Yueyin's POV
I see him the moment we enter the palace gardens.
Crown Prince Zhengming stands at the center of a crowd of nobles, laughing at someone's joke. Handsome. Charming. Everyone loves him.
I want to throw up.
That's the man who'll beat me behind closed doors. Who'll sell our empire's secrets to enemies. Who'll smile while Father bleeds out on an execution platform.
And right now, he's looking straight at me.
Our eyes meet across the garden. He smiles that perfect, gentle smile that fooled me for so long. Lifts his wine cup slightly, like a private toast just for me.
My stomach twists. He thinks I'm the same stupid girl who fell for his lies.
Not anymore.
Yueyin, are you listening? Father touches my elbow.
I jerk my attention back. Sorry. What?
Minister Liu wants to introduce you to his wife. Father's watching me carefully. Are you sure you're feeling well tonight?
I'm fine. I paste on a smile. Just a bit overwhelmed by the crowds.
That's not entirely a lie. Being hereat this exact festival, five years in the past feels like walking through a nightmare I can't wake up from.
Father introduces me to Minister Liu's wife. I bow, say the right polite things, play the perfect daughter. But my mind is racing.
In an hour, Zhengming will find an excuse to get me alone. He'll suggest a walk to the lotus pond. I'll go because I'm too naive to see the trap.
Not this time.
This time, I need to avoid him completely. Stay in the crowds. Stay visible. Don't give him a single chance to corner me.
Yueyin! A too sweet voice calls out.
Qingyi appears in a cloud of perfume and silk, grabbing my hands like we're the best of friends. You look absolutely beautiful! That red suit you perfectly!
I force myself not to pull away. Thank you. You look lovely too.
I told you the festival would be wonderful! She leans in close, lowering her voice. And look Crown Prince Zhengming keeps glancing over here. I think he wants to talk to you!
Of course, he does. And Qingyi's job is to push me toward him.
Actually, I say, I'm not feeling well. The heat, you know. I think I need some air.
Qingyi's smile tightens. But you just got here! And the Crown Prince
Will understand that I'm unwell. I pull my hands free. Excuse me.
I walk away before she can argue, heading toward the quieter edges of the garden. Away from Zhengming. Away from Qingyi. Away from all of them.
My heart pounds. Did I just mess everything up? If Zhengming notices me avoiding him, will he get suspicious? Angry?
But what was I supposed to do? Stand there and let him trap me again?
No. Never again.
The gardens are huge, with winding paths and hidden pavilions. I find a small one overlooking a pond, far from the main festival. Lanterns float on the water, their reflections dancing.
It's peaceful here. Quiet.
I sink onto a stone bench and try to breathe.
Okay. I avoided Zhengming tonight. That's good. That's step one.
But what's step two? I can't just avoid him forever. He's the Crown Prince. Father expects me to be polite, respectful, available.
And if I act too strange, people will ask questions. Get suspicious. Maybe even
Avoiding the Crown Prince, Lady Xia?
I jump up so fast I almost fall.
A man steps out of the shadows near the pavilion entrance. Tall, wearing dark robes that blend into the night. Sharp features. Eyes like black ice.
Third Prince Qin Yizheng.
My executioner.
Every muscle in my body locks up. I can't breathe. Can't think.
All I see is him standing on that balcony, watching me die. His face cold and empty while the blade fell on my neck.
I didn't mean to startle you. His voice is quiet, polite. Nothing like the Emperor who condemned me. You looked upset. I thought perhaps you needed solitude.
I should say something. Anything. But words won't come.
He's here. The man who killed me is standing right in front of me.
Yizheng takes a small step back, probably reading the fear on my face. Forgive me. I'll leave you in peace.
No! The word bursts out before I can stop it.
He pauses, looking puzzled.
My mind races. This is Yizheng five years before he becomes Emperor. He's nobody right now the forgotten third prince that everyone ignores. We used to talk sometimes at festivals like this. He was always kind to me. Quiet, but kind.
I never understood how that person became the cold Emperor who ordered my death.
But maybe... maybe I can figure it out. Maybe I need to understand what turns him into a monster, so I can stop it. Or use it.
I mean, I say, forcing my voice steady, you don't have to leave. The gardens are for everyone.
Yizheng studies me with those intense eyes. You're sure? You looked frightened when you saw me.
Because I'm terrified of you. Because you haunt my nightmares. Because I can still feel your blade cutting through my neck.
Just surprised, I lie. I thought I was alone.
He moves into the pavilion but keeps his distance, like he's afraid of scaring me more. I often come to these quiet spots during festivals. The crowds... He makes a vague gesture. They're exhausting.
I remember this about him. How he always stood at the edges of parties, watching but never really participating. Everyone called him cold, distant.
I thought they were wrong. Thought he was just shy.
Now I know better. He was distant because he was already plotting. Already planning how to take the throne from his own brother.
You seem troubled tonight, Yizheng says, watching me too carefully. Is something wrong?
Yes. Everything. I died and came back and I don't know if you remember too.
Just tired, I say.
Tired. He says it like he doesn't believe me. Or perhaps... avoiding someone?
My heart skips. What makes you say that?
Because I watched you enter with your father. Watched Crown Prince Zhengming try to catch your attention. And watched you very deliberately walk in the opposite direction.
Cold sweat runs down my back. He was watching me? Why?
I don't know what you mean, I say.
Don't you? Yizheng tilts his head. It's fine. I won't tell anyone. I just found it... interesting. Most ladies your age would be thrilled to have my brother's attention. But you looked like you wanted to run away.
He's too observant. Too smart. This is dangerous.
Maybe I just wanted some quiet, I say sharply.
Maybe. But his eyes say he doesn't believe me at all.
We stand there in tense silence. Lantern light flickers between us. I can't read his expression there's something strange in his eyes. Almost like... recognition?
No. That's impossible. There's no way he remembers the future. That would be insane.
Unless heaven sent him back too.
The thought hits me like a physical blow. What if we both came back? What if he's standing here right now, remembering the coup, the executions, everything?
What if he's trying to figure out if I remember too?
Lady Xia, Yizheng says slowly, may I ask you something strange?
My throat goes dry. What?
Have we... met before? I mean, beyond the usual court functions.
No.
Are you certain? He steps closer. Because when I look at you, I feel like I'm forgetting something important. Like there's a conversation we're supposed to have.
Oh no. Oh no no no.
He does remember. Maybe not everything, but something. Pieces of it. Enough to make him suspicious.
I don't know what you're talking about, I say, but my voice shakes.
Yizheng's eyes narrow. You're lying. You feel it too I can see it on your face.
I'm not
Do you ever feel, he interrupts, voice dropping lower, like you're living the same moment twice? Like you've already had this exact conversation, but you can't quite remember when?
My heart hammers so hard I'm sure he can hear it.
He knows. Somehow, he knows.
But how much? Does he remember executing me? Does he remember becoming Emperor?
And most terrifyingly what does he plan to do about it?
Your Highness, I manage, I think you've been working too hard. Perhaps you should
I've been having dreams, he says. Strange dreams. Of blood and executions and He stops abruptly, staring at me. And you. I keep dreaming about you.
The world spins.
What? I whisper.
In my dreams, you hate me. You look at me with so much rage and pain. You curse me with your dying He cuts himself off again, looking shocked, like he didn't mean to say that much.
But he did. And now we both know.
We're both back. Both remembering.
And we're standing here pretending we don't know that in five years, he'll order my execution and I'll die cursing his name.
Lady Xia, Yizheng says quietly, intensely, tell me the truth. What's happening to us?
Before I can answer before I can figure out what to say a voice calls out from the path.
There you are, Yueyin!
Crown Prince Zhengming appears around a bend, smiling that perfect smile. I've been looking everywhere for you! And brother what a surprise. I didn't expect to find you here too.
The temperature drops ten degrees.
Zhengming looks between us, still smiling, but something dangerous flickers in his eyes.
I hope my brother isn't bothering you, Lady Xia, Zhengming says lightly. He can be rather... intense in his conversations.
Yizheng's whole posture changes. The thoughtful, questioning man disappears. In his place stands someone cold. Guarded. Empty.
I was just leaving, Yizheng says flatly.
He walks past Zhengming without another word, disappearing into the shadows.
And I'm left alone with the man who'll beat me, use me, destroy me.
The man I'm supposed to smile at and marry.
Zhengming steps into the pavilion. Finally. I've been trying to get you alone all evening.
He reaches into his robe and pulls out a small jade bracelet.
No. No no no. This is happening too fast. I'm not ready. I need more time to
Yueyin, Zhengming says, moving closer, I have something important to ask you.
And behind him, barely visible in the darkness, I see Yizheng. Still there. Still watching.
Our eyes meet across the space.
And I realize with horrible certainty: Whatever happens next, he'll remember it.
Just like he remembered everything else.