Floating life reflects two lotuses

Night fell outside the princess's residence, and the silvery moonlight spilled onto the quiet path. Si Lan's figure flashed past in the corridor. Her steps were quick and light, and she carried a small lantern in her hand as she headed towards a secluded corner outside the residence.

Not far away, an abandoned temple was shrouded in the night, its dilapidated roof exuding a sense of desolation. Silan pushed open the heavy wooden door and stepped inside. The candlelight inside flickered slightly, illuminating a tall but indistinct figure.

"You're too late." A deep voice echoed in the temple, carrying a sense of oppression.

Silan bowed slightly, placed the lantern on the ground, and said calmly, "The princess has been delayed for some time, but she has not made any moves yet."

The man remained silent for a moment, seemingly considering something, before speaking in a low voice: "Consort Yan's plan is gradually unfolding. If the ceremony is not disrupted on the day of the Phoenix Festival, the princess will likely face a terrible fate."

Silan frowned slightly upon hearing this: "The bracelet in the princess's hand is the key to maintaining the soul exchange, but it is also the core of the spell that Consort Yan uses. If the bracelet is destroyed, the spell may fail, but the princess's soul... may not be able to return."

“So we can’t destroy it.” The man’s tone was calm and unwavering. “We need to stabilize Consort Yan for now, but we can’t let her completely control the situation.”

Silan nodded: "Understood."

“Remember your duty,” the man said slowly, his voice deep yet authoritative. “Being by her side is not just about protecting her, but also about buying time for the situation to unfold.”

Silan hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Will you come to the Phoenix Festival, Master?"

The man didn't answer directly, but coldly said, "I will intervene if necessary."

Having said that, his figure disappeared into the darkness, leaving only a cold wind sweeping through the temple, causing the candlelight to flicker violently. Silan stood there, head bowed in thought for a moment, then turned and left.

It was late at night when Silan returned to the princess's residence. She quietly pushed open the door and found that the candlelight was still on. Xiao Jinlian (the soul of Chu Wanlian) was sitting at the desk, her gaze fixed on the white jade bracelet on the table.

"It's so late, why hasn't the princess rested yet?" Silan stepped forward, placed a cup of warm tea on the table, and quickly glanced at the bracelet in her hand, her expression unchanged.

Xiao Jinlian looked up at Silan, her tone slightly amusement: "Silan, where did you go? Why are you so late?"

Silan paused for a moment, then lowered her head and replied, "I just went to inspect the backyard and saw that the princess's room was still lit, so I came to check."

Xiao Jinlian looked at her quietly, and Chu Wanlian's voice echoed in her mind: "Silan has been with me for so many years and she has actually learned to lie."

"Oh? On patrol?" Xiao Jinlian said casually, "But I heard... someone leaving through the side door?"

Silan's expression changed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure: "Your Highness is overthinking it. I was just conducting a routine inspection and would not dare to leave my post."

Chu Wanlian sneered, "Judging from her calm demeanor, there's definitely something fishy going on."

Xiao Jinlian raised an eyebrow, not pressing the matter further. Instead, she picked up the bracelet and examined it carefully under the candlelight: "Silan, do you think... there might be something wrong with this bracelet?"

Silan's gaze swept quickly over the runes on the bracelet, then she said in a low voice, "If the princess is worried, then let Silan keep it for now?"

"Not really." Xiao Jinlian deliberately brandished the chain in her hand, her eyes searching. "It's just that this thing has been acting rather strangely lately. Haven't you noticed?"

Silan lowered her head slightly, avoiding her gaze: "I am just a maid, and I dare not speak presumptuously."

In her mind, Chu Wanlian sneered softly, "She knows far more than she says."

"Never mind." Xiao Jinlian put the bracelet back on the table and said casually, "Tomorrow is the Phoenix Festival, so I should rest early so that I won't be too weak to deal with Consort Yan tomorrow."

"This subordinate takes her leave." Silan bowed slightly, turned and left.

The door closed softly, and the room returned to silence. Xiao Jinlian stretched and was about to get up when she suddenly felt a faint fluctuation coming from her bracelet.

"Here we go again." She frowned, picked up the bracelet and examined it closely; the runes seemed to flicker slightly with her breath.

Chu Wanlian's voice turned serious: "This is... the fluctuation of a spell. The effects of this thing are far more complex than we imagined."

"Could it really determine our fate?" Xiao Jinlian stared at the bracelet and asked in a low voice.

"Perhaps, but we can't give it up easily now." Chu Wanlian's tone was calm and firm. "This bracelet is both a key and a shackle."

Xiao Jinlian sighed softly, put the bracelet back on her wrist, looked at the moonlight outside the window, and her eyes showed a hint of determination.

Late at night, Silan returned to her small room, a complex emotion flickering across her face. Standing by the window, gazing at the bright moonlight, she murmured softly, "The princess probably suspects me, doesn't she?"

She gently placed her hand on her chest, touching a small jade pendant hanging around her neck—the only token of her identity. A flicker of pain flashed in her eyes, but quickly, her expression returned to calm.

"No matter what, my mission is to protect her." Silan closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and the moonlight cast a cold glow on her face, as if gilding her forbearance and determination with a thin veil.

Outside the window, the shadows of the trees swayed, and the night wind carried a low, mournful sound.

The following morning, a tense atmosphere permeated the palace; the chaotic scene of yesterday's sacrifice seemed to still echo in the air. In the main hall, the emperor sat on his dragon throne, his face grim, his folding fan gripped tightly in his hand, his knuckles slightly white.

"The Phoenix Festival is a grand royal ceremony, yet it has been turned into such a disgraceful affair! I ask you, how was this arranged?" The emperor's voice was icy, his gaze sharp as he swept over the officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Household Department below.

"Your Majesty, we are guilty!" The Minister of Rites and the Chief Steward of the Imperial Household Department immediately knelt down to beg for forgiveness, their foreheads covered in cold sweat.

Li Heng stood to the side, upright as a pine tree, and said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, the strange phenomena that occurred during the Phoenix Festival are no small matter. I believe this matter should be thoroughly investigated and must not be allowed to be buried." His tone was somewhat suggestive, but his eyes inadvertently glanced in the direction of Consort Yan.

Upon hearing this, Consort Yan remained calm and composed. She stepped forward and slowly knelt down, saying, "Your Majesty, I am also deeply troubled by yesterday's events. I only wished to offer my sincere prayers, but I never expected such a turn of events. Please investigate thoroughly, Your Majesty!"

Her words were both tactful and skillful, completely absolving her of any responsibility.

The Emperor stared at Consort Yan for a moment, his brows furrowing slightly. He waved his hand and said, "This matter will be discussed later. Issue an edict ordering the Princess to rest and recuperate. Order Li Heng to investigate the cause of the strange phenomenon. If anyone dares to cause trouble under the guise of the sacrificial ceremony, they will be severely punished!"

"Your subject obeys the decree." Li Heng bowed his head and accepted the order, a complex look in his eyes.

Inside the Jinhuang Palace, Consort Yan stood by the window, her eyes filled with malice. In her hand, she held a delicate beaded necklace, which she twirled continuously. Outside the window, the plum trees swayed, their petals falling to the ground, seemingly silently telling a cruel tale of fate.

"Your Majesty, although the Emperor has not blamed you, Li Heng has begun investigating the matter of the sacrifice. Will this be detrimental to us?" the nanny asked cautiously.

Consort Yan sneered and gently put down the beaded necklace: "What can his investigation find? It's just a waste of time. Although yesterday's plan was disrupted, the curse has already planted a seed in Chu Wanlian's soul. She may seem unharmed, but her soul has been damaged, and she will only grow weaker in the future."

"A wise man once said that to completely cut off her ability to retaliate, we need to leave her with nowhere to turn in the palace," the nanny reminded her.

"I understand." Consort Yan looked up at the window, her eyes icy. "Next, let her taste the feeling of being isolated and helpless."

She turned and ordered, "Pass down the word that yesterday's sacrificial ceremony was improper, implying that the strange phenomena at the princess's residence are an ominous sign. At the same time, use palace rules as a pretext to restrict her movements and activities, making sure she feels restricted at every turn."

When Chu Wanlian awoke, she felt dizzy and weak, as if all her strength had been drained away. Lying on the bed, she heard Silan whispering beside her, "Princess, you're finally awake."

"What's wrong with me?" She tried to sit up, only to find that even her arms were trembling.

In her mind, Xiao Jinlian's weak voice echoed: "It seems the curse really has an effect on the soul. My princess, what are we going to do if this continues?"

"Shut up!" Chu Wanlian hissed, forcing herself to sit up in bed. "I will never let that vixen get her way!"

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door, and Li Heng pushed it open and entered. His brows furrowed with worry, his gaze fixed intently on Xiao Jinlian: "Lian'er, are you feeling any better?"

Xiao Jinlian forced a smile: "Thank you for your concern, Brother Liheng. I'm fine."

Li Heng walked slowly to the bedside, his expression complex: "Yesterday's sacrifice...do you still remember anything?"

“I only remember the chaos,” Xiao Jinlian said casually, downplaying the seriousness of the situation. “Thanks to your timely arrival, otherwise the consequences would have been unimaginable.”

"Lian'er, do you know the purpose of the sacrifice?" Li Heng asked tentatively.

Xiao Jinlian's eyes flickered slightly, and alarm bells rang in her mind: "Is he... suspecting something?"

"Consort Yan used the sacrificial ceremony as an excuse to actually try to kill me. I see this very clearly." She answered calmly, but her tone carried an undeniable chill.

Upon hearing this, Li Heng's gaze darkened, and he said softly, "It's my fault for startling you again... I will always protect Lian'er by your side."

"Thank you, Brother Liheng." Xiao Jinlian looked up at him, her gaze filled with complex emotions. Chu Wanlian in her mind couldn't help but interject, "Don't call me that! He's my Brother Liheng!"

"I understand!" Xiao Jinlian said softly, a faint blush appearing on her face.

Li Heng did not notice her unusual behavior, but simply whispered, "Take good care of yourself, and I will continue to investigate this matter."