Xie Feng's arms cradled Yueling like a child, his hands stroking her hair as he gently rocked her back and forth. Despite her initial resistance, Yueling's eyelids grew heavy, her body relaxing in his embrace.

As the candles flickered and dimmed, Xie Feng's soft humming filled the room, a gentle melody that seemed to lull Yueling into a deep sleep. She didn't even notice as he laid her down on the bed, her body curled up like a child's.

Xie Feng's eyes watched over her, his gaze tender, as he covered her with a soft blanket. He sat beside her, his fingers tracing the contours of her face, his touch feather-light.

As the night wore on, Xie Feng remained by Yueling's side, his vigilance unwavering, his heart beating with a strange, newfound tenderness. For the first time, he saw Yueling not as a pawn or a prize, but as a person, fragile and vulnerable...

Xie Feng's arms wrapped around Yueling, holding her close as he drifted off to sleep. His chest rose and fell with a gentle rhythm, his breath whispering against Yueling's hair.

For the first time, Yueling felt a sense of safety, of protection, in Xie Feng's embrace. She didn't try to escape, didn't try to struggle, as his arms held her fast.

As the night wore on, their bodies entwined, their breathing synchronized, their hearts beating as one. The darkness outside receded, and for a moment, all was still.

In the silence, Yueling felt a strange sense of belonging, of being exactly where she was meant to be. She didn't understand it, didn't want to understand it, but her heart seemed to accept it...

Yueling woke up to an empty bed, Xie Feng nowhere to be seen. She sat up, rubbing her eyes, trying to shake off the vivid dreams that lingered in her mind.

Before she could process her thoughts, the maids arrived, their gentle chatter and soft laughter filling the room. "Good morning, Princess," they chimed in unison, as they began to help Yueling out of bed.

"The Tea Serving Ceremony is today," one of the maids reminded her, as they led her to the bath. "You must look your best for the Crown Prince."

Yueling's heart sank, her mind racing with memories of the previous night. She had thought...she had hoped...but Xie Feng was gone, and she was alone once more.

As the maids dressed her in a stunning silk gown, Yueling's thoughts whirled with confusion. What did Xie Feng want from her? Why had he held her so tenderly, only to disappear?

The maids' gentle prodding brought her back to reality, as they led her to the ceremony hall, where Xie Feng waited, his eyes fixed on hers with an unnerving intensity...

Yueling's hands trembled as she poured the steaming tea into the delicate ceramic cup, her eyes fixed on the Emperor's imposing figure. Xie Feng stood beside him, his gaze burning with an intensity that made her heart race.

As she offered the cup to the Emperor, Yueling's knees trembled, her mind racing with fears of making a mistake. The Emperor's eyes narrowed, his face stern, as he took the cup from her hand.

But to her surprise, he smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Well done, Princess," he said, his voice warm. "You have a steady hand."

Xie Feng's gaze never left hers, his expression unreadable. Yueling felt a shiver run down her spine as she backed away, her heart pounding in her chest.

The ceremony continued, Yueling serving tea to the various dignitaries, her movements mechanical. But her eyes kept drifting back to Xie Feng, her mind whirling with questions...

As the ceremony ended, Yueling breathed a sigh of relief, her tense muscles relaxing. She turned to make her way back to her chamber, but before she could take a step, Xie Feng appeared beside her.

His lips brushed against her cheeks, sending shivers down her spine. The gentle touch ignited a fire within her, leaving her breathless.

Yueling's eyes widened, her heart racing, as Xie Feng's gaze locked onto hers. For a moment, they stood there, frozen in time, the world around them melting away.

Then, without a word, Xie Feng turned and disappeared into the crowd, leaving Yueling stunned and confused. She touched her cheeks, still feeling the warmth of his lips, her mind reeling with questions.

What did he mean by that kiss? Was it a gesture of affection or a mere display of possession?

Yueling's thoughts swirled, her emotions in turmoil, as she made her way back to her chamber, her heart pounding in her chest...

As Yueling bowed, the woman in red sneered, her hand flashing out to strike Yueling's cheek. Yueling fell, her head spinning, as the two maids rushed to catch her.

The woman's eyes blazed with contempt. "Well, well, a human princess. How...amusing." She drew her dagger, its blade glinting in the light. "I'll enjoy watching you beg for mercy."

But before she could strike, a fiery blaze erupted, sending them all flying. The phoenix, sensing Yueling's distress, had awakened.

Yueling's vision blurred, her body crashing to the ground. She spat blood, her lungs burning, as the woman's laughter echoed in her mind.

Then, everything went black.

When Yueling came to, she was in her chamber, the two maids tending to her wounds. Xie Feng sat beside her, his eyes burning with a fierce intensity.

"The woman in red," Yueling whispered, her voice barely audible. "Who is she?"

Xie Feng's jaw clenched. "My sister, Feng Wu. She will pay for her cruelty."

Yueling's eyes locked onto his, a spark of hope igniting within her...