Later that night, as the palace sank into shadows and the celestial guards changed their posts, Li Hua silently roamed the servants' halls.
It had been nearly a thousand years.
Yet the scent of the palace was the same — jasmine in the east wing, myrrh near Jin Xuan Yue's chambers. She remembered everything. Every corridor. Every lie.
Passing by a mirror, she caught her reflection.
Not the same woman he once loved.
Not yet.
From a side passage, a soft voice called out, "Hey! You're the new girl, huh?"
Li Hua turned to see a young man in loose robes munching on candied lotus root. He had a careless grin and twinkling eyes that spelled trouble.
"I'm Feng Zhi," he said with a casual bow. "Officially, the War God's best friend . Unofficially, the family disgrace."
"You're not very subtle," she replied.
"And you're not very afraid. I like that." He leaned closer. "So, what's your deal? Runaway spirit? Secret princess? Forbidden lover from a past life?"
Li Hua's heart skipped a beat — but her face stayed calm.
"Just a servant," she said.
"Uh-huh." He chewed slowly. "Well, I give you three days before you scream and run. Four, if you're brave."
Li Hua smirked. "I'll last longer than you think."
Feng Zhi grinned. "That's what the last girl said. The one who mysteriously vanished."
Before Li Hua could respond, heavy footsteps echoed down the corridor.
A tall man appeared, clad in gold and red armor, eyes sharp like a drawn blade.
"Li Hua," he said.
It was the War God's personal guardian — General Xuan Bei, the silent shadow who watched everything.
"You're summoned."
Li Hua bowed. "Lead the way."
As she passed Feng Zhi, he whispered, "If you die, can I have your blanket? It looks comfy."