8 – Prince Yuwen Jinhai’s Gaze

The twilight sky cast long shadows over Tianxu Palace.

Between jade-tipped rooftops and crimson pillars, small birds flew back to their nests as if unwilling to witness the rot waiting for the night to arrive.

The Zhaoyun Pavilion stood quietly on the western side of the palace grounds. From the second-floor balcony, a man leaned casually against a black teak railing. The wind stirred the edge of his robe, revealing a silver dragon crest on his chest.

Yuwen Jinhai, the Seventh Prince of the Ninghua Empire, was gazing eastward toward the Snow Pavilion.

Behind his sharp eyelids, the words from this afternoon's banquet still echoed.

"But if I were to do it, I would choose a method that wouldn't stain the palace carpet."

Zhenyu's tone cold. Elegant. Dangerous.

"She didn't even flinch," Jinhai murmured finally, his voice thin as mist.

The guard behind him bowed his head. "Indeed, Your Highness. Concubine Helian… seems different."

Jinhai was silent for a moment.

Then he replied, "Sharp isn't enough. But if she knows when to hold and when to strike that's what makes her truly dangerous."

---

Meanwhile, at the Snow Pavilion...

Zhenyu hadn't yet gone to sleep. Bai Ruoxi was already curled up on the side bed, fast asleep, while her mistress sat before a jade desk, staring at old medical scrolls. On the far side of the table, a small round mirror reflected a face that no longer felt foreign.

Qingyin's face but no longer Qingyin's soul.

Her fingers paused on an old report:

Blood condition: weak and unstable. Declared infertile. Signed: Imperial Physician Yin Hou.

"Fake," Zhenyu whispered. "And planted deliberately."

Suddenly, her eyes caught a red smear in the corner of the paper. Its color... too familiar.

Blood.

In a flash, she was back in that white-lit meeting room. Her husband former husband stood at the end of the glass table, staring coldly at her:

"You're too smart for a woman. That's your problem, Zhenyu."

The impact of her body slamming into the windowpane. The screams of her office best friend his mistress. Blood. Shattered.

Zhenyu took a deep breath.

"I won't fall a second time. Not in any world."

A soft voice echoed from within her soul.

"Don't let them hurt me again… I can't take it…"

Zhenyu gazed out the window. Night spread slowly across the sky.

"If I must become a demon to stop them… then let me be a wise one."

---

Back at Zhaoyun Pavilion, that same night...

A servant brought a scroll to Jinhai.

"The banquet report, Your Highness. It seems… Concubine Helian's scroll was switched. The one she opened was meant for Concubine Bing."

Jinhai raised an eyebrow.

"Switched? Or chosen deliberately?"

He read the scroll:

Have you ever bribed the imperial physician to alter the medical records of another concubine?

A low chuckle escaped his lips.

"So she chose this one and stepped into a tiger's den with a smile."

He slowly walked toward a stone lantern and lit it with a small flame.

"If she can destroy Ji Suling's reputation with only words... she's not just a concubine. She could be a weapon."

He watched the flame flicker softly.

"If a wild bird like her could be snared… imagine the view I'd have from that height."

"And even if I can't snare her… at the very least, I'll become the ribbon tied to her ankle."

---

At the Snow Pavilion again...

Zhenyu stood at the veranda, looking west. The night flowed calmly, but her chest felt heavy. She frowned.

"Someone… is watching."

She tightened her scarf.

The air was cold, but her heart was colder.

"Let them watch.

I've lit the stage now let the performance begin."

---

The next morning…

Whispers rippled through the palace like fog in white marble halls. Servants spoke in hushed voices, afraid to raise their tone:

> "Concubine Ji… coughed blood this morning…"

"Physician Yin Hou was summoned secretly before dawn."

"Some say… it's not a natural illness."

"Could it be… retaliation from yesterday's game?"

And behind the veil of Snow Pavilion, Zhenyu sat quietly. Not a flicker of expression changed on her face.

Because in this palace, victory wasn't about speed

but about knowing when to stay silent,

and when to make the final move.

---

Pavilion Qianrong – Ji Suling's Residence, Morning

The usual fragrant incense was replaced with the faint scent of metal and spirit-repelling herbs. The pink curtains were tightly drawn. Light refused to enter as if even the morning knew something foul hid here.

Ji Suling sat on the bedside, wearing a phoenix-embroidered white robe. Her lips were pale, but her eyes were still sharp.

Physician Yin Hou stood trembling before her, bottle clutched tightly.

"How long until I can speak without the taste of iron?" Ji Suling's voice was icy.

The physician bowed deeply.

"The poison used is no ordinary one, Lady Ji. It's slow, but it attacks a woman's blood at the root. Your Qi is disrupted."

"You're sure it's poison?" she pressed.

"Yes, and… it appears the ingredients came from your own Pavilion. That means"

"It means the culprit knows what I eat each day," she snapped.

"And has access to my kitchen."

Yin Hou trembled.

"I will investigate further, My Lady."

"No," she said, voice weakeningbbut still lethal.

"You will do nothing. Tell everyone this is a common illness.

If any servant talks… I'll spit my last drop of blood into their mouths myself."

The physician dropped to his knees.

"I understand, My Lady."

After he left, Ji Suling stared into her mirror.

Behind her beautiful reflection she saw a crack.

"Helian Qingyin," she whispered.

"If you think this is victory, then you still don't know me."

---

Snow Pavilion – Eastern Side

Bai Ruoxi entered carefully, carrying a tray of morning tea. She looked nervous but tried to stay calm.

Zhenyu was sitting near the window, observing birds in the misty garden.

"Good morning, My Lady," Ruoxi said softly.

"The news about… Concubine Ji… has spread."

Zhenyu nodded lightly.

"Bad news travels fast in this palace."

Ruoxi looked at her, then asked timidly,

"Did… did My Lady know what caused it?"

Zhenyu turned to look at her loyal servant.

"Some things in this world don't need a hand to fall.

Fear of their own shadow is enough."

Ruoxi bit her lip.

"Then… will it continue?"

Zhenyu smiled faintly.

"The game has only just begun.

Concubine Ji merely felt the prick of a needle.

But those behind her…

They'll feel the sword."

She sipped her tea slowly.

"And I'll make sure it comes… with a smile."

---

Inner Garden – Midday

Yuwen Jinhai walked through the camellia corridor. A eunuch approached and whispered in his ear.

He nodded slightly.

"Let them think it's all a show," he said.

"But I want to know who's behind the curtain."

He glanced toward the Snow Pavilion.

The wind blew through his robes, and for a moment…

his gaze held something unreadable.

---