Shayue stood motionless for several moments, her gaze resting calmly on them while the fear spread throughout the corridor. Then Shayue spoke her voice was soft and composed which only made it terrifying, "You all seem remarkably concerned about my future." The servants immediately dropped downed on their knees, trembling, "Your-Your Highness!" Shayue continued evenly, with slowly descending steps, "You discuss about my marriage, my future within the Longlin Empire… and even my death with such a great confidence." Her face showed no anger, nor she raised her voice, only a calm restraint, sharpened into something far more dangerous, she quietly said stopping right before them, "Tell me, have the servants of Fengyu palace has always possessed such confidence, authority over imperial affairs?" the servants trembled violently, "We spoke carelessly Your Highness—please-please forgive us!" all the servants said together trembling. Shayue repeated softly, "Carelessly?" her gaze slightly lowered towards them, "You speculate whether the Crown Prince may die on battlefield. You speculate whether I may become widowed, and now you even questioned whether I will survive within Longlin Empire. Her gaze sharpened slightly, the servants said quickly, "Y-Your Highness we mean no harm to you, Your highness." Shayue said with a cold tone, "No harm? Let me understand, you all gathered in the corridor, whispering about my widowhood, questioning about my survival, and call it, 'no harm.'" She stepped even closer to them, "tell me which of you has ever seen a war? Which has watched a city burn? No? Then your mouths move faster than your mind works." Shayue said with a cold laugh, "Tell me, since when did the palace servants gain the authority to speak so freely of imperial affairs. You all concern yourselves with whether I will be widowed. I also concern myself with whether you all will be employed till sunset. It seems, we are both worrying." All the servants instantly started to bend their heads back and forth, "please Your Highness, please Your Highness, have mercy, forgive us Your Highness!" Shayue descended the steps slowly, her sleeves trailing softly behind her, "The Crown Prince of Longlin is indeed known to be ruthless, which makes your behavior even more foolish. You all speaking about the Crown Prince death with such ease, in his soon to be bride's corridor… if he himself had heard all this, discussing about his death so openly…" a small faint smile appeared on her face, "…do you all truly believe if you could remain alive afterward?" the servants faces lost all color instantly. "Mercy Your Highness, we will never speak this way again!"
Shayue looked at them quietly for several moments. Then—finally she said, her voice calm as always, "You may gossip about me if you wish, but if I hear another word insulting the Longlin Empire or either my future husband… then you should all consider carefully whether your mouths are worth keeping nor do I will guarantee your life." She said calmly without wavering, the pressure in the corridor became suffocating, the servants immediately lowered their heads fully against the floor, "We beg Your highness forgiveness! Please spare us, Your Highness!" at last, Shayue turned away slightly, "Return to your duties." Relief flooded their expressions instantly, "Thank You, Your Highness! We will never in our life, will say such words again!" the servants hurried away in visible panic. Behind her, Mei Yi crossed her arms coldly. "They deserved even harsher punishment than the just only scolding." Ying's expression remained icy. "At least now they will understand the fear of speaking carelessly within the Crown Princess Manor." Shayue said to Mei Yi, "Mei Yi come here." Mei Yi instantly went to her curious, "Inform Nanny Wei about this matter, and tell her to teach them properly." Mei Yi said her face enlightened slightly, "As you order Your Highness." Shayue said nothing after that, but she stepped back into the chamber something within her head had quietly settled. From this moment onward-she would not allow anyone to look down upon her… nor disrespect the empire she was about to enter.
Mei Yi came back after discussing the matter with Nanny Wei, the faint chill in Shayue's eyes faded, her voice returned to its usual calmness, "Enough of them, the auspicious hour is approaching." Mei Yi immediately remembered, "Your Highness is correct. Those insignificant servants are not worth ruining today's mood." Ying nodded in agreement, "the entire palace is waiting. We should continue the preparation." Shayue glanced once towards her reflection on the golden mirror before lowering her gaze slightly, "then let's continue with the preparations." Ying said in return, "Yes, Your Highness let's get you dress up." The chamber instantly became busy once more. Several palace maids stepped forward carrying golden trays filled with imperial ornaments, pearl accessories, scented oils, and ceremonial cosmetics reserved exclusively for a Crown Princess's wedding. The morning cleansing ritual began first. Warm water infused with delicate flower petals was brought forth, Mei Yi carefully wiped Shayue's hands while Ying arranged the scented cloths. The fragrance of blooming peonies lingered softly throughout the chamber.
Afterward came the cosmetics, ying applied a light layer of powder across Shayue's complexion until her skin appeared smooth as a jade beneath spring sunlight, a subtle touch of crimson followed upon her lips. Delicate color brushed her cheeks. A small red floral ornament was placed carefully between her brows, drawing attention to her already elegant features. Throughout the process, Shayue remained still, quiet, graceful, like a painting slowly coming to life, then came the hair. The most time consuming portion, Mei Yi stood behind her while Ying assisted from the side. Long black strands were brushed until they shone like flowing silk. Section by section, they gathered her hair upward into an elaborate imperial bridal arrangement befitting the future Crown Princess of Longlin. Golden phoenix pins were carefully inserted one after another. Ruby ornaments were inserted too, fine chains of gold descended from the headdress, adorned with crimson gemstones that swayed gently with every moment. The crown itself required both Ying and Mei Yi to place properly. A magnificent golden bridal crown rested atop of her dark hair. Phoenixes spread their wings from either side of the ornament as though it has prepared to ascend into the heavens. Countless golden tassels and red crystal pendants cascaded downward, framing her face with imperial splendor. Only after the final ornament had been secured did the wedding robes arrive.
The ceremonial hanfu unfolded layer by layer. Deep crimson silk shimmered beneath the morning light like liquid fire. Gold embroidery spread across the fabric in intricate patterns of blooming flowers, ancient imperial motifs, and soaring phoenixes whose wings stretched elegantly along the flowing sleeves and sweeping outer robes. Every stitch gleamed with exquisite craftsmanship, the sleeves draped gracefully like cascading clouds. The outer veil flowed behind her in long translucent layers embroidered with delicate golden thread that caught the sunlight whenever it moved. As Ying adjusted the final fold of the robe and Mei Yi straightened the trailing layers behind her—the chamber fell silent. The preparation had finally completed, for a brief moment, no one spoke. Then—Shayue slowly rose from her seat. The golden tassels of her crown swayed softly, crimson silk settled around her like flowing water, the phoenixes embroidered upon her robes seemed almost alive beneath the light. Mei Yi's eyes widened seeing Shayue. Ying's usually composed expression but now seeing her Highness this beautiful, her expression couldn't control the softening expression on her eyes. They were left speechless by her beauty, Shayue had a beauty that no one in the empire had like hers. She was like a phoenix born beneath the heavens- radiant yet untouchable, elegant yet powerful. Countless beauties existed in the empire but none of them were beautiful compared to Yu Shayue. She was no longer merely the Crown Princess of Fengyu, she already looked more like the future Crown Princess of Longlin empire.
Shayue turned towards Mei Yi and Ying, a quiet yet elegant smile appeared on her lips, simply calm, but beneath that calm smile rested undeniable dignity. Shayue asked them softly, "Are you both going to continue staring at me without saying a word? Aren't you both going to say anything?" Mei Yi finally recovered first, her eyes shining. "Your Highness!" She dramatically pressed her hand against her chest, than she clasped her hands together, bouncing slightly on her heels. "If the Crown Prince still fails to appear after seeing this, then I fear he may truly be blind, or his heart has stopped beating entirely!"
To Be Continued....