The court doors opened slowly.
For a moment, no one moved.
The verdict of the Heavenly Pact still burned above them in memory, heavy enough to follow each breath. Officials lowered their heads as Yan and her allies walked out, but their silence no longer felt respectful.
It felt strained.
Like hatred forced to wear ceremony robes.
Yan stepped past the threshold of the Official Palace and inhaled.
The air outside was colder, cleaner, easier to bear. The pressure of the golden law tablets no longer pressed against her bones, but her wrist still burned faintly beneath her sleeve.
Before the next full moon.
Evidence. Witness. Physical proof.
If they failed, she would return to the wheel.
Under court supervision.
Yan's fingers curled.
A shadow fell beside her.
Jin Liwei had slowed his steps again, matching her pace without crowding her. He did not ask whether she was all right. He did not touch her. He only stayed close enough that if her legs failed, she suspected he would catch her before she hit the ground.
That annoyed her.
It also steadied her.
Yan glanced at him from the corner of her eye.
Husband.
The word felt absurd.
Before today, she had been a librarian. A dead one, apparently. An introverted, book-loving, eternally single librarian whose greatest romantic experience had been reading tragic love poems and judging the authors for poor communication.
Now she had a husband.
A terrifyingly beautiful God of Death husband.
And in-laws.
Supportive in-laws.
Dangerous supportive in-laws.
Yan rubbed her forehead.
"Is something wrong?" Jin Liwei asked quietly.
Yan looked at him.
Then at Jin Qiang, who was walking ahead with the expression of a man hoping someone would give him a reason to break public property.
Then at Huan Mei, whose calm smile made passing officials take three steps away without realizing it.
Then at Jin Fen, who was whispering something to Ran and looked far too pleased with himself.
Then at Ye Tianxin, who appeared as relaxed as if he had just won a friendly board game instead of legally cornering half the court.
Yan lowered her voice. "I am still deciding whether this is death, afterlife, or punishment."
Jin Liwei paused.
A faint smile touched his mouth.
"It may be all three."
Yan stared.
"That was not comforting."
"I am out of practice."
"You were ever in practice?"
His smile softened.
For one dangerous breath, the cold God of Death looked almost gentle.
Yan looked away immediately.
Bad.
Very bad.
Her heart had no discipline.
They had barely reached the white-stone steps when a voice called from behind.
"God of Death, please wait."
Every person in Yan's group stopped.
Not because the voice deserved attention.
Because the tone was too confident for someone with poor survival instincts.
Official Song Byin walked toward them with his daughter beside him. Song Ziyi followed half a step behind, dressed in pale robes that made her look delicate at first glance. But her chin was lifted, her eyes bright, and the spiritual energy around her was controlled with surprising precision.
Weak compared to the monsters around Yan.
But not useless.
Talented, Yan thought.
And very angry.
Song Ziyi's gaze went first to Jin Liwei.
Then to Yan.
It stayed there.
Like Yan was a stain on a treasured painting.
Yan felt the look before she understood it.
Jin Liwei's expression chilled.
Official Song bowed, but only toward Jin Liwei and his parents.
"God of Death. God of Destruction. Goddess of Disaster."
He did not bow to Yan.
Ran's smile vanished.
Jin Fen's eyes lit with the joy of someone sensing upcoming disaster.
Ye Tianxin quietly stepped to the side, opening his fan.
Ran glanced at him. "Father."
Ye Tianxin did not look at her. "Do not interfere."
"He is about to insult Yan."
"Yes."
"And you want me to stand here?"
"Yes."
Ran turned slowly. "Explain before I choose violence."
Ye Tianxin's fan hid the lower half of his face. "Do you not see the muscle-brained husband and the wife-protecting madman standing there? At times like this, one must respect the performance."
Jin Fen nodded solemnly. "Exactly. My father and brother are already enough."
Ran narrowed her eyes.
Jin Fen leaned closer and whispered, "And if they somehow fail, my mother will smile once and leave wounds no medicine can treat."
Ran paused.
Then she stepped back.
"Fine," she said. "But if this becomes boring, I am entering."
"Reasonable," Ye Tianxin said.
Yan heard all of it.
She was beginning to suspect that divine families were not normal.
Official Song, tragically unaware that several people were discussing how best to enjoy his downfall, smiled toward Jin Liwei.
"This official speaks out of sincerity. Today's verdict has made one matter clear. Goddess Yan's condition is unstable, and her remaining cycles may still claim her. Her future is uncertain."
The air changed.
Jin Liwei did not move.
That made him more frightening.
Official Song continued, "The God of Death is young, powerful, and respected across the realms. It would be unfortunate for such a future to remain bound to someone who may soon return to the wheel and never emerge whole."
Yan went still.
The words should not have hurt.
She did not remember marrying Jin Liwei. She did not remember loving him. She did not even know what vows existed between them.
But being spoken of as temporary — as already half-dead — struck a place inside her that was still raw from the court.
Jin Liwei's eyes turned black with cold fury.
"Choose your next words carefully."
Official Song smiled as if he had been granted permission.
"My daughter, Song Ziyi, has long admired you. She is talented, pure in constitution, and raised with the dignity suitable for a divine household. Her cultivation may not yet equal yours, but with proper guidance, she will become an excellent partner."
Song Ziyi's face flushed, but she did not lower her head.
Her eyes remained fixed on Jin Liwei.
Official Song lifted his chin.
"If the God of Death considers the future rationally, dissolving an unstable bond with Goddess Yan and accepting Ziyi would benefit both families. After all, a man of your standing requires a wife who can walk beside him, not one who may vanish into reincarnation at any moment."
Silence.
Complete silence.
Yan stared at Official Song.
For a moment, she could only think one thing.
He really said it.
In public.
After the court had nearly torn itself apart over her curse.
He still said it.
Jin Qiang laughed first.
Not loudly.
Not happily.
Just once.
A short, deep sound that made several nearby officials step back.
"Song Byin," he said, "your courage has improved."
Official Song's expression brightened slightly.
Then Jin Qiang continued.
"Unfortunately, your brain has not."
Song Byin stiffened.
Jin Fen whispered, "There it is."
Ye Tianxin sighed. "Opening strike. Crude, but effective."
Ran watched Yan's face carefully.
Yan knew she should be angry. She was angry.
But another feeling had entered with it.
Curiosity.
Not about Song Ziyi.
About Jin Liwei.
Would he be offended because his marriage was insulted? Because his pride was touched? Because Song Byin had spoken without permission?
Or because Yan had been spoken of like a doomed object?
Jin Liwei answered before she finished wondering.
He stepped forward.