Before the sun fully climbed the sky, the East Wing erupted with frantic footsteps and whispers sharp enough to cut palms. Jiao Shui had barely tied the last ribbon of her robe when the doors crashed open and a panting eunuch stumbled inside.
He clutched a scroll so tightly it looked like he had fought a tiger for it.
"L–Lady Jiao Shui," he wheezed. "A decree from His Imperial Majesty… but the trial itself… it was devised by… by…"
He swallowed.
"By Prince Yang."
Song Lingfang stiffened beside her.Prince Yang leaned casually against her window frame like he owned the place.
Of course.
Jiao Shui took the scroll with a sinking feeling. The Emperor's seal glowed red like a drop of fresh blood.
She unrolled it.
And instantly wanted to scream.
"Trial of Harmony: Candidate must retrieve the Blossom of Dawn, located on the forbidden Third Peak. Failure results in disqualification from imperial selection."
She stared.
Song Lingfang whispered, "The Third Peak is filled with venom fog and spirit beasts."
Prince Yang beamed. "Indeed."
Jiao Shui pinched her forehead. "Is this a trial or an execution?"
"A trial," he said sweetly. "The execution part is optional. Entirely up to your survival skills."
She glared. "Why?"
He leaned in, invading her space like a lazy, arrogant storm."Because I want to see what happens when the court's new 'spirit-magnet lunatic' is thrown into danger."
Her spirit twins materialized behind her, visible only to her eyes, both folding their ghostly arms in outrage.
One whispered, We bite him?
The other nodded. We bite him very hard.
Jiao whispered back internally, Later.
Song Lingfang stepped between her and the prince. His voice was calm, controlled, but iron-threaded."She doesn't need to take this test. It's clearly targeted."
Prince Yang smiled without humor. "And if she refuses? She's removed from the consort selection. Completely."
Lingfang stilled.
Jiao Shui breathed in.
This was Prince Yang's game. A blade hidden beneath silk.
But she wasn't the same girl who died helpless in another life.
She lifted her chin."I'll take it."
Prince Yang blinked. Perhaps he expected tears. Begging. Cracking.
Instead, she was steady.
"Excellent," he said. "Then we leave in an hour."
"Leave?" Jiao repeated.
"For the mountain, sweetheart."
Lingfang frowned. "You're going with her?"
Prince Yang smirked. "Of course. Someone needs to verify she doesn't receive… spiritual help."
Jiao Shui muttered to her spirits, "Did he just call you both a cheating hazard?"
Both spirits hissed in offense.
Prince Yang eyed her. "Talking to your invisible fan club again?"
She ignored him and turned toward Lingfang.His eyes softened, shadows of worry gathering under his lashes.
"Be careful," he whispered.
Her heart stumbled.
The spirits giggled.
Prince Yang rolled his eyes.
The eunuch fainted.
An hour later, the three of them stood before the mist-wrapped Third Peak. The mountain breathed danger. The trees creaked like old bones. Purple venom fog curled across the ground like it had opinions.
A low animal growl echoed from somewhere unseen.
Prince Yang's cloak fluttered as he gestured grandly."Lady Jiao Shui, your stage awaits."
She swallowed.
Her spirits hovered around her nervously.
Song Lingfang took a step closer."If anything feels wrong, call my name. I will reach you."
Prince Yang scoffed. "Not if I reach her first."
A thunderclap rumbled behind the clouds.The venom fog thickened.
And deep inside, something ancient stirred.
Something that did not appreciate visitors.