Chapter 8: The Gate and the Glance

The gates of Liang opened with a deep creak of stone and iron.

Red and gold banners fluttered in the wind. Drums stayed silent, but the message was clear—this was a day to remember.

Lin Ruoyi stood at the center of the reception court, dressed in formal crimson robes over fitted black armor. Her golden whip rested at her hip. Her stance calm. Her face unreadable.

Behind her, ministers stood in ordered rows. Liang's princes—except the crown prince—waited to the side, eyes fixed forward.

Then came the sound of hooves.

Yan Xuan was the first to ride in.

Black horse. Black robes with phoenix-gold thread along the sleeves. A coat cut long, trimmed in dark fur, swaying with each movement.

His armor shimmered faintly underneath—polished, lightweight, fitted to his form.

But it was the mask that caught everyone's attention.

Sleek black metal. Sharp lines along the cheek. Gold etching barely visible unless the light hit right. The left half of his face was hidden. The right was fully visible—golden eye, strong jaw, unsmiling mouth.

He didn't just look like royalty.

He looked like someone who didn't care whether you approved of him or not.

Behind him, Si Yue arrived.

White horse. Pale silver robe layered in grey. Hair tied back with a black clasp. His posture was too elegant for a soldier—but too quiet for a courtier.

When the sun touched his skin, something shimmered—barely noticeable. But it was there.

For a second, it looked like he wasn't entirely human.

No one mentioned it.

They never did.

Ruoyi didn't move.

Didn't blink.

But the moment Yan Xuan stepped off the horse, her grip on the scroll in her hand tightened just slightly.

He stopped ten paces from her.

Bowed—not deeply. Just enough.

She stepped forward.

"Welcome to Liang, Third Prince of Yan," she said. "You'll be staying at Frosted Orchid Pavilion. The rest of your delegation is assigned to South Wind Pavilion."

Yan Xuan's head tilted.

His voice came through the mask, smooth and low.

"General Lin," he said. "Still standing like you're ready to draw a blade. I was hoping yours would be the first face I saw."

A few ministers looked uncomfortable.

Ruoyi didn't flinch. "And yet somehow, I'm not flattered."

His eye glinted. "You would be. If you knew how I dreamed it."

Si Yue dismounted and stepped beside him.

He gave her a polite nod. "Lady General. An honor. I've heard much about you."

Ruoyi nodded in return. "And I've heard of you."

"Good things, I hope?"

"Unbelievable things," she said. "But I'm not disappointed."

That made him smile—small, but genuine.

Yan Xuan turned and gave a formal bow to the waiting ministers.

Then turned back to her.

"I'll try to behave," he said softly. "Unless you'd prefer otherwise."

She stepped back once.

The Second Prince of Liang cleared his throat loudly. The ministers shifted uncomfortably.

Ruoyi's tone stayed flat. "Enjoy your stay."

But her hand had moved just an inch toward the whip.

Frosted Orchid Pavilion – That Evening

The courtyard was quiet, open, peaceful.

Too peaceful.

Ruoyi arrived just after sunset, two aides with her. She carried the final welcome scroll.

She found Yan Xuan under a plum tree, sleeves rolled up, ink on his fingers from reviewing maps. He didn't look up right away.

He didn't need to.

"General," he said. "No red today? You almost look approachable."

Ruoyi handed him the scroll. "Terms of your stay. Formalities. Your attendants can review the details."

"I already have the only one I need," he said, nodding toward Si Yue, who sat nearby reading.

Ruoyi didn't answer.

She turned to leave.

Then he stood.

Stepped forward.

Just close enough to break the distance she'd kept all day.

"I missed your voice," he said, low enough that only she could hear.

She stopped.

"You're worse than I remember," she muttered.

He laughed softly. Then, without warning, reached out—

And tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

His hand lingered half a second too long against her cheek.

From across the garden, Si Yue exhaled. "You realize this is a diplomatic mission?"

"She's making it interesting," Yan Xuan replied, still looking at her.

Ruoyi stepped back. "This is not a game."

"No," he said, smiling under the mask. "But you make it feel like one. High stakes. One wrong move, and someone bleeds."

She stared at him. "I'll be back tomorrow. Be ready."

"I'm always ready," he said. "Especially when it's you."

She turned.

Si Yue stood and gave a polite bow. "General Lin. I'd like to speak again. Just the two of us. I think we might actually have things in common."

She didn't smile. But she didn't frown, either.

Outside, the wind moved lightly.

Ruoyi walked through the gate, posture straight.

She didn't look back.

And Yan Xuan—

watched her until she disappeared.

"She doesn't need to look back," he said. "She knows I'm watching."