The call of the lone wild goose fades into the distance as dusk settles over the vast sky.

"Guanghua greets Your Majesty the Empress, and all the esteemed ladies." The Kingdom of Dayue favored the color blue, so Princess Guanghua was dressed in a long azure robe, her hair braided into a thick plait. Around her waist was a circle of evening glory flowers interwoven with silver bells, which rang with a clear, melodious sound as she walked, drawing curious glances from young Fu Jun and Yi'an.

The Empress sat upon her phoenix throne, dignified and resplendent, embodying the poise and grace of the mother of the realm—a presence both warm and commanding. Her tone was calm and unhurried: "The Princess has come from afar, there is no need for such formalities. Please, be seated."

Once Princess Guanghua had taken her seat, the Empress introduced her to the Noble Consort Nangong and Consort Cao. The Noble Consort Nangong, being the future mother-in-law of the princess, prompted Xu Guiyi to notice that Princess Guanghua offered her a separate bow in greeting.

Whether by chance or by design, Lady Xindu happened to be seated right beside Xu Guiyi, leaning in to whisper mischievously, "Crown Princess, look at how beautiful that princess is. Good thing His Majesty didn’t betroth her to the Crown Prince, or your household would have been in turmoil."

Xu Guiyi only smiled, not finding the remark the least bit offensive. Hiding her amusement, she replied, "Such a lovely face is indeed a delight to behold. But… the princess is here to form an alliance; the true value lies in forging peace between our two nations and securing our borders. It’s not for us to decide her fate as we please, so let’s not tease about it."

As they laughed and conversed, Princess Guanghua came over to pay her respects to Xu Guiyi. Xu Guiyi had no time to spare for Lady Xindu, quickly putting on a gracious smile to receive the honored guest.

At sixteen, the girl was both young and strikingly beautiful. As Xu Guiyi looked upon her radiant face and those amber eyes glimmering like jewels in the sunlight, she could not help but sigh inwardly.

"I have long heard that Your Highness, the Crown Princess, is the most beautiful woman in your country. Seeing you today, I find the rumors are truly not exaggerated," Princess Guanghua exclaimed, her gemstone-bright eyes full of wonder.

Everyone in the hall heard the princess’s words. Some ladies covered their mouths, stifling laughter; others looked over with open amusement, leaving Xu Guiyi feeling deeply embarrassed. She took a slow, steadying breath and replied with a self-conscious smile, "Your Highness is a rare beauty in the world, yet so modest—truly, you put me to shame."

Guanghua and Cuolan Mountain lay so far apart, yet even such tales managed to travel there. At this moment, Xu Guiyi could only roar silently inside: how terrifying the whispers among the people!

At the imperial hunting grounds on the outskirts of the capital, in the Lishan Palace, Yan Qiqin rode a steed with snowy hooves, circling the fields a dozen times and still not sated.

Fu Lanchen lounged on the viewing platform, one leg crossed over the other, taking in the scenery with leisurely ease.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, won’t you join me for a ride?" Yan Qiqin called out loudly, but Fu Lanchen didn’t even lift his eyelids. He merely dusted off his sleeves, responding carelessly, "That black steed is too unruly for my liking."

By now, Yan Qiqin had dismounted, tossing the reins to a servant before making his way toward Fu Lanchen.

"Then what kind of horse does Your Highness prefer? Just say the word, and I’ll find it for you," Yan Qiqin said, helping himself to the tea Fu Lanchen had just poured.

Fu Lanchen gave a soft chuckle, "Do you mean that, General?"

Unlike his courtly smiles, Yan Qiqin now laughed with utter candor and ease. "Of course! As long as Your Highness can pay the commission."

Fu Lanchen’s phoenix eyes narrowed as he considered for a moment. "I have no desire for worldly possessions; I only wish for a heart discerning right and wrong."

Yan Qiqin turned his gaze to the horizon, furrowing his brow. "Worldly things are easy to obtain, but a clear heart is hard to possess…"

Fu Lanchen murmured, "Is it so difficult?"

Yan Qiqin let out a long howl, "Difficult! As hard as reaching the blue heavens!" Then, with a sly smile, he added, "But… precisely because it’s so difficult, Lord Mu sent me to lend Your Highness a helping hand." He finished with a ceremonious bow, though the gesture was more for show than substance.

Having stated his purpose, Yan Qiqin’s expression remained inscrutable, but Fu Lanchen was puzzled. "I truly wish to ally with Lord Mu, but I did not expect it would be through a marriage alliance. Couldn’t Lord Mu have found a better way to send you to Guangling?"

Yan Qiqin’s boisterous manner subsided a little, and he gave a sheepish laugh. "Our new emperor ascended the throne not long ago. As regent, Lord Mu’s actions are greatly constrained."

Fu Lanchen’s eyes turned cold. "So that’s why there’s to be a marriage alliance?"

Yan Qiqin hastened to explain, "The marriage alliance was the Emperor of Dayue’s idea. Our kingdom is only an ally; if they insist on sending a princess for marriage, how could we object? They needed a capable general to ensure the princess’s safe passage to Guangling, so Lord Mu put my name forward."

"At first, we thought Princess Guanghua would be marrying you, Your Highness, but it turned out to be Prince Wei instead."

Fu Lanchen concealed his own reluctance to marry Princess Guanghua, saying only, "The marriage partner was appointed by my father, the emperor. I have no authority to intervene."

Yan Qiqin cast a troubled glance at him. "It seems the rumors of these years were true—the Emperor of Dayi does not favor you and means to change the heir."

Fu Lanchen was indifferent. "If the news has reached your northern lands, my third imperial brother must indeed be popular among the people!"

Yan Qiqin suddenly straightened, his expression solemn. "Your Highness, you promised Lord Mu that if we aided you this time, you would guarantee peace between our two nations for twenty years."

At this, Fu Lanchen paused. "Yes, I did promise Lord Mu. That is why I still strive to fulfill my duty as Crown Prince."

Yan Qiqin burst out laughing. "Being Crown Prince isn’t enough—you can’t decide matters as emperor, nor can you seal the peace treaty with your imperial seal, can you, Your Highness?"

The autumn wind swept into his wide sleeves as Fu Lanchen shook them out, eyes cold and stern. "Indeed. General Yan, rest assured—what I have promised, I will surely fulfill."

Yan Qiqin smiled again.

"Among the ten rolls of white tiger pelts that Dayue presented to Your Highness, one bears a slight ink stain and is not of pure color—a lesser specimen. But within it lies a hidden secret. May Your Highness accept it as recompense for its imperfection."

Fu Lanchen, understanding the hint, allowed a faint smile to play at his lips as he rose. "Very well. If this endeavor succeeds, I shall forever be grateful for Lord Mu’s friendship."

Yan Qiqin’s smile turned a touch sorrowful. "Perhaps… it is Lord Mu who is more indebted to Your Highness."

Fu Lanchen turned to him, somewhat puzzled.

Yan Qiqin, ever the gentleman, spoke frankly. "Years ago, General Feihong fell in battle at Culan City—it became a lifelong regret for Lord Mu. As you know, Lord Mu always considered General Feihong his dearest friend."

Perhaps Yan Qiqin’s words stirred something in Fu Lanchen, for he suddenly turned away, his voice low and distant: "Lord Mu was held as a hostage in Guangling for ten years. He and General Feihong grew up together, sharing the closest of bonds… until Lord Mu returned home."

Because of their countries’ opposing positions—one a general of Dayi, the other a prince of Daxiang—they could only bury a lifetime of love deep within their hearts, never daring to let the world know.

Though Lord Mu never married, and Pei Xueyao remained unwed, they could only be closest friends—never anything more.

Yan Qiqin looked skyward with a sigh. "When autumn comes, the long winds rise, and wild geese return year after year."

Fu Lanchen, too, looked to the sky, where a flock of wild geese formed a V, flying south in migration.

That year in the northern borderlands, the wind was too fierce; it broke the wings of the geese, so they could never return home again.

When autumn comes, the long winds rise, the wild geese return again and again, but the people do not.

In the final days of the fifteenth year of Chengxiao’s reign, Prince Wei was married, and Princess Guanghua of Dongyue departed from the palace to enter his household. The alliance between the two countries brought great joy to the emperor; for seven days and nights, the city of Guangling celebrated without pause—music and festivities, fireworks and lanterns, revelry and dancing everywhere.

Such a grand occasion made the capital vibrant both day and night, yet Xu Guiyi found herself troubled.

After all, Prince Wei—who was a year younger than Shen Yu—was already married, which made Lady Yongjia all the more anxious. Hoping to draw in some good fortune and seize the moment, she wished to settle Shen Yu’s marriage at once.

Both the Empress and Lady Yongjia were greatly impressed by the daughter of the Song family, who held the title of Earl of Sincerity. However, they were uncertain of Shen Yu’s own feelings, and so the pressure fell to the crown prince and princess.

Lady Yongjia, full of enthusiasm, clasped Xu Guiyi’s hand. "Our Yu has been close to the Crown Prince since childhood and holds both of you in the highest respect. So, as his aunt, I must ask the two of you to sound out his thoughts."

With such candor, Xu Guiyi could hardly refuse.

She seized an opportunity, using Prince Chu, Fu Xun, to lure Shen Yu to the Chunhui Hall. After a platter of golden wind and jade dew cakes and a pot of tea, Shen Yu made a hasty escape.

As Fu Lanchen observed, "You’ve already pressed him enough. Any more, and with Yu’s cleverness, he’ll guess you’re trying to force his hand. At his age, the urge to rebel is at its peak; he most resents being arranged for. Mishandle it, and you’ll only provoke his resistance."

Xu Guiyi considered this and found it reasonable, but… it left her with no explanation to offer.

"He talked all that time but never said what kind of young lady he actually likes. I couldn’t even piece together a vague idea—how am I to report back to his aunt?"

Fu Lanchen shot her a sidelong glance and shook his head. "Let me tell you, it’s better that he didn’t describe anyone specific. If he had, it would mean there’s already someone he’s set his heart on, and your efforts would be for nothing."

Hmm… That did make sense…

Xu Guiyi sighed. "It’s not that we’re in such a hurry, but this Miss Song is said to be of excellent character and appearance—raised on poetry and classics, skilled in every art."

Because she was such a fine young woman, she was highly sought after.

"Since she came of age, countless families have sought her hand. Thankfully, the Earl and Countess of Sincerity have only one daughter and are reluctant to part with her, so her marriage remains undecided even now." Otherwise, how could Shen Yu have a chance?

Fu Lanchen frowned. "The most important thing in marriage is the mutual wishes of the parties involved. No matter how much the parents approve, they cannot live their children’s lives for them."

Xu Guiyi rolled her eyes. If all marriages could be settled by the people involved, she and Fu Lanchen wouldn’t be sitting here, drinking tea and worrying about Shen Yu’s future.

"Your Highness is quite right—though alliances between noble families are important, mutual agreement matters most. But tell me, what mother does not hope her son marries a woman of known character and fine appearance to be his companion for life? It’s precisely because we respect their wishes that we must first understand their preferences." Otherwise, why waste so many words? We could simply ask His Majesty to issue a decree.

Fu Lanchen was momentarily speechless and, somewhat irritated, said, "You always have the last word. Then let the Crown Princess handle this matter entirely; I have other affairs to attend to." With that, he rose and left.

Xu Guiyi, unsure what had provoked this revered deity, quickly stood to see him off. "I respectfully bid Your Highness farewell." Watching his retreating figure leave Chunhui Hall, she let out a long, weary sigh.