Jiu Yue was speechless, her gaze sweeping over him before she realized, "You're Yan Zhouheng."
Yan Zhouheng nodded, then abruptly stood and shoved the kitten in his arms into her hands.
Jiu Yue froze, only to hear him say, "Mother won’t let me keep it. Since we’ve met today, consider it a gift for my eldest sister."
Jiu Yue lowered her eyes, looking at the kitten in her hands. Though small, it was clean and well-cared for.
She glanced up, meeting Yan Zhouheng’s dark eyes.
"If Eldest Sister doesn’t want it either, give it to Third Sister," he added.
Third Sister—Great Yan’s Third Princess, Yan Lingshuang.
Jiu Yue smiled faintly, stroking the kitten’s head affectionately. "Thank you for the gift. I love it."
Yan Zhouheng: "...Huh?"
Jiu Yue patted her skirt and stepped out of the bushes with the kitten, only to turn and see Yan Zhouheng still rooted in place. She raised a brow. "Aren’t you coming?"
Yan Zhouheng snapped out of his daze and dashed off in the opposite direction.
Jiu Yue watched him go, thoughtful.
Starmoon Palace.
Yan Lingshuang was distracted. With her impending marriage alliance looming, time was running out.
"Sister!" A familiar voice called from outside.
Yan Lingshuang snapped back to attention, rising just as Yan Zhouheng trudged in, visibly dejected.
Her heart sank.
"What’s wrong?" Yan Lingshuang pressed her lips together, weary. "Did you still not see Yan Zhaoning?"
Yan Zhouheng shook his head. "I saw her today."
Yan Lingshuang’s eyes brightened. "And?"
"She’s beautiful," Yan Zhouheng said. "Looks just like Father."
"...That’s not what I meant," Yan Lingshuang murmured. "Did you do what I asked?"
Yan Zhouheng nodded.
Yan Lingshuang tensed. "What did she say?"
He repeated Jiu Yue’s response.
Yan Lingshuang paused.
Yan Zhouheng lowered his gaze. "Sister, she probably won’t bring the kitten to you."
"No," Yan Lingshuang exhaled, relieved. "She’ll come."
Confined to Starmoon Palace by Consort Ning, Yan Lingshuang couldn’t leave, and outsiders were barred from entering.
Now that she’d finally connected with Yan Zhaoning, she told herself to stay patient.
"Sister..." Yan Zhouheng called softly.
Yan Lingshuang snapped back, urging him to leave.
"Mother will check your studies soon. If you’re late..." She trailed off, then smiled faintly—a rare sight. "No, you’re grown now."
Yan Lingshuang had always been stoic, her expressions scarce even to Yan Zhouheng.
Seeing her smile now unsettled him.
"Sister, you still have me," Yan Zhouheng suddenly knelt, voice trembling. "You won’t... take your own life, right?"
Yan Lingshuang didn’t answer. Instead, she asked, "If you had to choose between me and Mother, who would you pick?"
Yan Zhouheng froze.
Late at night, Yan Lingshuang sensed something amiss. The moment she opened her eyes, she locked gazes with another pair in the dark.
"Sharp instincts..." Jiu Yue remarked, leaning back slightly, studying Yan Lingshuang with interest.
Consort Ning’s daughter wasn’t what she’d expected.
Yan Lingshuang’s breath hitched. The room was pitch-black, save for a sliver of moonlight outlining the figure before her.
"Yan Zhaoning," she said.
"That’s me." Jiu Yue sat at the foot of the bed. "You wanted to see me, didn’t you?"
Yan Lingshuang’s expression shifted—surprise, conflict, but mostly hope.
"You’re impressive. I thought you’d find some excuse to visit openly," Yan Lingshuang admitted.
"Not bad yourself. How’d you notice me?" Jiu Yue asked.
Yan Lingshuang hesitated. "I smelled you."
Jiu Yue: "?"
What smell?
Wait, was this girl serious?!
Jiu Yue’s thoughts spiraled, but Yan Lingshuang pressed on urgently.
"Help me," Yan Lingshuang grasped her hand. "I’ll tell you everything about my mother."
Jiu Yue’s eyes widened.
For real???
Yan Lingshuang wanted to team up with her???
Was this luck or a trap???
Her skepticism flared. "How do you want me to help? And why betray your mother?"
Yan Lingshuang didn’t answer. Instead, she took a deep breath and began undressing.
Jiu Yue startled, instinctively reaching for the blanket to shield her eyes—but her gaze caught on Yan Lingshuang’s exposed skin. Even in the dim light, the bruises and scars were unmistakable.
Jiu Yue stiffened.
Yan Lingshuang seized her hand, guiding it over the marks—each one a testament to suffering no princess should endure.
"You..." Jiu Yue understood, but Yan Lingshuang had already buried her face in her hands, silent sobs shaking her shoulders.
How could she not cry?
Baring her wounds was reliving the pain.
She was all in now.
Jiu Yue stayed quiet, not asking what Consort Ning had done. Instead, she crawled closer and helped Yan Lingshuang dress.
"It’s okay. I’ll help. Don’t cry." Jiu Yue fumbled for words, awkward but earnest. Finally, she tugged Yan Lingshuang under the covers.
Two maids lingered outside Starmoon Palace.
"Go ahead and cry here. No one will hear," Jiu Yue offered, patting her back tentatively.
Yan Lingshuang: "..."
She almost laughed at herself.
This was supposed to be a ploy to earn Yan Zhaoning’s trust. Yet here she was, undone by the warmth of a single touch.
Yan Lingshuang fell silent.
"Done crying?" Jiu Yue asked when no sound came.
Yan Lingshuang wiped her face and emerged. Jiu Yue followed, their heads sharing a pillow.
Jiu Yue reached out, brushing her fingers over Yan Lingshuang’s cheek—dry. Good.
"...Stopping at my face would’ve sufficed. Where are you touching now?" Yan Lingshuang deadpanned, catching Jiu Yue’s straying hand.
Jiu Yue scowled. "Don’t twist my words! I was pulling back!"
Yan Lingshuang released her. The banter eased the tension.
"I’ll lay bare all my weaknesses. If you don’t trust me, feed me poison or use any means to control me. I won’t resist," Yan Lingshuang said.
Jiu Yue frowned. "What do you want? To escape the marriage alliance?"
"No," Yan Lingshuang said. "I’ll go to the steppes. But I need you to help me seize power."
Jiu Yue blinked. "What power?"
"I want the Old Khan dead," Yan Lingshuang said. "And Chi Na to take his place."
Jiu Yue was lost. "...Who’s Chi Na?"
"The Old Khan’s least favored son," Yan Lingshuang explained. "When Mu Ling went missing, the Old Khan sent him to Great Yan to assist in the search."
Jiu Yue was utterly shocked, pondering how long the two of them had been together, when Yan Lingshuang dropped another bombshell.
"After capturing the Old Khan, Chi Na and I will lead the grasslands to submit to Great Yan. This merit will be more than enough to secure your position as Crown Princess."
