Chu Ruoyin's steps faltered as she quickened her pace, only for Murong Jin to circle around and block her path.
Chu Huaishan sighed. "Why must Prince Qin insist on this?" Truthfully, had the Feng family's daughter not interfered, he would have been quite satisfied with this marriage. Now, it seemed fate had played a cruel trick.
Murong Jin ignored him, his gaze fixed deeply on her. "Ruoyin, I wronged you in the past, but now—"
"Now you still won’t let go? Is this the dignity of Prince Qin?" A refined male voice, laced with anger, cut in.
Chu Ruoyin turned in surprise to see Jiang Huaian stepping forward, shielding her.
Murong Jin narrowed his eyes. "This lord is speaking with Miss Chu. What concern is it of yours?"
Jiang Huaian scoffed. "In the past, it wouldn’t have been. But have you forgotten, Your Highness? The Empress Dowager’s decree has been issued. You and she are no longer betrothed, which makes you an unrelated man. For the sake of my cousin Ruoyin’s reputation, I advise you to exercise restraint!"
Every word struck like a dagger to his heart.
A flash of fury crossed Murong Jin’s face, but Chu Ruoyin suddenly spoke. "Cousin Huaian, let him speak."
Jiang Huaian frowned as she added softly, "After today, we won’t meet again. If Prince Qin has anything to say, let him say it all now."
Her tone was calm, devoid of joy or sorrow, yet the man felt his heart twist violently.
They had once shared songs, composed poetry, and exchanged verses…
They should never have ended like this.
The pain in his chest nearly robbed him of speech. With great effort, he managed, "Ruoyin, I’ve failed you deeply. Words now are too late, but there’s one thing I hope you’ll accept."
He drew an object from his robes, and Chu Ruoyin froze at the sight.
A token.
On its back was engraved the character "Qin"—the insignia of Prince Qin's Mansion.
"You’re a woman alone, and after all that’s happened, life may not be easy. This token is my personal possession. To see it is to see me. If you ever face hardship, it may aid you."
"I don’t—"
"Take it." Murong Jin cut her off. "I know you wish to sever ties with me. Accept this, and I swear I’ll never appear before you again."
Chu Ruoyin lowered her gaze and snatched it from his hand.
In that moment, it felt as though a piece of the man’s heart had been carved out—raw and agonizing.
But he was a prince. No matter what, he clung to his dignity. "Good… good…" He forced a bitter laugh, then glanced at Jiang Huaian, who watched her intently, and added sternly, "A merchant’s standing is precarious. If you truly care for her, earn a scholarly rank instead."
Darkness flickered in Jiang Huaian’s eyes.
Before he could retort, Changhua awkwardly interjected, "Y-Your Highness, over there—"
Murong Jin turned. Feng Ying’s carriage waited not far away.
Steeling himself, he nodded to Yan Zheng and the others. "Farewell."
With that, he strode toward the carriage. A clatter sounded—Chu Ruoyin had dropped the token.
"My lady, the token—"
Her maid moved to pick it up, but Chu Ruoyin stopped her. "Leave it."
The past was dead. It was time she buried her hopes too.
"Enough, enough. It’s over. Husband, let’s burn mugwort to cleanse the ill fortune when we return. The new year approaches—we mustn’t greet it with sorrow!" Lady Jiang the Younger forced a smile, trying to lighten the mood.
Chu Huaishan, heart aching, agreed. "Yes, let’s go home. Ruoyin, come with your father."
Tears welled in Chu Ruoyin’s eyes, spilling uncontrollably.
Chu Huaishan flustered, but Chu Ruoyan intervened. "Father, Aunt, my sister and I haven’t spoken in ages. Let us share some words alone."
She glanced at Yan Zheng, who smoothly added, "Father-in-law, I’ve some official matters to discuss. Would you join me in my carriage?"
Thus, Chu Huaishan left with Yan Zheng, while Lady Jiang the Younger and Jiang Huaian boarded one carriage, and the Chu sisters another.
Once inside, Chu Ruoyin broke into sobs. "Elder Sister… Elder Sister!"
Chu Ruoyan held her tightly. "I knew you weren’t as unaffected as you seemed. Cry if you need to."
The younger girl wept bitterly. "How could I not care? I loved him so deeply—I would have lived or died for him! But… I was afraid!"
"I gave him so many chances—at the Qujiang Banquet, in Prince Qin's Mansion, even just now in the hall. Just once, if he’d stopped mentioning Feng Ying, I’d have stayed with him. But he never did. Not once!"
"Elder Sister, I’ve given up. Truly… I could never compete with Feng Ying. They’re childhood sweethearts, bound by fate. The moment she beckons, he’d abandon me for her without hesitation. I… I couldn’t bear it anymore."
Chu Ruoyan held her, at a loss for words.
Ruoyin had always lacked security. Murong Jin was the first to give it to her—and the first to take it away.
Losing what one once had was far worse than never having it at all.
"...Since you’ve chosen, don’t look back. Move forward." Chu Ruoyan finally cupped her sister’s face. "Time heals all wounds. We’ll endure this together."
Chu Ruoyin stared, then nodded firmly. "Yes!"
At Duke of Chu's Mansion, Lady Jiang the Younger wished to host dinner, but Chu Huaishan, citing the Grand Secretary’s busy schedule, let the young couple depart.
In their carriage, Yan Zheng massaged his wife’s temples as she leaned against him. "Did it help?"
Chu Ruoyan exhaled. "She cried it out. She’ll be better. But really, what was Prince Qin thinking? If his heart belongs to his childhood love, why cling to Ruoyin out of obligation? Now neither is satisfied."
Yan Zheng replied coolly, "Who can say where his true feelings lie?"
Chu Ruoyan blinked, recalling recent events, and laughed. "Truly. A prince of such stature, yet so blind to his own heart."
Yan Zheng smiled faintly. Politics aside, Murong Jin was rare among royals—a man of both civil and military prowess. Pity he was so muddled in matters of love.
Had he not feared Murong Jin might be swayed by Feng Ying to disrupt the court, he’d not have used the censors to sever the engagement...
"Speaking of the Feng family—"
"Don’t worry, A'Yan. I’ve sent Meng Yang to gather evidence of Feng Ping’s past crimes. It’ll take time, given how long ago it was. And Qiao Dali’s wife—she was sold to a brothel, then trafficked to Suzhou. She likely won’t return until after the new year."
Chu Ruoyan nodded. "With proof in hand, even if Feng Ping invokes his hereditary immunity, the Emperor may not indulge him again."
After all, leniency had its limits—especially when the privilege came from the Late Emperor, not the current sovereign.
"Exactly. Let the Feng family linger a while longer—let them bury their matriarch first."
Chu Ruoyan murmured agreement, then added absently, "At least we’ll have a peaceful new year..."
The words slipped out. Yan Zheng stiffened; she realized her mistake too late.
