Rebirth of the Phoenix Empress

Night stretched on as the cool mountain breeze whispered through the drifting petals.

The Fenghua Palace lay cloaked in silence, as though the entire royal court had fallen asleep—save for two figures seated beneath a blooming plum tree.

Xianlan wore a thin white robe, her long hair braided loosely down her back.

She sat in quiet stillness, her eyes gazing at the bright moon that hovered above the darkened sky.

"Are you afraid?"

Feng Yuhan's voice broke the silence softly as he sat beside her.

She didn't answer immediately. Instead, she plucked a plum blossom from her lap.

"I've grown more accustomed to the silence of night…

than the clamor of the imperial court."

He was silent for a moment, then said,

"I used to think power could shield me from everything…"

"But now, I feel that if I lost you, I might lose everything I've ever had."

Xianlan paused, turning to meet his gaze.

"Nothing in this palace lasts forever…

even the Emperor's love is buried beneath the schemes of ministers."

Feng Yuhan reached out and gently removed a petal tangled in her hair.

"Then I will make it real…

Even a single word from me—

I'll turn it into law across the realm."

Her voice was soft.

"If you had to choose between me and the peace of two kingdoms…"

"I'd choose you," he answered without hesitation.

His eyes trembled slightly, yet remained steady.

"Because without you, I wouldn't even know what I'm fighting for."

Xianlan let out a soft laugh,

a sound that seemed to echo against the moonlight.

"It's always felt like the whole world turns its back on me…

but you've stayed—always right here."

—

The night was still.

Only the chirp of crickets and the tender silver glow of moonlight kept them company.

Feng Yuhan stood up.

"If you ever fear that no one will believe in you…"

He walked beneath the plum tree and pulled a small blade from within his robes.

Xianlan's eyes widened.

"What are you doing—?"

"I'm making a vow," he said calmly.

He cut the tip of his finger,

letting a single drop of blood fall onto a plum blossom.

"As long as I bear the name Feng Yuhan,

I will stand beside Xianlan—

whether she is a woman without title or the Empress of the realm."

Xianlan stood still.

She had endured countless battles within the palace,

but this vow beneath the moon made her heart ache with warmth, bringing tears to her eyes.

She stepped forward,

picked up the blood-stained blossom,

and placed it gently in her palm.

"Then I too will stand by your side…

whether you rise as a feared ruler

or wander as a nameless soul in the cold night."

He let out a quiet laugh.

"You make me sound like I've lost all value."

"Because I know… your true worth is greater than any throne."

—

By morning,

rumors had begun to spread through the palace—

that the Crown Prince had left Fenghua Palace in the middle of the night… with a rare look of contentment in his eyes.

When Bai Yuening heard the whispers,

her jaw clenched, and her hand trembled around her teacup.

"Under the moonlight… she's stolen his heart even further."

She rose and stood before a golden mirror.

"If his vow is real…

then I shall be the one to destroy it with my own hands."

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