For the first time in what felt like lifetimes, the palace was filled with
laughter.
Not courtly giggles hidden behind fans, but real, rolling, bellyful laughter.
The Emperor had declared a three-day celebration to honor the safe return
of Sky and those tied to the kingdom's hidden past. The lanterns returned,
brighter than ever. Red silk hung from every pillar, and dishes filled with
sweet lotus buns, sugar dates, and fried pastries lined every table.
Even Ju Xian allowed herself a rare smile as she watched Sky peck daintily
at a bowl of pomegranate seeds by her side.
Taotao, however, was in danger.
Grave danger.
"So you're telling me," said Princess Zhaoling, narrowing her eyes in
delight, "you stormed the palace dressed as a woman, sneaked into the
kitchens, and caused a rice dumpling shortage?"
Taotao, halfway through stealing a dumpling from Ju Xian's plate, choked. "I
didn't cause the shortage. I redistributed it."
The princess leaned in, folding her arms across her beaded pink gown.
"You're interesting. And surprisingly annoying."
Ju Xian raised an eyebrow, her cheeks still red from laughter.
"Surprisingly?"
The princess grinned. "You'll do."
> "Do for what?" Taotao asked, confused.
> "Marriage," she said breezily.
Taotao dropped the dumpling.
Ju Xian snorted so hard she nearly spilled tea across her robe.
> "I—pardon—what?!" Taotao stood up so fast he nearly knocked over Sky's
seed bowl. "Princess, with all due respect, I'm broke, barely tolerated, and
quite possibly still wanted in three provinces!"
> "That's what makes it exciting," she said, eyes twinkling.
The Emperor, overhearing from his seat at the head table, nearly dropped
his wine cup. He stood up, cleared his throat dramatically, and said loud
enough for all to hear, "Actually, I must interrupt this proposal of royal
chaos. Taotao — or should I say, Ren Xu — was my brother in a past life.
Which, dear daughter, makes him your uncle."
The court burst into scandalized gasps and laughter.
Princess Zhaoling's face fell. "Uncle?!"
Taotao blinked. "I'm... what now?"
Ju Xian doubled over in laughter. "That's the first time I've ever seen her
speechless."
The princess huffed, turned away, and muttered, "Reincarnation ruins
everything." The younger prince let out a shriek of laughter while the elder
brother sighed and covered his face.
Taotao tried to flee but tripped over a ribbon dancer and fell into a pile of
silk veils. The court erupted into chaos.
Ju Xian leaned over and whispered to Sky, who looked very pleased with
himself.
> "He was reborn for this exact moment," she said.
Sky chirped.
That night, the palace echoed with music, dancing, and chaotic confessions.
For the first time in decades, the halls felt less like marble tombs and more
like a home again.
Even the ghosts of war seemed to dance in the lanternlight.