Chapter XV - The Night Before the Wedding
The capital woke beneath crimson.
By dawn, every street leading toward Prince Rui's estate had been draped in silk banners and lanterns bearing silver wolf insignias intertwined with imperial dragons.
Tomorrow was the wedding.
The entire empire seemed to know it.
Even the snowfall from previous nights had softened, leaving the city wrapped in pale winter light while servants rushed endlessly between noble estates carrying gifts, invitations, and ceremonial items.
Inside Shen Manor, absolute chaos reigned.
"Careful with the phoenix crown!"
"No-those pearls belong with the inner ceremonial robes!"
"The palace eunuchs are here again!"
Qingyu looked one breath away from collapse as maids surrounded Shen Li with layers of wedding preparations.
Meanwhile Shen Li herself sat quietly before the bronze mirror while attendants adjusted gold hair ornaments one by one.
Tomorrow.
The word still felt unreal.
Not because she feared marriage anymore.
But because somewhere along the way-
Prince Rui had stopped feeling like a political decree.
And started feeling dangerously personal.
A maid suddenly sighed dreamily while arranging silk sleeves. "His Highness truly treasures Miss."
Another maid nodded immediately. "The entire capital envies our future Princess Rui now."
Qingyu crossed her arms proudly. "As they should."
Shen Li tried ignoring the heat creeping toward her ears.
Unfortunately, the teasing only worsened after another delivery arrived from Prince Rui's estate.
"This time what is it?" Qingyu asked suspiciously.
The servant bowed quickly. "A wedding lantern personally commissioned by His Highness."
Moments later, servants carried in an exquisite lantern carved from white jade and silver silk.
Plum blossoms decorated every edge.
When lit, soft golden light shone through the carved petals like moonlight through snow.
A small note accompanied it.
"The palace lanterns are too bright.
This one is gentler on the eyes."
Shen Li stared at the note quietly.
Again.
Always these tiny details.
He noticed things no one else ever did.
Qingyu looked seconds away from tears. "Miss... this servant truly believes His Highness is completely devoted already."
Shen Li lowered her gaze toward the lantern light silently.
Because perhaps-
perhaps she was beginning to believe it too.
-
Unfortunately, not everyone welcomed tomorrow peacefully.
Elsewhere within the capital, Lady Xu shattered a teacup violently across the floor.
"You failed."
The kneeling palace maid trembled. "This servant deserves death!"
Lady Xu's expression twisted with fury. "Prince Rui increased security around Shen Li after one failed attempt? Useless!"
The maid lowered herself further. "Prince Rui's guards are impossible to approach now."
Of course they were.
The failed assassination only made Prince Rui more dangerous.
And worse-
the entire capital now praised his devotion toward Shen Li endlessly.
Lady Xu's nails dug sharply into her palms.
She had spent years believing she would eventually enter Prince Rui's estate.
Years.
Yet Shen Li appeared suddenly and stole everything.
Not only the marriage.
But Prince Rui's attention.
His protection.
Perhaps even his heart.
The thought burned unbearably.
Meanwhile, hidden deeper within the palace-
Consort Xu listened quietly while another servant reported the previous night's events.
"...Prince Rui personally fought the assassins."
"And Shen Li?"
"Unharmed."
Consort Xu closed her eyes slowly.
Then finally murmured: "So he truly values her."
That complicated matters greatly.
Because a political marriage could be broken.
But a prince emotionally attached?
Far more dangerous.
The older woman opened her eyes again. "Prepare another plan."
-
Back at Shen Manor, evening settled softly beneath lantern light.
Tomorrow's wedding robes had already been laid carefully across Shen Li's chambers like flowing crimson rivers.
The sight alone stole breath.
For several quiet moments, Shen Li simply stood before them alone after dismissing the maids.
Tomorrow she would leave this home forever.
A strange ache touched her chest unexpectedly.
Then footsteps approached softly behind her.
"Miss."
Qingyu entered carrying warm tea before pausing beside the robes.
For once, even she became emotional.
"Our Miss is truly getting married."
Shen Li smiled faintly. "Yes."
Qingyu sniffed dramatically. "If Young Master Liang sees this tomorrow, he may die from regret."
At the mention of Liang Wenxuan, silence briefly returned.
Because despite everything-
tomorrow would hurt him too.
Just then, another servant hurried into the room.
"Miss! There is someone outside requesting audience."
"At this hour?"
The servant looked hesitant. "...Young Master Liang."
Qingyu immediately looked furious. "He still dares come?"
Shen Li remained quiet for a moment.
Then finally: "I will see him once."
One final time.
Properly.
-
Liang Wenxuan waited beneath the outer courtyard pavilion where snow melted softly beneath lantern warmth.
Unlike before, he had not been drinking tonight.
Perhaps because tomorrow was the wedding.
Perhaps because reality had finally become unavoidable.
The moment Shen Li appeared, his expression changed painfully.
Because she looked beautiful already.
Not in wedding robes yet.
Yet somehow calmer. Softer. More luminous.
Like someone finally beginning to bloom after surviving endless winters.
And Prince Rui was the reason.
The realization hurt more each time.
"You came," Liang Wenxuan said quietly.
"You asked to see me."
Snow drifted between them silently.
For a long moment, neither spoke.
Then Liang Wenxuan finally laughed bitterly. "Tomorrow you'll marry him."
"Yes."
Simple. Gentle. Final.
His chest tightened violently.
"Shen Li..." He looked at her carefully. "Have you truly never regretted meeting me?"
The question surprised her slightly.
Regret?
Shen Li lowered her gaze thoughtfully.
Then answered honestly:
"No."
Liang Wenxuan froze.
Shen Li continued softly:
"Because loving someone sincerely is not shameful."
"Even if the ending hurts."
The words nearly destroyed him.
Because she still refused to hate him completely.
And somehow that kindness hurt more than anger ever could.
Liang Wenxuan looked down slowly, snow gathering across his dark sleeves.
"I thought you would always wait for me."
There it was.
The truth.
Not love. Not certainty.
Habit.
He believed Shen Li would remain forever no matter how carelessly he treated her.
Shen Li's expression softened sadly. "But I was a person too."
The quiet sentence shattered something inside him completely.
For seven years-
he truly had forgotten that.
Forgotten she could become tired. Lonely. Heartbroken.
Forgotten she could leave.
And now another man held the place beside her that should have been his.
Liang Wenxuan suddenly laughed softly into the snow. "My uncle really won everything in the end."
Shen Li looked toward the falling snow beyond the courtyard.
Then answered gently:
"No."
"Your Highness simply cherished what you did not."
Silence followed.
Heavy. Final. Irreversible.
Liang Wenxuan closed his eyes briefly.
Then finally stepped aside slowly.
"...Go marry him tomorrow."
Not graceful. Not noble.
But sincere.
Perhaps for the first time in years.
Shen Li bowed slightly. "Take care, Young Master Liang."
Young Master Liang.
No affection remained now.
Only farewell.
As Shen Li turned to leave, Liang Wenxuan suddenly spoke one final time.
His voice sounded rough beneath the winter wind.
"Shen Li."
"I really did love you once."
She paused briefly.
Then answered without turning around:
"I know."
And somehow-
that answer hurt him most of all.