Just like they had planned, the emperor killed Concubine Rong with his own hands. Yan Meilin was waiting in the shadows, ready to perform the forbidden ritual. As Concubine Rong's body collapsed, Yan Meilin whispered the dark spell.
A moment later, the soul left the body and disappeared into the crack between two worlds. The transmigration was a success. Concubine Rong's soul had entered the parallel world exactly as the ancient books described.
When Yan Meilin confirmed it, the emperor was overjoyed. There was hope in his eyes and ecstasy. If they could do it once, they could do it again.
They began preparing for the empress's turn.
But the ritual required time and conditions that could not be forced. Yan Meilin needed to wait for a rare alignment of stars and spiritual energy—an opportunity that would come only once a year.
In the meantime, her place in the palace began to change.
