He stood before the gate.
"Master, I hope this time you succeed in saving the princess."
He gazed hesitantly at the Bilo Sea. It didn't matter how many times he had done this—he *had* to succeed.
No matter the hardship, he had grown accustomed to it and couldn't turn back now. Even if they couldn't heal her, he still hoped to ease her pain, if only a little.
Assuming a human guise, stepped through the gate before him.
**The Mortal Realm**
Finally, she had found a secluded spot—a hot spring waterfall outside the city, one she had never noticed before. Peach trees surrounded the falls, and the encircling mountains trapped the warmth, allowing the blossoms to bloom even in the heart of winter.
The closer she drew, the hotter the air became—a sensation she welcomed. Stretching lazily on a tree branch, sipped wine as the waterfall's murmur lulled her into tranquility. The spring's warmth caressed her spirit.
A yawn escaped her as she closed her eyes. Perhaps what she needed most right now was sleep—a fleeting moment of peace.
Then something brushed against her leg.
Her eyes snapped open.
A sleek, ominous black serpent had chosen her as its prey.
...
Upon entering the Mortal Realm, the first thing he saw was *her*.
'A *gray aura*—a *half-mortal*!'
He never imagined he'd witness such an aura. The gray aura of emotions was rare—so rare that in all his centuries here, he had never encountered another half-mortal.
Excitement thrummed through him as he studied her.
Fortune had favored him today.
Spotting the serpent coiling around her leg, he nearly intervened—but remembered he couldn't interfere in mortal affairs. He had no choice but to watch the serpent's fate unfold.
Bai Lian glared at the snake, her eyes sharp with warning. Yet the creature slithered closer, undeterred.
In one swift motion, she seized it and hurled it against the mountainside with all her strength. Then she lay back down.
Her indifference amused him. It seemed sleep mattered more than anything else.
*I must find a way to claim her aura.*
A passing breeze rustled the peach blossoms, sending them fluttering down like tiny dancing fairies. They brushed against Bai Lian's face, and she shivered at the sudden chill, curling in on herself.
Then—her foot slipped.
She lost her balance and tumbled from the tree.
A deep exhale escaped her as she shot a furious glare at nothing in particular.
Footsteps approached.
A smiling face appeared before her, eyes gleaming like a hunter who had found his mark.
"Little lady, are you alright?"
He extended a hand to help her up.
But seeing that Li Yuan bore no aura, she realized—he was no mortal. That alone was reason enough to keep her distance.
Ignoring his outstretched hand, she stood on her own and turned to leave—only for Li Yuan to seize her wrist.
In an instant, she drew a dagger from her sleeve and pressed it to his throat, her gaze unyielding.
The scent of Five-Leaf Venom filled the air.
Yet Li Yuan regarded her with eerie calm, as if peering into her very soul.
At her scowl, his smile deepened.
"Little lady, let me help you."
Her glare hardened.
"You've been poisoned by Five-Leaf Venom. I can make the antidote."
She searched his eyes—*why would he offer to cure her so easily? What did he want in return?*
Shoving him back, she resumed walking.
She might bargain with anyone else—but never with a *fae*.
"Please," he called after her.
"Let me help."
His pleading tone softened her—but trust was still a luxury she couldn't afford.
"I only want to help!"
Five-Leaf Venom belonged to the Serpent Demons—a toxin no mortal could resist. Yet the girl before him endured it. A half-mortal, suffering in silence.
His gaze fell on the scratches along her arm.
"You're hurt. Come with me."
Bai Lian struggled, but his grip was iron. He wouldn't let her go—not now.
Before she could react, he swept her into his arms and carried her toward the apothecary.
...
*The Avian Tribe*
He knelt.
"Your Majesty, your orders have been carried out."
The Emperor regarded Li Bai with satisfaction, tracing his jade ring along his cheek.
The old man was greedy—a habit he never outgrew. His wrinkled eyes and white hair commanded respect, masking the viper beneath his peacock's guise.
"Wait until the lantern's power grows. Then open the gate. Prepare the weapons."
Years of obedience had taught him never to defy his betters—lest he be crushed like an ant beneath Liang Fu's heel.
This palace, beautiful from afar, was a nest of serpents.
He burned the parchment in his hand and watched the servant retreat.
**The Mortal Realm**
Bai Lian had thrashed in Li Yuan's grip until exhaustion claimed her.
When they reached the apothecary, he called for Long Yi.
"Long Yi!"
A young man rushed out, eyes widening at the sight of Bai Lian slung over Li Yuan's shoulder.
"Master, what happened?"
"Heat the room."
Long Yi hurried to fetch charcoal.
Winter's chill was unpredictable—and as soon as Li Yuan stepped inside, rain began to fall.
He laid Bai Lian on the bed and draped a quilt over her.
After retrieving the medicine, Long Yi hesitated.
"Master… your sleeve is stained with blood."
Li Yuan glanced down.
Peeling back the quilt, he examined Bai Lian's black robes—too dark to reveal bloodstains.
"Long Yi, leave."
The boy obeyed without another word.
When he had carried her, his hands had pressed against her back.
Turning her gently, he saw the blood seeping into the sheets.
He parted her robes—and froze.
Two deep gashes marred her shoulder blades, fresh and bleeding.
*What kind of wound is this?*
They resembled the scars of torn wings—but no fae could survive such brutality.
He cleaned the wounds, applied salves, yet the bleeding worsened.
Desperate, he bandaged them with plain cloth and dressed her in fresh robes.
Exhausted, he rested his head beside her and drifted into sleep.
...
**The Palace**
The banquet had ended in chaos.
The Emperor hurled a dish to the ground.
"How dare you speak to Mi Lin like that?"
He knew better than to defy his father—yet the words spilled out.
"Everything I said was true! Father, have you ever stepped beyond the palace walls?"
Silence gripped the hall. Ping Ming observed the royal spat with detached amusement—as if such squabbles were beneath him.
"They've long called her the 'Devil Princess.' She wasn't like this before—but now? She acts like a wild beast. And it's your fault for indulging her!"
The Emperor's roar shook the room.
"Attendant! Confine her to the Western Temple—for one month. Let me teach you what insolence means!"
The Dowager Empress's voice cut through like ice.
"How dare you banish my granddaughter?"
He despised his mother—a woman so cruel she had orchestrated her own daughter's death.
Though age had weakened her body, her will remained iron.
"As a father, I must discipline my daughter. Or must I endure her tarnishing our name?"
The Dowager struck her cane against the floor.
"I forbid it!"
The Emperor met her glare.
"Attendant, take the princess away. I won't have her mocked for slaughtering and humiliating the royal family!"
Ping Ming smirked. The Third Princess's infamy had spread even to the outer court.
But the princess wasn't done.
"You—*disciplining *me? Don't forget, you have another daughter!"
Regret flickered in the Emperor's eyes.
"When you were born, I celebrated for a week. I gave you Bai Lian so you wouldn't be alone—and how did you repay me? You bullied her, tormented her, humiliated her! Every cruelty you suffer today is your own doing!"
The princess stared like a petulant child—hearing but refusing to understand.
The Dowager's voice softened.
"If you wish to avoid your sister's fate, let this go."
*Her sister's fate.*
The old wound festered anew.
...
**Meng Clinic**
The chirping of sparrows roused Bai Lian.
Dawn had yet to break.
She found her hand clasped in Li Yuan's—his head resting on the edge of the bed, asleep.
*Why would a fae live among mortals? Was he exiled, like her?*
But he had no emotional aura. If he were banished, he should bear one.
Her gaze lingered on his serene face.
He was beautiful—like a blossom on snow. His dark brows and pale skin contrasted like withered plum branches against winter's touch.
Innocent. Compelling.
A noise outside broke her reverie.
Even if he meant well, she couldn't stay. Fear coiled in her chest.
She slipped her hand free and fled.
Li Yuan's voice chased her.
"Where are you going?"
She paused, then walked on without a word.
His call followed her.
"On the night of the full moon, meet me here. I'll have the antidote ready."
She halted in the mist-laden street.
"I know no mortal physician can cure this poison. I'll make it for you. Wait for me."
He pressed a lantern into her hands and draped a white cloak over her shoulders.
"It's cold. Be careful."
A question burned in her mind—*why would Li Yuan help her, asking nothing in return?*
At her hesitation, he smiled.
"My name is Li Yuan. I live here. If you need help, come to me."
A tiny spark flickered in her heart.
Good people still existed.
She bowed her thanks and vanished into the morning mist.
Temple bells tolled—a new day had begun.
...
**Ming Jue Manor**
He sat waiting, hands numb with cold.
A sheen of sweat coated his brow. If Bai Lian didn't return, punishment awaited.
The Emperor had sent him to check on her after last night's incident—but she was gone.
A servant rushed in, beaming.
"Your Highness, the princess has returned!"
He hurried to her.
"Are you unharmed? Had anything happened to you, the Emperor would—"
Bai Lian nodded.
He exhaled in relief.
"Your Highness, please return to the palace with me."
The palace at dawn was eerie—almost oppressive.
In some halls, servants scrubbed floors in silence. In others, not a soul stirred.
The Emperor's face lit up at the sight of her.
"I was so worried. Where were you?"
Bai Lian smiled, reassuring him with her eyes.
She seemed different today. After months of mourning, she finally smiled again.
Since her injury, she had worn only black—even last night. But today, her robes were white and blue.
Too large for her.
*A man's clothing.*
The Emperor's heart warmed. Perhaps she had found someone.
"Sit. Breakfast with me. I've missed you."
He watched her eat, pleased.
Though her uncle, he had raised her like a younger sister. Even now, he chose her clothes himself.
Bai Lian bore no resemblance to her mother—instead, she mirrored the Emperor's late sister, slain years ago in an uprising. A fact that had always alienated her from the Dowager.
"Mei Lin, you're wearing strange clothes today."
She ignored the stares of the servants, wolfing down food like always.
"Won't you tell your uncle who they belong to?"
Food lodged in her throat.
The Emperor handed her water, chuckling.
"It's alright. Even if he's a commoner, I'll allow it. Just tell me when he proposes."
She tried to protest, but her mouth was full.
Ping Ming smirked.
The Emperor waved her off.
"Even if your parents refuse, I'll permit it. Don't worry.
"
She gave up, sighing at the ceiling.
Nothing would convince him. Revealing Li Yuan's identity would only worsen things.
Then she felt eyes on her.
A young eunuch in violet robes stared directly at her.
Their gazes locked—a thread of sunlight binding them.
His eyes held a strange, familiar warmth.
Like an old dream.
Like coming home.