Liyu POV
The market air buzzed with the smell of roasted chestnuts and steamed dumplings, mingled with the earthy scent of wet stone and fresh vegetables. Lanterns hung low, their red silk gently swaying above the crowded stalls. I was bargaining for a bundle of carrots when suddenly—
A firm hand caught my wrist.
Startled, I turned sharply. It was Zijun, his dark brows slightly furrowed.
> "Miss Liyu," he said quietly, glancing around. "Please. Come with me. The carriage is waiting."
> "What carriage? What's going on?" I asked, suspicious.
> "He's inside. Just come. He won't leave without speaking to you."
A cold shiver slid down my spine. My heart sank before my feet even moved. I knew exactly who he meant.
With a sigh, I followed him. The black lacquered carriage stood parked between two large merchant wagons, its curtains drawn tight. I hesitated only a second before stepping in.
Inside, the scent of sandalwood, aged paper, and winter plum filled the small space.
Han Rui sat lounging casually across the cushions, dressed in a charcoal robe with faint golden embroidery along the collar. His expression was unreadable, but that same ever-present teasing glint shimmered behind his sharp eyes.
> "Took you long enough," he said, lips curving faintly.
> "What are you doing here, Han Rui?" I asked, keeping my voice firm.
> "I heard about your punishment from Zijun. Why would Miss Liu treat you that way—as if you're no better than a servant who made a careless mistake?"
> "Miss Liu is my master. If she punishes me, I accept it. She doesn't treat me as 'nothing.' But you... You don't have the right to speak about her like that."
His gaze flickered, then he leaned forward with a softer voice.
> "Alright. Then tell me—what did you do to deserve punishment?"
> "I told her the truth. About... us. About everything. I asked for punishment myself."
> "Everything?" he asked, his brows lifting.
> "Yes. I told her what happened."
He tilted his head, smirking.
> "You're avoiding the real question, Liyu. What exactly is this—between us?"
His voice dropped slightly, as if trying to trap me with its calmness.
I met his gaze without wavering.
> "There is nothing between us, Han Rui."
I turned, preparing to leave. But as soon as I pushed open the curtain and stepped down
I froze.
Yilin stood there with a basket in her arms, her expression shifting from curiosity to confusion the moment our eyes met. She saw me, then Han Rui stepping out behind me.
> "Miss Liyu... you were in Han Rui's carriage?" Her brows furrowed. "Why?"
I exhaled slowly.
> "Come. I'll explain."
I led her toward the carriage.
> "Han Rui, this is Yilin. Yilin, this is Han Rui. Speak freely to each other. After this, I want no more entanglements."
Yilin looked uncertain, but Han Rui stepped forward, bowing slightly with a small smile.
> "Yilin. May I ask you something important? And please, answer honestly."
> "I... alright."
> "Where are you from?"
> "I grew up in Yongning . It's near the border hills."
> "What did they call you there?"
She blinked.
> "They used to call me 'Lin'... because people said I was the prettiest in our area."
I raised an eyebrow, barely hiding my amusement.
Han Rui continued, voice low and deliberate.
> "One more question. Did you ever save someone's life?"
Yilin looked surprised. She thought for a moment, then said softly:
> "Yes... I found a boy injured near the riverbank.he was getting beat up by some local gangs He couldn't walk. I helped him heal and fed him for a few days. He never told me his real name. I called him Rui-ge."
Han Rui's breath caught, and in a sudden motion, he stepped forward and embraced her tightly.
> "W-What are you doing?!" she yelped, caught off guard.
> "Yin... Thank you. That boy was me. I never forgot."
Her eyes widened in shock.
> "You're—Rui-ge?!"
He nodded. Tears welled faintly in her eyes.
Yilin turned to me
> "Miss Liyu, is it true? He's really Rui-ge?"
> "Yes," I said simply.
Yilin laughed through her tears, overwhelmed, and they both began recounting little moments, from how she treated his wounds to how she used to steal sweet buns for him from the village stalls.
Eventually, I cleared my throat.
> "Enough. Yilin—we must go. Miss Liu is waiting."
> "Right... Bye, Rui-ge."
> "Bye, Yin."
Han Rui turned to me.
> "And goodbye to you too, Liyu."
> "Goodbye."
We walked off, the sound of the market slowly drowning their voices.
Way to Bao Lai
Yilin nudged me halfway down the lane.
> "You and Han Rui... you hated each other just a few days ago. Now this?"
> "He said he would make sure our shop shut down if I didn't help him get close to you. I refused. But when I saw you today, I let him speak. That's all."
> "So when you disappeared for a night, you were with him... That's why Miss Liu was angry?"
I nodded slightly.
> "Yeah and Don't tell her about today. Please."
> "I won't."
As we approached Bao Lai, the palace guards outside stood firm.
> "Stop. Her Highness is inside. No one may enter."
I stepped forward calmly, raising my chin.
> "I am the personal bodyguard of the owner of bao lai and I'm also a manager here , This is Yilin, her assigned assistant. We work here. Kindly step aside."
The guards looked hesitant.
> "Let us in. If your princess is inside, she will not mind."
After a beat, one guard stepped backward and bowed. The other followed.
> "You may enter."
We stepped inside.
Fengxi POV
Inside the grand hall of Bao Lai, sunlight poured through stained glass, casting patterns over the display cases. The finest silks, ornaments, and jade carvings lined the walls like a treasury.
Mu Ruoxi stood beside me, dressed in snowy white robes embroidered with pale green vines. Her black hair was bound with silver pins carved like clouds.
Princess of Yunzhou, her presence was serene—like the hush of snow falling over mountains.
Yilin and Liyu entered, their steps slow. I motioned silently for them to come closer.
> "Princess Mu Ruoxi, this is Liyu, the manager and head designer of Bao Lai. She will oversee your custom piece."
Ruoxi smiled, her eyes lighting up.
> "Perfect. I've been dreaming of this for moons."
> "Please, Your Highness," Liyu bowed low. "Describe it to me. Every detail. I will create exactly what you envision."
Mu Ruoxi's fingers traced the edge of a glass display.
> "A ring. One of gold—but not harsh gold. Something soft, almost like the morning sun on snow. It must be elegant, like something passed down through generations."
> "And the stone, Your Highness?"
> "Aquamarine. The color of Yunzhou's rivers in spring. It should sit gently in the center, guarded by wings."
> "Wings?" Liyu repeated, brows lifting.
> "Yes. I want the band to bloom upward—two bird wings rising to cradle the gem, as if caught mid-flight. It must feel alive. As if it could lift from my hand and vanish into the sky."
Liyu nodded slowly, visibly picturing it.
> "I will forge it to mirror your vision. A ring born of frost, sky, and dream."
Mu Ruoxi beamed.
> "Once it's finished, deliver it to the royal palace. Okay??"
Liyu tensed beside me for a moment. Her fingers curled into her sleeve—but she said nothing.
I also felt silent after hearing royal palace but i replied okay your highness
Ruoxi bowed her head politely and left with her attendants, her footsteps silent like snow.
Liyu turned to me
> "Master... are you alright?"
I nodded gently, a soft smile playing on my lips.
> "Yes. Everything is fine."
I walked away slowly toward my room, my silhouette long beneath the jeweled lights.
She watched me going.
Liyu said to yilin do you know
Sometimes silence hides more than sorrow—it hides history. And resolve.
And some hearts carry their storms so quietly, no one ever knows they're there.