Floating life reflects two lotuses

Inside the imperial study, the candlelight flickered, the dim light outlining the emperor's cold and stern features. He sat upright on the dragon throne, his fingertips lightly tapping the table, his expression calm yet revealing an undeniable heaviness.

The chief eunuch carefully handed over a newly delivered secret report, lowering his voice as he said, "Your Majesty, this is an urgent report that came back today from the place of offering sacrifices."

The emperor raised his eyes, his gaze sharp as a knife, and took the letter. His fingers unfurled the paper, and the few lines on it felt like a dagger, piercing his heart:

"Consort Yan has appeared, suspected of being resurrected through the magic of the Spirit Stream. The runes are already moving strangely, and blood light is shooting into the sky."

The emperor's gaze turned icy, and the secret report in his hand slowly unfurled, his expression shifting between light and shadow. Consort Yan—that name had long been buried in the annals of time, but now it had resurfaced. A deep, unconcealed worry lurked in his eyes, and even his breathing became heavy.

At this moment, the eunuch whispered, "Princess Chu Wanlian requests an audience."

The emperor looked up, his gaze returning to calm, and said indifferently, "Summon."

The door was pushed open, and Chu Wanlian stepped in. She looked at the emperor with a firm gaze, her tone gentle but unquestionable: "Father, I wish to go to the place of offering sacrifices. There... it seems that something unusual has happened there."

The emperor narrowed his eyes, remained silent for a moment, seemingly deep in thought. His gaze was profound, and finally he said calmly, "Go. Since your mind is made up, I will not stop you."

Chu Wanlian was slightly taken aback, seemingly not expecting the emperor to agree so readily, but she still bowed and said, "Thank you, Father Emperor."

After Chu Wanlian left, the emperor gazed into the distance with a deep look in his eyes, and his voice seemed to come from a secluded valley: "Shadow Guard."

A figure suddenly appeared from the shadows and knelt on one knee: "Your subordinate is here."

The emperor ordered in a deep voice: "Send men to secretly follow the princess and protect her safety. Report back immediately if anything unusual happens."

"Yes." The shadow guard accepted the order and then disappeared into the shadows.

The emperor slowly grasped the jade seal on the table, his gaze falling once more on the secret report, his brows furrowing even deeper.

Time seemed to flow backwards to the imperial harem many years ago, when Consort Yan and Consort Xian were sisters admired by everyone in the palace.

Consort Xian came from a prestigious family and was gentle and virtuous; Consort Yan, though somewhat ambitious, was once a simple woman. The two entered the palace together, supporting each other and weathering the storms of the harem, becoming the most harmonious presence in the Emperor's eyes.

"Yan'er, in this palace, you and I are the only true sisters."

Back then, Consort Xian always liked to say this to Consort Yan with a smile. And Consort Yan would always hold her hand, her eyes firm: "Sister Xian, if one day comes, I will protect you."

However, this sisterly bond quietly collapsed due to Lingjian's interference.

The year Consort Xian was pregnant, Lingjian's secret order quietly entered the palace.

"The virtuous concubine betrayed the organization, attempting to escape with the runes. She must die."

The messenger handed a secret order to Consort Yan, his tone chilling: "Consort Yan, this is your chance to prove your loyalty. If you don't act, you'll be next to die."

Consort Yan clutched the letter, feeling as if she had been plunged into an ice cellar. She stared at the words on the paper in disbelief. Ling Jian actually wanted her to personally eliminate Consort Xian? The person she considered her closest relative?

That night, Consort Yan came to Consort Xian's palace.

"Yan'er, you've come." The Virtuous Consort smiled gently, her belly already protruding, and held a jade pendant carved with runes in her hands. She looked at Consort Yan with longing, "After the child is born, I want to take him away from here, far away from the strife..."

Consort Yan's heart trembled, and her eyes reddened slightly: "Sister Xian, why did you do this?"

Consort Xian sighed and gently stroked the jade pendant: "Things from the Spirit Stream should not remain in the mortal realm; their power is too terrifying. I cannot let my child be involved in them as well."

Consort Yan listened, her heart aching. She knew that if Consort Xian had truly betrayed Lingjian, then neither of them would escape unscathed.

That night, Consort Yan ultimately chose "betrayal." Under Lingjian's coercion, she reported Consort Xian to the Emperor. Upon learning the news, the Emperor was furious, but he also sensed that something was amiss.

So, he went along with it, banishing Consort Xian to the Cold Palace, giving her poisoned wine, but secretly replacing it with fake wine, and quietly escorting her to a secluded temple.

"My dear consort, this is the only way I can protect you."

Consort Xian, with tears streaming down her face, said, "Your Majesty, I understand. I wish to spend the rest of my life in quiet contemplation and never concern myself with worldly affairs again."

The emperor watched her departing figure with a sorrowful gaze, but also secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

The emperor snapped out of his reverie, his gaze heavy as he looked into the distant darkness. The wind howled outside, like an invisible threat.

"Consort Yan... you really did come back."

He muttered to himself, unconsciously gripping the teacup in his hand even tighter.

If Consort Yan were to be resurrected, she would certainly not accept her defeat from back then. More importantly, the existence of Consort Xian... is also very likely to be discovered by her.

"Someone is coming."

The shadow guard reappeared, kneeling on one knee.

"Strengthen the temple's defenses. Anyone who approaches must be killed on sight." The emperor's voice was as cold as ice, revealing a hint of determination. "Also, keep a close eye on Consort Yan's movements."

The shadow guard obeyed and left, and the imperial study fell silent once again.

The emperor's gaze was deep, as if he could see through the undercurrents of the night.

"Consort Yan, you've made a mistake in this game. If you dare to harm Consort Xian and Chu Wanlian, I will make you pay the price."

The candlelight flickered violently, illuminating the emperor's tense face. At this moment, he vaguely sensed that an even greater storm was quietly approaching.