Winter Sun - Chapter 1

1.

The envoy from Dongyu arrived in the capital with two beastfolk as tribute.

One was called He Yan, a man of bewitching beauty.

His true form was a red fox with magnificent fur.

The other, Shen Huai’an, had an aloof, almost otherworldly beauty.

His true form was a snake, green from head to tail.

The envoy praised them extravagantly.

He claimed these creatures possessed spiritual intelligence: bind them to a master with a drop of blood, and they would remain loyal for life.

Father favored my ninth sister and me. Finding them an amusing novelty, he told us to choose one each and keep them for our entertainment.

My sister chose first.

She picked Shen Huai’an, who wore green.

Just as in my previous life, when I remained silent for too long, He Yan dropped to his knees with a thud and pleaded with me.

“Third Princess, I chose you the moment I saw you today.”

“Is there something wrong with me? Why do you hesitate to choose me, Your Highness?”

I did not move.

Because I knew the person he had chosen was my ninth sister, Song Jingyao.

Not me, Song Zhinian.

If I took him home today, he would do everything he could to kill me later.

Before entering the palace, he had had blood drawn from his heart.

Without a master’s blood to form a bond within four hours, he would die.

And once that bond was formed, only the former master’s death could break it.

2.

In my previous life, I had believed He Yan. I had also been very taken with his seductive face.

Knowing that he liked freedom and beautiful, colorful things, I searched far and wide for jewels and fine brocades. I let him disregard palace etiquette and indulged him until he thought himself above every rule.

Yet in three years at my residence, he never once showed me his animal form.

“An animal form is vulnerable,” he told me. “It cannot be shown lightly.”

“Your Highness, I do love you.”

“If you marry me, I promise to transform for you every day.”

I believed him.

I thought that if I had to marry someone anyway, I might as well choose a handsome man. At least he would be pleasant to look at.

So I ignored the gossip and petitioned Father.

I never received his consent.

Instead, He Yan drugged my wine. While I was barely conscious, he set my residence on fire.

As I lay dying, my consciousness drifted free.

I saw him go from my residence into my ninth sister’s.

He knelt before her just as he had before me years earlier.

“Your Highness, the Third Princess is gone. Without a new mistress, I’ll die.”

“I don’t want to die. Please save me…”

Save him?

Not a chance.

I curled my lips and settled lazily into the cushioned chair.

I glanced at He Yan, kneeling on the floor with hope in his eyes.

Then, under his startled gaze, I slowly raised my head and looked at Shen Huai’an behind my sister.

He was so cool and ethereal in appearance, yet his ears reddened the moment our eyes met.

“Little Sister, let’s trade. My residence is warm enough. I have no need of a fox-fur coat.”

“But yours looks rather nice. So well-behaved.”

3.

He Yan wanted my ninth sister for his mistress?

Of course I would grant his wish.

Only I knew how ruthless this seemingly gentle, demure sister of mine could be behind closed doors.

And how much she enjoyed tormenting people.

The sweeter her smile, the crueler her killing.

To her, Shen Huai’an and He Yan were no different.

Since I had asked, she readily agreed.

She even teased me. “This is the first time I’ve seen you take the initiative and fight for something, Third Sister.”

I merely smiled.

Then I beckoned to Shen Huai’an, who stood behind her looking stunned, a faint joy stirring in his eyes.

“Come.”

The young man hesitated only a moment before approaching.

He bowed respectfully, then stood quietly to one side.

As in my previous life, the Dongyu envoy soon took blood from my fingertip and my sister’s.

Once the bonds were formed, I did not linger.

I took my leave of Father and brought Shen Huai’an away from the palace banquet.

Before we reached the palace gates, however, my sister and He Yan stopped us.

He Yan blocked my path.

He looked from me to Shen Huai’an behind me, his expression complicated: puzzled, perhaps, and unwilling to accept what had happened.

Never one to pass up a spectacle, my sister covered her lips and smiled mischievously.

“Oh dear. It seems my little fox has something to say to you, Sister.”

“You, little thing. Come here and let them talk.”

She beckoned to Shen Huai’an.

He did not budge.

Helpless, she waved a hand with a smile.

“Oh, very well. Go ahead and talk.”

“But be quick. My carriage won’t wait.”

Her smile was cloyingly sweet.

Only after she and her maids had gone some distance did He Yan’s gaze darken and his fists clench.

“Third Princess, why…why didn’t you choose me?”

What an absurd question.

I couldn’t help laughing.

“Who do you think you are, demanding answers from me?”

Clearly, he had never expected that response.

He stood frozen, all the color draining from his face.

“No.”

“This isn’t how it was supposed to be…”

He stared wide-eyed, murmuring to himself, his shattered expression almost pitiful.

But whether he deserved pity or not, what did that have to do with me?