The moment Shumin stepped into Guixia Market, she froze.
Light.
Everywhere.
Lanterns hung from wooden beams, glowing like fallen stars. Bonfire flames danced at the center of the square, sparks floating into the night sky.
Laughter echoed between stalls, and for the first time since she entered this world, the air did not feel heavy.
It felt… alive.
Shu Yan stood beside her, eyes wide.
"My lady… this looks like a festival."
Shumin turned to a nearby villager, an elderly woman holding a bowl of steaming porridge.
"Excuse me," Shumin asked gently. "Why is everyone celebrating?"
The woman smiled, her wrinkles deepening.
"Did you not hear? Today, the king ordered grain stores opened. Food, medicine...everything. He said this will continue. No more hunger."
Shumin's breath caught.
So he did it.
Her chest tightened not with romance, but something heavier.
Respect...Relief... Pain.
She noticed it then
how thin some people still were, how worn their clothes looked despite the smiles.
This celebration wasn't born from abundance.
It was born from hope returning.
Her fingers curled unconsciously.
"That masked man…" she murmured.
Shu Yan followed her gaze.
Two figures stood near the fire.
One of them turned.
The masked man.
Beside him stood another man, also masked—clearly his companion.
They spoke with villagers casually, not like nobles, not like guards.
When the masked man saw Shumin, he paused.
Surprise flickered briefly in his eyes before disappearing.
She walked toward him without hesitation.
"You didn't come," she accused softly, arms crossed.
He tilted his head. "I thought you wouldn't."
Shumin frowned. "I said I would."
"but yesterday.....you.." he replied smoothly.
She thought about the king. Her ears warmed slightly.
"I'm sorry," she said, unexpectedly sincere. "About yesterday."
His gaze lingered on her face.
"You came today alone anyway."
"because i wanted to come" she muttered.
Behind them,
Shu Yan had already been dragged into conversation by the other masked man, who seemed oddly friendly for someone hiding his face.
Villagers noticed Shumin then.
"Lady Wen!" someone called. "Come sit!"
Before she could refuse, hands gently pulled her toward the bonfire.
She ended up sitting beside the masked man, warmth from the fire brushing her cheeks.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Shumin asked quietly,
"Why did the king do this… today?"
The masked man stared into the fire.
"He listens," he said slowly. "More than people think."
She glanced at him sharply.
"You speak as if you know him."
He paused...just a fraction too long.
"…I've observed him."
She hummed suspiciously but let it go.
They watched villagers dance,
children running with wooden toys,
laughter replacing hunger..for now.
Shumin clenched her fists.
"This place hurts," she said suddenly.
He looked at her.
"Seeing them like this… it hurts." Her voice softened.
"They smile so easily after suffering so much."
"You're angry," he said.
"Yes," she admitted. "And sad."
He studied her as if seeing her properly for the first time.
"You're strange for a palace woman."
She snorted. "I'm not from here."
He raised an eyebrow. "From where, then?"
She hesitated.
"Far away," she said lightly.
"So far that even if I explain, you wouldn't believe me."
He smiled faintly beneath the mask.
"You are a concubine of the king," he said. "Yet you speak like a traveler."
"I didn't choose to be either," she replied honestly.
Silence settled
comfortable this time.
Then he leaned slightly closer.
"You asked me yesterday about my name."
"Yes," she said.
"And you didn't say."
"Names create ties."
She tilted her head.
"Then why are you here?"
He didn't answer immediately.
"Because someone asked for help," he said at last.
Her eyes softened.
She smiled suddenly.
"Then… thank you. For helping me."
"For the people," he corrected.
She laughed quietly.
"You're very annoying."
"And you're very reckless."
They shared a look—something unspoken hovering between them.
Slow. Careful. Unnamed.
The fire crackled.
Lanterns swayed.
----
The bonfire crackled softly as the villagers slowly dispersed.
The music faded into gentle night sounds—crickets, distant laughter, the warmth of something peaceful settling in.
Shumin stood up and dusted her clothes.
"I should go," she said reluctantly.
"If I disappear too long, may be... the palace might issue a missing-person notice."
The masked man tilted his head.
"You overestimate how much the palace worries."
She shot him a look.
"Hey. This head is very precious." She touched her neck dramatically. "I'm protecting it."
He chuckled quietly.
Nearby, Shu Yan was still talking with the other masked man—too close. Too comfortable. Shu Yan laughed at something he said, then quickly covered her mouth, embarrassed.
Shumin narrowed her eyes.
"…Oh?"
she whispered to herself.
She glanced back and forth between them, lips curling into a knowing grin.
Interesting...
The masked man noticed her stare.
"What are you looking at?"
She leaned closer and whispered,
"Nothing. Just… destiny at work."
He didn't understand, but let it go.
Shu Yan finally came over.
"My lady, it's getting late."
"Yes, yes,"
Shumin said, then suddenly paused.
"Wait."
She pointed subtly toward Shu Yan and the other masked man.
"You… go with him."
Shu Yan blinked. "What?"
Shumin smiled sweetly.
"It's safer. Two people. And I trust him."
Shu Yan hesitated, cheeks faintly red, then nodded.
"As you say, my lady."
The masked man beside Shumin cleared his throat. "
Then you'll come with me."
She froze. "…Come with you?"
He gestured toward a horse waiting nearby. "I'll take you back."
Her eyes widened. "On a horse?"
"Yes."
She swallowed. "Like… together?"
"Yes."
Her brain short-circuited for a second.
She glanced at Shu Yan, who was already being helped onto another horse. Shu Yan looked back..excited, nervous, happy.
Shumin's heart softened.
Fine. ..
Cupid never rests....
She turned back and nodded.
"Okay."
The masked man helped her up onto the horse.
She awkwardly settled in front of him, stiff as a plank.
"Relax," he said. "You look like you're about to jump off."
"I'm not scared," she lied instantly. "I just… don't trust gravity."
He laughed softly and steadied her waist.
Her breath caught.
"Hold on," he said quietly.
"…To the horse?" she asked.
"…To me."
Her ears burned, but she slowly held onto his sleeve instead.
"This is me being brave."
The horse began moving.
For a moment, neither spoke.
The night breeze brushed past them, cool and gentle.
The closeness felt strange—comforting in a way Shumin didn't expect.
She cleared her throat.
"You know… you're surprisingly nice for someone who hides his face."
"And you're surprisingly reckless for a king's concubine."
She smiled.
"I never said I was normal."
He looked down at her, eyes unreadable behind the mask—but warm.
Ahead, Shu Yan's quiet laughter drifted back as her horse rode alongside the other masked man.
Shumin noticed it and smiled wider.
Looks like tonight wasn't just productive for the people, she thought.
But for hearts too.
As the palace lights slowly appeared in the distance, Shumin leaned back just a little—not enough to be obvious.
Not enough to be dangerous.
But enough to feel safe.
And for Li Zhan, riding silently behind her, that small trust felt heavier than any crown he had ever worn.