This was my mother’s second offense against the Celestial Emperor, and the insult paid a personal one. There would be no mercy, not that he was ever inclined to it. Their Celestial Majesties had no love for my family, and this was an ideal opportunity to rid themselves of us.

Part of me was glad that Liwei was not here. He would have supported us against the Celestial invasion, setting himself against his father who would view it as an unforgivable betrayal. This way, Liwei could claim ignorance of my plans—for in truth, they had only just formed.

“We will flee.” My heart was laden with regret, pricked with shame. But I had little faith in the justice of the Celestial Kingdom.

Disappointment shadowed General Jianyun’s face. Perhaps he had hoped I would take a stand to defend the laurel. Perhaps he imagined that a spark of my father’s heroism burned in my spirit. I was neither so noble nor valiant. Some might call me selfish, but I would look out for my own. I had done my part for the realm, and been repaid by mistrust at every turn.

“I understand. Be careful,” he said at last.

“We must prepare ourselves,” Shuxiao said.

“We?” I asked.

She crossed her arms in seeming challenge. “I’m not leaving until you get away safely.”

“How can I let you stay?” I countered.

“This is not your choice,” she said fiercely.

I hesitated, wanting her by my side yet dreaded exposing her to danger. “Thank you,” I managed through the tightness in my chest. I would have done no less for her.

“General Jianyun,” Shuxiao addressed him. “Could you send word to my family? Tell them to go into hiding until they hear from me again.”

Bitterness seared me that she had to do this, that we were forced to flee. But there was no shame in flight; I had done it before. I would not sacrifice us to a cause we cared little for. What mattered most was our freedom and our lives—upon which hope was borne, along with the promise of new beginnings.

I RAPPED UPON MY mother’s door—short, hard knocks. She emerged from her room, clad in her white robe. I was glad to find Ping’er with her, sitting by the table, pouring tea into two cups.

I wasted no time, speaking urgently, “Celestial soldiers are on their way here. We must flee.”

“Flee? Why?” Her eyes were wide with shock.

“The emperor has sentenced us to imprisonment in the tower. We have been accused of insulting His Celestial Majesty, of treacherous intent for the lapse in lighting the moon.”

A shudder ran through her body. “They are mistaken. Can we explain?”