The wandering dragon, upon meeting water, stirs the clouds and alters fate; the blazing phoenix, in its wrath, shakes both heaven and earth.

Branded with the character for "slave" on her cheek? Pan Yueyang suddenly knelt before the grand hall. "Your Majesty, you must not!"

Everyone in Panlong knew that only those guilty of the most unforgivable crimes would be branded with the character for "slave" at the collarbone. It marked them as lowly, forbidden from ever rising above their station, condemned to the dirtiest, most exhausting labors, fated to servitude for life. How could Yan'er bear such a punishment? Moreover, the Empress wished for Yan'er to be branded on her cheek, announcing her status to the world; not only would her beauty be destroyed, but wherever she went, she would suffer scorn and abuse.

"My dear son-in-law," the Empress Rong raised a hand to help Pan Yueyang up. "I am pleased that you and my Lan'er are united in marriage. You must realize the weight of your responsibilities to Panlong now; you cannot let sentiment cloud your judgment." The Empress Rong saw through Pan Yueyang's agitation for Yan'er.

"But, Your Majesty..." Pan Yueyang glanced at Emperor Jing. Yet, before the Empress Rong, this useless emperor seemed to have lost his voice.

"General Pan, there are no buts." The Empress Rong's gaze was stern. "You know who captured this woman, and she narrowly escaped disaster in Moon City. Why does she survive unscathed time and again? Have you considered what might have happened between her and that criminal in a single night?" Every word struck at the heart.

Yan'er, kneeling on the ground, stiffened. Since her return, Pan Yueyang had never questioned her; he trusted her implicitly. But the Empress Rong was not so easily swayed. Her words pierced like knives—indeed, the aged ginger is always spicier. "I accept the decree. Thank you, Your Majesty, Your Highness, and Princess, for sparing my life." Yan'er smiled calmly, then respectfully bowed three times, her head striking the floor.

"Guards! Take the criminal woman away!" The Empress Rong refused to hear Pan Yueyang's pleas, waving her hand dismissively. "I am fatigued—everyone may leave."

Pan Yueyang clenched his fists, looking to Ou Ruolan. She could only shake her head helplessly, gazing at him with sorrow. Xueqing hurriedly urged Pan Yueyang away, eager to check on Yan'er.

Baili Mubai received his senior sister's carrier pigeon letter and sped toward the imperial city. He blamed himself for ignoring his senior brother's message out of pique; now Yan'er was in danger, and he was thousands of miles away. Baili Mubai pressed on, leaping to treetops, flying forward without pause, relying solely on his inner strength.

"Yueyang, you mustn't let Yan'er be branded," Xueqing whispered urgently to Pan Yueyang.

"Who would dare defy the Empress Rong?" Pan Yueyang could only fret inwardly.

"I'll go! You handle the guards on the route, I'll find a way for Yan'er." Without hesitation, Xueqing dashed toward the rear hall, heading for the chamber where errant palace maids were punished.

"Mother," Ou Ruolan tugged at the Empress Rong's robe coquettishly.

"Lan'er, you are married now, no longer a child. Return to the general's residence." The Empress Rong urged her daughter.

"Very well. Father, Mother, your daughter takes her leave." Ou Ruolan obediently turned to go. Though the Empress Rong was her birth mother, Ou Ruolan had never truly experienced maternal affection. The Empress often secluded herself in the temple, rarely returning to the palace. As a child, she was raised by a wet nurse. Her father doted on her, but she wished, like the older princesses, to have her mother's companionship. Yet such hopes were pitifully rare; the Empress Rong always kept a distant closeness, never directly nurturing her, yet always protecting her interests. This complicated relationship left Ou Ruolan perpetually melancholy.

Emperor Jing watched Ou Ruolan depart and, smiling, wrapped his arms around the Empress Rong. "My beloved has returned to my side—how wonderful."

The Empress Rong, uncomfortable with his touch, flung off Emperor Jing's aged hand. "Your Majesty, restrain yourself."

"You still treat me so coldly!" Emperor Jing's beard twisted in frustration.

"We are but chance acquaintances," the Empress Rong kept her distance, gazing at him with icy detachment. The years had aged this man, yet she herself remained youthful.

"Then why are you still my Empress? If you are my Empress for a day, you are my Empress for life!" Emperor Jing's excitement was palpable as he looked at her. In six years, her beauty had not faded; she remained as aloof and elegant as ever.

"Your Majesty, you know very well," the Empress Rong wished not to recall the past.

"Since meeting you, you alone fill my heart. Your junior sister, Consort Lan, has long passed. You raised Lan'er for her—why can you not love me?" Emperor Jing's emotions overflowed as he broached old wounds.

"My junior sister and I were cultivators. Had she not met you by chance, I would never be trapped in this palace by a vow." The Empress Rong moved closer, softly reminding him of old promises.

"But Consort Lan is gone. She entrusted both me and Ruolan to you." Emperor Jing pressed on.

"That is why I returned when Panlong faced peril. Otherwise, do you think I enjoy being here?" The Empress Rong truly wondered if Emperor Jing's mind was addled.

"But every time I see you, my heart races, Rong'er, I... I miss you." Suddenly, Emperor Jing seized her, ignoring her struggles, and forcibly kissed her.

"Let go!" The Empress Rong snapped, flinging him off. Emperor Jing slumped to the floor in pain.

"You..." Emperor Jing sighed, saying no more. This woman was skilled in martial arts; he could not overpower her.

"Remember, I remain a virgin—do not violate me!" The Empress Rong looked at him, still feigning helplessness on the floor, a touch of humor in her eyes.

"Ah, is it worth it for cultivation? There is so much beauty in the world." Emperor Jing dusted himself off. In this lifetime, Rong'er was the one woman he could never conquer, and perhaps that very fact stirred his masculine urge to subdue.

"Since you are so energetic, perhaps you should listen to why I returned to the palace," the Empress Rong reminded him.

Prompted, Emperor Jing asked in confusion, "Indeed, why did you return so suddenly? Panlong faces no major crisis." If not for the chance meeting with Consort Lan—Rong's junior sister—he would never have secured the throne so firmly, thanks to the support of the two sisters. After Consort Lan's death, Rong entered the palace as Empress. Few knew then that Ruolan was not her true daughter; it was a testament to the sisters' abilities.

Rong'er was adept at divination. She often aided him quietly, all for the promise she made to Consort Lan. Emperor Jing understood this well.

"When the dragon encounters water, winds and clouds shift; when the phoenix rages, heaven and earth tremble," the Empress Rong declared solemnly.

"You mean... a great upheaval?" Emperor Jing regarded Rong'er with concern. Her auguries were always accurate; it was no wonder she returned suddenly. This was serious. "What of Panlong's fortunes?"

"I dealt with that woman today, hoping to avert disaster." The Empress Rong softened, regretting Yan'er's punishment. She was a cultivator; all living things were part of fate, and harming another's cultivation was a heavy crime. She could only try her best to avoid it.

"That woman isn't...?" Emperor Jing could not bear the thought. She was Pan Yueyang's concubine. Did Pan Yueyang intend rebellion?

"The secrets of Heaven must not be revealed." The Empress Rong said no more, raising her hand to dismiss him.

"Very well." Emperor Jing lingered, gazing at her with reluctance.

When Emperor Jing left the room, the Empress Rong sighed. "Yan'er, I am sorry. Though your birth destined you for greatness, you carry too much killing aura. If you ascend to Empress, you will surely bring slaughter upon many. This is all I can do for you."

Xueqing, seeing the corridor empty, slipped into the inner chamber. Yan'er was tied to a cross-shaped wooden stake with ropes as thick as a thumb.

"Yan'er!" Xueqing slapped Yaner's face gently.

Yan'er, her face weary, struggled to lift her eyes. "Xue... Xueqing, sister~"

"Shh, don't speak. I'm here to save you. Yueyang is arranging your escape outside. Soon, do not make a sound." Xueqing began untying the ropes.

Yan'er was freed, and thought Xueqing meant to take her away, rushing toward the door.

"Where are you going?" Xueqing caught her, flipped her over, and pressed on her acupuncture points. "Yan'er, I've sealed your major points. You won't collapse from exhaustion."

"Sister Xueqing, didn't you say you were here to rescue me? Why aren't we leaving?" Yan'er wondered what Xueqing was planning.

"Silly girl, the Empress Rong's guards are no pushovers. If we escape, the entire general's residence would be implicated. Our only option is to prevent you from being branded as a slave. Listen to me, whatever happens, do not make a sound!" Xueqing found another rope, binding Yan'er tightly.

Yaner, unable to move, could only watch as Xueqing tied her up. "Remember, don't make a sound," Xueqing reminded her again.

Suddenly, Xueqing paused, her martial arts training allowing her to hear the approach of footsteps outside. "Yan'er, they're coming." With that, she leapt up, carrying Yan'er onto the beam above, securing her there. She pulled down extra rope so Yaner could lie flat along the beam. Yaner's frail body was easily concealed by its width, and the rope above was tied securely to another beam. Even if Yaner slipped, she would be caught midair, not fall.

Yan'er understood Xueqing's intent and shook her head frantically. "No, Sister Xueqing, you mustn't!"

"Silence!" Xueqing commanded fiercely. For Yueyang's sake, she was willing to sacrifice herself.

Descending from the beam, Xueqing quickly donned the cloak the Empress had given Yan'er, grabbed a handful of mud from the floor, and smeared it across her face. Then, using her inner strength, she manipulated the rope so it coiled like a snake around her body, tying two knots behind her back and gripping them tightly.

The door swung open, and ten women entered. They spoke not a word, only glanced at Xueqing and at her cloak. The leader barked, "Check her body!"

Another woman came forward, glanced at Xueqing, but in the dim light could see little. She nodded. "No problem."

The leader sneered, waving an iron spatula before Xueqing. On the beam above, Yan'er dared not utter a sound, shaking her head in silent horror.

"Once it's red-hot, it will be even more beautiful."