Hollow Paper Doll, Amber Prison of Light 7 (20)
“Our villagers’ hearts always reached higher than the heavens,” Qin Qinyuan said softly, eyes distant. “But our fates were thinner than paper… ah, forget it.”
She turned to Yin Guhuai. “The one who said Miss Su didn’t love the Crown Prince—it was me, Qin Qinyuan. I said that. What Miss Su truly feels, I don’t know. I only said it to escape the situation.”
“And about the night I broke into Huaqing Palace… I apologize to the princess.”
Her tone carried the quiet resolve of a final confession.
Qi Ruheng, hearing it, felt a wave of relief. His body slumped, weak with release. Princess Yin Guling remained composed, toying with her teacup. “And then?”
Qin Qinyuan walked toward the doorway. The moon was half-hidden behind thick clouds. “That night was like this too—dark. A single fire took my family, my friends, my entire life.”
She looked back, expression peaceful. “So—can you burn me too? The fire of a phoenix should be pure enough to cleanse my sins, shouldn’t it?”
Yin Guling tilted her head, eyes glinting. “My flames,” she said coldly, “aren’t meant for filth like you.”
Her lacquered fingers grasped Qi Ruheng by the collar and yanked him up. “Xiao Heng,” she purred, “since you claim she killed your family, I’ll give you a chance. Go on—kill her. Avenge them.”
She patted his cheek lightly. “Be good.”
Qi Ruheng trembled all over, eyes darting between the princess and Qin Qinyuan. His thoughts spun—if Qin Qinyuan lived, she could expose his past. If she died, his new life as the noble young master and future royal consort would be secure.
He took a step forward, then another. His hand reached for her throat. “Qinyuan,” he whispered, “don’t blame me. Forgive me—and take care of my parents.”
Qin Qinyuan didn’t resist. The amber pendant slipped from her neck, landing softly on the ground. As her breath choked and the world darkened, visions flickered through her mind—spring blossoms, the drone of summer cicadas, golden wheat bending in the wind, winter’s falling snow. She could almost hear her parents’ voices calling her home for dinner.
It was so beautiful. So far away.
Yin Guhuai’s eyes darkened as he watched. “This is what you wanted?” he asked quietly.
Yin Guling nodded. “Yes.”
Qi Ruheng felt a twisted thrill seeing her helpless. At last—no more witnesses, no more flaws in his perfect life.
But suddenly, Qin Qinyuan’s pained expression shifted. Her eyes flew open, cold and sharp. She shoved her hand into her satchel and flung a handful of powder at him.
Startled, Qi Ruheng leapt back, releasing her instantly.
Yin Guhuai’s usual calm vanished. His gaze sharpened. “It’s Su Qingtang.”
Coughing violently, Su Qingtang staggered backward.
Qi Ruheng, panicked, snapped, “Qin Qinyuan—what are you doing? What is this?!”
Though he had dodged most of it, some powder had landed on his clothes. He brushed at it frantically.
“You bastard!” Su Qingtang rolled up her sleeves and charged him, fists flying. “How dare you try to take my life! I’ve never met someone so shameless!”
Fueled by fury and adrenaline, she grabbed him by the collar, shaking him. “Average looks, useless courage—you think you’re some kind of phoenix man? Want to live off a princess? Fine! The palace has plenty of chopsticks for you!”
“And what about your family, huh? The ones who raised you? Do you even remember that the villagers pooled their savings to send you to Yinyue City?”
“Your mother gave you angelica root as a parting gift—do you even understand what that means? Return home, don’t let your family’s eyes go blind from waiting!”
Her voice rose to a roar. “And what did you do instead? You thought they were a burden—leeches! So you burned them alive! How could you?”
“They say the dead become stars, but when you look at the sky every night reciting poetry—aren’t you afraid they’re watching you?”
Qi Ruheng was pale, shaking. “Who—who are you? How do you know all that?”
Su Qingtang glared at him, then cast a glance at Princess Yin Guling. “I really don’t know what Your Highness sees in him. His face? It’s not even as handsome as Yin Guhuai’s. He’s timid, spineless—and he pisses himself when scared!”
Qi Ruheng went red, hastily grabbing a nearby cloth to cover himself. He turned pleadingly to the princess. “It’s not true, Your Highness! Don’t listen to her! You saw Qin Qinyuan yourself—she agreed with me!”
Su Qingtang sneered. “Qin Qinyuan, you hear that? The man you loved—the one you risked everything to protect—this is what he’s doing!”
Tears streamed down Su Qingtang’s cheeks—Qin Qinyuan’s tears, from deep within. Su Qingtang wiped them roughly. “Cry? What’s the point of crying? If crying worked, why would the Crown Prince need his city patrols? Report him then!”
“Killers and arsonists deserve punishment! You think you’re noble for seeking revenge? Look at yourself now! You’re both selfish!”
Her chest heaved with anger. “Don’t cry! You’re better than this!”
Still, Qin Qinyuan’s tears wouldn’t stop. Su Qingtang’s sleeves were soaked. “Frogs with three legs are rare, but men with two legs are everywhere!”
“Yes, yes, childhood sweethearts, lovers against the world—but what did he do? Did he treat you like a fiancée? No! You were just his stepping stone! Where’s that courage you had when you faced down my father’s guards? Stop crying!”
She kicked Qi Ruheng hard. “Now talk! Will you confess, or should I make you?”
Qi Ruheng lay curled on the ground, trembling.
Su Qingtang’s breathing was ragged. She turned to Yin Guhuai, face flushed. “Your Highness, may I borrow your sleeve?”
Before he could answer, she grabbed his sleeve and wiped her tears and nose on it. The warmth of his dragon energy spread through her, easing her chest. She sniffled. “See? Look at him, the man you loved. Useless trash.”
Yin Guling finally spoke, her tone calm. “Xiao Heng, what do you say to that?”
He looked up slowly, dazed and defeated. “She’s right,” he muttered. “It was me. I set the fire.”
The hall went still.
Yin Guling lifted her teacup, serene as ever. “And why didn’t you confess sooner? Because Gu Quan returns tomorrow?”
Her attendant somehow managed to hand her a cup of hot tea even amid the ruin. The princess sipped lightly.
Qi Ruheng spread his hands, forcing a smile. “Yes. It’s true. Everyone knew about Fengyuan. Qin Qinyuan—she shouldn’t have come to Yinyue City. If she hadn’t, none of this would’ve happened.”
Blaming her to the end.
Su Qingtang’s expression shifted again—Qin Qinyuan’s consciousness rising one last time. She stepped forward, eyes brimming. “Why shouldn’t I have come? You told me to care for your mother—to wait for you! We made our vows under the parasol tree, shared the same bed—was that all meaningless?”
Qi Ruheng sneered, gesturing around the lavish hall. “Look at this place! Look what I have now—and what I came from! You chose to rot in the mud. Why should I let you drag me down?”
Qin Qinyuan smiled through her tears. “Then I bless you.”
Lifting her eyes to the heavens, she tried to swallow the sobs, but tears still streamed down. She stooped to pick up the fallen amber, holding it close. “With the last of its power, I wish you a long life—sickly and impotent, but surrounded by children who aren’t yours.”
Her body went limp. Su Qingtang collapsed, and Yin Guhuai rushed forward to catch her.
Qi Ruheng hadn’t even finished processing her curse when Yin Guling stood. “A fine blessing,” she said with a smirk.
She held up the mother amber and gestured for Su Qingtang to hand her the child amber. When the two touched, a brilliant red light filled the room.
“This is—?”
“The Light of the Parasol Tree,” Yin Guhuai explained. “Legend says it can heal all ills. An auspicious omen. It seems the power was sealed within the amber.”
Qi Ruheng’s face twisted. “Princess… so it was the amber you wanted from me all along?”
He remembered that fateful day—riding through the streets of Yinyue City, the dazzling princess on horseback, a phoenix in human form. She’d stopped when she sensed the parasol tree’s aura—the very tree where the amber had formed. Drawn by its power, she had taken him to her palace.
“What did you think I wanted?” she replied lightly. “You?”
Absorbing the last of the amber’s energy, she sighed in satisfaction. “Don’t worry, Qin Qinyuan’s wish will come true. Won’t it, little brother?”
Yin Guhuai nodded. “Yes.”
Gu An and his men stepped forward to take the lifeless Qi Ruheng away. The wedding that should have been joyful ended in ruin—no guests, no family, only the stars above as witnesses.
As peace settled, Su Qingtang’s body suddenly lightened—the sign that Qin Qinyuan’s soul had finally left. Memories flooded her mind all at once. She gripped Yin Guhuai’s sleeve urgently.
“Your Highness! It’s me again! The real me! All that before—it wasn’t me! I’m still your deputy commander, right?”
[Oh no—I just remembered! I told Father to resign! No, no, I don’t want to die yet!]
Yin Guhuai gave her a long, weary look. “Miss Su, do you think the City Patrol is an inn you can leave and return to at will?”
“It wasn’t me!” she pleaded. “I was possessed! I swear!”
He stepped back coldly. “And you dare say you never wanted to leave?”
Her irritation flared. [That’s only because you said you didn’t like me! Otherwise, I wouldn’t have gotten emotional and let her in!]
Yin Guling was now openly watching her lips move, utterly entertained. So the heart-voice is real, she thought with delight, turning her gaze on her brother.
“Maybe… just a little,” Su Qingtang admitted aloud. “I was tired. That’s all.” She didn’t dare mention the part about kneeling to the prime minister’s daughter. Leaning closer, she said earnestly, “Your Highness, you know I really like you. When I see you, it’s like looking at the stars.”
Yin Guhuai took another step back. “The dead become stars.”
[Seriously?! He remembers that part?! What is wrong with this man?!]
But out loud, she said sweetly, “I mean—even all the stars can’t outshine Your Highness’s brilliance.”
The others barely hid their amusement. Yin Guling’s eyes sparkled with mischief.
Yin Guhuai opened his mouth to retort—but before he could, Su Qingtang swayed. “That light’s a little too bright… I think I’m going to faint.”
And with that, she collapsed.
“Miss Su!”
His body moved faster than thought. He caught her before she hit the ground, holding her steady.
Yin Guling’s teasing voice floated through the air. “Xiao Huai, crude as she is, her heart’s sincere. A perfect match, don’t you think?”
She sipped her tea, smiling slyly. “Though I do worry—it might be a case of the prince willing, but the goddess indifferent.”