Two spirit hunters arrived at dawn, and I could tell immediately that they were seasoned professionals rather than the novices I'd hoped for.
Lady Chen commanded with military precision, her scarred hands and calculating eyes speaking of battles won through experience rather than luck. Her companion, Liu Feng, moved with the careful awareness of someone who'd survived encounters that killed lesser hunters.
Both examined my theatrical "possession" with the weary professionalism of experts who'd seen every genuine manifestation the spirit world could produce.
"Definite spiritual contamination," Lady Chen announced after observing me for a short while. My hands were tied, my eyes covered with a white cloth as I pretended to struggle. Her gaze quickly shifted to the markings on my wall, studying them carefully.
"The entity hasn't taken full control yet. We still have time to save her. But something's off about these symbols."
She frowned and turned to her companion. "Feng, use the Compelling Mirror on them."
Liu Feng nodded without a word. He pulled a small bronze mirror from beneath his robe and held it up to face the symbols. Nothing happened. He tried again. Still nothing.
His face tensed with worry, probably more afraid of what Lady Chen would do if he accidentally broke the mirror than of the spirit he thought he was testing.
Meanwhile, I had bigger things to worry about. Feng was about to report that the mirror wasn't detecting any evil energy. Of course it wasn't, those markings were fake, copied from some dusty book I barely understood.
He swallowed hard. So did I. If they figured out the truth, I was done for.
"Master," Feng finally said, but before he could finish, I took my chance.
The ropes around my wrists were never fully tight, intentionally so. I snapped them loose and lunged at him, snarling and moving like someone truly possessed.
He reacted quickly, catching me before I could claw at his face. He shoved me back, and I nearly slammed my head against the sharp edge of a cabinet.
But he caught me again, his hand shielding my head from the impact.
His face got really close to mine. I could see through the strands of my hair that he was younger than I'd first thought, maybe mid to late twenties. Decent looking in a rough, manly way, with strong features and dark brown eyes that looked genuinely worried. A thin scar cut through his left eyebrow, probably from some spirit encounter, but it just made him look more like the protective type.
He was clearly mortified by our position, his cheeks flushed red.
Something about seeing a strong big guy get so flustered was oddly attractive, maybe that was my type after all.
My plan hadn't gone perfectly, but it worked just enough. In his rush to catch me, he dropped the mirror. It hit the ground and shattered into pieces across the floor.
Lady Chen had been watching the entire time. Surprisingly, she didn't look angry. Not even a little annoyed that her precious tool had been destroyed. Instead, she let out a loud laugh.
"Seems like the spirit in the Fourth Princess has taken a liking to you, Feng."
His face turned even redder, and he immediately let go of me.
I was quite disappointed I didn't get to enjoy the warmth of his hands longer, but I couldn't blame him, rumors about inappropriately touching a possessed royal could easily earn someone a public execution.
"Master, she was about to hit her he—" he started, but Lady Chen cut him off.
"Save it for later. Rui will find this more interesting than I do."
"Oh please," he muttered, clearly flustered. "It was an accident. No need to tell Rui about it too."
"I'll be including it in my next letter," she teased, smirking.
Rui, huh? What a cute nickname. Maybe his girlfriend? With a decent face like his and a clean reputation as a spirit hunter, it wouldn't be surprising if he had at least one girl swooning over him.
Despite my curiosity, I stayed in character the whole time, just a few well-placed convulsions when they talked about destroying the spirit, some creepy mumbling about hunger and shadows, and the occasional flicker of fake clarity to really sell the act.
"The entity appears to be using the princess as an anchor point while gathering strength. The possession isn't complete yet, but it will be if we don't act fast," Lady Chen concluded after an hour of observation. "Standard protocol: track the creature to its feeding ground and eliminate it before the possession becomes irreversible."
They spent the morning questioning servants and examining the palace layout with professional efficiency. I played my part perfectly, helpful during "clear moments" to provide useful information, then dissolving into convincing fits whenever they probed too deeply into anything that might expose my deception.
As we moved around the palace to determine where the spirit resided, Lady Chen suddenly stopped near a section I recognized with a sinking heart, a part of Chongniang Palace I was never allowed near. A large building surrounded by flowers, white banners, and heavy guards.
It used to be the home of my father's beloved wife before she passed.
"The spiritual energy feels different here," Lady Chen announced, studying the ornate doors. "Stronger. More concentrated." She turned to the guards. "Open it. We need to bring the princess inside to test if her possession intensifies near the source."
The guards exchanged uncertain glances. "My lady, this is the Late Queen's wing. We would need special permission—"
"The princess's life is at stake," Lady Chen cut them off. "Open the doors."
Just as the guards reluctantly stepped forward with their keys, a sharp voice cut through the air.
"Stop!"
The First Princess Yu Lina, my older stepsister, appeared with silk robes rustling as she approached with furious steps. "How dare you even think of bringing that cursed creature into my mother's sacred chambers!"
She pointed directly at me, her face twisted with disgust. "Mother would roll in her grave knowing I let that bloody Yan step foot in her holy sanctuary!"
Keep your composure, Yan. I know you're better than this, I told myself, trying to cool down my anger. I had to keep my act, I couldn't just surrender to Lina's rage baiting. She had always been like this: bratty, rude, corrupt nobility mind at its finest.
"Your Highness," Lady Chen began diplomatically, "we're only trying to—"
"I don't care what you're trying to do!" Lina snapped, then grabbed my shoulders roughly. "And you! Stop this ridiculous charade and snap out of whatever game you're playing!"
She raised her hand to strike me, but Liu Feng stopped her. He stepped between us, gently but firmly blocking her path.
"Your Highness, please. The Fourth Princess is in a critical condition. Striking her could worsen it."
Lina's eyes flashed dangerously. "How dare a commoner like yourself tell me what to do?"
"I apologize, Your Highness," Feng said with a respectful bow, though he didn't move from his protective position.
"Get out of my way!" Lina shrieked, but Lady Chen had already stepped forward.
"Princess Lina, we'll examine other locations. There's no need to disturb the Late Queen's chambers." She shot Liu Feng a warning look. "We should take our leave."
As we walked away, I could hear Lina still shouting behind us, her voice carrying threats and curses.
Once we were out of earshot, Lady Chen grabbed Liu Feng's arm. "What were you thinking? You can't just manhandle royalty like that, no matter your intentions. One complaint from her and you could lose more than just your position."
"I'm sorry, Master. I thought she was going to hurt the princess."
"The princess is possessed, Feng. A mere harmless slap.. she won't even remember it. But now we've made an enemy of Princess Lina."
Liu Feng looked genuinely distressed. "I didn't think—"
"I didn't bring Rui along for this exact reason. I thought you were safe, turns out both of you are the same." She ranted like a tired mother dealing with her problematic teenage kids. "You don't know how to navigate noble politics, and it's going to get you killed one day."
I watched this exchange while maintaining my possessed act, convulsing slightly and mumbling incoherently. But inside, something warm was blooming in my chest.
Most people, when faced with a possessed princess and an angry royal sister, would have stepped aside and let nobility sort itself out. But Liu Feng had instinctively moved to shield me from harm, knowing it could cause him far more trouble.
I wished they wouldn't find the spirit so he could stay a little longer.
As we continued down the corridor, I stayed close to his side, letting myself stumble occasionally so he would steady me with those strong, gentle hands. Each time he caught me, each time he looked at me with genuine concern for what he believed was a victim of spiritual possession, I fell a little deeper.
By afternoon, they'd developed their working theory: a dangerous spirit had infiltrated the palace and was slowly draining my life force while establishing a permanent foothold in our realm.
Exactly what I needed them to believe.
"We begin active hunting tonight," Lady Chen informed my guards. "The princess should be kept comfortable but secure. If the entity realizes we're closing in, it may attempt to complete the possession immediately."
As evening approached, I settled into my chambers with genuine satisfaction. My plan was working perfectly. The spirit hunters would eliminate my supernatural stalker, I'd make a miraculous recovery, and my brothers would lose their best opportunity to frame me for dark sorcery.
What could possibly go wrong?