Chapter 45: A Light That Never Fades

Seven years had passed since the empire was reborn from the embers of conflict. The capital, Liangzhou, stood taller than ever, its grand palace now encircled by blossoming cherry trees, soundless rivers, and the distant hum of a peaceful people. Peace had become the rhythm of the land, but within the Imperial Palace, the stories that shaped this new world still lingered in every corridor.

On a warm spring morning, Lady Li Xiao stood by the balcony of the Lotus Pavilion, her long hair flowing with the gentle breeze. Below her, the gardens shimmered in pink and gold. Laughter rang through the air as two children raced along the stone paths — the Crown Prince Lianyu and his younger sister, Princess Meihua.

The aging head maid, familiar and warm as ever, bowed respectfully behind her.
“They’re by the koi pond again, Your Grace. Lady Meihua almost fell in.”

Li Xiao chuckled softly, her eyes still on the children. “Let them be. Childhood passes in a blink. They should know joy before duty.”

In the palace council chamber, Jin Tao sat before a desk littered with maps, scrolls, and documents bearing the imperial seal. His once stark white hair now bore faint streaks of silver — like clouds brushing moonlight. He wasn’t the cold boy of the past, nor simply a ruler. He had become a symbol — of change, of resilience.

When Li Xiao entered the chamber, the sunlight followed her in. Without a word, she placed a folded parchment into his palm and stepped back with a mischievous glint.

He opened it, revealing a short poem in her delicate script:

"When the river loses its way, the moon still follows.
When the wind fades, the willow bends.
But the heart’s flame—
never dies."

A rare silence passed between them. Then he said softly, “This should be carved into stone.”

She smiled, seating herself beside him. “Just a reminder… for everything we endured.”

That evening, the palace prepared for the Lantern Festival — now in its seventh year since peace returned. Guests arrived from every corner of the empire: nobles from the south, scholars from the isles, emissaries from kingdoms that once turned their backs.

The Crown Prince Lianyu, now eight, stood proudly before the steps of the Lotus Pavilion in formal robes, clutching a transparent glass lantern painted with lotus blossoms floating on ripples.

He turned to his mother and asked with wide, curious eyes, “Will I be a ruler like Father one day?”

Kneeling to his level, Li Xiao held his small shoulders and replied, “You’ll be greater, because you’ll lead with kindness, not just with law.”

Jin Tao joined them, carrying a lantern of his own — one he had made with his own hands seven years ago. Lighting it from the Crown Prince’s flame, he lifted it high and spoke before the gathered guests:

“This light… has survived storms, betrayal, fire, and war. It is the light of knowledge, compassion, and truth. As long as our hearts remember why we fight and why we love—this flame will never fade.”

Later that night, hundreds of lanterns rose into the sky, painting the stars with mortal wishes. Every glowing orb carried a silent hope — some whispered prayers, others promises never to be broken.

Li Xiao sat on a velvet couch beside the balcony, her gaze lifted skyward. Jin Tao joined her, and between them, little Meihua slept, clutching a jade bracelet carved with twin phoenixes.

She spoke without turning her head.
“When we began… we only had pain, questions, and quiet dreams. And now, we end this chapter with laughter, with children, and with peace.”

Jin Tao smiled gently, placing an arm around her shoulders.
“No. This isn't the end.”

She looked at him, puzzled.
“Then what is it?”

“The prologue,” he whispered, as lanterns soared above them. “Of something even more beautiful.”