Chapter 5: Qing Dai

Yun Qingxue was taken back to the Imperial Astrologer’s Star-Gazing Platform, a place steeped in the mysteries of divination and esoteric arts.

She was placed within a strange formation, as if locked in a sunless prison. The air felt oppressive, and it seemed as though an invisible rope bound her soul, suffocating her with unbearable discomfort!

Here, there was none of the ease she had enjoyed in the gardens of Prince Ning’s estate. The vast space held only her, isolated at the center of the formation. No maids or servants brought clear spring water to nourish her. The soil in her flowerpot had long dried up. The formation was shrouded in gloom, obscuring the sun, moon, and stars. She could no longer feel the gentle breeze or the pure raindrops that once fell from the sky.

For the first time, Yun Qingxue truly understood—flowers could thirst too. Those days in Prince Ning’s estate had been far kinder than she realized…

Outside the formation, Prince Ning watched the wilted Blue-Blooded Peony with reluctant pity. Unable to hold back, he spoke, “Imperial Astrologer, isn’t this a bit too harsh?”

“Why show mercy to a demon?” The Imperial Astrologer cast an indifferent glance at the flower, devoid of any sympathy.

“But she is still of royal blood from the Spirit-Flower Tribe…”

“If she were merely an ordinary being, do you think she would still be alive within this formation?” The Imperial Astrologer scoffed. “Tomorrow, I shall petition His Majesty to execute this flower spirit.” His tone suggested he had long made up his mind.

“Imperial Astrologer, we have yet to fully investigate her identity within the Spirit-Flower Tribe. How can we act rashly?” Prince Ning frowned in disapproval.

“What does it matter whether we investigate or not? Have you forgotten, Your Highness, that she is a calamitous demon? Even if she is of noble lineage, should we release a tiger back to the mountains?” the Imperial Astrologer retorted.

“A demon?” Prince Ning chuckled ambiguously. “So far, this ‘demon’ of yours has obediently remained in her flowerpot, harming no one. Moreover, your claim of her being a demon is based solely on your divination…”

“Are you questioning my abilities, Prince Ning?” The Imperial Astrologer’s voice turned cold with arrogance.

“Not at all.” Prince Ning met his gaze seriously. “But this matter is of great importance, and we must proceed with utmost caution. Therefore, I have already petitioned His Majesty to summon experts from across the land to the capital. Once they arrive, you may present your findings, and we shall conduct another divination to ensure absolute certainty.”

The Imperial Astrologer’s hands clenched unseen beneath his sleeves.

Prince Ning continued, “If the results align with your divination, then we shall indeed find a way to eliminate this Blue-Blooded Peony…”

Gradually, the Imperial Astrologer relaxed his grip. “When will these experts arrive?”

“Within seven days.”

“Very well. I shall wait seven more days. If it is confirmed that this flower is a demon, then you and I shall jointly petition His Majesty to—eliminate—her—once and for all!”

“Naturally.” Prince Ning agreed readily before shifting the topic. “However, until the final verdict is reached, I ask that you provide some care for this Blue-Blooded Peony. It would be unfortunate if she perished before the seven days are up.”

“Fine!” The Imperial Astrologer gritted his teeth in reluctant agreement.

Trapped in the formation, Yun Qingxue could no longer distinguish day from night. Just as she began to suspect the Imperial Astrologer intended to slowly starve her to death, a small, dark cloud—no larger than her flowerpot—drifted into the cursed formation. It hovered above her and began to drizzle.

Instinctively, Yun Qingxue’s roots buried in the soil greedily drank the water.

Outside the formation, the Imperial Astrologer regarded Prince Ning with cold arrogance. “Satisfied, Your Highness?”

Prince Ning raised an eyebrow. “You watering a flower has nothing to do with me.”

With that, he turned and left. The Imperial Astrologer remained, displeased. After a moment, he flicked his sleeve, and the cloud above Yun Qingxue vanished instantly. With a cold snort, he too departed.

Yun Qingxue sighed in frustration—she hadn’t even drunk her fill! Why had the cloud disappeared so soon?

In this dreary place, the slight moisture revived her somewhat, but exhaustion soon overtook her, and she drifted into sleep.

“Qingxue… Qingxue…” A voice as light and melodious as a breeze called her name repeatedly in her dreams.

Yun Qingxue suddenly opened her eyes, only to find herself still trapped in the gray, lifeless world.

“Can’t even sleep in peace!”

She scanned the empty surroundings and couldn’t help but mutter in frustration…

“Qingxue…” The same ethereal voice called again. Yun Qingxue looked around but saw no one.

Was she hallucinating? Or was she finally succumbing to death? They said people often saw visions before dying—but who knew flowers did too? Maybe death would send her back to the modern world, just as inexplicably as she had arrived here…

“Qingxue!” The voice came again, interrupting her thoughts.

Convinced it was just her imagination, Yun Qingxue ignored it—until a faint silhouette gradually materialized before her.

Her mouth fell open in disbelief. Now she was seeing things too?!

The figure wore a pale blue dress, her ink-black hair cascading down her back—the same woman whose back Yun Qingxue had often seen in her dreams back in the modern world!

But unlike those dreams, this time, the woman slowly turned around…

Yun Qingxue froze. If this was her own hallucination, then she had to admire her own creativity—this woman was breathtakingly beautiful, putting even the legendary Four Great Beauties of ancient times to shame!

“Qingxue.” The woman smiled, softer than the clouds above.

Dazed, Yun Qingxue blinked and smiled back. Even if this woman was just a figment of her imagination, she’d treat her as real.

“You must find a way to escape soon. Otherwise, in seven days, that Imperial Astrologer will surely kill you!” the woman warned.

Yun Qingxue chuckled wryly. “I’d love to, but I can’t move!”

“Your soul has wandered to another world and only recently reunited with your true form. Naturally, you cannot yet wield the magic within your body,” the woman explained.

Yun Qingxue blinked. Suddenly, she doubted her earlier assumption that this woman was just a hallucination. Her expression turned serious.

“Are you real, or just a dream?”

The woman gazed at her with tender warmth. “Silly child, I am neither real nor a dream. I am… a remnant of a soul.”

Her exquisite face flickered with sorrow, yet also an unyielding resolve.

“You’re… a ghost?” Yun Qingxue trembled slightly.

“A remnant soul!” the woman corrected.

Yun Qingxue rolled her eyes—wasn’t that the same thing?

“Qingxue, my time is short. Listen carefully.” The woman’s tone turned urgent.

Yun Qingxue stilled, focusing on her.

“The Imperial Astrologer is currently meditating. Though he has guards stationed outside the formation, they are lax, convinced you cannot escape. It is also nighttime now.

“Your friend, the lark, is circling the Star-Gazing Platform, waiting for a chance to rescue you.”

“So?” Yun Qingxue asked, sensing the woman had a plan.

“I will use my magic to restore your human form and help you escape. Once you reunite with your friend, do not head toward the Spirit-Flower Tribe’s territory. Choose either the north or south. I can delay the Imperial Astrologer’s discovery for half an hour—use that time to flee as far as possible!”

Without waiting for a response, the woman waved her hand, releasing a pale blue light. Yun Qingxue winced at the brightness. When it faded, she found herself standing outside a grand estate.

“What…?” She spoke—and heard her own voice.

“Did I just… talk?” She tried again, stunned to hear herself.

Remembering the woman’s words, she tentatively stretched out her hands and looked down.

“I’m back! I’m human again!”

Overjoyed, she jumped in excitement. After days as a flower, the relief was indescribable!

“Qingxue!” A cheerful voice called from above. A small figure fluttered down and perched on her shoulder.

“Lark?” Yun Qingxue recognized the bird instantly.

“Lark? My name is Lingyue!” the bird chirped. “That blue-dressed woman wasn’t lying! But we can’t stay here—let’s go!”

“Right!” Yun Qingxue snapped back to reality. She took off running. The woman had bought her half an hour—she had to move fast!

Lingyue fluttered after her. “You fool, running won’t get you far!”

Before Yun Qingxue could ask what she meant, a shadow loomed over her. She looked up in shock—Lingyue had grown to the size of a small house!

“Hop on. I’ll carry you!” Lingyue landed before her, halting her frantic sprint.

Without hesitation, Yun Qingxue climbed onto the giant bird’s back, gripping its feathers tightly.