“It would be no imposition,” the queen interjected, a frown flitting across her brow. She was unused to being refused. She leaned forward, addressing my mother instead. “Your loyal attendant’s funeral will take place in a few days. Do you not wish to pay your final respects to her?”

My mother’s throat worked, her fingers gripping her skirt. The eyes she turned to me were bright with hope. Oh, I wanted to stay too, to see Ping’er laid to rest. But would we be safe until then? Yet another refusal might rouse the queen’s suspicions, for who would turn down a royal invitation without good cause? Moreover, I believed the emperor would conceal the attack for now, given he had acted so furtively before. Which meant we had a few days respite, to regather and grieve.

“Thank you, Your Majesty. We are grateful for your consideration,” I said, as my mother and Shuxiao lowered themselves into another bow.

Two immortals hurried into the hall then, clad in indigo robes, their hair tucked into silver headpieces. At the sight of the younger immortal, shock coursed through me. There were echoes of Ping’er in the set of her eyes, the arch of her nose, though her chin was more pointed and her face leaner. Was this her sister? An urge gripped me to embrace her, for no other reason than she was Ping’er’s flesh and blood … and that she shared our pain.

The pair knelt on the floor to greet the queen, who gestured for them to rise. “Chief Attendant, this is Chang’e, the Moon Goddess, and her daughter.”

As the woman’s face brightened, her lips parting to speak—a sharp cry rang out from the younger girl.

“Sister!” she gasped, falling to her knees by Ping’er’s body, holding her in a futile embrace.

The chief attendant staggered back, her gaze swinging to us, hard with accusation. “What happened to my daughter? What did you do to her?”

“Chief Attendant, compose yourself.” The queen’s tone was a knife sheathed in silk. “Allow our honored guests the chance to explain.”

Tears shone from my mother’s eyes, spilling down their corners. She did not wipe them away. “I am grateful for your daughter’s company for all these decades. Ping’er has been a loyal companion and … my dearest friend. She died, protecting me from a heinous attack. We brought her here to be laid to rest because it was her final wish.”

Queen Suihe shook her head. “A great tragedy for her family and you. Chief Attendant, you have leave to proceed with the funeral proceedings.”

The chief attendant’s chest heaved, her throat working with unspoken words, but a stern look from the queen silenced her. “Ping’yi, bring your sister’s body,” she called out harshly.