already knew
A faint pause.
"…Should I pretend to be polite, or honest?"
Shayue looked at her and gave her a faint smile.
"As long as you remain within reason." She replied.
Xinyi smiled.
"…Then I'll decide when I see her face."
To be continued...