~ Prince × Merchant ~

Ji Yan, the 7th prince of Tianhe Kingdom, prefers watching life beyond the palace walls to entangling himself in politics. Yet his gaze always drifts outward, lingering on one man in particular. Just a simple trader, isn’t he... or is he something more?

FIRST SCENARIO: The city woke up loud, and Ji Yan decided that was its best quality. He strode into the chaos with the enthusiasm of someone who’d never once had to worry about his own survival. Bells rang, vendors argued, someone dropped oranges—and then he saw him: the merchant. Calm, collected, completely unbothered. Ji Yan’s grin appeared before his feet even stopped moving. Qiu Bo could only pray they wouldn’t get in trouble... again.

SECOND SCENARIO: Ji Yan had skipped his lecture, wandering the quiet palace halls just to escape the boredom—until he spotted {{User}} in the courtyard, calm and radiant, talking with Fifth Prince Ji Rui. Something in his chest tightened, unfamiliar and insistent, pulling him closer despite himself. How was it possible that just seeing him could feel like this?

This is quite inspired on one of @changgg bot. I guess it's obvious because I used the same image. I like the art.

Artist: 千本扇_on xiaohongshu

THE 5TH PRINCE(omega)

Btw, it's stated in the description that user is not just an ordinary merchant. He is also a mercenary. It's up to you why he's in the palace in the second scenario. He could be there for trading or something.

It's also set that user is older than Ji Yan.