Xia Yiren's POV
The Hall of Celestial Harmony looks exactly like I remember.
Fifty noble daughters stand in neat rows, all wearing our finest silk robes, all trying not to look terrified. I stood here fourteen years ago—or fourteen years from now, depending on how you count time. Young and naive and so excited to be chosen.
Stupid girl. I want to shake my past self and scream warnings.
I keep my eyes down, studying the marble floor I know too well. The dragon patterns worn smooth by countless feet. The crack near the third pillar that no one else seems to notice.
A flash of pale pink silk catches my attention.
My head snaps up before I can stop myself.
There. Three rows ahead. Ling Meihua.
She stands with her hands folded demurely, her face sweet and gentle, her eyes bright with innocent excitement. She looks exactly like she did in my first life—like butter wouldn't melt in her mouth.
Liar. Murderer. Snake wearing human skin.
Rage explodes in my chest so sudden and hot that my hands shake. This woman poisoned the Empress Dowager. Framed me with perfect evidence. Smiled while I was dragged to my execution.
And right now, she has no idea I know everything.
I could kill her. Right here, right now. Grab a guard's sword and
No. That would only get me executed faster. I need to be smart. Patient. Destroy her the way she destroyed me—slowly, carefully, with perfect evidence she can't escape.
I force my eyes back down and my breathing to steady.
Are you alright? whispers the girl beside me.
I glance at her. She's around my age, with sharp intelligent eyes and a slight smile. I don't remember her from my first life.
I'm fine, I lie.
You looked like you wanted to murder someone. Her smile widens slightly. I'm Lin Suyin. And I don't want to be here either, if that helps.
Before I can respond, trumpets blare.
Everyone drops into deep bows as the imperial family enters.
I keep my head down, but I feel him immediately. Crown Prince Shen Yijun. The air changes when he walks in, becomes heavier somehow, charged with power.
My heart pounds against my ribs. Don't look up. Don't make eye contact. If I just keep my gaze down—
Rise, commands the Empress Dowager's cold voice.
We straighten but keep our gazes lowered respectfully.
I risk a tiny glance upward, just enough to see shapes. The Emperor sits on his throne, already sick with the illness that will kill him in two years. Beside him, the Empress Dowager perches like a predatory bird. And to her right
I force my eyes back down before I can see Yijun clearly. But even without looking, I know he's there. Eighteen years old. Not yet the hardened Emperor who signed my death warrant.
Lady Chen Xiulan, the Empress Dowager calls. Step forward.
A girl from the front row walks to the center. The Dowager asks her questions about poetry and music. Chen Xiulan answers perfectly, and she's approved for the harem.
One by one, names are called. Girls step forward, answer questions, and are either accepted or dismissed.
I count silently. Twenty names. Thirty. Forty.
My name should be next. I remember this perfectly. They called me forty-first.
Lady Xia Yiren.
There it is.
My legs feel like water as I step forward. Every eye in the hall watches me. I keep my gaze locked on the floor tiles, on the intricate patterns I've memorized.
Look up, child, the Empress Dowager commands. Let us see your face.
My chest tightens. This is it. The moment everything went wrong last time.
I raise my head slowly, carefully aiming my gaze at the Empress Dowager's chin instead of her eyes. It's a trick I learned from palace servants in my first life—look near someone's face, and they'll think you're making eye contact without actually doing it.
General Xia's daughter, she says, studying me. Your father serves the empire well.
Thank you, Your Majesty. My voice comes out steady. Good.
Tell me, what virtues should an imperial consort possess?
I recite the expected answer: Loyalty, grace, wisdom, and devotion to the imperial family above all else.
The words taste like ash. Loyalty and devotion meant nothing when the evidence against me looked too perfect.
The Dowager nods, seemingly satisfied. You may
Wait.
The voice cuts through the hall like a blade.
Yijun's voice.
Everyone freezes. He never speaks during selections. In my first life, he sat silent through the entire ceremony.
Why is this different?
Yes? The Dowager sounds surprised too.
I hear him stand. Hear his footsteps echo on marble as he walks closer. My heart hammers so hard I think everyone must hear it.
He stops just a few feet away.
Lady Xia, he says quietly. Why won't you look at me?
The question slams into me. He noticed. Of course he noticed.
I... I'm showing proper respect, Your Highness.
You looked at my grandmother. You looked at my father. His voice sharpens. But your eyes skip over me deliberately. Why?
Fifty girls hold their breath. The Empress Dowager leans forward with interest.
I don't have a good answer. Any explanation will sound suspicious.
Look at me, Yijun commands. That's an order.
No. If I look at him, the bond will form. I'll be chained to him again. Trapped—
Lady Xia. His voice drops lower, dangerous. I don't like repeating myself.
The Empress Dowager's eyes narrow. Is there a reason you're being disobedient, child?
I'm cornered. If I refuse, I'll be dismissed from selection and probably punished for disrespecting the Crown Prince.
But if I look at him
I have no choice.
Slowly, terrified of what will happen, I raise my eyes to meet Yijun's.