It was the last day of the year; the western region was almost overpopulated, and the celebration had already begun. Laughter drifted through the streets, stalls opened, and drummers echoed over rooftops.
The queen was present in the royal hall. Earlier information had reached her, and her mood shifted; her voice took on a rare, commanding tone.
The festivities continued smoothly. The celebration moved from the palace hall to an open, decorated field lit with lanterns. Royal maids and soldiers filled the space, music rising with the night air.
The crown prince, who was expected to attend, remained in Mò Lián's room. She had to beg him before he agreed to join, even after his parents sent for him. Multiple eunuchs knocked, but each one was turned away.
When he finally stood to leave, she sat up, watching him in silence.
He dissolved into thin air.
In the next breath, he appeared on the celebration field. He was welcomed warmly. The party was bright and alive, yet his mind wandered elsewhere, drifting back to the room he had just vanished from.
A king's special guest entered when the party was at its peak.
A troop of maids followed from behind — the Princess of Fujian, Xǔ Bìyáo.
She arrived at the royal boundary and bowed. She rose, smiling.
"My queen, I'm sorry. I'm late, but my preparation is worth it."
The queen looked at her and smirked.
She was beautiful, expensively dressed, a walking jewel under lantern light.
"Have your seat," the queen said, already knowing the young lady was faking her smiles.
Princess Xǔ Bìyáo spun to her seat, smiling once more.
Her maids moved beside her, holding the trail of her dress like flowing water.
The crown prince sat in silence, sipping his wine.
His attention was pulled when a eunuch entered the monarchy area and placed a letter before the queen. Her face changed — sharpened — serious in one breath. Then another letter was dropped onto Princess Xǔ Bìyáo's table.
She opened it, smiling as if secrets were sweet in her mouth.
She gestured lightly to the maid standing beside her.
Crown Prince Tiān Jùn watched, still and alert, noticing the odd movement.
"My crown prince."
A eunuch stood beside him, calling, but no answer came.
"My crown prince, your attention is needed, my prince."
Tiān Jùn finally noticed and dropped his cup.
"My lord, we have special girls from the capital who will perform. May we allow them entry?" The eunuch asked, bowing low.
"Bring them in," the prince said, not wanting a long conversation.
The eunuch froze for a breath, surprised to hear the crown prince's voice.
The party continued as the evening breeze arrived calmly.
Mò Lián, alone in her room, grew bored. She wandered through the queen's palace, her steps soft against the polished floor. She stopped outside Lady Fuyao's dancing hall, where the cool air reminded her of her friends — Yù Xuān and Huā Yuán.
A group of girls exited, holding their skirts, smiling at each other. When Mò Lián turned to leave, she froze. Yù Xuān stood at the gate, watching her.
"Yù Xuān? Yù Xuān...!"
Mò Lián ran toward her in surprise.
They hugged, jumping like children who had discovered each other after a long dream.
"How did you get here? I really miss you." Mò Lián whispered, and they stayed locked in each other's arms.
Their conversation stretched on as they walked together through the hall.
"Yù Xuān, how did you get here? How did you know I'm here?" Mò Lián asked once they entered her room.
Yù Xuān smiled and sat on the bedside.
"I met him," she said, making a funny face.
"Who?" Mò Lián chuckled, adjusting her dress.
"Jùn... I met him at the palace."
They laughed, holding hands like secrets were flowers blooming between their palms.
"Hmm, really? So?" Mò Lián leaned closer, curiosity bright.
"How did you recognize him?"
Yù Xuān burst into laughter.
"Mò Lián, you're becoming old. Weren't you the one who told me about him? And someone like that — a figure like that — is rare. I met a person exactly as you described at the central market. My instinct never lies. Yes, it was him."
She paused when she noticed Mò Lián's doubtful expression.
"I was the one who directed him to your dad's house. You see, I'm not lying."
Mò Lián's mouth widened in shock before laughter shook through her.
"I gave him my map...!"
"Yù Xuān...!"
Mò Lián panicked, hitting her shoulder, and they both dissolved into giggles.
"I was surprised when you told me about a guy who wasn't just handsome, but something else. Then, I actually met the person you described. Am I not a professional at my work?"
Yù Xuān said, clutching her stomach as laughter filled the room.
Mò Lián covered her face with her palm, shy but unable to stop laughing.
They heard a knock — sharp, impatient — but their laughter was loud enough to swallow it.
Another knock followed, harder this time.
The girls paused, turning to each other.
They climbed off the bed slowly, their smiles fading into wariness.
Then — creak...
The door frame groaned as if someone were forcing it.
They stared at each other, fear rising.
Earlier, Princess Xǔ Bìyáo had sent a group of maids to find and harass Mò Lián.
They caught up and had asked Lady Fuyao's dancers, who were leaving the queen's quarters, for directions — and those girls, unaware of the intent, pointed them toward Mò Lián's special main room.
Mò Lián walked to the door and unbolted it.
Five girls marched in at once, faces twisted with anger.
"What took you so long to open the door, huh?"
One of them scoffed, and before Mò Lián could respond, the girl yanked her by the hair.
"Lián!" Yù Xuān shouted.
"Stop!"
Mò Lián's eyes widened. She grabbed the girl's hair back in shock, her breath catching.
Yù Xuān rushed forward, shoving the attacker.
"What is wrong with you? Are you insane?" she snapped, shielding Mò Lián with her body.
The five girls exchanged a quick signal — a single glance — and suddenly they struck. All five fists landed on Yù Xuān at once. She collapsed into Mò Lián's arms, gasping.
Mò Lián held her tight, mind spinning. The girls lunged again.
Two grabbed Mò Lián, dragging her toward the doorway, while the others wrestled with Yù Xuān.
But Yù Xuān fought back. Hard.
With one wild push, she threw two of them off and clawed the third.
"Stop it!" she screamed, yanking Mò Lián's gown to pull her back into the room.
"Ahhhh!" the girls yelled as Yù Xuān overpowered them.
She tugged Mò Lián inside, and Mò Lián stumbled into her arms — safety for one breath.
Then a sickening crack.
One girl from the back grabbed a golden jug and slammed it onto Yù Xuān's head.
Her neck gave way, her body going limp. The girl shoved her aside.
Mò Lián froze, horror washing through her chest.
The girl let go of Mò Lián and dragged Yù Xuān across the floor.
The last two attackers laughed as they closed in, slow and cruel.
Mò Lián crawled backward on her elbows, heart pounding.
One knelt, face close, voice dripping with poison.
"You weak pest. Your fragile friend is gone. What do you think will be your fate now?"
Mò Lián stared, rage burning in her throat.
"Yù Xuān!" she screamed—
And blue fire exploded.
Two girls lit up in sudden flames, their bodies engulfed. The door behind them burst into fire, heat roaring through the room.
Flames climbed the walls, thick and wild.
Mò Lián spun to her feet, trembling, eyes wide in disbelief.
The building caught fire; the flames lingered, climbing fast, and immediately the temple bell began to ring.
The military general on duty launched into the air, scanning every quarter. The heat, the smoke—he knew instantly it was coming from the queen's mansion.
He descended at the queen's gate and heard a woman's voice screaming somewhere inside. He followed the sound, but as he moved, he saw the crown prince streak across the sky above him, moving faster than the wind.
The general continued, landing in the corridor where three maids pinned a young woman to the floor. He stopped, watching silently.
"You thought you were strong, right? Now, where do you think your friend is?"
One girl hissed, yanking Yù Xuān's hair. Her face turned, exposed in the light of the flames.
"Yù Xuān?"
General Yán Lǐng stepped toward them.
The girls saw him and instantly let go, switching into fake innocence, heads bowed, hands folded like saints.
Before he could speak, a calm voice sounded behind him.
"My lord. My lord, the fire has increased—we are waiting on you."
An eunuch bowed slightly, breath shaking from the heat.
Yán Lǐng didn't waste a breath. He released a wave of power; the three girls vanished on the spot.
He knelt, lifted Yù Xuān gently into his arms, holding her as if she weighed nothing. Then he turned toward the burning building—one look—and the flames collapsed into silence, smoke folding in on itself until the fire was gone.
The eunuch stared, stunned, following behind slowly.
Who is she?
The eunuch wondered.
Yán Lǐng turned, hearing the thought as clearly as a spoken word.
"She is mine."
He dissolved into thin air, vanishing with Yù Xuān in his arms.
At the celebration, the queen remained unshaken when her son suddenly vanished; she sat perfectly still, like a statue carved from marble.
The maids, who had just returned from bringing the princess drink, smiled nervously. Princess Xǔ Bìyáo glided to the front of the royal boundary, her steps graceful, her smile carefully measured.
"My queen," she began, her voice sweet yet deliberate, "I have always longed to meet you. To know that I finally have the chance... I would love to thank you."
The queen revealed her masked face, serene yet commanding. The crowd hushed instantly, caught between awe and fear.
The princess remained standing, captivated. The beauty before her seemed otherworldly, almost beyond human comprehension.
"My queen... you are so beautiful. I could not believe such radiance walks among mortals," Xǔ Bìyáo whispered, her eyes widening.
She almost forgot her purpose, swept away by the queen's aura—but reality tugged her back sharply.
"My queen, thank you for allowing me to attend—"
She was interrupted by the sudden appearance of an eunuch behind the queen. He bent low, whispering into her ear.
"The young girl in your quarter... she is missing. Her building is on fire."
Before anyone could react, he vanished as silently as he had appeared.
The queen struggled to contain her power; her face blurred, edges dissolving into an almost untouchable light.
Princess Xǔ Bìyáo's eyes widened, fear and awe mingling. She was shaken back to reality when the chief maid lightly patted her shoulder.
"Excuse me, miss," she said calmly, guiding her; "another choreography is about to begin."
Xǔ Bìyáo clutched her skirts tightly as she moved to her seat, trembling.
"Magic... is real," she breathed, lowering herself with the help of her maid.
"My queen... we are Lady Fuyao's girls," one dancer announced, smiling broadly, oblivious to the chaos brewing elsewhere.
The event pressed on with laughter, music, and applause, but beneath the celebration, the queen's struggle to contain her power was a storm barely restrained.
The evening's late sun cast a gentle glow over the military general's quarters. Calm as usual, yet within, the air felt heavy.
General Yán Lǐng sat at the edge of his bed, his eyes fixed on Yù Xuān, fragile and pale, her body trembling from exhaustion.
His heart thudded faster than usual, an ache rising he hadn't felt since his mother's passing. Pain coiled through him as he stared at the bruise on her shoulder.
Should I use his power? Would it hurt her?
His surging energy ebbed slowly, settling into a calm, rhythmic pulse. He tapped his temple, sighing, and then turned to her, noticing a subtle movement.
"My lord!" Yù Xuān's voice trembled as she looked at him.
"Why did you help me?"
No reply came.
"Why... my lord? I'm only a servant... why did you—" Her voice broke, tears threatening to spill. Her mind raced to Mò Lián, still trapped in that room with the other girls.
She pushed herself upright, removing the blanket that lay across her frail shoulders. Yán Lǐng remained motionless, his gaze steady and unreadable.
She tried to stand, but he reached out, steadying her. She faltered and sank against his firm thigh, unable to rise.
"Your friend is safe. Where are you going?" His hands hovered over her, inspecting gently.
"My lord... I do not belong here. I must return to the maid's quarters," she murmured, her voice weak but determined.
"Yù Xuān," he said softly, calm yet commanding.
"You are badly wounded. Stop struggling." His hands slid to her stomach, firm and grounding.
A flutter of warmth rose in her chest. She tried to rise again, only to fall back against him, her body trembling. His power surged unexpectedly, forcing him to exhale sharply as he blinked, focused on the bruise on her shoulder. Slowly, her wounds began to mend, skin smoothing as if soothed by invisible hands.
"How... did you do that?" she asked, awe and relief mingling in her voice.
"My cultivation is strong enough for anything," he replied as he lifted her gently, laying her ass on the bed. He sank beside her, voice lowering.
"Yù Xuān... do not test me. I am dangerous."
Her gaze softened, a small, shy smile curling at the edge of her lips.
"My lord..."
"I am Yán Lǐng," he interrupted firmly. "Do not call me lord."
She blinked, scratching at her temple.
"I... need to change," she whispered, shifting her gaze toward the bed.
"So?" His eyes followed her, unblinking, calm.
She looked back, hesitating.
"Help me with my button," she said, widening her eyes as he slid behind her, near the bed.
"Why the surprise? Did you forget the night you spent here?" he asked, a teasing lilt in his tone.
"I... I can't remember," she admitted, cheeks heating.
"I always wonder... why you..."
Her gown loosened under his steady hands, and she spun to face him, caught in shock.
He smirked, amusement flickering in his eyes.
"What?"
Armor removed, Yán Lǐng sat casually, watching her adjust, the vibration of her movements stirring an unfamiliar thrill within him. He couldn't hold back, laughter spilling forth, a deep sound that echoed in the quiet room.
Yù Xuān froze, her mind racing. Warmth, thrilling and strange, blossomed in her chest.
A broad, lovely smile slowly spread across her face. He paused, noting the unusual expression, intrigued.
She pinched her lip, turning to climb off the bed—but her gown betrayed her, slipping. She fell back into his arms. He held her effortlessly, silent, observing.
"Why do you always fall? Have you eaten today?" His voice carried both humor and care, his fingers teasing her nose tip.
"I... I'm sorry, my lord... I won't—" Her words were cut off as he leaned closer, their breaths mingling, hearts hammering.
"Do you want to be mine? Don't call me lord. You heard my name. No layers hide you now, no restraint," he whispered, smirk dangerous, eyes burning.
Then, as suddenly as he spoke, he dissolved into thin air.
Two royal maids appeared in his place, bowing deeply.
"My lady," they said in unison, raising their heads politely.
"We prepared your bath... shall we?" They approached with flawless smiles, grace, and obedience intertwined, yet their eyes betrayed excitement.
The evening sun dipped low, casting golden streaks over the crown prince's manor. His quarters were unusually quiet, absent the usual bustle, as if the world itself waited for something unseen.
Crown Prince Tiān Jùn stood on the balcony, gazing over his vineyard. Below, Mò Lián chased butterflies with delicate, laughing steps, her joy contagious. She caught sight of him and waved, yet kept dancing through the warm air, completely unaware of the storm brewing in his chest.
A faint presence shifted beside him. He glanced sideways, catching Yán Lǐng's silhouette. A wicked, friendly giggle escaped his lips.
"Don't tell me... you've finally fallen in love, hahaha hah..." Tiān Jùn said, eyes still fixed on Mò Lián as she struggled to climb a low-hanging branch.
"She is mine. Aren't you stingy?" he teased, nodding toward Yán Lǐng.
Yán Lǐng exhaled deeply, shoulders sagging slightly.
"I don't know... don't ask me," he muttered.
Tiān Jùn laughed heartily, the sound echoing across the vineyard.
"Ooh, okay!" Their laughter mingled, warm and mischievous, before Yán Lǐng's tone shifted, gravity creeping in.
"I found out... she is—" Yán Lǐng paused, eyes narrowing. Tiān Jùn's laughter faded, replaced by sharp attention.
"She has no life thread... no soul," Yán Lǐng said, leaning casually against the balcony frame, his calm voice carrying a chill.
"So?" Tiān Jùn's tone remained neutral, though his gaze hardened.
"Her other part is missing, and—" Yán Lǐng was interrupted mid-sentence.
"What of Yù Xuān? Any proof?" Tiān Jùn asked, recalling Mò Lián's childhood tales.
"Leave that to me. I will fix the error," Yán Lǐng replied, nodding with serene certainty.
Tiān Jùn smirked, catching the full weight of the nod.
"Make them dumb. They're in my hostage field..." His eyes sparkled with a dangerous mirth.
They exchanged serious glances, unspoken strategies forming between them. And then, as suddenly as he appeared, Yán Lǐng dissolved into thin air.
Mò Lián was watching the whole thing, hiding her left hand behind her back;
"Jùn...!" she called out.
He turned to her, and she waved. He became invisible, appearing at her front.
"How are you feeling now?" Jùn said, covering the space between them; her face beamed with a cheerful smile. She brought out her hidden hand, releasing her palm at his face.
Butterflies of different beautiful colors escaped; his gaze followed them until they were far from them. Mò Lián stood watching his expression, and she hugged him happily.
"Jùn..." she called out, placing her palm on his chest. He withdrew his gaze from the sky.
She continued.
"You are special to me; don't make me feel sad again. It hurt, and I won't forgive you again."
Mò Lián said, remembering the day she presented her dance at the lantern festival.
"I'm sorry," Jùn replied, holding her tight.
A figure silently sat on a roof monitoring them.
"Hmmm, his first apology."
The Crown Prince's manor stretched wide, but the silence was heavy, broken only by the sudden flutter of birds fleeing from the horses. A dangerous aura had been slowly released, unseen yet felt.
General Yán Lǐng stood unmoving, facing the three maids who had dared harass Yù Xuān and Mò Lián earlier. He had no desire to kill, yet their hollow apologies gnawed at his patience.
You do not plead with a military general.
He allowed them to live, but only just.
Yù Xuān's bruises flashed in his mind, and a smirk curled on his lips. Slowly, deliberately, he transformed. His hair turned gold, his irises shimmering with molten light.
The maids trembled. One of them, foreign and fierce, Princess Xǔ Bìyáo's own attendant, knelt with the others. Yet her pride rebelled at too many apologies. Except for my lady, begging is an abomination.
Why should I? I was only following orders, she thought, standing tall.
She stepped forward, dagger drawn, crossing into Yán Lǐng's controlled space. The air seemed to twist; her form turning skeletal in the danger zone. The other maids screamed in horror.
"My lord, please! We are citizens! We know we are wrong!" they cried, desperation dripping from every word.
One maid was flung into the air, twisted violently until her joints threatened to dislocate. She fell helplessly into the danger zone, crawling, then melting away under the invisible force.
The last maid's eyes widened in terror, and she collapsed, unconscious.
Meanwhile, the festival outside continued, though hurried by the queen's command.
Princess Xǔ Bìyáo had been ready to perform her traditional steps, but the King Hán Wáng Ān's soldiers took the stage instead.
King Hán Wáng Ān himself watched intently, unaware that chaos was about to strike.
In the midst of the choreography, an assassin hurled a dagger at the queen. The eunuch guarding the throne boundary reacted, nearly catching it—but the queen's power surged. The dagger skidded through the air, aimed at her.
The celebration paused. The queen rose, dagger in hand, commanding every eye in the hall.
"Continue the celebration!" Her voice thundered, firm and unwavering.
A rare, wicked laugh escaped her lips.
"Finally... I have released you," she murmured, letting her power—once untamed—flow back under her control.
The choreography resumed, but all eyes remained on her. She lifted the dagger high. The assassin hovered helplessly, drawn toward her by her sheer presence.
He fell at her feet, unwilling and powerless.
"Take him to the military general," the queen ordered, returning to her seat.
Her face was revealed to the crowd, radiant and commanding. The audience erupted in shock as both dagger and assassin vanished into the control of her power.