Chapter 2- The Night Before The Wedding 1
1353 Words
The Ling Palace was alive with noise and color. Servants hurried through the corridors, their arms full of silk gowns, embroidered shoes, and delicate ornaments. The air smelled of fresh incense and polished wood, the whole palace buzzing like a festival ground.
Inside her chamber, Ling Yu'er sat cross-legged on a stool, munching on a candied plum while two maidservants tried to hold her still.
"Princess, please," one of them begged, struggling to keep the heavy phoenix crown in place. "If you move so much, it'll tilt."
"I'm not moving," Yu'er mumbled around the plum. "It's the crown that's too heavy. Are you sure it won't break my neck before the wedding even starts?"
Li Tian, who was leaning by the window with a grin, burst out laughing. "Oh, Princess, imagine the stories they'd tell-'The poor bride was slain by her own crown before her groom even looked at her!'"
The maids gasped in horror, but Yu'er snorted, trying not to laugh. She plucked the candied seed from her mouth and tossed it into a bowl. "See? Even Li Tian agrees it's dangerous. Maybe I should just wear a flower instead."
"Princess!" the maidservants chorused, exasperated.
Ah Ruo, Yu'er's mother, entered just then, her graceful presence quieting the room. She watched her daughter with soft eyes, though there was a trace of sadness behind her smile.
"Yu'er," she said gently, "you must endure it for one day. After all, this marriage is not just for you-it's for our kingdom."
Yu'er's grin faltered for just a moment. She lowered her gaze, smoothing the embroidered fabric of her sleeve. "I know, Mother."
Li Tian glanced at her friend, recognizing the shadow in her eyes, but Yu'er quickly forced a bright smile back onto her lips. She lifted her chin, as if nothing could shake her.
"Well," she said lightly, "if I'm going to be given away like a prized goose, I might as well look like the most beautiful goose in all the empire."
Li Tian nearly choked on her laughter, while Ah Ruo sighed, half amused, half worried. "Still as silly as ever."
But when Yu'er caught her own reflection in the polished bronze mirror, her heart tightened. She stared at the face looking back at her-painted, jeweled, and dressed like a stranger. Is this really me? Am I ready to leave everything behind?
Yet she smiled again, because no one- especially not her mother-needed to see her fear.
Just as Ah Ruo adjusted her daughter's sleeve, a group of maidservants entered, struggling under the weight of ornate boxes wrapped in crimson silk and stamped with the golden seal of the Tiandou Empire. They set them down one by one, their faces flushed with effort and awe.
"Gifts from the empire," the head maid announced, bowing before stepping aside.
The lids were lifted, and the room filled with the shimmer of treasures-bracelets of white jade, hairpins shaped like phoenixes, bolts of brocade silk, and strings of pearls that caught the sunlight like drops of water.
Li Tian's eyes went wide, her grin stretching from ear to ear. She leaned close to Yu'er and whispered loudly enough for half the room to hear, "Princess, looks like your future husband is really thoughtful."
Yu'er rolled her eyes, lifting a jade bangle as if it were made of straw. "Thoughtful? More like showing off how rich he is. If he's this generous now, imagine how much he must spend on himself."
Li Tian covered her mouth to keep from laughing too hard, but her shoulders shook. "Oh, Princess, don't say such things! What if the emperor hears you and sends another decree-this time to sew your mouth shut?"
Yu'er smirked, tilting her head. "If he does, at least I won't have to bow and thank everyone all the time."
That sent Li Tian bursting into laughter until a stern maidservant shot her a glare. Yu'er only shrugged innocently, her face the very picture of mischief.
Ah Ruo sighed softly, though her lips curved in the faintest smile. She brushed a hand over her daughter's hair. "I must attend to other matters," she said, her tone calm but hurried. "Do not make too much trouble while I am gone."
Yu'er gave her a sweet, too-perfect smile. "Of course not, Mother. I'm the very picture of obedience."
As soon as Ah Ruo left, Yu'er slumped back against her chair, pulling a silk ribbon from one of the boxes. She dangled it between her fingers. "All this for me? It feels more like they're wrapping me up as one of the gifts."
Li Tian snatched the ribbon, tied it into a crooked bow on Yu'er's head, and grinned. "There. Now you look like the prettiest package the empire could ever hope for."
Yu'er burst into laughter, clutching her stomach as the maids tried to hide their smiles. For a moment, the weight of duty melted away, replaced by the simple silliness that came so naturally between her and Li Tian.
But deep down, Yu'er's chest ached. Gifts, jewels, silk-none of them made her feel ready. None of them made her feel free.
***
Steel clashed against steel as Ji Ling's blade cut through the air, his movements sharp and fluid. The guard staggered back under the weight of his strikes, sweat pouring down his brow.
"Again," Ji Ling commanded, his tone calm but firm. He spun the blade in a tight arc, stance steady, eyes unwavering. To him, the sword was not just a weapon-it was freedom.
Just then, laughter and voices echoed across the courtyard. Ji Ling paused, turning his head as a group approached. Leading them was Ji Xingling, the crown prince, dressed in deep red robes that shimmered with gold embroidery. Behind him came Ji Luo, trailing with his usual mischief in his eyes, and at the very end, little Ji Na, clutching He Wang's hand as she skipped along.
"Second brother," Ji Xingling called, his tone laced with amusement, "shouldn't you be making preparations for your wedding tomorrow instead of frightening the guards?"
Before Ji Ling could respond, a high-pitched voice rang out.
"Big brother!"
Ji Na broke free of He Wang and sprinted toward him, her small feet pattering across the stone floor. Ji Ling immediately lowered his sword and crouched, catching her in his arms with surprising gentleness.
"Hello, little one," he said, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead.
Her eyes sparkled as she looked up at him. "Is it true you're getting married to a beautiful princess?"
Ji Ling chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Beautiful? I don't know. I haven't seen her yet."
Ji Luo snorted, crossing his arms. "So cold. Only my second brother would talk about a princess bride like he's choosing a horse at market."
"Indeed," Ji Xingling added with a grin. "You should at least pretend to look excited. An entire kingdom is sending their beloved princess to our house, and here you are, still sweating in the training yard."
"I don't see the point in sitting around waiting to be dressed like a doll," Ji Ling replied calmly, setting Ji Na back on her feet. "Swordsmanship has more use than embroidery and perfumes."
Ji Na puffed her cheeks. "Hmph! I think you're just shy!"
That sent Ji Luo into laughter, while Ji Xingling smirked knowingly. Even He Wang, who usually kept a straight face, raised a brow.
"Shy?" Ji Ling scoffed, but the faintest flush touched his neck.
"Come now, Second Highness," He Wang said smoothly, stepping forward. "If you don't start preparing, I'll have to tell His Majesty that his son prefers the sword over his bride. I'm sure the Emperor will be thrilled to know where your priorities lie."
Ji Ling's lips pressed into a line. He wanted to argue, but under the combined gaze of his siblings-and Ji Na tugging on his hand insistently-he finally sighed in defeat.
"Fine." He slid the sword back into its sheath and handed it to the guard. "Lead the way, if it will satisfy you all."
The siblings cheered, Ji Na jumping up and down in delight.
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