That night, after Fengguang waited until Xianmo fell asleep, she drifted out through the window again. If he wasn’t asleep, she wouldn’t have the chance to leave—before bed, he always insisted on chatting with her, making sure she was by his side. Only when he was too tired to keep talking would their pointless conversation finally end.
As usual, after chasing away the noisy night insects, she was about to drift back to rest when an unusual light in the sky caught her attention. It was a sky lantern.
The imperial palace didn’t forbid releasing lanterns. During the Lantern Festival, plenty of palace maids would set them free. But tonight wasn’t the festival—and this lantern was different. A blue flame burned inside it. Along its path, it passed many guards, eunuchs, and maids, yet no one looked up at it.
Did that mean… ordinary people couldn’t see it?
Relying on her ghostly form, Fengguang floated after the lantern, curiosity urging her to find out more.
She didn’t know how long she drifted, passing several palace complexes. The lantern gradually descended. Ahead stood a magnificent palace. The plaque above its gates read Fengyi Palace. She froze for a moment.
The lantern didn’t pause. It flew straight inside.
Fengguang followed.
Beneath a pear blossom tree stood a plainly dressed woman. She raised a hand slightly, and the lantern settled onto her pale palm. Her breathtaking face showed neither joy nor anger. Her cool eyes held no emotion. After quietly watching the lantern for a moment, she opened her hand. Blue flames ignited, consuming the lantern completely. The fire vanished without leaving even a trace of ash.
“Little girl, where did your wandering spirit come from?” The woman glanced sideways, a faint smile touching her lips.
Fengguang froze and looked around. No one else was there. Only then did she realize the woman was speaking to her. She floated closer.
“You can see me?”
“I’m not blind. Why wouldn’t I see you?” The woman smiled—outshining the pear blossoms in full bloom.
Fengguang stared at her for a moment. She reached out; a white petal passed through her palm.
“It’s not pear blossom season.”
“As long as I wish to see them, even plum blossoms can bloom. This is nothing.”
For some reason, Fengguang believed her. But that only deepened her unease.
“You’re… Her Majesty the Empress?”
“Indeed, I am.” She smiled warmly. The earlier chill and loneliness around her faded, replaced by effortless elegance.
This was Rong Tingxue, the chancellor’s daughter and the current Empress.
She was so beautiful—of course, she was the Empress, Fengguang thought. Then she asked,
“It’s so late. Why are you outside?”
“And you?” Rong Tingxue countered gently. “Why are you outside so late?”
“I’m a ghost. Of course, I wander around at night.”
“I couldn’t sleep, so I came out for a walk.” Rong Tingxue studied her. “But you don’t look like a ghost.”
“I don’t even have a body. If I’m not a ghost, what am I?”
“There are many ways for a soul to leave the body. Death is not the only one.”
“You mean… I can still be saved?” Fengguang stared at her in disbelief. Even the System had no solution—yet the Empress did?
Sam Williams On TYMIMA Chapter 152