The carriage rolled slowly along the stone-paved road, rocked gently by the rhythmic sound of horseshoes striking the ground.
Inside, Chen Yue and Wei Ran sat facing one another in complete silence.
Neither dared meet the other’s eyes.
Wei Ran stared at the fabric curtain separating the carriage from the outside world, his gaze motionless, his posture perfectly straight, as though he were guarding a battlefield.
Chen Yue, meanwhile, stared stubbornly at her knees, her fingers twisting nervously in the pink silk of her dress.
The atmosphere felt frozen.
Tense.
Filled with everything neither of them dared say aloud.
The gentle swaying of the carriage accompanied the silence, interrupted only by the occasional whinny of a horse or the soft creak of wood.
She stole a glance at him.
He barely moved.
Only a few strands of his black hair stirred beneath the lantern light filtering through the carriage walls.
Why has this suddenly become so awkward?
Before, everything felt much simpler…
Trying to break the suffocating silence, she took a quiet breath and reached for the small window.
A warm breeze immediately rushed inside, carrying laughter, music, and the distant beat of drums.
“What is…?” Outside, the world had transformed.
Strings of glowing lanterns stretched from tree to tree.
Floating lights drifted through the night sky.
Hundreds of colorful petals rained down over a cheerful crowd.
Musicians performed on elevated stages.
Children danced through the streets.
Merchants called out to customers.
The entire city seemed alive.
Beautiful.
Joyful.
Vibrant.
Wei Ran barely lifted his eyes.
“It is the Spring Festival.” His voice was calm and low.
Yet something in his tone made her shiver.
She leaned farther toward the window, completely fascinated.
I’ve never seen anything like this before…
The deep blue sky suddenly exploded with light.
One firework burst overhead.
Then another.
And another.
Golden.
Silver.
Purple.
Magnificent flowers of light bloomed across the heavens before dissolving into shimmering sparks.
Her eyes widened.
For a moment, she simply stared.
Spellbound.
Her face tilted toward the night sky.
Her lips parted slightly.
It’s so beautiful…
Across from her, Wei Ran watched in silence.
The fireworks reflected in her eyes, making them sparkle with countless colors.
For a fleeting moment, she looked almost unreal.
Like a dream brought to life.
Something tightened painfully inside his chest.
Immediately, he looked away.
As though the sight itself burned.
Stop looking at her like that, Wei Ran.
Suddenly— A sharp whistle cut through the air.
A violent gust tore across the night.
A black streak shot toward the carriage.
Before Chen Yue could even react, Wei Ran was already moving.
He sprang to his feet.
His hand seized her arm.
With one powerful pull, he dragged her against him.
An arrow burst through the open window.
It grazed her shoulder.
Then embedded itself into the wooden wall behind her with a violent— THUNK!
Chen Yue gasped.
Her heart nearly stopped.
Before she could understand what had happened, she realized she was pressed firmly against Wei Ran’s chest.
What just happened?!
Without hesitation, he slammed the window shut.
The carriage screeched to a halt.
“Are you hurt?” His voice was sharper than usual.
Urgent.
He pulled back just enough to examine her.
His eyes moved rapidly over her shoulders.
Her arms.
Her face.
Searching desperately for injuries.
His hands were warm.
Warm…
And trembling.
Their eyes met.
This wasn’t the usual look they exchanged.
There was no challenge.
No coldness.
No irritation.
Only concern.
Pure and unmistakable concern.
“I’m fine,” she said softly.
“I’m not hurt.” But her heart was racing for an entirely different reason now.
He was worried about me…?
He was actually scared…?
Slowly, Wei Ran released her.
He turned toward the arrow still embedded in the corner of the carriage.
The shaft was vibrating faintly.
He grabbed it and pulled it free in one sharp motion.
The arrowhead gleamed beneath the lantern light.
Thin.
Deadly.
Coated with dark powder.
His expression darkened instantly.
“Poison.” Chen Yue’s eyes widened.
“Who would do something like this?” Wei Ran carefully examined the weapon.
His jaw tightened.
Someone had clearly intended to kill.
And he knew this was no accident.
So they’ve finally made their move.
After issuing several curt orders to the driver, the carriage resumed its journey.
The remainder of the trip passed in even heavier silence.
The wheels rolled across the stone road.
Neither spoke.
Chen Yue occasionally glanced toward him.
But Wei Ran remained focused on the darkness beyond the carriage window.
His expression was impossible to read.
Who are they trying to kill?
Me?
Or him?
After several turns, the horses finally slowed.
A magnificent manor emerged from the darkness.
Rows of lanterns illuminated its elegant architecture.
Zhang Manor.
A grand avenue lined with flowers and marble statues led toward the entrance.
Servants dressed in ceremonial robes waited with fans and torches.
The carriage came to a stop.
Wei Ran lifted the curtain and stepped out first.
Chen Yue followed shortly afterward.
Carefully gathering her dress, she stepped onto the stone pathway.
The moment her feet touched the ground, she felt it.
Dozens of eyes fixed upon her.
They’re all staring at me…
Conversations faltered.
Whispers spread through the crowd.
“That’s him…
Young Master Wei…” “They say he was imprisoned for nearly two hundred years…” “How did he escape the seal?” “Wasn’t he accused of causing Princess Lin Yuehua’s death?” “And who is the woman beside him?” “A foreigner, undoubtedly.” Heat rushed into Chen Yue’s cheeks.
She wasn’t accustomed to being the center of attention.
Especially not in a world she didn’t belong to.
I hate this.
I hate being stared at like some kind of zoo animal.
At that moment, a man emerged from the crowd.
He was tall and elegant.
A pale blue robe embroidered with silver flowed around him.
An open folding fan rested in his hand.
His features were strikingly handsome.
Almost too handsome.
His dark eyes sparkled with intelligence and mischief.
The instant Wei Ran saw him, his posture stiffened.
“Zhang Yiren.” The newcomer closed his fan and offered a slight bow.
“Wei Ran.
It’s been a long time, hasn’t it?” Their gazes met.
Sharp.
Intense.
Beneath the politeness lingered unmistakable tension.
“Not long enough.” A smile curved Zhang Yiren’s lips.
“Still as direct as ever.
Some things never change.” A brief silence followed.
Then suddenly— Zhang Yiren laughed.
Instead of attacking him, he stepped forward and pulled Wei Ran into a brief embrace.
“Brother!” “It has been two centuries!” Chen Yue blinked in shock.
“You know each other?” Brother?
They’re brothers?!
Wei Ran stepped back, his expression returning to its usual calm.
“We grew up together.” “Until fate separated us.” Zhang Yiren’s smile softened.
“Until you were imprisoned in the Circle of the Moon.” The atmosphere immediately grew heavier.
Wei Ran looked away slightly.
His jaw clenched.
The Circle of the Moon…
So that’s where he was imprisoned all this time…?
Then Zhang Yiren turned toward her.
His eyes brightened.
He approached gracefully and took her hand.
“So this is the young lady who freed him?” He bowed slightly.
“Miss, it is an honor to meet the light that shattered Young Master Wei’s curse.” Before she could react, he gently kissed the back of her hand.
Chen Yue froze.
Her entire face turned crimson.
What?!
Did he just kiss my hand?!
No one had ever spoken to her like that.
No one had ever looked at her that way.
“Uh…
nice to meet you too.” From the corner of her eye, she noticed Wei Ran looking away.
Something in his expression had hardened.
A shadow passed through his eyes.
Why does that annoy me so much?
Zhang Yiren straightened and laughed.
“She is charming.” “And considerably more lively than you, old friend.” “Watch your tongue.” Zhang Yiren burst into laughter.
“Still made of ice.” “Truly, nothing changes.” He gestured toward the servants.
“Our guests have finally arrived.” “Come.
Dinner awaits.” Together, they entered the grand hall.
Everything was magnificent.
Golden lanterns.
Silk draperies.
Tables overflowing with exquisite delicacies.
Yet despite the music and laughter, Chen Yue could still feel countless eyes watching her.
Whispers lingered everywhere.
Questions.
Judgments.
Speculation.
She sat beside Wei Ran.
Rigid.
Nervous.
Her fingers tightened around the fabric of her dress.
Wei Ran appeared perfectly calm.
Untouched.
Unbothered.
But from the corner of his eye, he watched her.
He noticed her avoiding everyone’s gaze.
He noticed the hand hidden beneath the table.
Trembling.
She’s frightened.
Slowly, without saying a word, he reached over and placed his hand over hers.
A simple gesture.
Brief.
Gentle.
But enough.
Chen Yue looked up.
Their eyes met.
He said nothing.
Yet that look conveyed more than words ever could.
I’m here.
You’re not alone.
For the first time since arriving in this strange world, something inside her eased.
Her heart finally calmed.
Just a little.
But enough.
Then the music stopped.
A drumroll echoed through the hall.
The great doors opened.
A herald’s voice rang out.
“His Majesty the Emperor!” Everyone rose immediately.
Silence descended upon the hall.
The Emperor entered.
At his side walked his favored consort, wrapped in scarlet silk.
Behind them followed the Crown Prince.
Li Shenyan.
Every head bowed.
Even Wei Ran lowered his gaze respectfully.
Only Chen Yue— Unfamiliar with court etiquette— Remained standing for one second too long.
And during that brief moment…
The Crown Prince’s gaze met hers.
Sharp.
Piercing.
Unsettling.
As though with a single glance he had already realized she did not belong in this world.
The Prince smiled slowly.
And something about that smile sent a chill down her spine.
He knows.
Or at least…
he suspects.
Outside, another firework illuminated the night sky.
Inside the hall, Chen Yue’s pulse thundered in her ears.
The evening had only just begun.
And somehow…
She already knew everything was about to change.