The gentle light of dawn filtered through the silk curtains.
A single ray slowly slid across the bed…
Brushing against the sheets.
Then across Chen Yue’s pale skin…
Before finally settling on Wei Ran’s sleeping face.
He was the first to stir.
His eyelashes fluttered.
His breathing grew steadier.
Then he slowly opened his eyes.
An unreal silence filled the room.
A silence…
Far too intimate.
Because even before moving, Wei Ran felt something against him.
Against his chest.
Against his arm.
Against his skin.
Slowly, he lowered his gaze.
Chen Yue was…
Curled up in his embrace.
Her face nestled against his outstretched arm.
Her head resting perfectly in the hollow of his shoulder.
Her soft breath brushed against his neck.
One of her hands rested on his chest, exactly where he could feel his own heartbeat.
Their foreheads touched.
Their bodies touched.
And their lips…
So close that the slightest movement would have been enough for them to meet.
An unfamiliar warmth spread through his chest.
Wei Ran remained perfectly still.
Almost frozen.
His eyes wandered slowly over her features.
Her delicate chin.
Her small nose.
Her cheeks flushed from sleep.
Her long lashes trembling faintly.
And finally…
Her lips.
He remained there for a long moment.
Watching her.
Memorizing every detail.
Surprising even himself by not wanting to move, afraid of shattering this fragile moment.
She shifted slightly.
Wei Ran immediately closed his eyes, pretending to be asleep.
His breathing became slow.
Perfectly controlled.
Chen Yue’s eyelashes fluttered.
She let out a sleepy little sound before fully opening her eyes.
The world gradually came into focus.
And that was when she realized.
She…
Was…
In…
Wei Ran’s arms.
“A-Ah!?” She sprang away as though burned.
A hand flew to her face.
Her heart exploded inside her chest.
She sat up so quickly that she tangled herself in the blankets, her long hair cascading around her.
She looked toward Wei Ran, who was still “sleeping,” and instantly felt her cheeks turn scarlet.
How…
How had she fallen asleep like that?
In his arms?
Curled up against him?
Forehead against forehead…
Lips almost touching…
She wanted to disappear.
Slowly, very slowly, like a guilty cat caught in the act, she tried to climb out of bed without waking him.
One hand on the mattress.
Then the other.
She carefully began crawling over him on all fours.
Her robe brushed against his chest.
Her hair slid across his shoulder.
She held her breath.
Don’t wake him…
I just need to get out of bed…
But just as she was climbing over him…
Wei Ran opened his eyes.
Instantly.
Their gazes met.
She froze above him, eyes wide, hair completely disheveled.
He was fully awake.
His face only inches from hers.
Time stopped.
Neither of them moved.
Chen Yue’s breathing trembled.
Wei Ran’s…
Was surprisingly calm.
Yet his dark eyes shimmered with an unreadable light.
A burning tension enveloped them.
An invisible thread seemed to vibrate between them.
Then— KNOCK.
KNOCK.
KNOCK.
Both of them startled.
“Ahem…
ahem…
I-I’ve brought breakfast!” announced the eunuch from outside the door.
Panicked, Chen Yue jumped upright so quickly she nearly fell.
She hurriedly pushed her hair behind her shoulders, hid her embarrassment as best she could, and rushed behind the screen to regain her composure.
Wei Ran merely sat on the edge of the bed…
As though absolutely nothing had happened.
Yet a trace of amusement flickered through his eyes when he heard Chen Yue sniffling in humiliation.
The eunuch entered, placed the steaming trays on the table, then bowed.
“The trial will begin at sunset.
You have the day free to prepare yourselves.” He immediately withdrew.
Chen Yue returned slowly.
Her cheeks were still pink.
Yet she held her head high as though she weren’t dying inside.
They ate breakfast in silence.
Or at least…
It appeared to be silence.
Because every time their eyes met—even for a second—Chen Yue would immediately look away, causing the faintest smile to appear behind Wei Ran’s teacup.
When they finished eating, Chen Yue jumped to her feet.
“I-I’m going to explore the palace a little!” She spoke quickly.
Far too quickly.
Wei Ran slowly set down his cup.
His eyes lingered on her for a second.
No more.
Then he stood without a word.
And when she walked out the door without looking back…
He followed.
The imperial palace stretched before them like an entire world.
Green jade rooftops.
Lacquered wooden walkways.
Lotus ponds.
Fragrant pavilions.
And among them all stood blooming cherry trees, their pink petals drifting through the air like scented snow.
Chen Yue walked ahead, head lifted high, eyes sparkling.
“It’s beautiful!” she exclaimed, spinning in a circle.
She practically ran from pavilion to pavilion, her sleeves fluttering in the wind.
Stopping to smell flowers.
To admire ponds.
To touch carved pillars.
She looked like a child discovering a brand-new world.
Wei Ran walked behind her with his hands clasped behind his back.
Calm.
Serene.
Yet a subtle smile lingered at the corner of his lips whenever she marveled at something like an excited little girl.
She really is…
impossible.
She hopped onto one stone.
Then another.
Then another.
“Chen Yue, be caref—” Too late.
She slipped.
Lost her balance.
And caught herself against the trunk of a cherry tree.
Wei Ran sighed.
“You’re going to end up falling into a pond.” She stuck out her tongue and laughed.
“I’m very agile, thank you very much!” He raised an eyebrow skeptically.
She burst into laughter and ran off again between the trees.
Wei Ran followed.
Keeping just enough distance to make it obvious he was watching over her.
They crossed a small stone bridge decorated with white lanterns.
A gentle breeze lifted cherry blossom petals into Chen Yue’s hair.
She removed them with an adorable pout.
Wei Ran watched the scene.
A little too long.
Then a man’s voice suddenly echoed along the path.
“Miss Chen Yue.” Chen Yue turned around.
Wei Ran froze.
The Crown Prince was approaching.
Tall.
Handsome.
Dressed in white and gold silk.
His hair bound beneath a jade crown.
And his eyes…
Focused solely on her.
He walked directly toward her, nearly blocking her path.
“So here you are at last,” he said softly, almost admiringly.
His gaze slowly traveled over her.
A spark of wonder crossed his eyes.
“I didn’t dare look too long the last time.” Chen Yue blushed furiously.
“Y-Your Highness, you…
you exaggerate, I—” “Not at all,” he replied without hesitation.
“Your courage yesterday was remarkable.” “And your beauty…
rare.” He paused.
A faint smile touching his lips.
“Please call me Shenyuan.” He stepped closer.
Very close.
Too close.
Chen Yue instinctively stepped back.
Wei Ran stepped forward.
His gaze hardened.
As if staking his claim, the prince lifted a hand and tucked a cherry blossom into Chen Yue’s hair just above her ear.
His fingers brushed her skin.
“This flower suits you perfectly,” he said softly.
Chen Yue froze.
And Wei Ran…
Clenched his fist.
In one smooth motion, he stepped forward and grasped Chen Yue’s wrist, pulling her slightly toward him.
“You’re up quite early, Your Highness,” he said coldly.
The Crown Prince smiled.
“To meet such a beauty, one must be.” Their gazes collided.
The air itself seemed to vibrate.
The silence between them cut like a blade.
“Miss Chen, would you care to walk with me?” He extended his hand toward her.
Before he could touch her, Wei Ran’s arm wrapped around her waist.
Subtle.
Yet firm.
Protective.
He drew her against him.
“We have things to do, don’t we?” he said, looking directly into her eyes.
Chen Yue stared at both men in confusion.
They stood facing one another.
Two extraordinary men.
Two opposing forces.
Two gazes ready to wage war.
And she…
Was trapped in the middle.
She took a deep breath.
Then swiftly removed Wei Ran’s hand from her waist and turned toward them both.
“Thank you for your concern, but…” “I…
I’m just…
well…” She awkwardly bowed to the prince.
Nearly tripped over her own robe.
Barely caught herself.
And cherry blossom petals exploded around her as if emphasizing the absurdity of the scene.
“Goodbye!” Her voice came out far too high-pitched.
She took a step backward.
But at the exact same moment— Both men moved.
And grabbed her wrist.
At the same time.
Their eyes met.
Sharp.
Hostile.
Meanwhile, Chen Yue turned bright red.
“But…
you were supposed to let go!” she protested helplessly.
Neither moved.
The prince tightened his grip slightly.
Wei Ran tightened his as well.
She had reached her limit.
“Stay here if you want!” “I’m leaving!” Gathering up her skirts, she turned and ran as fast as she could, fleeing the most embarrassing situation of her entire life.
Chen Yue kept running.
She no longer had any idea where she was going.
Corridors.
Pavilions.
Stone bridges.
Everything blurred together in a whirlwind of silk and marble.
Her cheeks still burned.
Her heart pounded wildly.
Why had they both grabbed her wrist at the same time?
Honestly.
Those two were going to drive her insane.
She turned left.
Then right.
Crossed a pavilion.
Followed one corridor.
Then another.
Finally, exhausted, she stopped and placed her hands on her hips.
“I…
I’m finally alone…” Straightening up, she wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead and turned around to head back.
Immediately— Her forehead collided with something solid.
“Ow!” Rubbing her forehead, she looked up.
Wei Ran was standing there.
Tall.
Calm.
Unshakable.
His hands clasped behind his back.
Looking at her as though nothing unusual had happened.
As though he had simply been waiting for her.
“Leave me alone, will you!?” she burst out, still breathless.
“And stop following me!” He took one step forward.
She took one step back.
He advanced again.
She retreated again.
Until her back struck a carved wooden pillar.
A shiver ran through her.
He made no move.
Yet his mere proximity pinned her in place.
Leaning down slightly, he locked eyes with her.
“Who’s afraid?” His voice was low.
Dangerously gentle.
“You or me?” Chen Yue felt her throat tighten.
But having Wei Ran standing right there.
Only a breath away.
That was even worse.
She wanted to answer.
But the words refused to come out.
So she suddenly ducked beneath his arm like a clever little animal and fled.
The first open doorway she found led to…
The royal kitchens.
Women bustled about chopping, simmering, and mixing ingredients.
The aromas were heavenly.
Jasmine tea.
Marinated fish.
Steamed noodles.
Fresh honey cakes.
Chen Yue’s eyes immediately sparkled.
“Ooooh…” She walked straight toward a plate of freshly baked cakes, golden and glistening with sugar.
She picked one up.
Hesitated.
Then took a bite.
“Mmm…
so good.” She closed her eyes in bliss.
When she opened them again— Two fingers gently caught her arm.
Not forcefully.
Not roughly.
Just enough to stop her.
In the next instant, she found herself outside the kitchen.
Standing on a wide stone terrace overlooking a crystal-clear lotus lake.
Sunlight danced across the water.
Colorful koi swam beneath the surface.
Cherry blossom petals drifted around them.
But Chen Yue noticed none of it.
Because Wei Ran was standing only inches away.
His dark gaze fixed on her.
And her heart was spiraling out of control.
“You know you’re not allowed in the royal kitchens,” he said in a slow, deep voice.
Chen Yue wanted to answer.
But she…
Still had the cake in her mouth.
She froze.
Wei Ran froze too.
His gaze drifted toward her lips.
Slowly.
Far too slowly.
His hands rested against the railing at a respectful distance.
Like a boundary he had chosen not to cross.
Then he leaned forward slightly.
“You’re impossible,” he murmured.
Chen Yue stepped back.
But the railing was already behind her.
There was nowhere left to go.
Wei Ran took another step forward.
Her heart climbed into her throat.
“W-We shouldn’t…” she managed to whisper.
He didn’t answer.
Instead— He slowly lowered his head.
His lips approached the small piece of cake caught between hers.
Chen Yue forgot how to breathe.
Then— He took a bite.
Directly from the cake between her lips.
Without touching her mouth.
Yet so close.
So unbearably close.
That she nearly grew dizzy.
The cake broke in half.
One half remained in her mouth.
The other in Wei Ran’s.
He straightened slightly.
Just enough to look directly into her eyes.
Their breaths mingled.
The world disappeared.
Slowly, he chewed his half.
Never looking away.
Paralyzed, Chen Yue swallowed hers.
Wei Ran slowly raised a hand toward her cheek.
With a delicate gesture—almost tender—he brushed away a crumb lingering at the corner of her lips.
“That,” he murmured, “is why I follow you.” “You’re incapable of staying out of trouble.” At last, he stepped back.
Chen Yue finally drew a breath.
Her heart felt ready to explode.
“You…
you had no right to do that!” she protested, cheeks burning red.
Wei Ran tilted his head slightly.
“Do what?” She opened her mouth.
Then immediately closed it again.
Completely speechless.
He smiled.
A rare smile.
And a terribly dangerous one.
“If you don’t want me to do it…” “Then stop running away.” Turning on his heel, he calmly walked back toward the imperial pavilion.
Still trembling and completely shaken, Chen Yue eventually ran after him.
“I’m not running away!!” He didn’t turn around.
But she saw his shoulders shake slightly.
He was smiling.
New chapters every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 🖤