Chapter 39

📖 CHAPTER 39: THE GHOST AND THE FOX

The night air carried whispers through the capital, stories of shadows moving where no one should be. It was said that a ghost had returned—a prince long thought dead.

Gu Qingyan stood by her window, the seal resting in her palm. She could feel it now, the power locked within its ancient bronze surface.

A power that others would kill for.

A quiet knock at her door.

Xiao Yue's voice was low. "Miss, a guest has arrived."

Gu Qingyan turned. "Who?"

Xiao Yue hesitated. "He wouldn't give his name. But he said you would recognize him."

Gu Qingyan's fingers tightened slightly.

"…Bring him to the study."

—

📍 Gu Manor – The Study

The lanterns flickered as Gu Qingyan stepped inside. A man stood near the bookshelves, his presence almost too still, too silent.

His dark robes blended into the shadows, his long silver hair flowing down his back.

When he turned, his golden eyes gleamed in the dim light.

Gu Qingyan's breath hitched.

"…You."

The Ghost Prince.

Feng Liyan.

A name that had once been buried with the dead.

Feng Liyan studied her, his gaze sharp, calculating. "It's been a long time, Qingyan."

She schooled her expression. "Strange. I don't recall us ever meeting."

He smirked. "No. But our fates were bound long before this."

Gu Qingyan remained silent, her mind racing.

This man had been executed years ago. She had read the records herself. His crime? Treason.

And yet, here he stood.

"Why are you here?" she asked coolly.

Feng Liyan stepped closer, his voice barely above a whisper.

"To reclaim what was stolen."

Gu Qingyan met his gaze. "And what does that have to do with me?"

A slow smile curved his lips. "Everything."

She clenched her fists.

The imperial bloodline. The hidden relic. The whispers that haunted her at night.

The truth was coming, piece by piece.

But was she ready for it?

—

📍 Imperial Palace – Crown Prince's Quarters

Feng Yusheng sat in silence, his fingers tracing the rim of his tea cup.

A shadow moved behind him.

A masked man knelt. "Your Highness, the Ghost Prince has been spotted."

Feng Yusheng's grip tightened slightly.

"…Where?"

"Gu Manor."

The tea cup cracked.

The Crown Prince exhaled slowly, a dangerous glint in his golden eyes.

"So, the rumors are true."

He leaned back, his voice laced with quiet amusement.

"This game just became far more interesting."