The wind that passed by carried a mournful air because of her.

    The Empress Dowager wept until she fainted several times, distressed that she could not aid her dearly loved adopted daughter. But Fang Ning had already resigned herself to the fate of being a tool to forge alliances or a prize for some brave commander. The chance to choose love for herself was harder than extracting pearls from a tiger's mouth.

    Fang Ning smiled sadly, her hands deftly moving up and down with the embroidery needle.

    "I have heard that the Lian Region is as beautiful as any other. Perhaps I will witness breathtaking landscapes there and capture them in my embroidery."

    "Princess..." her close maid cried, collapsing her forehead onto the hem of her lady's skirt. "You have been embroidering day and night; please rest a bit."

    Jia Wu, a maid just a few years older than Fang Ning, pleaded tearfully, her eyes swollen.

    "This Lian Wang is old, excessively lascivious, greedy, and dishonest. Your Highness, you've only just turned seventeen and yet you're to be married off to this old Wang. His Majesty is so cruel; it breaks my heart."

    Fang Ning's stitching slowed. Every word from Jia Wu saddened her, but she suppressed her emotions. The insignia of title honorably bestowed by Li Wang were so numerous that they filled the lists of ten volumes, each item made of gold, jade, finery, silver, and precious gems, placed in chests intricately decorated with grapevine motifs and inlaid with diamonds. There were also silver and gold threads, three bright red coral branches, a pair of night pearl necklaces, orchid-shaped gold and diamond earrings, two sets of rare mora stone curtains, and a hundred folds of exquisite Chu silk.

    "Everything has been decided. This is no longer something I can choose."

    "Sob. Let me go in place of you, Your Highness. I am willing, and surely the Empress Dowager would approve. I cannot bear to see you married to Lian Wang."

    "Stop speaking nonsense. Go help the others pack. There are just a few stitches left, and the Eternal Life Phoenix embroidery will be complete. I must fulfill my duty so that none can fault us there."

    "Yes, Your Highness." Jia Wu stifled her cries and turned back to work, but her heart continued to lament. Although the departure schedule had been announced, and the servants were busy packing, Princess Fang Ning still focused on her embroidery, the needle and colored threads rising and falling over a large silk piece as vast as a room, which she had been crafting for nearly a year.

    Fang Ning was completely absorbed, blocking out all thoughts as she stitched. The fiery red phoenix she embroidered soared above clouds, vibrant and lifelike, framed with silver and gold threads stitched in a captivating halo. Each line of thread, each needle added details to the image until it was completed.

    The maids helped unfold the red phoenix tapestry for the princess to inspect one last time. The embroidery was so spectacular it took one's breath away, yet no one rejoiced.

    "Notify the main palace that I have completed my work."

    "But...but... Your Highness, Prince Xuan Long will be back soon. Perhaps we should delay and wait for him. Prince Xuan Long will surely find a way to help."

    "Eldest Brother has already made up his mind. I cannot let Second Brother face trouble because of me. Sooner or later, I must go. We should travel before the heavy snow falls."

    "I know several of the guards at the city gates well enough; I'm willing to risk my life to help you escape, Your Highness."

    "No... Jia Wu, I will not flee from my destiny. It is my duty to uphold the honor of the Li Region."

    As she cut the thread with her scissors, everything came to an end. Though her skills were limited to embroidery, heavy news of war continually reached the palace. The Li Region had decided to ally with the Lian Region to encircle and attack the Yan Region, with the agreement commencing as soon as she set out. Jia Wu tried to persuade her once more, but Fang Ning was resolute.

    "Your Highness..."

    "Wipe your tears. What must happen, will happen," Fang Ning said calmly, her hand moving to a small knife hidden in her sleeve, her eyes determined.

    The night before her departure, Fang Ning went to bid farewell to the Empress Dowager for the last time.

    "My child... why must you suffer such fate?" The Empress Dowager embraced her adopted daughter, sobbing, holding and kissing Fang Ning repeatedly until she nearly fainted. Since the incident, the Empress Dowager had strongly objected, but aside from being unable to change Li Wang's mind, the departure date had even been moved up. The Empress Dowager swore not to see Li Wang's face until her dying day.

    "Your brother is heartless. My heart is nearly broken. Before your mother passed, she entrusted me to take good care of you, and look... I can't even protect you. I don't deserve to be your mother."

    "Please don't blame yourself. Do not resent my brother. I understand that I must sacrifice for the sake of our lands. I am willing to do so."

    Fang Ning managed to smile as brightly as she could. "I admit I am scared, but I will not run away."

    The Empress Dowager's eyes were filled with profound sorrow. She couldn't bear the thought of her young daughter living among strangers in a foreign land. If only the groom had been worthy and decent, she might have found some peace. But he was an inept old Wang who indulged only in drink and women. With heartfelt pity, she stroked Fang Ning's beautiful hair. "You are too young. I didn't raise you to be caged by such a despicable old man."

    "How old were you when you first entered the palace and met my father?"

    "Only fourteen," she laughed through her tears. "At that time, I despised the very sight of your father."

    "Exactly, and now you love him more than anyone else, don't you?"

    "Fang Ning, I know you are sweet-natured but incredibly strong inside. Still, I worry endlessly. The root of all these troubles is people's insatiable greed. There, you will be isolated and in great danger. You must be careful and not trust people easily. You know... your smile could melt snow. So, you must keep smiling, my child."

    "I understand."

    The Empress Dowager dabbed her tears with great concern. She felt uneasy this night as if something was amiss. She removed a precious gold pin from her hair and used it to arrange Fang Ning's hairdo, caressing her and sharing old stories as she had always done. This would be the last night she could hold her daughter in her arms. Tears welled up in the Empress Dowager's eyes, unable to be contained.

    "Mother is really quite terrible, always crying endlessly. If you want to take any of the servants with you to the Lian Region, you may decide, my child."

    "Jia Wu, and also the servants who have taken care of me for a long time, all wish to follow me to Lian Region. The rest will be as you, Mother, deem appropriate."

    "You're taking Jia Wu with you?"

    The Empress Dowager glanced at Jia Wu, who knelt behind a golden screen, waiting to serve. "Fine, Jia Wu is clever, sharp-witted and speak eloquently, she'll help look after you and be your eyes and ears. But be careful, she's ambitious and dreams big. If not managed well, she could become a formidable enemy."

    The Empress Dowager intentionally raised her voice,

    "Jia Wu!"

    "Ye…yes, Your Highness, I am here, ready to serve."

    "If you dare to overstep even slightly with my daughter, remember, I will never let you go."

    "I…I would not dare, Your Highness. I swear to heaven and earth, I will serve and be loyal to the Princess until the end of my life."

    "You're good at making annoying, repetitive oaths. Serve until the end of your life, ha! Soon enough, your father will have to request your hand in marriage to the son of Commander Dou."

    Jia Wu bowed repeatedly, her head touching the ground nonstop.

    "I... I wish to accompany the Princess. Even if I have to forge through water and fire, I will go. Please grant me permission, Your Highness."

    "What if I want you to stay here to keep me company?"

    "I... I..."

    "You need not fear me. I should be the one wary of Commander Dou. Rest assured; I wouldn't dare touch you."

    The Empress Dowager smirked. Jia Wu was a rare beauty, but unfortunately, a scar on the back of her hand had prevented her from being chosen as a consort years ago. Seeing her agility and quick-wittedness, the Empress Dowager had chosen her to be Fang Ning's close maid. Jia Wu had been overheard saying she would soon be adorned in golden garment, which led the Empress Dowager to distrust her.

    "What do you say..."

    "I... It is up to the Princess to decide, Your Highness."

    "I want Jia Wu to come along; we are very close. Without Jia Wu to talk to, I would be very lonely, Mother," Fang Ning insisted on taking Jia Wu with her, causing the Empress Dowager to sigh and reluctantly consent, though she disagreed.

    Jia Wu knew she was being scrutinized. She was smart enough to keep quiet. As for those golden garments, she had explained countless times that she was merely narrating a tale jokingly among the servants. She didn't expect such suspicion, and that weaken her spirit. Jia Wu, a dreamer indeed but well aware of her status, felt so aggrieved she began to sob.

    "I may come from a humble family in the countryside, but if loyalty and honesty are measured, no one can surpass me, Your Highness."

    "Jun Yi, Jun Qiang."

    "Yes, Your Highness," the two maids kneeled and bowed immediately upon the Empress Dowager’s call.

    "You two sisters will also follow the Princess to Lian Region. Keep a close eye on this woman. If she dares to be disloyal, I authorize you both to kill her on the spot."

    "We understand, Your Highness."

    "Your Highness..." Jia Wu's eyes welled up with tears, and she sobbed deeply, feeling utterly heartbroken. Fang Ning then grasped the Empress Dowager's hands, pleading on behalf of her close attendant.

    "Mother, I have been with her for many years. Even though she can be mischievous at times, her heart is not as distrustful as others fear. She is willing to endure hardship alongside me, despite not knowing what difficulties lie ahead. She is the only one who has tirelessly worked beside me through sleepless nights, sewing and toiling. Please, have mercy on Jia Wu... Jia Wu, don't cry. Whatever the future holds, I will always be your elder sister."

    "Princess..."

    "Enough, enough. Time will prove your words. There are already too many tears here. Go, get out of my sight," Empress Dowager dismissed Jia Wu with a wave of her hand, sighing deeply, before nodding to her royal attendants to bring something out for the princess.

    "This is the finest coat I have. It is warm and dignified, befitting you. Every time you wear this coat, remember that mother will always be watching over and protecting you from afar."

    Empress Dowager personally draped a fur coat on Fang Ning. The coat was made from the mountain foxes’ furs. It was soft, pristine white like flowing water, highlighted Fang Ning's fair complexion, as pure as snow. Empress Dowager looked intently at the princess once more before her thoughts turned to the late concubine Jing.

    "I have thought your mother was already beautiful like a flower, but as you grow, you become even more beautiful, unmatched by anyone... But who could have imagined that your fate would be so cruelly similar to hers? Promise me... You must be happy, live a long life, surrounded by unifying descendants. I bless you to withstand suffering and succeed. Do not prematurely end your life as your mother did."

    "I... will remember and cherish your words," Fang Ning bowed her head into Empress Dowager's lap, her eyes brimming with sorrowful tears. Happiness... Longevity... Numerous descendants... She dared not even dream of such things.