Xia Yiren's POV
Who was it?
I barely sleep after the shadow disappears into the darkness. Yijun sent guards to search the gardens, but whoever was listening is long gone. Now I pace my room like a caged animal, my mind racing through possibilities.
Was it Ling Meihua? Minister Zhao's spy? One of the Empress Dowager's servants?
Whoever it was now knows I remember the future. Knows I'm aware of the conspiracy. Knows exactly how to destroy my credibility by making me sound insane.
A sharp knock interrupts my spiraling thoughts.
Before I can answer, my door slams open.
Yunfei storms in, his face dark with fury. What happened last night?
My heart stops. What?
Don't lie to me, Yiren. He closes the door and turns to face me. Palace guards were searching the gardens at midnight. You were seen with the Crown Prince. Alone. And now there are rumors— He stops, jaw clenched. Tell me what's going on. Right now.
I should have known news would spread. The palace has more gossips than servants.
It's complicated—
Then uncomplicate it! His voice rises. You've been different since the moment you woke up yesterday. You look at people like you know secrets you shouldn't. You stare at that Ling girl like you want to murder her. And last night you had a midnight meeting with your soul-bonded mate who you clearly hate. He grabs my shoulders. What is happening to you?
Tears sting my eyes. This is Yunfei—my brother, my protector, the one person who tried to save me even when it cost him everything.
He deserves the truth.
But if I tell him, I'll be putting him in danger again.
I can't explain, I whisper.
Can't or won't?
Both.
His hands drop. Through his eyes, I see hurt mixing with worry. You're scaring me, Yiren. You're not the sister I knew. That girl was kind and trusting and believed the best in people. You... He searches my face. You look like you've seen war.
Maybe I have.
What does that mean?
Before I can answer, another knock sounds. More polite this time.
Lianhua opens the door and bows deeply. Imperial Consort Xia, His Highness the Crown Prince requests an audience for official palace business.
My stomach tightens. Yijun. Here. With Yunfei already suspicious.
Tell him—
But Yijun is already walking in, followed by two attendants carrying scrolls. He's back in his formal robes, his face an emotionless mask. The perfect Crown Prince.
Only through the bond do I feel his real emotions—exhaustion, worry, and determination.
His eyes flick to Yunfei, then back to me. Imperial Consort Xia. I apologize for the early visit, but the Empress Dowager has scheduled your court training to begin today. We need to discuss expectations.
Court training. Of course. The Dowager won't waste time turning me into a proper consort who knows her place.
Yunfei's eyes narrow, looking between us. Court training can wait. My sister needs rest after—
After what? Yijun's voice is mild, but I feel his alertness through the bond. He's testing what Yunfei knows.
After the soul bond formed yesterday, Yunfei finishes carefully. It's exhausting, isn't it? The sudden connection.
It is. Yijun's gaze meets mine. Through the bond, a silent question: Can we trust him?
I don't know. I want to. But trusting people is what got me killed.
Brother, I say quietly, can you give us a moment? Palace business
No. Yunfei crosses his arms. I'm not leaving you alone with him until you explain what's happening.
Excuse me? Yijun's voice turns cold. The Crown Prince, not the confused boy from last night. Are you questioning my intentions toward my own consort?
I'm questioning why she hates you. Yunfei doesn't back down. The soul bond supposedly creates love between destined mates. But my sister looks at you like you're her enemy. So yes, Your Highness, I'm questioning everything.
Tension crackles through the room. Through the bond, I feel Yijun's anger rising. He's not used to being challenged, especially by a lower-ranking officer.
Yunfei, stop, I plead.
Why? Someone needs to protect you, and clearly
I can protect myself! The words explode out of me. I don't need you charging in like I'm helpless. I don't need you investigating things that will get you arrested. I don't need you dying for me!
Silence.
Yunfei stares at me. Dying? Yiren, what
Nothing. Forget I said anything.
But it's too late. I see the wheels turning in his mind. The pieces clicking together.
You know something, he says slowly. About the future. About what's going to happen. His eyes widen. That's why you're different. That's why you asked me yesterday to promise not to investigate if you got arrested. You've already seen it happen.
Through the bond, I feel Yijun's shock. He didn't realize I'd already warned Yunfei.
That's insane, I say weakly.
Is it? Yunfei moves closer. Or does it explain everything? The way you look at people. The way you reacted to the selection. The way you knew— He stops. You knew the soul bond would form. You tried to avoid looking at the Crown Prince. You knew.
I can't breathe.
Yijun speaks up quietly. She's from the future. She's lived through this before. And in that timeline, we both died.
Yijun! I snap.
But he ignores me, his eyes on Yunfei. Your sister was executed for treason she didn't commit. You tried to save her and were imprisoned. I failed to protect her and died broken by guilt. She came back to change it.
Yunfei's face goes white. No. That's—that's not possible.
It's true, I whisper. All of it.
He sinks into a chair, looking between us. How?
I don't know how. I just woke up at fourteen again with all my memories intact.
And him? Yunfei nods at Yijun. Does he remember too?
No, Yijun says. Only her. I'm learning everything for the first time.
Yunfei processes this, his military mind working through implications. So you know who betrayed you. Who framed you. You know the entire conspiracy.
Yes.
Then we destroy them first. His voice turns hard. We gather evidence, expose the traitors, execute them before they can strike.
It's not that simple, I say. The conspiracy goes all the way to
The Empress Dowager, Yijun finishes grimly. Through the bond, I feel his continuing struggle with that truth. She approved Yiren's execution. Called her a distraction.
Yunfei's hand goes to his sword. Then we
We do nothing, I cut him off. If we move openly against the Dowager, we'll be crushed. We need to be smart. Patient. Catch them in a trap they can't escape.
Which is why I'm here, Yijun says, gesturing to his attendants. They unroll the scrolls. The Dowager has scheduled your court training, but she's also arranged public appearances. Tea ceremonies with noble ladies. Banquets with foreign dignitaries. She wants you visible.
I scan the schedule and my blood runs cold. This is the same timeline as before. The same events where Ling Meihua befriended me.
Then we change it, Yunfei says. You avoid her. Stay away from
No. Yijun's voice is firm. If we change too much, they'll know something's wrong. We need to let events proceed normally while we gather evidence.
You want to use my sister as bait? Yunfei growls.
I want to save her life. Yijun meets his eyes. Which means playing the game long enough to catch our enemies with proof even the Emperor can't ignore.
They're both looking at me, waiting for my decision.
Part of me wants to hide. Refuse all public appearances. Lock myself in this pavilion until the danger passes.
But the danger won't pass. It'll just find another way to strike.
Fine, I say. I'll attend the events. But I'm not going alone. I look at Yunfei. I need you to investigate outside the palace. Find out who Minister Zhao is meeting with. Track Ling Meihua's family connections. Build our case.
He nods. Done.
And you— I turn to Yijun. You need to start documenting everything. Every conversation with the Dowager. Every decision the Council makes. When the time comes, we'll need proof they can't deny.
Through the bond, I feel his agreement. His determination.
For the first time since I woke up in the past, I feel a spark of hope. Maybe this time will be different. Maybe with Yunfei and Yijun both helping
A servant rushes in, bowing frantically. Your Highness! Imperial Consort! Terrible news!
My heart stops. What?
Lady Ling Meihua has been poisoned! The physicians say she's dying!
No.
This didn't happen in my first life. Ling Meihua was never poisoned. She was the poisoner.
Through the bond, I feel Yijun's alarm matching my own.
Someone is changing the timeline.
And they're framing us before we even have a chance to stop them.
The servant continues, voice shaking: And Imperial Consort Xia—they found the poison vials in your chambers. Guards are coming to arrest you right now.