The next morning, pale sunlight stretched across the palace courtyards as preparations were made for the visitors' departure.
Emperor Xuanyan stood at the front of the stone steps, tall and dignified in his imperial robes, his gaze steady as the horses were brought forward. Beside him stood his two sons, Crown Prince Rong Yuan and Prince Xian Rong.
Princess Yuyan, Prince Leng Yue, Prince Lianyi, and the others approached to take their leave.
"Yunhai will not forget your visit," Emperor Xuanyan said softly. "From this moment on, our fate is bound with yours. May the heavens watch over this path we are about to walk."
Prince Leng Yue bowed deeply.
"Lianhua stands with Yunhai. No matter the cost."
Prince Tian Yu inclined his head.
"The future will be written in blood and fire, but we will face it together."
Prince Rong Yuan stepped forward next, his tone calm.
"Travel safely. Send words the moment anything changes."
Then he turned to Lianyi, as he said "farewell my friend, may we meet again."
Throughout the exchange, Prince Xian Rong stood slightly behind his brother, his eyes never once lifting. He stared at the ground, and at the departing visitors__ at anything except Rong Yuan's face.
When their eyes almost met, Xian Rong shifted away at once.
He could feel the weight of last night's confession still pressing against his chest.
Has he told Father? Will he tell Father?
The question hammered inside his mind, again and again.
As the visitors mounted their horses, Xian Rong took a step back, then another, as if trying to sneak away.
Prince Rong Yuan noticed and he smiled faintly without saying anything.
That silence frightened Xian Rong more than anger ever could.
With final farewells spoken, the guards opened the gates. Hooves thundered against stone as the visitors rode out of Yunhai, disappearing slowly into the morning mist.
Emperor Xuanyan remained standing until they were out of sight.
Only then did he turn back toward the palace.
Prince Rong Yuan followed at his side.
Prince Xian Rong trailed behind them, his thoughts still in chaos, not knowing whether by nightfall his world would still be standing.
He was ready to be questioned anytime because he knew the weight of what he has done.
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The road was long and quiet, stretching between rolling hills and pale morning mist. The horses moved at an easy pace. The mood among them was calm, but not light ___everyone carried the thought of what had been discussed the night before.
Princess Yuyan rode beside her husband, her posture graceful despite the long journey ahead. Prince Leng Yue stayed close to her, his sharp eyes observing everything around them.
After some time, he glanced at his sister and then at the man beside her. Then a faint smile curved his lips as he said.
"Your husband is far too calm for a man about to face a war that could decide the fate of the world. Could it be that there was a mistake in the prophecy for choosing the child".
Yuyan rolls her eyes as she said , " That calmness in him is precisely why I trusted him to save the world".
Leng Yue chuckled and said " Perhaps it was not only calmness, but also his appearance, that had convinced you, but be careful my dear, appearance can be deceitful."
Yuyan shot him a warning glance, but the corner of her lips twitched despite herself.
Tain Yu heard every word but chose not to respond. But there was a trace of a quiet smile resting on his face.
A little distance behind them, Prince Lianyi watched the exchange with gentle amusement, saying nothing, but clearly entertained by their familiar bickering.
He had followed them after their visit to his kingdom, choosing the same path for the same reason they had gone to Yunhai ___to prepare for the coming darkness.
As Mei's father watched the exchange between Leng Yue and Yuyan, a gentle smile appeared on his face.
Everyone was enjoying the discussion. They traveled on in that manner, the teasing exchanges lightening the long road.
Few days later, the walls of Xiyue appeared in the distance.
Princess Yuyan's group slowed as the great gates opened to receive them. The banners of Xiyue lifted in the wind, and Prince Lianyi rode forward slightly, a faint pride in his eyes as his homeland welcomed them.
They did not plan to remain long__ only enough to rest the horses, take water, and prepare for the second half of the journey toward Lianhua.
Inside the outer court, servants moved quickly. Horses were led away. Water and fruit were brought.
The emperor invited them to sit beneath the pavilion while the horses were prepared again. The air was calm, carrying the scent of flowers from the palace garden.
Princess Yuyan took a seat beside Tian Yu.
While prince Leng Yue leaned against a pillar, arms folded, his gaze drifting between the two of them with thin amusement, ready to tease again.
At that very moment, Mimi stepped out with a few maids, her figure fuller now, her stomach round beneath her robe.
"My princess, you are welcome back to Xiyue again," she said warmly, moving forward to embrace Yuyan.
Yuyan held her for a moment, then pulled back and looked at her with gentle smile.
"You look well. How are you feeling?" she asked, her gaze resting on Mimi's swollen belly.
"I am fine," Mimi replied with a smile.
She then turned to greet the others respectfully.
Lianyi who had gone to greet his father, slowly walked towards Mimi with a quite grin.
"Mimi!" He called out__ just like you use to when they were kids.
Mimi blushed as he pulled her into a warm embrace.
"How is our little baby?" He asked touching her stomach.
"Why don't you check yourself?" She asked with a smile. Lianyi smiled and knelt in front of her and placed his ear on her stomach. There was a brief silence and then a tiny kick.
"This little naughty! The baby just kicked me." Lianyi said exited. He quickly stood up and kissed her. Leng Yue cleared his throat teasingly.
"We're not invisible you know." He said.
"Don worry, you can do that to Mie when we get to Lianhua. It's just a little time left." Tian Yu said with a grin.
"You___ " Leng Yue snapped and they all giggle. Mimi smiled before turning to face Yuyan again.
"Will you be spending the night here?"
"No," Yuyan said softly. "We will be leaving shortly."
They spoke a little longer, exchanging quiet words and warm smiles. When it was time, they took each other's hands once more and said their farewells.
Then the travelers mounted their horses again and continued on their journey, the gates of Xiyue slowly closing behind them as the road stretched forward toward Lianhua.