Shiyi lifted her gaze again, her voice still gentle, still composed.
"Elder Sister is truly fortunate," she said softly.
"To be chosen to marry the Crown Prince of the Lin Empire…"
A faint smile curved her lips.
"Such an alliance is rare."
Her eyes lowered slightly, as if in admiration.
"It is an honor… even Father holds in high regard."
A delicate pause.
Then—
"I sometimes wonder…"
She looked back at Shayue.
"…what it would be like to receive such an honor myself."
The words were smooth.
Carefully shaped.
But beneath them—
Envy.
Comparison.
And something sharper.
Before Shayue could respond—
Wang Xinyi let out a soft, thoughtful hum.
"…If that is the case," she said lightly,
"…then perhaps the Third Princess should marry the Crown Prince instead."
For the first time—
Shiyi paused.
Just slightly.
Then she smiled again, gentle as ever.
"How could I possibly do that?" she replied with a soft laugh.
"…I would never steal what belongs to my Elder Sister."
Xinyi's smile widened—bright, harmless at first glance.
"Steal?" she repeated lightly.
A faint tilt of her head.
"…That would require something to be taken."
Her gaze lifted calmly.
"If the Third Princess truly wished for such an opportunity…"
A small pause.
"…one might say it simply did not choose you."
The words landed cleanly.
Shiyi's maids were in sweat after listening to this.
Shiyi's fingers tightened ever so slightly within her sleeve.
Still-
Her expression remained composed.
Xinyi continued, her tone still playful.
"Besides," she added with soft smile,
"marriage alliances are not decided by wishing."
A faint glance.
"…nor by standing at the right place at the right time."
Shayue finally spoke, her voice calm and unhurried.
"If the Third Princess desires such an honor," she said evenly,
"there will be other opportunities."
Her gaze remained steady.
"But this one—"
A slight pause.
"—has already been accepted."
Simple.
Final.
Shiyi held her smile—
But it no longer reached her eyes.
For the first time—
She had no answer.
She inclined her head gracefully.
"Then I will not disturb Elder Sister any longer," she said gently.
"I only wished to see you before your departure."
Her gaze flicked once toward Xinyi.
"…and it seems I have to."
Without waiting any further, she turned.
Her sleeves swayed lightly as she walked away—
Poised.
Elegant.
Untouched.
But her thoughts—
Were not as composed.
Yu Shayue…
Her expression darkened slightly as she stepped beyond the hall.
You accept this so calmly now.
A marriage into the Lin Empire…
A faint, bitter edge surfaced.
Let us see how long that composure lasts.
Her lips pressed together.
When you stand alone in another court…
When your so-called husband looks down on you…
When you will be shamed for having an ugly husband…
When you are no longer protected there and here—
Her gaze hardened.
Then we will see… how long you can remain above me.
She did not look back.
Silence returned to the hall.
Silence returned to the hall as Yu Shiyi disappeared from the view.
Wang Xinyi watched the direction she left for a moment, then let out a quiet breath.
"…Refined appearance," she said lightly.
A faint pause as her gaze lowered briefly.
"…unrefined intentions."
She folded her arms, tilting her head just slightly.
"…a serpent wrapped in silk."
Then she turned towards Yu Shayue, her expression shifting—lighter, but no less sharp.
"You handled that beautifully," she said, a small grin forming.
A brief pause.
"…though I must admit—"
Her eyes glinted with amusement.
"…I would not have minded saying a few more things."
Shayue did not respond immediately.
She remained standing where she was, her gaze resting in the direction Shiyi had left.
Then—
Very faintly—
The corner of her lips curved.
Not warmth.
Not amusement.
Something quieter.
Sharper.
A smirk that appeared and disappeared just as quickly—
As if the moment itself had not been worth more.
"She spoke more than enough," Shayue said calmly.
Her voice steady.
Controlled.
A slight pause.
Her gaze lowered just slightly, thoughtful.
"And revealed even more."
Xinyi blinked once—then smiled wider.
"…So you noticed."
Shayue did not answer.
But the faint stillness in her expression—
Said everything.
To be continued...