Daughter of the Moon Goddess

At the banquet, Xingyin begins to consider Wenzhi handsome. She also sees the king’s younger son, Prince Yanming, and the prince’s governess, Lady Anmei. During the feast, Prince Yanxi greets them and converses with Xingyin.

Prince Yanxi remembers Xingyin’s flute performance at Liwei’s birthday banquet, though she hasn’t played since. He also identifies her pendant as an amulet of protection, though it has been damaged and can only be repaired by the dragons. Yanxi describes the dragons as independent of all rulers of the immortal realms and “wise and benevolent” (220), revered by all. Yanxi invites her to research in the library, a rare opportunity. When asked about the Jade Dragon Bow, Yanxi confirms that it was lost before the dragons’ banishment.

Xingyin realizes that the subsequent dance performance is a veiled assassination attempt and incapacitates the attacker. Battle ensues; the merfolk lose. During the interrogation, the merfolk leader says they attacked because the Sea Immortals slew the dragons, even though these claims are unsubstantiated. He refuses to say more until Wenzhi threatens him with torturing his loved ones; Wenzhi’s ruthlessness shocks Xingyin. The merman gives in, revealing that their goal was to kill the king or capture Prince Yanming. Yanxi guesses Renyu wants to create a puppet ruler after his coup.

The next day, Xingyin and Wenzhi remain skeptical of the merfolk’s claims and of Renyu’s motivation for a coup. In response to Xingyin’s concern, Wenzhi acknowledges the less savory aspects of his job, but hopes the two of them will continue to confide in each other in the future.

At the strategy meeting, they decide that they must ensure a land battle, though time is short. Wenzhi suggests using Prince Yanming as bait for Renyu, to Yanxi’s fury. Xingyin offers to guard him, and Wenzhi suggests she disguise herself as Lady Anmei so as not to draw suspicion. He accidentally implies that Xingyin is unattractive compared to Anmei, which irritates Xingyin. While preparations are underway, Yanxi suggests Xingyin spend time with Yanming, so they can build rapport; Xingyin is touched by his love for his family.

At Yanming’s chambers, Xingyin is faintly jealous at Anmei’s interactions with Wenzhi. Xingyin introduces herself to Yanming, who is unimpressed with her until she agrees to mock-fight with him. By the end of the visit, they have become fast friends.

That night, Xingyin thinks of her mother as she walks along the moonlit beach. Wenzhi finds her. He denies any attraction to Anmei and requests that Xingyin drop her previous formalities. She agrees.

As battle preparations continue, Xingyin considers Yanming the sibling she never had. He tells her more stories about the dragons, balancing out their banishment with their benevolence. The day of battle dawns, and Xingyin dons her disguise as Anmei. She and Wenzhi are clearly attracted to each other.

Yanming arrives. They go to the beach while Yanxi and the army hide in the nearby forest. The day goes on, but Renyu doesn’t appear. They start a rumor that Yanming will soon depart. On their next beach walk, Yanming is almost captured by Renyu. Xingyin rescues Yanming just in time, but she is wounded by Renyu’s giant octopus. Battle begins.

Wenzhi joins his men on the beach, while Xingyin races to deliver Yanming to safety, then prepares her weapons. Renyu searches for Yanming and thinks that Xingyin is Anmei. He scatters her weapons and enchants her using his glowing necklace. Xingyin realizes he controls the merfolk using Mind Talent compulsion, hence their strong motivations over baseless claims of the dragons’ slaughter.

She resists his compulsion by sealing her hearing, then attacks. They fight. He reveals that the only way to break the enchantment is through the death of either the victim or the caster. Wenzhi appears, charging to her rescue. Renyu speaks to him, but Xingyin can’t tell what he says. Xingyin shatters Renyu’s pendant, breaking his compulsion magic. Wenzhi kills him; Renyu dies shocked and disbelieving, but Xingyin isn’t sure why. Xingyin passes out.

Days later, Xingyin wakes in the Eastern Sea palace. Wenzhi sits at her bedside, holding her hand. Yanming is safe and the merfolk are awaiting punishment. She defends them, describing Renyu’s pendant and her method of resistance. Wenzhi reveals that Renyu’s pendant was weak; a real Mind Talent would have been much more powerful.

They head to the throne room for an audience with the king. To Xingyin’s surprise, Liwei is there, conversing with Yanxi. He came because his Sky Drop Tassel, filled with Xingyin’s energy, had turned red, indicating her mortal peril. Xingyin rejects his concern, though she has mixed emotions. Liwei tells her that ore from Xiangliu’s mountain was discovered to block magic, but upon investigation, there was none left—it had been mined and taken away.

Prince Yanxi greets Xingyin, thanking her for her aid. Wenzhi joins them, his dislike for Liwei obvious. Yanxi extends overtures of friendship, inciting both Liwei’s and Wenzhi’s jealousy, much to Xingyin’s puzzlement.