The banquet was drawing to an end.
The musicians had lowered the tempo of their melodies, and the lanterns cast shifting reflections across the silk-covered walls.
The guests, satisfied after the feast, chatted quietly while occasionally glancing toward the center of the hall.
The atmosphere was heavy with anticipation.
Seated upon his golden throne, the Emperor slowly turned his gaze toward Wei Ran.
“Young Master Wei,” he said in a commanding voice, “tell me…
how did you manage to escape the Circle of the Moon?” A murmur swept through the hall.
Every eye turned toward him.
The silence became oppressive.
Wei Ran did not answer immediately.
Calmly, he set down his chopsticks.
He dabbed his lips with a silk napkin.
Then he turned his head toward her.
His gaze softened almost imperceptibly.
“It was thanks to her,” he said simply, tightening his grip around her hand.
An immediate silence fell over the room.
All eyes shifted to the young woman.
The murmurs became hushed whispers.
Who is she?
A mortal?
A sorceress?
The Emperor tilted his head in curiosity.
“Thanks to her…?” he repeated slowly.
Then he turned toward Chen Yue.
“I would like to know how you managed to free Young Master Wei.” Chen Yue felt her throat tighten.
Dozens of eyes weighed heavily upon her.
What am I supposed to say?
The truth?
But I don’t even know how I did it!
Drawing a deep breath, she searched for the right words before finally replying in a trembling voice.
“By…
by pure luck, Your Majesty.” A brief silence followed.
Then suddenly, the Emperor burst into laughter.
A deep, hearty laugh that was soon echoed by the entire hall.
The sound rang through the chamber like countless bells.
Blushing fiercely, Chen Yue lowered her gaze.
Are they making fun of me?
Or…
At that moment, the Emperor’s favored concubine rose from her seat.
She was a breathtakingly beautiful woman dressed in flowing purple silk.
Her smile was gentle.
But her eyes were as sharp as a blade.
Holding a cup of wine, she approached gracefully.
Every step was measured.
Elegant.
Calculated.
“Looking at you more closely…” she said softly, “you possess a profound beauty.
Refreshing, even.
I can now understand why Young Master Wei Ran keeps you so close by his side.” Her seemingly kind words drew a few discreet chuckles from the guests.
Feeling uncomfortable, Chen Yue stood as well.
“Th-Thank you, Madam,” she replied timidly.
Unaccustomed to alcohol, she absentmindedly raised the wine cup to her lips.
The liquid burned her throat.
She coughed lightly, startled by its strength.
The concubine’s smile widened.
Taking a sip of her own wine, she leaned close to Chen Yue’s ear.
Her intoxicating fragrance surrounded her.
When she spoke, her voice was barely more than a whisper.
“Leave Young Master Wei Ran…
and marry my son, the Crown Prince instead.” The cup froze halfway to Chen Yue’s lips.
She stood completely still.
Did I hear that correctly?
What?!
Marry…
the Crown Prince?!
The concubine straightened gracefully and returned to the Emperor’s side as though nothing had happened.
Chen Yue remained rooted in place, fingers tightening around her robes.
A marriage proposal…
from the Crown Prince?
This has to be a joke.
It must be.
The banquet continued as though nothing had happened.
Laughter echoed through the hall.
Music filled the air.
Toasts were exchanged.
Yet Chen Yue could no longer focus on any of it.
Her mind was in turmoil.
Every glance directed at her made her feel dizzy.
At long last, the banquet came to an end, and the guests began to disperse.
She and Wei Ran rose to leave.
However, they had barely crossed the threshold of the grand hall when a voice called out behind them.
“Come now, Young Master Wei Ran…
Surely you aren’t leaving without introducing me to your future wife?” They turned around.
It was the Crown Prince.
Tall and elegant, dressed in white robes embroidered with gold, he approached with confident strides.
His smile was perfectly courteous.
Yet there was unmistakable interest in his eyes.
“Your Highness…” Wei Ran began coldly.
“No need to explain yourself,” the Crown Prince interrupted lightly.
“I was delighted to make Miss Chen’s acquaintance.” He slowly approached her.
With a casual yet deliberate gesture, he brushed a loose strand of hair from her forehead and tucked it behind her ear.
The movement was so natural.
So confident.
That Chen Yue froze completely.
What is he doing?!
“You are different from the women of this court,” he said softly.
“And that is a compliment.” Without taking his eyes off her, he gently took her hand and pressed a respectful kiss upon it.
“I hope we shall have the opportunity to meet again, Miss Chen.” Chen Yue was speechless.
What is wrong with everyone tonight?
Wei Ran.
Zhang Yiren.
And now the Crown Prince…
They all seemed strangely fascinated by her.
For reasons she could not understand.
Then she felt Wei Ran’s gaze upon her.
Heavy.
Dark.
Silent.
Something in his expression had closed off completely.
The Crown Prince departed with a smile while they finally left the hall.
The journey back to the Wei Manor passed in total silence.
When they arrived, Wei Ran did not say a single word.
Not one.
He walked several steps ahead of her, his back straight and his hands clasped behind him.
Chen Yue followed with lowered eyes.
Her heart was still racing.
Why is he so quiet?
Is he angry?
He stopped briefly in the corridor without turning around.
Then he entered his room and shut the door behind him.
The sound echoed through the silence.
Chen Yue remained standing alone in the dim corridor.
Confused.
Lost.
Her heart felt strangely heavy.
Later that evening, Madam Yang knocked gently on her door.
“Miss Chen,” she said kindly, “your tea.” Chen Yue thanked her and invited her inside.
Yet just as the elderly woman was about to leave, Chen Yue caught her sleeve.
“Madam Yang…” she said in a trembling voice.
“Can you explain?” The old woman looked at her.
“Explain what, my dear child?” “Everything.
Wei Ran.
His family.
This…
bond between us.” Madam Yang released a long sigh before setting the tea tray down on the table.
She sat opposite Chen Yue.
Her hands folded neatly together.
Her expression became solemn.
“It is time you learned the truth.” Her calm voice sounded like an ancient whisper.
“Young Master Wei descends from a lineage of immortals.
His great-grandfather chose to marry a mortal woman out of love.
That single act shattered the blessing protecting their bloodline and condemned all of his descendants to live as half-immortals.” Chen Yue stared at her.
Immortals?
“And Zhang Yiren?” she asked.
“Who is he really?” Madam Yang slightly raised her head.
“So, you have met him.” After a brief pause, she continued.
“He too is a half-immortal, destined to live among mortals for all eternity.
He and the young master grew up together…
a very long time ago.” “A very long time ago…” Chen Yue repeated.
Then realization struck her.
“Wait…
how old is Wei Ran?” Madam Yang hesitated.
Then she answered quietly.
“If one counts properly…
he is a little over two hundred years old.” Chen Yue lost her voice.
Two hundred years old…?
“And his parents?” she asked softly.
“Where are they?” A shadow crossed Madam Yang’s face.
“He is an orphan.
He was raised by an immortal sage who lived in seclusion deep within the mountains.” A heavy silence followed.
Finally, Chen Yue spoke again.
“What exactly is the Circle of the Moon?” Madam Yang folded her hands upon her knees.
“Every thousand years, the Moon gives birth to a descendant.
A soul born beneath its light.
One who carries unique blood capable of saving…
or destroying.
A being able to bind souls according to her judgment.” She paused.
“And the young master became her victim.” Chen Yue’s eyes widened.
“You mean…
it was the Moon Descendant who imprisoned him?” Madam Yang lowered her gaze.
“Two hundred years ago, the young master was engaged to the most beautiful maiden in the mortal kingdom.
They were preparing to marry.” Her voice grew colder.
“But one day, the Moon Descendant descended from her celestial realm…
and murdered the young woman in cold blood.” Chen Yue’s breath caught.
“Why…?” “Why would she do such a thing?” “It is said that the Moon Descendant, whose beauty surpassed mortal comprehension, fell in love with the young master.
But when he rejected her, her love turned into jealousy.” Madam Yang’s eyes darkened.
“And in her fury, she killed the woman who already possessed his heart.” A chill ran down Chen Yue’s spine.
“And now?” she whispered.
“Where is she?” “No one has seen or heard from her since she imprisoned the young master.
No one knows where she is.” Silence settled over the room.
Then Madam Yang lowered her voice even further.
“There is another legend.” Chen Yue listened carefully.
“It is said that if the Moon Descendant joins with an heir of the Wei bloodline, the two will become the most powerful couple the world has ever known.” Her words lingered in the air.
“Powerful.
Immortal.
Destined to rule the world for centuries.” Neither woman spoke.
Then Madam Yang continued.
“It is also said that the blood of the Moon Descendant grants eternal life and limitless power to anyone who drinks it.” Her expression grew grave.
“That is why so many desire her.
Emperors.
Mages.
Fallen kings.
Even immortals seek her.” Chen Yue swallowed hard.
Who are you really, Wei Ran?
Suddenly, she remembered the first time they had met.
“You should be careful with your words…” “If only you knew who I truly am.” Those words carried a completely different meaning now.
“And the golden thread?” she suddenly asked, her voice trembling.
“The one connecting Wei Ran and me?” Madam Yang looked up.
“The golden thread binds the hearts of two souls destined to become one.
You were connected from the moment the Moon chose you.” Chen Yue froze.
“But…
I don’t belong to this world,” she whispered.
“I came from somewhere else.
A completely different world.” Madam Yang gazed at her for a long moment.
There was a deep and unfathomable compassion in her eyes.
“Souls recognize neither time nor worlds.” Her voice was gentle.
“When the Moon makes its choice…
destiny itself bows before it.” Chen Yue’s throat tightened.
“What can I do to break it?” Madam Yang shook her head.
“Nothing.” “Because this bond is indestructible.” She hesitated.
“Unless…” “Unless what?” Just as Madam Yang was about to continue, a voice suddenly sounded from outside the door.
She immediately fell silent.
Without another word, she rose and left the room.
Chen Yue remained frozen.
A knot formed in her chest.
Slowly, she stood and walked toward the window.
Outside, the moon hung high above the sleeping gardens.
Round.
Majestic.
Radiant.
A faint shiver ran across her skin.
The golden thread trembled softly.
Invisible.
Yet undeniably real.
Pulsing in rhythm with her heartbeat.
She reached toward it.
The instant her fingers brushed against it, the thread reacted.
It curled around her hand like a living thing.
Why him?
Chen Yue slowly closed her eyes.
What if my destiny had been sealed long before I was ever born?
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