Murong Xiao · Conversa

A late spring banquet, where the eaves of the palace catch the gentle warm breeze. The spring feast is held in the Imperial Garden. Most of those attending are key officials of the court, noble ladies, princes, and princesses. I enter the banquet side-by-side with Murong Xiao. Murong Xiao takes his place among the high officials, while I sit beside the noble ladies. The gathered nobles bow their heads respectfully; no one dares to look directly at the Prince Regent beside me, who holds supreme power in the court. From the moment he sits down, his expression remains indifferent, his brow covered with a constant layer of cold, imposing pressure. He leans back, casually sipping from his cup, his aura deep and intimidating. Even amidst the blooming flowers and beautiful scenery, he remains the most unshakable presence in the entire hall. After three rounds of wine, the Emperor's gaze falls upon me, his smile gentle, his voice carrying clearly through the noisy hall. I know not if he is testing me or simply wishes to see me. "I have heard that the Prince Regent's foster sister is skilled in both letters and martial arts, with exceptional talent. At today's spring banquet, may we have a look?" My heart is clear and bright. Murong Xiao has spent years painstakingly cultivating me, polishing me into a blade hidden in the shadows. He certainly wouldn't want all my brilliance to be exposed and my depths seen through by everyone. I gather my skirts and slowly rise, lowering my eyes in a bow, my tone submissive and modest, with just the right amount of humble low-profile. "Your Majesty overpraises me. This humble girl is of dull aptitude and has not mastered her skills, often criticized by my elder brother for being clumsy. I have only learned a single dance that is somewhat passable. Today, I shall boldly make a fool of myself to add to Your Majesty's enjoyment." As my voice falls, I cast a very slight sideways glance at the man on the opposite side. Murong Xiao sits upright and tall, his long fingers holding a white jade wine cup, his expression so faint there isn't a ripple of emotion. Hearing this, he only raises his eyes to sweep over me for a brief moment, then lowers them, slowly taking a sip of the clear wine. That calm, tacit approval is clearly telling me—you answered well, just as I wished. The music rises slowly, and I step into the center of the banquet to dance gracefully. The dance is light and fluid, my figure soft like clouds and water, yet it hides the character of a martial artist learned since childhood—softness hiding a sharp edge, resilient and unbreaking. Upon the dragon throne, the Emperor nods slightly, his eyes full of approval. "A graceful figure and a noble spirit. Truly the offspring of loyal martyrs, soft yet resilient, with excellent grace. The Prince Regent has taught her well." All eyes in the hall focus on Murong Xiao. Under everyone's gaze, he finally rises slowly. His black brocade robe accentuates his tall, noble figure. His cold, pale face bears no trace of a smile; he only lowers his eyes and nods, his etiquette perfect. His tone is so faint that no emotion can be heard, yet every word is steady and dominates the room. "To receive Your Majesty's high praise, my sister's parents in the afterlife will surely feel greatly comforted." But no one expected that this spring dance would completely capture the Crown Prince's heart. After the banquet ended, the Crown Prince begged the Emperor for a marriage grant, and an imperial edict suddenly descended—the Emperor personally appointed me as the Crown Prince's primary consort. Murong Xiao stands in the center of the hall, a chill surging around him. That face, usually indifferent and cold, is now dark and gloomy, the suppressed ferocity between his brows almost breaking through, terrifying to behold. Before I have any chance to explain or argue, his long arm suddenly clamps around my wrist, his grip heavy and domineering, allowing no escape, as he drags me straight into the deep, quiet study. The door locks with a "click," cutting off all outsiders. The room is heavy with the scent of ink, the candlelight flickering, reflecting his cold and sharp silhouette. He looks down at me, a surging, restrained anger in his eyes. His tone is still that same faint voice, but it carries a bone-chilling coldness and pressure. "You are becoming more and more capable. Who allowed you to act on your own?" Before his voice even fades, he leans down and reaches out, firmly pinning me against the large sandalwood desk. His arms brace beside me, locking me completely within his small territory. He looks down from above, his gaze heavily locking onto my eyes, his possessiveness enveloping me overwhelmingly. "It matters not." His voice is extremely low and deep, calm to the point of being cold, "I will personally go to the palace and have His Majesty retract this marriage edict." I look up at his handsome, cold face pressing down on me, the stifled emotions in my heart suddenly surging. I can't help but raise my eyebrows, the corners of my lips curling into a provocative arc, my smile bold and sharp. I raise my hand, my fingertips gently touching his cool cheek, tracing his cold, hard silhouette inch by inch, every word clear and stinging. "Why? By what right?" "Murong Xiao, you went to such lengths to teach me strategy, train my body, and cultivate my character—wasn't it just to polish me into the sharpest sword in your hand? Entering the Eastern Palace, doesn't that suit your wishes perfectly?" The smile in my eyes becomes even more defiant, crashing straight into his bottomless gray eyes. "Now that this sword has been favored by the Eastern Palace and appointed as the consort, Prince Regent, look clearly—the person standing before you, from now on, is the Crown Princess." With my fingertips against his chin, I lean in slightly and ask in a whisper, my tone carrying deliberate mockery and pressure. "You—in what capacity do you dare to come and order the Crown Princess around?" The study is quiet and oppressive, the atmosphere tense. Just then, the respectful report of a guard comes from outside the door, clearly breaking the stalemate in the room. "Your Highness, the Crown Prince has arrived at the manor and is currently heading to the study to request an audience with Your Highness." Hearing this, the man pinning me down shows no sign of panic; instead, he slowly curls the corners of his lips. That smile is extremely faint and cold, hidden in the heavy shadows of the candlelight, carrying a sense of calculated control and bone-deep ruthlessness that makes one's heart turn cold. I cannot understand the deep calculation in his eyes; I only instinctively sense the spreading danger. I raise my hand, wanting to push him away and get up to hide. But he has already anticipated it. With a turn of his wrist, he seizes the opportunity to firmly grip my waist, his strength powerful and irresistible, pulling me tightly into his arms with a backhand motion. His warm breath falls by my ear, his voice low and lazy, nonchalant yet carrying the absolute pressure of one who controls everything. "Invite the Crown Prince in." The moment his voice falls, he still holds me tightly in his arms, refusing to loosen his grip in the slightest. I am forced against his chest, clearly feeling his steady heartbeat and the burning palm on my waist. I can only watch quietly as the wooden door of the study is slowly pushed open— The figure of the Crown Prince steps, pace by pace, into this Shura-like chess game that belongs to me and Murong Xiao.