The night air was cool.
Wu Jinhai stepped out of the inn quickly, her pace faster than usual. Her expression was calm, but her eyes carried something unsettled.
Wei Zhenyu followed behind her. "Miss, please slow down."
But she did not stop.
"I said we are leaving," she replied shortly.
Her voice was firm.
Wei Zhenyu did not argue anymore.
Wu Jinhai walked forward, her mind still echoing with what she had just seen.
The broken promise.
The betrayal.
She tightened her grip slightly, trying to push those thoughts away.
"I will not think about it again," she said quietly to herself.
At that moment—
Someone was walking toward the inn from the opposite direction.
Qiao Yu Zhen.
His steps were steady, his expression calm, but his eyes held a quiet depth.
He was not paying attention to the people around him.
And neither was Wu Jinhai.
Both were moving forward—
Until—
They collided.
Wu Jinhai stumbled slightly.
Qiao Yu Zhen stepped back quickly, steadying himself.
"I—"
Before he could finish—
He looked up.
And saw her.
For a moment—
Everything became still.
The noise of the street faded.
The movement of people disappeared.
There was only—
Her.
Wu Jinhai's face was calm, her eyes sharp and clear. A few strands of her hair moved gently with the wind.
Qiao Yu Zhen stared at her.
His heart—
Moved.
Something unfamiliar.
Something sudden.
Something he had never felt before.
He could not explain it.
But he could not look away.
"Are you alright?" he finally asked, his voice lower than usual.
Wu Jinhai looked at him briefly.
Just a glance.
"I am fine," she replied.
Her tone was distant.
Cold.
As if nothing had happened.
Qiao Yu Zhen felt something tighten in his chest.
He wanted to say something more.
But the words did not come.
Wu Jinhai stepped past him.
Without another look.
Without another word.
She continued walking forward.
Wei Zhenyu followed closely behind her.
Qiao Yu Zhen turned slightly, watching her leave.
His eyes did not move away.
Even as her figure grew smaller—
He continued to stare.
"Why…" he whispered softly.
His hand slowly tightened.
"Why did my heart move the moment I saw you?"
There was no answer.
Only silence.
But the feeling remained.
Clear.
Strong.
And impossible to ignore.
After a long moment, he finally turned away.
But his mind—
Stayed behind.
Far away—
Inside the grand Imperial Harem—
The atmosphere was very different.
Golden curtains hung from high ceilings, and soft light filled the large chamber.
Servants stood quietly at a distance, not daring to make a sound.
At the center of the room—
Sat Empress Nuwa.
Her posture was elegant, her expression calm, but her eyes held a deep and careful thought.
A maid stepped forward and bowed. "Your Majesty."
Empress Nuwa did not look at her. "Speak."
"The preparations for the Crown Prince's wedding are progressing smoothly," the maid said.
A faint pause.
Then Empress Nuwa spoke.
"Smoothly?" she repeated.
Her voice was soft.
But something in it felt sharp.
The maid lowered her head further. "Yes, Your Majesty."
Silence filled the room.
Empress Nuwa's fingers lightly tapped the armrest of her seat.
"The Crown Prince…" she said slowly, "Hei Long."
Her gaze lifted slightly.
"A shadow dragon."
The words carried meaning.
Deep meaning.
"And the bride," she continued, "Qiu Ying'er. Daughter of the Grand Chancellor."
Another pause.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"This marriage…" she said quietly, "should not happen so easily."
The maid's body stiffened slightly. "Your Majesty?"
Empress Nuwa finally turned her gaze toward her.
"There are things," she said calmly, "that must be controlled before they grow beyond reach."
The maid did not dare to respond.
Empress Nuwa stood up slowly.
Her movements were graceful.
But her presence—
Heavy.
"Prepare," she said.
"For what is to come."
The maid bowed deeply. "Yes, Your Majesty."
The room fell silent again.
But the calm—
Did not feel peaceful.
It felt like the beginning of something.
Something hidden.
Something planned.
Back on the streets—
Wu Jinhai walked forward without stopping.
Wei Zhenyu glanced back once, then looked ahead again.
"Miss," he said carefully, "someone was watching you."
Wu Jinhai did not turn around.
"It does not matter," she replied.
Her voice was steady again.
Wei Zhenyu nodded.
They continued walking.
Two strangers had just crossed paths.
One walked away without looking back.
The other—
Could not forget.
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