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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 features 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 the 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 final image that crystallized was that of my brother pierced through the chest by a spear.
"Your Highness, be careful!" The sharp sound of a copper basin hitting the floor shattered the room's heavy silence. 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 the Little Palace Maid's apologies, my Silk Robes with Wide Sleeves brushing against the Bronze ice basin, sending a chill through me. 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 watchful eyes 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 metal. In the copper mirror, the girl’s eyes were as red as blood-stained phoenix feathers; this body’s residual muscle memory screamed with murderous intent. The pain from being pierced through my pipa bone by iron chains in my past life still burned in my marrow, and now reborn in this delicate yet formidable skin of Chu Mengli, Eldest Princess of Da Chu, lay a vengeful spirit that had crawled back from hell.
Zi Juan's hands trembled as she held up the Gilded Crown; the step ornaments shaped like Nine Phoenixes Holding Pearls shattered into countless stars in the morning light. I bent down to pick up a fallen Dong Zhu, my fingertip tracing over its beaded surface—this was Jadeite Tears from the southern frontier, which should have been embedded in the Queen's Nine Phoenix Crown.
"The Second Prince sent Anshen Incense this morning." The 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, I could faintly see half-burnt Dragon's Blood Incense. I pinched some ash and inhaled it lightly through 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, causing copper bells at the eaves to jingle. A man stood against the light in a python robe with a jade belt; his dragon-patterned jade pendant hung at his waist just as I remembered. Chu Tiankuo raised his hand to caress the Azure Jade Kui Dragon Zun on display; his knuckles rapped sharply against the Bronze Taotie Pattern: "Elder Sister looks well; it seems those quacks from the Imperial Medical Bureau need to be replaced."
"Thank you for your concern, Prince." I twisted my wrist adorned with a Jade Bracelet; when its mechanism clicked softly, silver needles hidden in my sleeve were poised for action. His boots were stained with fresh blood—so thick that even Dragon's Blood Incense could not mask it—the Bloody Smell lingering in the air; thirty-seven dead warriors had just perished in Xingbu Prison this morning, 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. A Poisoned Silver Dart embedded itself into the Sandalwood Table as eighteen Black-Clad Assassins crashed through the window. The glinting blades reflected crimson light in my eyes; as silver threads wrapped around one of their necks, warm droplets of blood splattered onto the Crimson Gauze Window.
"Elder Sister has quite some skill!" Chu Tiankuo clapped and laughed heartily, yet his Soft Sword darted like a venomous snake straight for my throat. I hooked my toes around a long knife on the ground; when gold clashed against iron with a resounding clang, dust fell from above beams. The phantom pain from severed tendons endured in my past life still lingered, but this body seemed to have experienced countless battles—every move etched into its very bones.
When the ninth warrior collapsed with a thud, I stepped onto his twitching spine and lifted my bloodied blade under Chu Tiankuo's chin: "This is your meeting gift; I shall accept it." At that moment when his pupils constricted sharply, I leaned close to his ear and whispered with a laugh: "Tell Consort Shu to find a more skilled perfumer next time."
As the sundial's pointer passed three-quarters past noon, hurried footsteps suddenly echoed outside Phoenix Nest Palace. Accompanied by Yellow Gate Attendant’s shrill voice piercing through the hall: "Your Majesty’s decree commands Eldest Princess to proceed immediately to Zi Chen Hall for an audience!"
Chu Tiankuo’s expression changed drastically as I casually dropped my dripping long knife and allowed Palace Maid to tremble while wiping away blood from my face. In the Lattice Mirror, the girl smiled gently; her eyes' vermilion birthmark glowed like weeping blood. The secret letter hidden within the copper mirror still bore scorch marks; those two words "Southern Liang Kingdom" matched perfectly with that enemy nation responsible for my family's demise 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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