Yan Hui listened to that teasing voice. What a coincidence—she had only just crossed into the northern frontier and already encountered members of the Li family. A tangle of emotions swirled in her heart.
“Miss?” called Suiqiu.
“What is it?” Yan Hui replied.
“Please… please step down.” Suiqiu had thought his young mistress would only meet the rumored groom in Yuncheng, but unexpectedly, upon entering the borderlands, they had already crossed paths.
Was this a first meeting?
Yan Hui steadied herself, a dark gleam flashing in her eyes, and stepped down from the carriage. She did not believe they had come to welcome her.
The girl’s figure was slender, her brows like the moon, her eyes deep, her nose straight, her lips like cherry blossoms, her face oval and delicate, beautiful, yet out of place in this harsh desert.
She felt the piercing gaze upon her and turned toward it. Her eyes traveled upward—from long legs bound in black cloud‑patterned boots, to a tall figure astride a horse. Against the light, she could not see his face clearly. She only sensed his sharp, wolf‑like stare, fixed upon her.
A guard escorting her whispered: “Miss, that is the Li family’s Second Master.”
Yan Hui composed herself and bowed respectfully toward Li Suyu.
The man, silhouetted against the sun, raised his brows slightly. He dismounted and walked toward her.
The autumn wind swept past, as though soothing her inner unease.
He stood before her, tall and imposing, his shadow falling over her. “Yan Hui?” His voice was steady, tinged with indifference.
Yan Hui’s brows lifted. So—the Li family already knew she was not truly of the Wang clan. “Yes,” she answered, meeting his gaze.
In the sunset, his features were sharp and chiseled, his handsome outline almost dazzling.
Yan Hui turned her face aside, thinking the glare of the setting sun too bright. Li Suyu was nothing like the rough warrior she had imagined. His eyes lingered on her open expression for a moment, then he turned away.
She watched his commanding figure mount his horse again. Against the light, he spoke briefly to his men, then spurred them forward, disappearing into the sunset. Only one man remained, left behind with instructions.
As Yan Hui turned back toward her carriage, another rider dismounted swiftly, leading his horse toward her.
“Wait, wait, Second Sister‑in‑law!”
“I am Zhao Chi. Second Brother asked me to escort you to Yuncheng.” His words were stiff.
Seeing the fragile yet striking woman staring at him, Zhao Chi scratched his head, his smile faltering. “Second Brother… Second Brother has other matters. Perhaps by the time you reach Yuncheng, he will already be there.”
Yan Hui simply answered “Oh,” and returned to her carriage.
Zhao Chi grinned sheepishly.
“Brother Zhao, there’s a post station ahead. The young lady has been traveling without rest. We’ll stop for the night and continue tomorrow,” said Suiqiu.
Zhao Chi nodded. “Alright.”
Back in the carriage, Yan Hui felt a strange unease.
The northern frontier was vast, said to encompass eighteen prefectures, all under Li family control.
Suddenly, she understood the imperial court’s attitude toward the Lis. If the Li clan ever chose to declare independence, with their unmatched strength, even the capital would struggle to restrain them. Sending her—a girl of no status—to marry into the Lis was a warning. No matter the imperial favor, the Li family must remain subject to the throne.