For a moment, XiWang thought she was dying.
Her body felt weightless, like mist drifting among stars. Her chest still throbbed where the stick had struck her—but then came warmth. A soft pulse of magic wrapped around her, as if the Moon Realm itself was holding its breath.
She opened her eyes to find Mr. Gu standing over her, his hands glowing faintly with silver light.
The magic faded.
He let out a breath of relief. "You're awake."
XiWang blinked, disoriented. "What... happened?"
Mr. Gu studied her carefully. Then, with a mix of awe and caution, he said, "The core acknowledged you."
She slowly sat up, feeling the weight of his words.
"You are the Moon Queen."
Wasn't I already the Moon Queen? I asked softly, growing confused.
Mr. Gu stood and bowed low. "My lady, forgive my rudeness. You were always our queen by identity—but the core had not yet acknowledged you as its master. Now it has. And so, you truly are the Moon Queen."
I rushed to check my reflection.
My face—it was fading, shifting.
"What?! What happened to my hair? My beautiful black hair...!"
It was no longer black. Now it was a glowing mix of white and pale blue, soft curls cascading around my shoulders like moonlight spun through clouds.
My clothes had changed too. The black-and-white hanfu I wore before was gone—now I wore flowing robes of deep blue with silver threads.
Mr. Gu noticed my confusion and spoke gently.
"My lady, please calm down. It's nothing to fear—it won't harm you."
"But... it's so beautiful," I whispered, reaching for a strand of my hair. "I never dared to dye my hair back in my old world. If I'd known it would look this good…"
Mr. Gu looked a little puzzled but said nothing.
Instead, he bowed again, his expression turning solemn. "My lady, we've called you XiWang, because you were our hope. And now—now our years of waiting have been answered."
He straightened. "For now, please rest. Tomorrow, we will hold a grand feast across Qingqiang to announce your return."
I smiled faintly and tried to sit straighter, hiding the ache in my chest. "Go rest too, Mr. Gu. You've done well."
He bowed one last time and quietly left.
Just then, someone knocked gently at the door. "My lady, may I come in?"
"Yes, come in," I called.
It was the servant who had brought the great Sipa stick.
"My lady," she said, bowing. "My name is Han Pu. From today on, I am your personal guard."
"Good. I hope you'll look after me from now on," I said with a small laugh. "I'm so stupid… I don't deserve to be queen of this world."
Han Pu looked startled, but then smiled kindly. "You're more than worthy, my lady."
Let me know if you want to add anything—maybe a dream message from Yuzhe? Or an unexpected threat before the feast?
"Good," I said with a soft smile. "I hope you'll look after me. Honestly... I feel so stupid being called a queen. I can't even protect myself."
Then I grinned and leaned forward. "Hey, Han Pu. You and I—we're going to be friends, okay?"
"My lady, I wouldn't dare…" Han Pu's words were careful, chosen with respect. He spoke like every syllable mattered—unlike me, who said everything I thought without filter.
"Oh, come on!" I laughed. "From now on, we're sworn brother and sister. And don't call me 'my lady' in private—just call me XiWang, alright, Han Pu?"
"But, My lady…" He tried to object.
"Stop it," I interrupted, giving him a playful glare. "That's an order. I liked you the moment I saw you, so come on—sit with me. Let's talk."
Han Pu looked visibly confused, his brow furrowed. He clearly couldn't understand how someone like me could be the Moon Queen. Especially when I was being so… carefree.
"Hey! Sit with me," I insisted. "This is my first time trying ancient Chinese wine." I poured into both our cups and pushed one into his hand.
"But, my lady…" he began again.
I shot him a look of mock offense—my signature death glare. He hesitated.
"Xi… XiWang… this is inappropriate," he finally muttered. "For someone like me, a lowly servant."
"Forget about it," I said, waving a hand. His tone was distant. I could hear it in his voice—that quiet wall between us. "Look, Han Pu. I never had anyone close in my whole life. I just… I want a friend. Just one."
He gave me a sidelong glance, uncertain.
"I'll go first," I said, sipping my wine. "You're loyal, I can feel it. That's enough for me to open up."
One cup. Two cups. Three, four… I kept drinking.
"Lady XiWang, I think you should stop now," Han Pu said gently. He really did seem to care.
"You know," I said, my voice quieter, "in my old world… no one cared about me. Not even my own family. They pretended to honor me because of the Li family name, but behind my back, they mocked me. Spread lies."
Tears pricked my eyes.
"There's so much knowledge in that world, so much technology—but their hearts were small. Venomous. Even my own mother didn't care. I never had a father. She sent people to kill him before I could ever know him."
Han Pu looked at me with wide, pitying eyes.
"My mother only let me stay alive for the Li family's reputation," I continued, voice cracking. "I've never… I've never really had a family."
He was silent. Then, softly, he said, "Neither did I."
I blinked.
"When I was young—before Mr. Gu—there was a governor here. Mr. Zhou. He was a cruel man. Killed many people. Including my entire family."
"Why?" I whispered. Even though he seemed so distant, I hadn't expected this kind of trauma buried beneath his calm.
"Why?" he laughed bitterly. "Because he wanted my older sister. She was married, but he demanded her as his concubine. And a thousand taels of silver. When my family refused, he killed them all. Left me alive to suffer."
"What a jinx…" I muttered under my breath.
Han Pu's voice trembled. "My lady… you must protect the families still suffering. The ones like mine."
I looked at him through teary eyes. "Don't worry, Han pu am vey good at acting grace full".
And i got the hole wine pot and drink it. After that i dont remember any thing.
I woke up with the dull ache of a thousand regrets behind my eyes.
My head throbbed, my throat was dry, and the taste of ancient Chinese wine lingered like a mistake I couldn't erase.
The door opened with a quiet creak.
"My lady, are you awake?" Han Pu stepped in, holding a tray with a cup of warm tea and a bowl of something herbal and suspicious.
I sat up slowly, my robe slipping down one shoulder. I caught it gracefully, lifting my chin. "Han Pu," I said, my voice husky but calm, "did I... embarrass myself yesterday?"
He looked like he was about to lie. "No, my la—XiWang. You were… honest."
I gave him a soft smile. "Good. I prefer to live honestly."
He set the tray down beside me and bowed slightly. "I brought a hangover remedy. Mr. Gu had it prepared."
I took the cup and sipped it without flinching, even though it tasted like regret. "Tell Mr. Gu... I appreciate his thoughtfulness."
Han Pu looked at me like I had transformed overnight. Maybe I had. Last night, I was a girl crying about her past. Today—I was the Moon Queen.
That evening, the palace glowed under the moonlight.
I stood tall in a ceremonial robe of deep indigo, embroidered with silver threads shaped like constellations. My hair was pinned up with moonstone clasps, and around my neck rested a simple, glowing pendant—the core's mark.
Mr. Gu waited for me at the balcony. He bowed, but I stopped him with a raised hand.
"No need for that," I said softly. "Today is a day of joy, not formality."
He gave a small smile, his eyes filled with quiet pride. "You look radiant, my lady."
"Thank you, Mr. Gu," I said with serene grace. "But the light you see comes from the hope you and your people have carried all these years. I am merely reflecting it."
His eyes widened, just slightly, before he bowed once more. This time, in genuine respect.
The crowd below cheered as I stepped forward. The drums quieted. Lanterns swirled through the sky like stars in motion.
I took a deep breath, letting the wind carry my voice.
"Citizens of Qingqiang," I began, my voice calm, clear, and royal, "you have waited long. You have endured. And today, your faith has been answered—not because I am perfect, but because I am willing."
The crowd stilled.
"I vow not to rule with fear or distance, but with understanding. I will listen. I will learn. And I will protect."
Then, I bowed—not as a queen above her people, but as a woman humbled by their hope.
For a heartbeat, all was silent.
Then came the roar—cheers, tears, praises. "Long live the Moon Queen! Long live XiWang!"
I turned back to Mr. Gu. "Shall we begin the celebration?"
He smiled, the first true smile I'd seen on him.
"Yes, my lady. Let the moon shine brighter tonight—for she has returned home safley!
The feast had ended in a blur of lantern light, music, and endless congratulations. XiWang had smiled until her cheeks ached and bowed more times than she could count. The night had been beautiful—but exhausting.
As she turned to return to her residence, a quiet whisper brushed her ear. Not a voice from the crowd. Not something she could explain. It was like a breeze, but clearer.
"Take the longest way to your carriage."
She froze mid-step. Her eyes searched the space around her, but everyone was still caught in laughter and farewells. No one else had heard it.
Han Pu approached, ever vigilant. "My lady, the shortest path is through the east garden. Shall we?"
She opened her mouth to respond—but her feet had already moved.
Not toward the east, but west. Toward the winding path that led through the palace outskirts.
Han Pu blinked. "My lady?"
She didn't explain. She couldn't. "Just… follow me."
They walked in silence, the scent of cherry blossoms soft in the air. Moonlight spilled over the courtyard ahead like a veil of silver.
And there—he stood.
Beneath a blooming cherry tree, a man gazed into the night sky. Still and poised, like part of the scene itself. His presence stirred something in her, something deep and long buried.
Her heart stuttered. Her hands went cold. Do I know him?
She turned to Han Pu, voice barely above a whisper. "Who is that?"
Han Pu followed her gaze. "Master Yang—Yang Yuzhe. He arrived today from the countryside. Sent word that he'd be missing the feast."
XiWang stared. Yang Yuzhe? No… Shan Cheng.
Han Pu added, "He is known throughout the region. A brilliant judge. If he takes a case, justice is guaranteed. He carries himself like jade—wise and noble."
"Did he live in the countryside?" she asked softly.
"No," Han Pu replied. "He left for trivial matters. He's not a man of the country. He's… something else."
XiWang turned away before her expression could betray her.
Shan Cheng... Why are you here.
And also...
Who exactly are you?
...
🌝🌝🌝