“It’s the anniversary of Anlai’s founding. There’s to be a parade through the city, and Father wants the two of you to head the procession.”
“The two of us?” I repeated. The last I’d heard, Sky was the war hero, and I was nothing more than a convicted criminal. “Why?”
“To dispel the rumors,” said Winter tersely.
“What rumors?”
“You’ve been absent from the public lately,” he hedged.
As if my absence had any significance to it. “What—do they think I’m leading a rebellion against the throne?” I scoffed.
At Winter’s silence, my mouth fell open. Only now did I recall Lei’s warning: “Despite the official reports, legend of the woman warrior has spread far, and the people are restless…Do you know—news of your imprisonment has been met with anger, and in some cases rebellion? The warlord’s position is precarious, and now he needs his prisoner on a pretty pedestal, to comply with and promote his agenda. And will you obey?”
“You’re exceedingly popular among the people,” said Sky, and I detected the hint of pride in his voice.
“That’s enough,” said Winter, dragging his brother away. “Let her get dressed.”
Lotus and Lily outdid themselvesonce again, outfitting me in a demure ruqun gown. The sleeves were petal pink and embroidered with dainty plum blossoms, while the fitted chest was ivory white, accentuated with a gold ribbon that cascaded down my front. My hair was done up to resemble a bird in flight, held up by an ivory hairpiece embellished with tinkling gold flowers. To cover up the dark circles under my eyes, they dusted ground pearl powder on my face, then applied a soft pink rouge to my cheeks and lips. As the final touch, Lotus covered me in an ivory cloak made of the softest wool. The effect was not lost on me: I was made to appear delicate, innocent, as pure and unsullied as a snow maiden.
How appearances deceived.
Sky was waiting for me at the base of the stone steps, dressed in matching ivory attire, which accentuated the broadness of his shoulders and the narrow tapering of his waist.
“You look…” His voice trailed off, and the wonder in his eyes made me laugh. “Breathtaking,” he finished, touching my hair lightly, as if afraid to ruin it. “How did I get so lucky?” he whispered, trying to draw me close before I pushed him away. Others were watching.
He took my arm as we walked, and for once in my life, I thought we appeared well suited for each other.
If his siblings shared my sentiment, they did not make their agreement known. Prince Yuchen sneered as he caught sight of me, whispering in Princess Ruihua’s ear with haughty derision. The crown prince nodded at me, though he could not entirely hide the pucker to his lips. Princess Yifeng, who gripped his arm like a lifeboat, gave me a wide, toothy grin.
It felt like a threat.
Sky helped me into the open palanquin, then got in behind me. As we rode out into the dazzling sunlight, I braced myself for the crowd—for their resentful murmurings, their hateful stares. Instead, the first thing I noticed was the sound. A dull roar, like the ceaseless rush of a river. But as the gates to the Forbidden City opened and the crowds flooded around us, I understood: they werecheering.
I turned, searching for the Imperial Commander, or the crown prince, trying to locate the source of their enthusiasm. But as flower petals fell upon my lap, and the commoners shouted my name, it struck me at last: it was for me. They were cheering for me.
Bewildered, I caught a bouquet of flowers flung in my direction. At the same time, a boy snatched at the trailing hem of my cloak, even kissing the wool before the palanquin passed him by. Behind him, a young woman with striking amber eyes stared intently at me, something in her curious gaze giving me pause.
Those eyes. They reminded me of Lei’s. As if they could see straight into my soul.
The girl winked at me before turning away. I tried to track her in the crowd, but our palanquin was already moving on.
“See?” Sky said, drawing my attention back to him. His face gleamed with pride and something else, something I preferred not to acknowledge. “They adore you.”
I shook my head, though hope stirred within me. I wanted to believe it so badly, I almost didn’t dare to. “It can’t be,” I said, looking down.
Sky caught my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. “They can’t help it, Meilin,” he said lowly. “They can’t help but love you.” And then, in front of his entire family and the throngs of people surrounding us, he kissed me.
The crowd screamed with explosive excitement. From behindus, I saw Winter shake his head with resigned amusement. If it wasn’t clear before what was going on between me and Sky, now it certainly was. In such an official capacity as this, he’d as good as declared his intent to marry me.
The parade turned toward Willow District. Eagerly, I leaned out of the palanquin, searching for my family. It would be my only chance to see them for some time, as the Imperial Commander had confined me to the palace, and minor nobles of their rank were banned from entering the Forbidden City. But the procession moved too quickly, and if Xiuying and the others were in the crowd, I could not find them. My heart sinking, I sat back in my seat, resenting my powerlessness, resenting the gradual way I’d grown compliant to my cage.
As we crossed the Gate of Heavenly Peace, the last stop in our procession, I froze at the sight of Lieutenant Fang and the familiar battalion behind him—my own. But if I still thought of them that way, I was the only one. The disgusted looks they shot me only magnified the difference between how they viewed me and how they treated their commander, Sky. Of all the princes, it was now evident Sky was the most popular. Apart from his charisma and indisputable good looks, he was the most straightforward candidate for a wartime leader, with his skill in combat and his clear head in battle. Despite the fanfare the palace was trying to promote around the resolution of the Three Kingdoms War, Lotus had told me the people were uneasy with this current façade of peace. Many spoke of another unification effort as inevitable and remembered the empire of the Wu Dynasty with growing wistfulness and nostalgia.
Now, as our palanquin went up the wooden dais raised beneath the Gate of Heavenly Peace, a cheer arose in the crowd, starting with the soldiers Sky had led into Ximing, then expanding beyond the army to the common people: the merchants, the laborers, eventhe street urchins and orphan children. “Commander Liu Sky!” they chanted. Notably, they did not call him Prince but referred to him by his wartime title.
I assumed Sky would be embarrassed by the ostentation, but when I glanced over at him, I sensed his gratification. He kept his expression stoic so as to appear humble, but his eyes shone with triumph.
It struck me then: he wanted this.He wants the throne.
