Morning Wind by the Nu River: Princesses Arrive

As the first light of dawn crept over the mountain ridge, the golden glow warmed the wooden panels of the carriage. Qin Ren—known to many as "Third Young Master"—stirred from slumber, his bare shoulders resting against the softness of two women seated at his sides. Though visibly weary, a faint, contented smile lingered on his lips.

There had been no debauchery last night—only wine, laughter, and long conversations under the moonlight. Ye Yingxue, cold as a blade and proud as a lioness, had slowly unwrapped the armor around her heart. Zhen Luo, still young and tender, had finally voiced the admiration she had long kept hidden. The three lay side by side beneath the stars—not as lovers, but as comrades drawn together by fate.

"A man who can win the hearts of both swords and beauty," Qin Ren had mused aloud, "could he not also win the world?"

But before dawn could fully rise, the tranquility shattered. Hooves thundered toward them, tearing through the murmurs of birds and the babbling of a nearby stream.

Outside, Qiao Wei grumbled as a whip cracked sharply above his head. "Who the hell—"

A youthful voice, dripping with arrogance and honeyed malice, snapped, "Be grateful I bothered to strike you, lowly dog."

Qin Ren, already half-dressed, froze at the sound. That voice—it could only belong to Princess Qin Nie'er, the tempestuous jade of the palace. And the colder, blade-sharp voice that followed? Unmistakable.

Lianzhou Luo'er, the quiet fury of the royal court.

The Third Young Master's smile faded, replaced by a flicker of unease. "Damn it, the storm has found me."

Still, he emerged with practiced grace, robe fluttering slightly in the breeze. "Your Highnesses," he greeted with a bow, "to what do I owe the honor of this visit?"

Qin Nie'er cracked her whip again, her eyes ablaze. "Don't play coy, scoundrel! You murdered men last night and stayed here for pillow talk?"

"It was merely a poetic evening under the stars," Qin Ren replied, feigning innocence.

Luo'er's gaze was icy. "Do you know the rumors swirling through the martial world? They say you're a rogue—a predator."

Before either princess could respond, Ye Yingxue stepped out from the carriage, her posture proud. "Your Highnesses. Whatever rumors you've heard are lies. I followed Qin Ren by my own will."

The air thickened with tension.

A wind stirred the leaves.

And with it came the scent of a storm.