Hearts Of The Divided Sky
°•Spring•°
{Qinghui} Yue Lan
tell me..*catching up breath* is it really all necessary..?
{Jingxuan} Xuan Ji
*walking up ahead* you think it's not..? *turns to her*
{Qinghui} Yue Lan
*lifts her snow covered eyelids* hah..look at your face *scoffs* we are barely alive here
{Jingxuan} Xuan Ji
*smirks* yeah how are you still alive *speaks with trembling lips*
{Qinghui} Yue Lan
I swear..when I catch that damn prince..hah..
{Jingxuan} Xuan Ji
Aren't you going to mind your language here? *looks at her*
{Qinghui} Yue Lan
aren't we the only ones here..? *smile*
{Jingxuan} Xuan Ji
Hmm..we can't waste our time here *starts walking again*
{Qinghui} Yue Lan
Yeah..yeah..*goes behind her*
{Huorong} Yan Shu
have they reached the river?
Zhiheng Si Yuan
*while kneeling* yes Wángyé, all of them have reached the river safely
{Huorong} Yan Shu
*stands and walks towards him* I hope there won't be any causality anymore
Zhiheng Si Yuan
*looks down* never
{Huorong} Yan Shu
*walks past him* call Hanchen Shuang Lin, we will also leave shortly
Zhiheng Si Yuan
Yes Wángyé *leaves after him*
{Huaruo} Zhi Ruo
*standing near the window* what do you both think?
(Huangchen} Yang Lei
*standing near the door* About what Gōngzhǔ?
{Huaruo} Zhi Ruo
The two of them will they able to do it?
{Mingchen}Guang Yu
Certainly there's no doubt..
{Huaruo} Zhi Ruo
Hah..*sighs* I can't accept anymore mistakes
(Huangchen} Yang Lei
You should have faith in our people like the Tàizǐ Diànxià
{Huaruo} Zhi Ruo
I'm trying to.. it's just these past few months everything has gone wrong for us
{Mingchen}Guang Yu
Not anymore
(Huangchen} Yang Lei
Yes..and we are here to inform that we are also leaving with Tàizǐ now
{Mingchen}Guang Yu
for your safety Feng Zhi have arranged everything *kneels* we will leave now
(Huangchen} Yang Lei
*kneels along with him*
{Huaruo} Zhi Ruo
Yes you may..
{Huaruo} Zhi Ruo
*starts thinking to herself*
{Huaruo} Zhi Ruo
how did things came to all of this?
{Huaruo} Zhi Ruo
When will the spring come again in our empire..
°•Marriage•°
author
let's introduce our characters now
author
The letters in last are the first letters of the characters original names
Name- Yue Lan
Courtesy Name- Qinghui
Age-24
Relationship Status- Fiancee of Yang Lei
Grand Tutor (Tàifù)
Role: Chief mentor and advisor to the emperor or crown prince.
Importance: Considered one of the "Three Dukes" (San Gong), the Grand Tutor had high influence in state affairs, especially during times of regency.
[W]
Name- Yang Lei
Courtesy name- Huangchen
Age-26
Relationship Status- Fiance of Yue Lan
Commander of the Imperial Guard (Yùlínjūn Tǒnglǐng)
Role: Head of the elite unit responsible for protecting the palace and the emperor.
Importance: Crucial for palace security and often involved in coups, succession, and protecting the inner court.
[As]
Name- Xuan Ji
Courtesy Name- Jingxuan
Age-25
Relationship Status- Fiancee of Guang Yu
Head of the Shadow Bureau (Yǐng Sī)
Role: Director of intelligence, covert operations, and secret policing.
Importance: Operates in the shadows—spying, controlling information, and rooting out dissent.
[T]
Name- Guang Yu
Courtesy Name- Mingchen
Age-27
Relationship Status- Fiance of Guang Yu
General of the Northern Command (Běijìng Jiāngjūn)
Role: Military leader responsible for defending northern borders.
Importance: One of the empire’s top military commanders, often overseeing the largest standing armies.
[Xi]
Name- Zhi Ruo
Courtesy Name- Huaruo
Age-23
Relationship Status- Fiancee of Feng Zhi
Princess of Linhua (Zhǎng Gōngzhǔ)
Sister of emperor
Role: Royal bloodline; often politically married or serves as a patron of temples, charities, or diplomatic missions.
Importance: Can act as regent or advisor, especially in family disputes or succession crises.
[H]
Name- Feng Zhi
Courtesy Name- Piaoran
Age-27
Relationship Status- Fiance of Zhi ruo
Grand Chancellor (Chéngxiàng)
Role: The highest-ranking civil official, overseeing all ministries and state functions.
Importance: Equivalent to a Prime Minister. Often controls bureaucracy and administration.
[Se]
Name- Yan Shu
Courtesy Name- Huorong
Age- 27
Relationship Status- Fiance of Shuang Lin
Qinwang / Prince of the First Rank (Qīnwáng)
Role: Highest noble title under the emperor, often ruling a province or commanding a personal army.
Importance: A powerful royal with autonomy, often a contender for succession or power broker.
[Aa]
Name- Shuang Lin
Courtesy Name- Hanchen
Age-25
Relationship Status- Fiancee of Yan Shu
Commander of the Imperial Vanguard (Xiānfēng Dàjiāngjūn)
Role: Leads the forward assault troops in major military campaigns.
Importance: First into battle, highly respected by soldiers.
[M]
Name- Xin Yue
Courtesy Name- Huexin
Age-24
Relationship Status- married to Si Yuan
Heiress of the Iron Marquis (Tiěhóu Shìnǚ)
Role: Daughter and successor of a warlord-noble who commands a hereditary iron-armored cavalry force.
Importance: Represents an elite, ancient martial house with political clout.
[V]
Name- Si Yuan
Courtesy Name- Zhiheng
Age-26
Relationship Status- married to Xin Yue
War Marshal (Dàyuánshuài)
Role: Supreme military commander under the emperor.
Importance: Commands all imperial armies during wartime; final authority in strategy.
[D]
Name- Hai Ning
Courtesy Name- Chengxin
Age- 23
Relationship status- married to Lei Han
Imperial Seer (Tiānxiàng)
Role: Official diviner and spiritual advisor to the emperor.
Importance: Influential in court decisions through omens, astrology, and rituals.
[C]
Name- Lei Han
Courtesy Name- Leiming
Age-26
Relationship Status- Married to Hai Ning
Captain of the City Guard (Chéngfáng Tǒnglǐng)
Role: Oversees the capital’s safety, urban order, and enforcement.
Importance: Crucial for maintaining law and order, especially during internal unrest.
[S]
{Huaruo} Zhi Ruo
haah...*standing near the river*
{Huaruo} Zhi Ruo
Why is brother doing this to me..
{Huaruo} Zhi Ruo
I already said it clear and loud that I don't want to get married at the moment
{Huaruo} Zhi Ruo
Not now not in future
{Huaruo} Zhi Ruo
As if I'm only there for this politically arrange marriage
{Qinghui} Yue Lan
Why are you thinking like that..*comes there and kneels*
{Huaruo} Zhi Ruo
*nods* then? how should I think?
{Qinghui} Yue Lan
*stands behind her* maybe how about you also use this marriage for your own benefit?
{Huaruo} Zhi Ruo
As if I can, only Feng Zhi will is getting benefits
{Huaruo} Zhi Ruo
I don't understand why the emperor has arranged this marriage in the first place, what is he getting from this
{Qinghui} Yue Lan
The grand chancellor powers in his control
{Huaruo} Zhi Ruo
How? As if I can convince him to change his any decision
{Qinghui} Yue Lan
Why not?
{Huaruo} Zhi Ruo
This is a arrange marriage Yue Lan, there are no emotions involved *looks at her*
{Qinghui} Yue Lan
How can you be sure?
{Huaruo} Zhi Ruo
Because I don't have any and it doesn't matter to me if he has or not
{Qinghui} Yue Lan
Then maybe you can fake it
{Huaruo} Zhi Ruo
Like how everyone is faking it in the castle infront of their partners?
{Huaruo} Zhi Ruo
no I can't do that, that will be tiring
{Qinghui} Yue Lan
if you say so..
{Qinghui} Yue Lan
And yes the emperor is expecting you at tonight's dinner
{Qinghui} Yue Lan
*kneels* I will take my leave now
{Huaruo} Zhi Ruo
*sighs*..I don't want to go
{Jingxuan} Xuan Ji
So, why is emperor calling us so urgently?
(Huangchen} Yang Lei
maybe because in Gōngzhû's marriage ceremony, people from Xiyan Dynasty are also coming
{Jingxuan} Xuan Ji
*sighs* so there are going be sleepless nights
(Huangchen} Yang Lei
Hopefully they will not turn into full of murders night
{Jingxuan} Xuan Ji
who will be coming this time?
(Huangchen} Yang Lei
I don't know but it seems like they are sending their most influential people because
(Huangchen} Yang Lei
the emperor has even called Guang Yu from the Northern border with his best men
{Jingxuan} Xuan Ji
so that's basically like we have to keep guard in every corner the capital now
(Huangchen} Yang Lei
*nods* we can't afford any mistakes
{Jingxuan} Xuan Ji
Is Qīnwáng Huorong Yan Shu also coming?
(Huangchen} Yang Lei
I don't know..
{Qinghui} Yue Lan
Yes..*going in the same direction as them*
{Jingxuan} Xuan Ji
You're also called by the emperor?
{Qinghui} Yue Lan
*nods* I was instructed to pass message to Gōngzhû and after that called to court
{Jingxuan} Xuan Ji
So you have the idea who are coming
{Qinghui} Yue Lan
I only know about Qīnwáng and his fiancee
{Qinghui} Yue Lan
Piaoran Feng Zhi may know about everything else
(Huangchen} Yang Lei
*scoffs* Sometimes I think he is with them and consipiring against us
{Qinghui} Yue Lan
you should watch what you say around the castle walls
{Jingxuan} Xuan Ji
Exactly, you don't know who is with whom
(Huangchen} Yang Lei
At this rate, we can't trust each other also
{Qinghui} Yue Lan
I don't know about others, but there's no way I can trust you *walks up ahead after saying this*
{Jingxuan} Xuan Ji
Are you guys sure getting married?
(Huangchen} Yang Lei
for sure *follows her*
{Jingxuan} Xuan Ji
What's with them? Is that really a arrange marriage and why are they heading in opposite direction?
{Jingxuan} Xuan Ji
Whatever, I will go up ahead in court
°•Trust•°
{Hanchen} Shuang Lin
What do you think about going to Linhua Dynasty?
{Chengxin} Hai Ning
I think it's a opportunity for us
{Huorong} Yan Shu
Tell precisely, not on your thinking
{Chengxin} Hai Ning
Based on what I can feel right now, anything that happens there will always be in our favour
{Chengxin} Hai Ning
So if we have any plans then, it's going to work smoothly
{Hanchen} Shuang Lin
Everything is already decided anyway, we should go there
{Chengxin} Hai Ning
*nods* I agree it's a good opportunity for us also
{Huorong} Yan Shu
Yes you both can leave now
{Hanchen} Shuang Lin
*kneels*
{Chengxin} Hai Ning
*kneels*
(Huangchen} Yang Lei
Yue Lan wait right there
{Qinghui} Yue Lan
You're in no position to call my name
(Huangchen} Yang Lei
*goes near her* so are you
(Huangchen} Yang Lei
You cannot talk to me rudely like that infront of others
{Qinghui} Yue Lan
I just said the truth
(Huangchen} Yang Lei
*looks directly in the eyes as if giving warning* you better don't say anything like this in future infront of others
(Huangchen} Yang Lei
It will be better for you and for us
{Qinghui} Yue Lan
There's no way it will ever be us
(Huangchen} Yang Lei
We will see that
(Huangchen} Yang Lei
*holds her hand and takes her to court*
{Qinghui} Yue Lan
stop that, you can't just hold my hand
(Huangchen} Yang Lei
Yes I can you're my fiancee
{Qinghui} Yue Lan
as if I want to be
(Huangchen} Yang Lei
You don't have a choice do you?
{Hanchen} Shuang Lin
Xin Yue
{Hanchen} Shuang Lin
Is your father coming with us?
{Huexin} Xin Yue
No, because of his health he can't
{Huexin} Xin Yue
So I will be coming on his behalf if Qīnwáng is okay with that
{Hanchen} Shuang Lin
But, aren't you will be joining as war marshal's wife?
{Huexin} Xin Yue
No, I will join as heiress of Iron marquiss
{Hanchen} Shuang Lin
*nods* very well
{Hanchen} Shuang Lin
But, suddenly why did the marquiss fell ill? Wasn't he fine till yesterday?
{Huexin} Xin Yue
Why? Are doubting my intentions?
{Hanchen} Shuang Lin
No but there's always a room for suspicion
{Huexin} Xin Yue
Then rest assured, My loyalty is with Xiyan Dynasty till my death
{Huexin} Xin Yue
who Qīnwáng should really watch out for is you probably among us
{Hanchen} Shuang Lin
*scoffs* that's really a bold statement by you for me
{Huexin} Xin Yue
is it? I don't think so *smiles*
{Huexin} Xin Yue
Well now I will take my leave
{Hanchen} Shuang Lin
Hah..when will the day come when we all will live without suspecting eachother
Zhaoming [Emperor]
Has everyone gathered?
{Piaoran} Feng Zhi
yes everyone is here
Zhaoming [Emperor]
So, everyone is already aware that in Huaruo Zhi Ruo and Piaoran Feng Zhi's ceremony people from Xiyan Dynasty will come
Zhaoming [Emperor]
So for the following days I want everyone to be sharp with their guts and actions
Zhaoming [Emperor]
Not even a minor mistake can we afford
{Huaruo} Zhi Ruo
If we can't afford it then why are we calling them?
Zhaoming [Emperor]
Qinghui Yue Lan explain
{Qinghui} Yue Lan
*nods* that's because there's a high chance their imperial seer Chengxin Hai Ning
{Qinghui} Yue Lan
Will be attending your wedding ceremony with the Qīnwáng Huorong Yan Shu and his fiancee
{Huaruo} Zhi Ruo
So what's with her?
{Jingxuan} Xuan Ji
As much I know she gives advices and warnings solely based on her omens and rituals and everything apart from logic
{Qinghui} Yue Lan
Yes..unlike in our court we don't have anyone with such abilities
{Mingchen}Guang Yu
so you're saying if we don't have a person like that we are weak from them?
{Qinghui} Yue Lan
Not necessarily but, she does know when the things will be in their favour beforehand
{Qinghui} Yue Lan
and if not she can stop them
(Huangchen} Yang Lei
So what's the whole point exactly
{Piaoran} Feng Zhi
To observe her and study her and then use their plans against them
{Mingchen}Guang Yu
And how are we going to do that?
{Huaruo} Zhi Ruo
Again everyone
{Huaruo} Zhi Ruo
Be careful we can't trust anyone here blindly
Zhaoming [Emperor]
*nods* that's the end of discussion
Zhaoming [Emperor]
there will be no discussion on this topic until I call this meeting again
Everyone kneels and leaves the court
As everyone leaves Xuan Ji takes Yue Lan in a secluded corner
{Jingxuan} Xuan Ji
So? What was the point in all of that?
{Qinghui} Yue Lan
What do you mean?
{Jingxuan} Xuan Ji
tell honestly
{Jingxuan} Xuan Ji
That is not the real reason to call them here right?
{Qinghui} Yue Lan
I don't know what you're saying
{Jingxuan} Xuan Ji
Don't act dumb Yue Lan I know better than anyone there's no way we will take risk to just observe one person and her abilities to call every person who is a threat to us on this important occasion
{Qinghui} Yue Lan
Xuan Ji.. honestly
{Qinghui} Yue Lan
I also don't know why the emperor is calling them, me and Feng Zhi was just following his orders to say all that infront of you all
{Qinghui} Yue Lan
As if he already knew what everyone was going to question about
{Jingxuan} Xuan Ji
What is he planning?
{Qinghui} Yue Lan
I don't know..I never adviced him to invite them
{Qinghui} Yue Lan
He is doing that all on his own
{Qinghui} Yue Lan
the only one I'm worried about right now is Táizí
{Jingxuan} Xuan Ji
Of course you will be, everyone among us is
{Jingxuan} Xuan Ji
*sighs* I hope he does not get involved in all of this at a young age like we all did
{Qinghui} Yue Lan
*nods* that's what I hope every day
{Mingchen}Guang Yu
So now we can't even trust our own emperor?
{Jingxuan} Xuan Ji
*turns*
{Jingxuan} Xuan Ji
That's so wrong of you to listen to other people's talks
{Jingxuan} Xuan Ji
Without permission
{Mingchen}Guang Yu
Don't worry we all three know that, I don't slip up
{Qinghui} Yue Lan
Yeah that's fine if it's him
{Qinghui} Yue Lan
but you just a statement which can cause you death Guang Yu
{Mingchen}Guang Yu
*smirks* don't worry no one has heard it
{Jingxuan} Xuan Ji
That would be better
{Mingchen}Guang Yu
But seriously though Emperor?
{Qinghui} Yue Lan
Can't say anything right now, just let the things get unfold one by one
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![Zhaoming [Emperor]](https://up-pic.mangatoon.mobi/contribute/fiction/7141669/avatar/23474872/1747853478624.jpeg-s200webp?sign=0bfc8c3b0120bbf73f6fa1ccf0fdb90d&t=69fc8da0)
