A lady dressed in a black ancient Chinese wedding robe adorned with phoenix feathers sewn to the neck and at the tails of each side of the robe, a huge phoenix sewn at the back spreading its wings down to the tail of the robe flowing to the ground, ran in the snow with golden jewels on her crown. A voice echoed loudly for all to hear:
"The edict reads: His Highness aided the rebels in an attempt to overthrow His Majesty's reign. As punishment for colluding with the enemy, His Highness is to be stripped of his title as Crown Prince and General of Ping'an and be beheaded in the city's capital to serve as an example to the nation. His bride, the eldest daughter of Long County, shall be betrothed to the Second Prince Zi Wei as she is a symbol of peace between the countries and the Phoenix Spirit Lady of Virtue. Long live His Majesty!"
The voices faded, leaving only the sound of jewels, footsteps, and heavy breathing.
"Your Highness!" Lan'er, personal maid to the Princess of Feng Kingdom, called.
"Did you send word to Zi'an?"
"The First Princess is on her way to Wei, but she won't make it in time."
"I've troubled Zi'an a lot during this period. I'm sure she's trying her best. I have to help him, even if I'm the only one willing to!"
"Your Highness! You mustn't see him!" Lan'er pleaded.
"No, I have to! I have to see Zi Cheng. This is a mistake; it has to be. His Highness would never collude with the enemy!"
"But he's being sentenced to death today. Even if you make it on time, nothing can be done!"
"The stupid king thinks he can take my Zi Cheng from me? He can dream on!"
Lan'er's voice trembled: "Your Highness, think of the empresses and your grandmother! They are trying to persuade both Majesties to spare you!"
"Phmn! Spare us both? Father signed my death! What more could I expect though? He agreed to my marriage with the Second Prince in exchange for peace. Lan'er, I've sworn to protect the Crown Prince—in good health, in poor health, in wealth or poverty. This princess shall marry no one but the Prince of Ping'an!"
"BUT YOUR HIGHNESS, HIS MAJESTY ONLY BLUFFS! HE WON'T LET ANYONE HARM YOU!"
"Jest or edict, I will come through for Zi Cheng today!"
She screamed, running faster through the snow. Lan'er paused, seeing soldiers approaching, and took a deep breath before forcing a bright smile.
"I figured you'd say that, Your Highness! I've sworn to protect you since the day we met. No matter what path you took, I will support you!"
"Lan'er..." Yinkui's voice faltered.
"Princess, don't go soft on me now! Backup will arrive soon. Go before it's too late!"
Zi Cheng, I know you're innocent, but I can't prove it. Even though you've protected me many times, I still feel useless. What's the use of my love if I can't help you at your weakest moment? The old fool plans to compensate our marriage with the Prince of Dong Ping. Without you, I can't go on.
"A'Zi, why did things turn out this way?"
I'm Feng Yinkui, the only bride destined for Song Zi Cheng, Prince of Ping'an. No matter what happens today, you can't push me away!
Yinkui arrived at the top of the building. Her golden hair ring held her black-red hair in a tight bun, golden hairpins jangled at the sides. Two shorter tails of hair framed her face as she ran.
"SONG ZI WANG! FENG WEI JUN! IF YOU KILL SONG ZI CHENG TODAY, NOT ONLY WILL YOU KILL HIM, BUT YOU'LL KILL ME TOO!!!"
Everyone turned to the top of the building. Tears shimmered in her eyes as she gazed at Zi Cheng.
Murmurs spread through the crowd.
"INSOLENCE! THAT IS NO DAUGHTER OF MINE! AS FROM NOW ON, THERE ARE NO TWIN PRINCESSES OF WEI. I ONLY ACKNOWLEDGE ONE DAUGHTER: FENG YANGTAN!"
More murmurs spread as tears hung on Yinkui's cheeks.
"What should we do now?" Zi Wang muttered. Wei Jun frowned.
"Do as you please. I know my daughter better than anyone. She is as meek as a kitten, afraid of blood, let alone taking her own life."
"Your Majesties…please spare the Prince of Ping'an! Princess Yinkui will die if you don't!" Both queens begged.
"Silence!" Song Zi Wang threw a wooden stick marked death into the snow. Silence fell over all.
Zi Cheng smiled at Yinkui one last time.
"Thank you, my love. If there's a next life, Zi Cheng promises to love only Yinkui—through the four seasons, through all lifetimes. I will never part from you. If I defect, my soul will be shattered and never reincarnate."
The swords fell. Zi Cheng's head rolled in the snow. Silence spread like wildfire; disbelief overtook the crowd.
Yinkui closed her eyes to the blood spatter.
(My love is taken from me. The snow douses the fire in my heart. Why does everything suddenly seem so cold? Snow has always been this cold… it's too cold when you're not here. Kui'er has no reason to go on.)
Tears streamed as she floated above, landing on a pillar atop the building.
"YINKUI!!! YOU DON'T HAVE THE GALLS TO JUMP! SAVE EVERYBODY THE TROUBLE AND GET DOWN! WE STILL HAVE A WEDDING TO ATTEND!" Feng Wei Jun shouted.
"KUI'ER!! MOTHER KNOWS YOU'RE SAD! PLEASE COME DOWN, WE CAN TALK THINGS OUT!!!" Queen Yue Ying called.
Yinkui ignored them, staring at Zi Cheng's head. The sky darkened; lightning flashed, thunder rumbled. Her left pupil turned purple.
(Zi Cheng, your Kui'er is coming. If there's a next life, as you said, Kui'er promises to belong only to Zi Cheng, never to be parted. I offer my dragon spirit to find and guide you in all lives, never letting you come to harm.)
She swore, closing her eyes as a bolt of lightning struck. Blood spilled from her mouth; she fell from the roof.
The snow swallowed her.
"PRINCESS!!!" Lan'er screamed, breaking down.
"Princess Yangtan has arrived!!" the royal envoy announced. Wei Jun and Yue Ying turned to the entrance.
Yangtan arrived, horse beneath her, hair tied with silver pins matching Yinkui's.
"KUI'ER!!!" She clutched her twin, fist clenched, landing near Lan'er.
"Kui...Kui'er, stand up. Your sister's here…" Tan'er faltered kneeling in the snow. Blood stained the earth. Her twin, Kui'er, lay lifeless in her arms. Thunder cracked across the heavens.
"Kui'er, isn't t..to..today...your wedding with tyrant Cheng? Why aren't you getting up yet? Where's your tyrant Cheng?" Yangtan muttered as Lan'er hiccupped through tears.
"When His Highness got convicted of rebellion… my lady tried to stall till you returned with evidence. But His Majesty ordered the Crown Prince beheaded. My lady threatened with her life, but no one listened. When the Crown Prince was beheaded, my lady said to convey this letter to you. I didn't know she would…" Lan'er sobbed.
Yangtan collected the letter, opening it.
"Tan'er, since it has come to this, you won't blame me for leaving, will you? I know we are the twin spirits of yin and yang, never to be parted, but I made a selfish decision. Without stupid Cheng, I can't go on. Is this what love is? If so, why does it hurt so much? Mom said it would feel sweet, but my heart only hurts. I chose to love stupid Cheng, and without him, life seems empty. I hope you won't blame me. I'll make it up in the next life."
*Kui of the shadows walks with endless night.*
*Tan of dawn light bathes the morning bright.*
*Dark and light together fill the world.*
*"Like moon and sun, forever side by side.*
*One Kui, one Tan—they divide yin and yang.*
*From the same root and source, they share glory.*
*Sun and moon guide each other through a thousand autumns.*
*The twin princesses of Feng shall be remembered forever.*
*Your grumpy dragon, Kui'er.*
Yangtan closed her eyes, dark sky deepened, silver light emanating around her. She kissed her sister's forehead.
"If this is the punishment, I will bear it. I will carry your light into the darkness, even if it shatters me."
Thunder rumbled; everyone panicked. Yangtan rose, surveying the chaos.
"TAN'ER! THE STUPID DRAGON GAVE HER LIFE FOR THE PRINCE! YOU'RE THE SOLE HEIR TO FENG CLAN, THE HEAVENLY PHOENIX! DON'T SOIL YOUR HANDS WITH INNOCENT BLOOD!" Wei Jun shouted.
"A devil? My twin is the purest soul! She died for the one she loved! Feng Wei Jun, you do not deserve the Yin and Yang spirit!" Yangtan cried as heavenly soldiers arrived.
"AVENGE YOUR SISTER!!!"
"AVENGE YOUR BROTHER-IN-LAW!!!" The queens shouted, glowing and fading into light.
"Queen of Heaven!" Wei Jun shouted.
"Heavenly King, I'm not your queen. You're not my Jun'er…" Yueya said.
"I wish… for another life, free from power, free from rules that bind us. I know I'll only be reincarnated as your puppet, so this time, I'll follow my heart."
Song Zi Wang looked at Yueya.
"One died because of you, the other wants to turn devil. These two precious babies of mine are why I take every breath. Now that both are gone, I have no reason to stay."
A bright red light shone; the machines beeping, fluorescent lights flickering, snow merging with ceiling white, jewelry with trays falling—reality blurred.
The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, sterile and unyielding. The team moved in silence, only the snap of gloves and scrape of instruments breaking the stillness.
"Swabs collected."
"Hymen intact."
"Minimal damage."
"Frontal lobe hypoxia. Clear evidence of oxygen deprivation—strangulation, most likely."
"That explains her seizures," the assistant said quietly.
"Brain tissue shows degeneration."
"We can attempt surgery. But even if successful, she has ten years at most."
The room went silent.
"Carry on. Mother has already given permission as long as we save her."
"You're letting emotions cloud judgment. We haven't officially asked permission."
"Sir, you told me no matter what, lives first, permission later, right?"
"Fine. The board might have our heads, but I'll trust you."
Stephanie, Diane's mother, sat stiff, gripping Diane's sweater. Destiny paced, hating the quiet, the sterile smell, the unknown.
A nurse appeared:
"The operation has started. Several hours. We'll update you."
Hours passed. Doors swung. Three hours later, Diana and a tall man entered, storming the hospital with fear.
"Draven, Diana…" Stephanie muttered.
"D?…" Diana asked, Destiny shook her head violently. She ran, holding her.
"It's okay. It will be okay."
Diana dug nails into her palms, wanted to scream, punch, undo. Powerless, she stood while Destiny leaned against the wall in tears.
"Surgery relieved pressure. Brain damage remains. Ten years, perhaps, but road ahead is hard."
Diana stormed out. Stephanie cried.
"She'll live for ten years?"
"Yes, if no further deterioration. We're sorry."
Diane, still in the empty space of her mind, wrote to Diana:
"Diana, I'm sorry. I've been a bad sister. I failed to protect you, failed to understand you, and left you alone too many times. I don't know if you'll forgive me, but I promise to try to be better. I'll carry your light with me, even when I'm scared. I love you, always.
Few hours later, Diane opened her eyes, feeling Tan'er's aura mixing with her own memories. The modern room, the beeping machines, and the fading red light blurred her sense of time. Letters, memories, screams, and thunder fused into one overwhelming reality. She slowly realized—she was both Diane and Yinkui, both modern and ancient, lost between worlds.