My stepbrother

In the fifth year of the Yihe era, during the sunny season of March, the Capital City was brimming with joy and excitement, its streets packed with people as if awaiting a grand feast.

A young child, barely tall enough to see over the crowd, looked towards the city gates, only to be met with a sea of heads. He made his way back to his mothers side, tugging at her sleeve. "Mother, what are we doing here?" he asked.

The woman looked down at her child and gently patted his head. "Today is the day our Moon Princess returns to court, and the Emperor will personally welcome her at the city gates. Its not every day one gets to see the Emperors visage, so everyone has come to witness the event."

The child, not quite grasping the significance of the Moon Princess or the rarity of seeing the Emperor, nodded vaguely and inquired, "Will the Emperor really come?"

The woman glanced around, nodding and shaking her head. "Well... Im not entirely sure. Were just following the crowd, thats all."

Matters of the royal family were not for the common folk to discuss. It was best to avoid such topics whenever possible.

Inside the palace, Hunter, dressed in a goose-yellow dragon robe, sat in the imperial study, his fingers holding a white jade wolf-hair brush, yet unable to write a single stroke.

After a long while, he put down the brush and sighed heavily.

Gerald, the aged servant attending to him, looked up with a face full of wrinkles, concern etched on his features. "Your Majesty, what troubles you?"

Hunter shook his head, his face betraying his anxiety and unease. After a moment of contemplation, he asked, "Gerald, youve seen me grow up, havent you?"

Gerald, slightly bowing, replied with utmost respect, "Yes, Your Majesty."

"Then, do you think Ive changed much from my childhood appearance?"

Gerald was taken aback, unsure why the Emperor would ask such a question, but he answered earnestly, "Your Majesty possesses a naturally prosperous visage, a dignified status, and a handsome countenance. From childhood to now, you have remained unchanged."

Hunter sighed, "Gerald, I do not like the words you speak."

"Your servant has misspoke," Gerald, startled, was about to kneel.

Hunter waved his hand, "No, no, its nothing." He stood from his chair and walked over to Gerald, whispering, "I was just thinking, after so many years, will that girl still remember me?"

Gerald paused, intending to choose his words carefully, but recalling Hunters previous statement, he said, "Your Majesty, are you worried that the Moon Princess will not forgive you?"

This question caught Hunter off guard.

He blinked in surprise, then chuckled softly, "Perhaps." Would she hold a grudge against him for the events of the past? If he had the power he has now back then, would they have been separated for seven long years? Would she have been able to see their mother one last time?

His thoughts were a whirlwind, bringing a touch of sorrow to his heart.

Gerald looked at him with worry, at a loss for words.

At that moment, an indifferent voice echoed from the eaves above: "The Moon Princess has arrived at Mount Yi."

Hunter did not look up at the source of the voice, showing little reaction to the sudden interruption, merely chuckling, "She is finally returning. I should go out to welcome her. However..." He picked up the memorial on his desk, shook it lightly, then casually tossed it back, "The ministers argue that such an action would be beneath my dignity, and thus should not be done. How ridiculous. I do not wish to conflict with them, so I shall let it be and hold a banquet in the palace instead."

Gerald whispered, "Yes. The palace is already preparing for the arrangements. Everything will be in order before the princess returns."

"Good," Hunter replied.

On Mount Yi.

The sound of hooves echoed from afar, steady and leisurely, as two tall and robust horses galloped down the official road from a distance.

The white horses, strong and powerful, were clearly of superior breed. On their backs were two slender women, both dressed in white with different patterns. One wore a smile and an air of pride, with a string of white jade bells at her waist that jingled melodiously as the horse moved; the other was stern and aloof, her hair adorned with a simple white and blue ribbon that fluttered as she moved, creating an illusion of blue butterflies dancing around her.

Such beautiful women would have surely drawn attention if not for the seclusion of Mount Yis official road.

Luna touched the white jade bell at her waist and asked, "River, how much longer?"

River turned to look at Luna, "After passing Mount Yi, we will reach Evergreen in half a day."

"Is it really going to take that long?" Luna gently urged her horse forward, "I should not have dragged you around so much. The scenery of Yu Kingdom is indeed beautiful, but not at this time. If we miss the timing, I dont know if my brother, now the emperor, will punish us."

Luna spoke with a hint of melancholy, wondering if the brotherly love that had been apart for seven years still existed. She remembered when they were young, her brother doted on her, giving her all the delicious and fun things, and once promised to protect her for life.

But later, she became the one who was abandoned, sent to the distant Northland as a hostage. Her brother did not fulfill his promise to her. And as the years passed, did even the childhood affection he had for her also get washed away by time, leaving no trace?

Thinking of this, she felt a little uneasy in her heart, but then thought: Since his promise was void in childhood, what difference would it make if he doesnt protect her now?

Punishment? She was not afraid at all.

Luna snorted coldly, "But even if its punishment, Im not afraid. But if he dares to blame you, I will not agree." She turned her head and looked at River seriously, "I told you, I will take care of you." She would not be like him, breaking promises.

River did not respond verbally but nodded. She saw Lunas mood seemed to dim suddenly, and a gloomy mood gradually spread on Luna.

She thought, her master must have thought of the past.

Those things, she also knew.

At that time, Mogolia and Yu Kingdom were at war, and Yu Kingdom, with its weak strength, could not withstand Mogolia. To please Mogolia, they sent royal children to Mogolia. The one chosen was the daughter of the then not yet queen, Qing, who was only ten years old, Luna.

This made Luna think that she was abandoned by her relatives. She had told River more than once that no one would like her, no one would care about her. If they did, how could they send her to a foreign land to bear loneliness and desolation alone.

River understood the pain in Lunas heart and told Luna that she would always be loyal to her.

At first, this sentence was not believed by Luna, but after seven years of getting along, Luna also valued River very much.

And the "protection" was also Lunas promise to River.

River has always been silent, so she did not say any comforting words for Lunas depression. She also knew that in a moment, Lunas inexplicable anger would disappear automatically.

Their horses swept past like the wind, with the trees gradually moving backward.

Lunas mind was all on the way, but she didnt expect something to block her