chapter 15: fire and ash

The imperial court was a sea of gold and crimson, noble ministers standing in rigid rows as the Emperor presided from his elevated throne. Incense curled lazily in the air, masking the underlying tension.

At the center of the vast hall stood Crown Prince Li Feng, his expression cold, unreadable. Though he was no longer suffering the visible effects of his illness, his sharp gaze held a quiet storm.

The Minister of War stepped forward, his voice ringing through the hall. "Your Majesty, the situation in Lizhou grows dire. The drought has withered the crops, and famine spreads. Bandits have taken advantage of the unrest, raiding storehouses and attacking supply lines."

Murmurs rippled through the court.

The Emperor's gaze swept across the room before settling on Li Feng. "Crown Prince, you will lead the relief efforts in Lizhou."

A moment of silence followed the decree.

Many ministers exchanged glances. Sending the Crown Prince to a region on the brink of collapse? Was this a test of his leadership—or a punishment?

Li Feng, however, did not waver. He lowered himself into a deep bow.

"As Your Majesty commands."

The Emperor studied him for a long moment before nodding. "You leave in three days. Ensure the situation does not escalate further."

As the court session ended, whispers erupted among the noble officials. Some believed this was an opportunity for Li Feng to prove himself and to see if he was fit to rule.

But amidst the courtly speculation, one pair of eyes remained eerily calm—Empress Ming's.

As Li Feng stepped out of the grand hall, a quiet voice called after him.

"Your Highness."

He turned to see Xu Nuan, standing at the edge of the corridor, dressed in pale silks that masked the steel in her gaze.

"You are going to Lizhou," she stated. Not a question.

Li Feng met her eyes. "Do not involve yourself in this."

Xu Nuan stepped forward, her voice quiet yet firm. "Lizhou is plagued by more than famine and bandits. If you think you can simply march in and restore order, you are mistaken."

He did not reply immediately, but his gaze darkened.

She knew something.

Three days later, the grand procession set forth from the imperial palace, a column of armored guards, supply carts, and banners bearing the insignia of the Crown Prince. The streets of the capital were lined with spectators, nobles and commoners alike whispering behind their sleeves as they watched not only Li Feng, but Xu Nuan, riding alongside him in an elegant carriage.

The Crown Princess had chosen to accompany her husband openly—a bold and unprecedented move.

Inside the lead carriage, Li Feng sat with his arms crossed, his expression unreadable as the steady rhythm of the wheels carried them further from the palace. Across from him, Xu Nuan sat with practiced poise, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery, seemingly unbothered by the tension between them.

Finally, he spoke. "You should have stayed behind."

She turned to face him, calm yet unwavering. "You underestimate the dangers of Lizhou. It is not just famine and bandits you must contend with."

His eyes narrowed. "You believe I do not know that?"

"Then you should know the court is watching you closely. If you fail, they will use this mission to turn the Emperor against you. I will not allow that to happen."

Li Feng scoffed. "You think your presence changes anything?"

Xu Nuan leaned forward slightly, her gaze sharp. "I think you are a fool if you believe you can fight this battle alone."

Their eyes locked, an unspoken war waged in silence.

Finally, Li Feng looked away, exhaling sharply.

"Do as you please," he muttered. "But do not expect me to shield you if things turn dire."

Xu Nuan simply smiled, folding her hands in her lap.

"Your Highness, I would never ask you to."

As the convoy continued its journey toward Lizhou',The atmosphere inside the carriage remained thick with tension, each moment stretching between them like an unsheathed blade. Outside, the landscape blurred past, dust swirling beneath the wheels as their procession pressed forward.

Xu Nuan, ever composed, pretended not to notice how Li Feng had not looked at her since their departure. Instead, he kept his gaze fixed on the passing scenery, his fingers resting idly against the hilt of his sword.

She exhaled softly. If he wished to ignore her, so be it.

The road beneath them suddenly shifted. A harsh jolt rocked the carriage, the wooden wheels stumbling over an uneven stone.

Before either of them could react, the movement threw Xu Nuan off balance—straight into Li Feng's lap.

A sharp intake of breath.

Her hands landed against his chest, her body pressing against his as the carriage swayed before finally steadying. The moment hung between them, thick and charged, as if time itself had briefly stopped.

Li Feng's entire frame tensed beneath her touch. He could feel the warmth of her against him, the delicate fragrance of herbs and lotus drifting between them.

Xu Nuan was the first to recover. With practiced grace, she attempted to push herself away—only for his hand to catch her wrist.

She glanced up, only to be met with a gaze like burning ice.

"Are you in such a hurry to flee from me, Crown Princess?" he murmured, his voice dangerously quiet.

Xu Nuan's lips curled slightly, a ghost of amusement dancing in her eyes despite their predicament. "I thought the Crown Prince disliked unnecessary closeness."

His jaw tightened. With a controlled exhale, he released her wrist, and she quickly regained her seat, smoothing the silk of her sleeves as if nothing had happened.

Outside, the sound of marching soldiers and trotting horses filled the silence, but inside the carriage, it was the rapid beating of their hearts that neither would acknowledge.

Li Feng glanced away, his expression unreadable.

Xu Nuan hid her smirk behind her sleeve.

The road to Lizhou was long. And if fate continued throwing them into each other's path, then perhaps… this journey might prove more interesting than she had anticipated.