Yingqu Liuzi was pampered by her wealthy daddy.

(Because it's an if statement, it's not very rigorous.)

Winter Solstice Palace Banquet in the Capital of the Great Yan Kingdom.

Envoys from various Western Regions states sat on either side, while the Emperor of Great Yan sat in the central seat.

The sounds of string and wind instruments flowed through the main hall, and dancers twirled in the candlelight.

Xize sat at the head of the envoys. He was the emperor of Dayong, twenty-six years old, and his appearance was different from that of people from the Central Plains. He had high brow bones, deep-set eyes, and his gray-blue eyes appeared lighter in the candlelight.

He wore a dark robe in the style of the Western Regions, with gold patterns embroidered on the cuffs. It was narrower than the robes of the Central Plains, highlighting his broad shoulders. He held a silver cup, his fingers long and with distinct knuckles.

No official in the Great Yan dared to look at him too much.

Everyone knew that the Great Yong was the strongest nation in the world, its iron cavalry sweeping across the Western Regions, unstoppable. Xize sat there, his gaze slowly sweeping across the hall, expressionless.

The music changed. His gaze settled on someone sitting next to the head of the table.

A young man in a moon-white brocade robe sat beside the emperor, his eyes lowered, his figure slender. The collar was embroidered with cloud patterns in silver thread, which made his skin appear even whiter.

The candlelight shone from the side, illuminating his quiet and clean profile. Xize stared at him for a few moments without looking away.

Halfway through the banquet, Xize rose and walked out of the main hall. The wind in the corridor was colder than inside the hall, causing it to flutter his sleeves.

He stood on the stone steps, and heard footsteps behind him.

He turned his head and saw the young man in the moon-white brocade robe standing a few steps away, holding a tray with a pot of wine on it, his head bowed.

"Shen Yu'an, the Ninth Prince of Great Yan, has been ordered by my father to serve His Majesty wine."

Xize looked at him. The boy didn't look up, his eyelashes drooping, his fingers gripping the edge of the tray.

Xize took a step towards him and handed him the empty glass. Shen Yu'an stepped forward and filled it with wine, his movements steady and without spilling a drop.

He put down the wine jug, raised his eyes, and met Xize's gaze. Those eyes were bright and clear.

"How old are you?"

"Your Majesty, I just turned seventeen this year."

Xize looked at him. The boy's face looked younger than seventeen, and his wrist bone peeked out from under his sleeve, thin and seemingly about to break.

He finished his drink, placed the empty glass back on the tray, and paused for a moment as his fingertips touched the bottom of the glass.

"It's cold outside, you should come inside."

Shen Yu'an nodded, turned around and left.

Xize stood under the corridor watching his moon-white figure disappear into the palace gate, without immediately following him inside.

That night, Nishizawa returned to the hotel and did not sleep.

He sat under the lamp and wrote a letter of state, saying that he was willing to offer three cities in the Western Regions as a dowry to marry Shen Yu'an, the ninth prince of the Great Yan.

The imperial seal was affixed, and the item was sent to the Emperor of Great Yan's study.

When the news spread, the entire court was shocked. Three cities in exchange for a prince—such a thing had never happened before.

The Emperor of Great Yan summoned Shen Yu'an to the Imperial Study, placed the scroll of state documents on the table, and asked him if he had seen it. Shen Yu'an stood there, looking at the cinnabar seal on the edge of the silk, and said he had seen it.

"He'd trade three cities for you, would you be willing?"

Shen Yu'an remained silent for a moment, then said he was willing.

In early spring, Shen Yu'an set off westward.

The caravan traveled for nearly a month, crossing plains and deserts, and finally arrived at the capital city of Dayong.

A procession stood outside the city gate. Shen Yu'an lifted the carriage curtain and saw a figure in black standing at the foot of the city wall in the distance. He was very tall, a head taller than the others, and was looking in the direction of the convoy.

The carriage stopped.

Xize walked through the ceremonial procession to the front of the carriage and reached out to lift the curtain. He stood outside the carriage, looking down into it.

Shen Yu'an sat in the car and looked up at him. The two looked at each other from a step apart.

Xize stretched out his hand, palm up, and stopped in front of Shen Yu'an. Shen Yu'an looked at the hand, then placed his hand on it.

Xize closed his fingers, grasped his hand, and gently tightened his grip.

His thumb and forefinger were pressed against the base of Shen Yu'an's fingers. His fingers were a whole knuckle longer than Shen Yu'an's, and holding them felt like wrapping something fragile.

"Get down."

Shen Yu'an stepped out of the carriage, but Xize's hand did not let go when her feet touched the ground.

The two stood in the wind outside the city gate. Xize looked down at him, and Shen Yu'an looked up at him. Their hands were clasped together and did not separate.

The city gates of Dayong slowly opened behind us, and the road led deep into the palace.

Xize led him inside, his steps neither fast nor slow. Shen Yu'an followed beside him, his moon-white brocade robe fluttering in the wind before falling back down.

Those hands were completely enveloped in Xize's palms, the fingertips were not visible, but you could feel his thumb gently rubbing against the back of his fingers, as if it was a habitual action, or as if he was confirming that the hand he was holding was really there.

When Shen Yu'an followed Xize into the palace gate, it was already almost dark.

Lanterns lined both sides of the palace path, their flames flickering gently in the wind, casting long shadows of the two men. Xize led him by the hand through the three palace gates, stopping in front of a side hall.

"You'll stay here tonight." Xize released his hand and pushed open the palace door. The palace had been cleaned up; tea and snacks were laid out on the table, and new bedding was laid out on the bed.

Shen Yu'an stood at the doorway and glanced inside, then turned to Xize: "Where does His Majesty reside?"

"The main hall. It's next to yours."

Shen Yu'an nodded. Xize stood at the door without going in, glancing at him for two seconds: "A palace maid will come to take your measurements tomorrow. The formal attire needs to be made quickly."

"good."

Xize turned and left. Shen Yu'an stood at the palace entrance, watching his figure disappear at the end of the corridor, then entered the palace and closed the door.

The hall was quiet. He sat on the edge of the bed and touched the bedding. It was new, the fabric was soft, and it was folded neatly.

The next day, palace maids arrived, carrying a tray and a measuring tape. Shen Yu'an stood while they measured her shoulder width and waist.

After taking the measurements, the head palace attendant said that the ceremonial robes would be made as soon as possible for the coronation ceremony. Shen Yu'an asked which day it was, and the attendant replied, "Five days from now."

Shen Yu'an did not see Xize for the next five days.

He spent his days in the side hall, occasionally taking a stroll in the corridor outside. Palace servants brought him meals on time, and the food was more lavish than what he ate in the Great Yan Palace.

He once asked a palace servant if he could go to the Imperial Garden, and the servant said he had to ask His Majesty first. A while later, the servant returned and said that His Majesty had given his permission.

Shen Yu'an went to the Imperial Garden by himself, walked around for a while, and then came back.

On the evening of the fifth day, a palace servant came to inform them that they should get up at 3:00 AM the next day to prepare. Shen Yu'an washed up and went to bed early, but didn't sleep well, his mind tossing and turning over the ceremony the next day.

Before dawn, at the hour of Yin (3-5 AM), a palace servant came to call him.

Shen Yu'an was helped to wash up and change. The deep red dress was heavier than when she tried it on, with dense gold thread embroidered on the cuffs and collar, and the waist belt was tightly cinched.

He stared at the bronze mirror for a long time. The person in the mirror was wearing a red formal suit and a heavy crown, and looked completely different from five days ago.

The palace maid straightened his clothes, checked them one last time, and then stepped aside.

"Your Majesty, the auspicious hour has arrived."

When Shen Yu'an walked out of the side hall, the first rays of light were just breaking through the sky.

He walked a long way along the corridor, his boots clicking on the stone pavement. It was quiet all around, with only the sound of his own footsteps.

At the end of the corridor was the plaza in front of the main hall, lined with officials on both sides. All eyes turned to him the moment he appeared. He paused for a moment, then continued walking forward.

A long, deep red carpet was laid in the center of the square, leading to the stone steps of the main hall.

Xize stood at the top of the stone steps, dressed in a dark suit, more formal than his usual attire, with gold ornaments adorning his shoulders and cuffs.

He looked in Shen Yu'an's direction, didn't move, and just stood there waiting for him to walk over.

Shen Yu'an paused for a moment when she stepped onto the red carpet.

There were many people on both sides, all eyes were on him, and no one spoke. He looked down at the red carpet beneath his feet and walked forward step by step.

The road was longer than he had imagined. He took each step firmly, maintaining a rhythm he could control without being disrupted.

He stopped at the bottom of the stone steps.

A master of ceremonies was chanting something loudly nearby, but Shen Yu'an didn't listen carefully. He was looking through the beaded crown at the dark figure at the top of the stone steps.

Xize walked down the stone steps, stood in front of him, and extended his hand. Shen Yu'an placed his hand on Xize's, and Xize took it, leading him around and step by step up the stone steps.

Only then did some sounds emerge in the square—low murmurs, the rustling of clothes, and someone clearing their throat before falling silent again.

Shen Yu'an stood next to Xize and could feel the warmth of his palm, dry and steady.

As they ascended the last step, the master of ceremonies' voice rang out again, louder than before, penetrating the entire square with a calm yet powerful tone, as if announcing something that had been predetermined long ago.

Shen Yu'an stood beside Xize and felt the hand holding him tighten slightly, then loosen after a moment, as if fulfilling a silent promise.

The ceremony lasted for nearly an hour.

The investiture, the bestowal of seals, and the court officials' congratulations were all carried out in an orderly manner.

Shen Yu'an stood beside Xize, holding the golden book and the seal. His arms were a little sore, but he didn't let anyone take them from him.

Xize whispered to him, "Hang in there a little longer, it'll be over soon." Shen Yu'an nodded.

As the ceremony concluded, music filled the square. Xize turned to face him, reached out and slightly adjusted the heavy crown on his head, his fingertips touching his forehead before withdrawing.

"You won't need to live in the side hall anymore."

Shen Yu'an, holding the golden book, looked at him and asked, "Then where will I stay?"

"The main hall. Come with me."

Shen Yu'an didn't say anything and followed him down the stone steps.

The officials in the square were still bowing. They walked through the crowd back to the corridor, with Xize walking beside him, taking smaller steps than usual.

The main hall door was open. When Shen Yu'an walked in, he found that the layout of the hall was different from five days ago. There was a new screen with a pattern of a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix embroidered on it.

On the table were two cups of nuptial wine, made of jade, and next to them was a wooden plate containing grains and a few red dates and peanuts.

He paused when he saw the wooden plate. Such things existed in the wedding customs of the Great Yan Dynasty. He hadn't expected them to appear in the ceremonies of the Great Yong Dynasty.

"Who prepared this?" He turned to look at Caesar.

"I sent someone to inquire about it," Xize said, standing by the table. "It's about the wedding customs of the Great Yan."

Shen Yu'an looked down at the grains and dried fruit on the wooden plate without saying a word.

Xize picked up one of the jade cups and handed it to him. Shen Yu'an took it, and the two of them crossed their arms above the table. The nuptial wine was not strong, but had a slightly sweet taste.

After Shen Yu'an finished drinking, he put the empty cup back on the table, and the bottom of the cup made a crisp, light sound as it touched the tabletop.

"Do you know what else is required for a wedding in the Great Yan Dynasty?"

"Step over the fire basin."

Shen Yu'an looked at him: "Does Your Majesty intend to cross the threshold?"

Xize paused for a moment, then said, "There's no brazier in the hall."

"Then I'll make it up next time."

Xize glanced at him but didn't reply. He picked up the two empty cups and put them aside, then turned and walked behind the screen.

Shen Yu'an followed him around the screen. The bed in the inner room was a whole size larger than that in the side hall. The dark bedding was laid out very smoothly, and there were two pillows placed side by side with very close spacing.

Xize sat down on the edge of the bed and looked up at him.

Shen Yu'an stood by the screen, still holding the seal in his hand.

Xize reached out his hand to him, palm up. Shen Yu'an walked over and placed the seal in his palm. Xize put it on the small table by the bedside and then patted the spot next to him.

"Sit down."

Shen Yu'an sat down next to him, with half an arm's length between them.

The lights in the hall were still on, and the candlelight cast the shadows of the two people on the opposite wall. Shen Yu'an looked down at her hands, the fingertips still tinged with the sweetness of the nuptial wine.

"Your Majesty, what am I to do tomorrow?"

"What do you want to do?"

Shen Yu'an thought for a moment: "I want to go see the Imperial Garden."

"Then let's go tomorrow."

"Your Majesty, come with me."

Xize tilted his head and looked at him: "You talked a lot about His Majesty today."

"What should it be called?"

Xize looked at him, paused for a moment, and then said, "You can call me whatever you want."

Shen Yu'an looked at him, and neither of them moved.

After a while, Shen Yu'an turned his head to look at the shadows on the wall in front of him. The outlines cast by the candlelight were quietly reflected there, sitting side by side.

He placed his hands on his knees and felt the person next to him also place their hands on their knees. Their hands were a short distance apart, not touching, but very close.