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Gu Huan
墨書 Inktalez
A pale face was reflected in the carved bronze mirror, and I stared blankly at the unfamiliar brows and eyes staring back at me. The gilded candlestick cast mottled shadows on the plain gauze curtains, while the air was thick with the strange scent of Dragon's Blood Incense mingling with a bloody smell. As my fingertips brushed against the satin wrapped around my forehead, a sharp pain suddenly tore through the chaos—countless fragments of memory surged in like a tide, and amidst the thunderous sound of iron hooves trampling, the last image that solidified was that of my brother pierced through the chest by a spear.
"Your Highness, be careful!" The crisp sound of the copper basin hitting the ground shattered the silence of the room. Zi Juan knelt in the puddles of water, her rounded shoulders trembling. "This servant deserves to die! I will—"
I raised my hand to stop Little Palace Maid's apologies, my Silk Robes with Wide Sleeves brushing past like a cool breeze. Outside the Lattice Window, the cicadas suddenly ceased their chirping, and a corner of dark blue fabric flashed behind the Vermilion Pillars adorned with Five Bats Bestow Longevity—indeed, since awakening at Mao Time, there had been no end to the spies lurking outside Phoenix Nest Palace.
"Change clothes." My fingertip traced over the hidden compartment at the bottom of the Makeup Box, curling slightly when it touched the cold iron. In the bronze mirror, the girl's eyes were as red as blood-stained phoenix feathers; this body’s residual muscle memory was clamoring with murderous intent. The pain from being pierced through the pipa bone by iron chains in my past life still burned in my marrow, and now reborn in this delicate yet valiant skin of Chu Mengli, Eldest Princess of Da Chu, lay a malevolent spirit that had crawled back from hell.
Zi Juan's hands trembled as she held out the Gilded Crown; the steppe ornament of Nine Phoenixes Holding Pearls shattered into countless stars in the morning light. I bent down to pick up the fallen Dong Zhu, my fingertip rubbing over its beaded surface—these were Jadeite Tears from the southern frontier, meant to be embedded in the Queen's Nine Phoenix Crown.
"The Second Prince sent Anshen Incense this morning." Little Palace Maid's voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzz, and there was a distinct bruise around her neck. The Purple Copper Incense Burner in the Dressing Table's dark drawer still held warmth; through its hollow carvings, half-burnt Dragon's Blood Incense could be seen. I pinched some ash and lightly sniffed it at my nose, a cold smile curling at my lips. Anshen Incense mixed with mandrake? My dear brother was indeed eager.
Suddenly, the Vermilion Palace Gate was flung open by a strong wind, and the clash of Xuan Tie Armor startled the copper bells hanging from eaves. A man stood against the light in a python robe and jade belt; at his waist hung a dragon-patterned jade pendant that matched perfectly with my memories. Chu Tiankuo raised his hand to stroke the Azure Jade Kui Dragon Zun on display; his knuckles struck against the Bronze Taotie Pattern with a resonant clang. "Elder Sister looks well; it seems those quack doctors from Tai Hospital need to be replaced."
"Thank you for your concern, Prince." I twisted my wrist adorned with a Jade Bracelet; as its mechanism clicked softly, silver needles were already poised for action within my sleeve. His boots were stained with fresh blood, so thick that even Dragon's Blood Incense could not mask it—the Bloody Smell lingered heavily—this morning thirty-seven death warriors had just perished in Xingbu prison, all fatal wounds inflicted by Willow Leaf Blades.
Suddenly, a Jing Niao swept across outside; at that moment when cold light flickered from Chu Tiankuo's fingertips, I spun around and pushed Zi Juan behind a gilded screen. As Poisoned Silver Darts embedded into the Sandalwood Table, eighteen Black-Clad Assassins crashed through the window. The glinting blades reflected crimson in my eyes; as silver threads coiled around one of their necks from my sleeve, warm droplets of blood splattered onto the scarlet gauze window.
"Elder Sister has great skills!" Chu Tiankuo clapped and laughed heartily, yet his Soft Sword struck like a venomous snake aimed directly for my throat. I hooked up a long knife from the ground with my toes; as gold clashed against iron with a resounding clang, dust fell from above beams. The phantom pain from being severed in my veins during my previous life still lingered on; yet this body seemed to have experienced countless battles—the movements were etched into its very bones.
As the ninth death warrior collapsed heavily to the ground, I stepped onto his still-twitching spine and lifted my bloodied blade to point under Chu Tiankuo's chin. "This is your meeting gift, Prince; I accept it." In that instant when his pupils constricted sharply, I leaned close to his ear and chuckled softly: "Tell Consort Shu to hire a more skilled perfumer next time."
When the sundial's pointer passed three-quarters past si hour, hurried footsteps suddenly echoed outside Phoenix Nest Palace. Accompanied by Yellow Gate Attendant’s sharp voice penetrating through the hall: "Your Majesty’s command—summon Eldest Princess to Zi Chen Hall immediately!"
Chu Tiankuo’s expression changed drastically; I casually tossed aside my dripping long knife and allowed palace attendants to tremble as they wiped away blood from my face. In Lattice Mirror, a girl smiled sweetly; her eye’s vermilion mole glowed like weeping blood. The secret letter hidden within the bronze mirror’s compartment still bore scorch marks; those two words "Southern Liang Kingdom" coincided perfectly with that enemy nation which had annihilated my family in my past life.
As I stepped out of the hall, I looked up towards the towering palace gates. A solitary shadow of an eagle swept across glazed tiles while blood-red remnants of clouds gathered on the southeastern horizon.
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