Chapter 1: No One But Her

A gentle breeze drifted through the pavilion, lifting the hair and robes of those within, while a melodious tune soared from the strings of the zither. Seated inside were two young men. One, clad in a blue long robe, sat upright by the instrument, his expression deeply focused as his hands traced the strings with utmost precision.

Opposite him sat another young man, dressed in a robe of golden yellow. With a folding fan in hand and eyes half-closed, he was utterly absorbed in the music, a look of rapture upon his face.

Both men possessed strikingly handsome features, as radiant as stars in the night sky. The sight was like a living painting, captivating to behold.

When the song drew to its end, the man in gold broke into applause with a smile. "Prime Minister, your skill with the zither grows ever more refined."

Yet, the man addressed as Prime Minister did not accept the praise. Instead, he replied with a hint of restraint, "Is Your Majesty truly determined to go through with this?"

As it turned out, one of these two was the sovereign himself—the current emperor—while the other was none other than the illustrious Prime Minister, second only to the throne.

In the year 531 of the Cangyue Calendar, the present emperor, Huang Aotian, ascended to the throne. In just five years, he had annexed neighboring kingdoms both great and small, transforming the Kingdom of Cangyue into a true empire, and renaming it the Cangyue Dynasty.

Prime Minister Jun Zimo had played an indispensable role in these triumphs; at least half of this flourishing realm was his doing.

Huang Aotian regarded Jun Zimo with a cheerful look and feigned ignorance. "To what matter does the Prime Minister refer?"

Jun Zimo clenched his teeth, gazing at the smiling face across from him, feeling an inexplicable urge to throw a punch.

"Naturally, I speak of the imperial marriage. I know myself unworthy of the Princess. I beg Your Majesty to rescind the decree."

Only then did Huang Aotian appear to understand. "Ah, so it is that. Prime Minister, you are too modest. If even you are unworthy of that girl, then who in all the world could possibly be her match?"

Jun Zimo quickly replied, "The world is vast and full of extraordinary men."

At this, Huang Aotian finally revealed his true intent, dropping his pretense. "So, are you saying my judgment is lacking?"

"Not at all."

"Then are you claiming Feiyu is unworthy of you? What fault can you find with her? Or are you planning to defy my order?"

Jun Zimo sighed in silence. Facing the emperor, who had shed all airs of gentility and now resorted to obstinacy, Jun Zimo answered gravely, "It is not that. It is just that I already have someone I love. I cannot marry the Princess."

Huang Aotian looked at Jun Zimo in surprise, the usual smile gone from his handsome face. He had expected his old friend and trusted minister to evade the issue with matters of state, but he had not anticipated this unassailable reason.

For Jun Zimo was not only his subject, but also a childhood companion who had risked his life for him.

If Jun Zimo had no one in his heart, Huang Aotian would have done all he could to arrange the match. But now, he could not interfere.

Huang Aotian opened his mouth, about to speak further, when a sharp, youthful voice interrupted.

"Jun Zimo, you scoundrel! How am I unworthy of you? How dare you reject me!"

At the sound, Jun Zimo’s handsome face tightened in a frown, while Huang Aotian fell silent, now watching with an amused, spectator’s smile.

"Tell me—how am I unworthy of you? Why won’t you marry me?" At that moment, a spirited young girl burst into the pavilion.

She wore a light blue dress, and standing beside Jun Zimo, they looked for all the world like a pair.

Jun Zimo said helplessly, "Feiyu, I am not right for you."

Huang Feiyu looked at him in displeasure, brows drawn together. "We’ve never even tried being together. How can you know we’re not suited? You’re being too hasty."

At that moment, the emperor, who had been quietly enjoying the scene, let out a sigh. "Ah, I wonder—am I becoming increasingly invisible, or is it that someone here now has eyes only for Zimo, and not so much as a greeting for me?"

Though she tried to put on a brave face, Huang Feiyu, being a young woman, could not help but blush at her older brother’s teasing. "Brother!"

"Oh? So you do see me after all," Huang Aotian said with a smile, teasing his sister.

Huang Feiyu glared at her brother, cheeks flushed. "I saw you right away. It’s just that this matter is more important right now."

"So Zimo is more important, is he?"

"You’re important too, Brother," Huang Feiyu replied, her face reddening.

Huang Aotian was about to tease her further, but Jun Zimo’s next words abruptly broke the warmth of the moment.

"Feiyu, I already have someone I love. In this life, I will marry no one but her."