Hall of Blossoming Dawn
Jin Xiu sat at the desk, his brows furrowed in displeasure.
Kneeling before him, Xing Xian kept her head lowered.
Jin Xiu reprimanded, “Not a single white chrysanthemum bloomed when they should have. They received no flower signals. You have served in the Hall of Blossoming Dawn for years, and this isn’t the first time you’ve overseen floral affairs. Xiao Mei trusted you enough to entrust this matter to you. Yet you were so careless. If you don’t take responsibility and accept punishment now, how can they respect you in the future?”
Xing Xian pursed her lips, sulking as she murmured, “Xing Xing knows her mistake.”
Jin Xiu considered briefly before issuing his sentence.
“You will be confined for a year. Reflect on your actions in the Water Moon Mirror.”
Xing Xian immediately lifted her face, looking as though she couldn’t believe what she had just heard.
The Water Moon Mirror was the most secluded place in the Hall of Blossoming Dawn. Once inside, one could no longer use magic to communicate with the outside world. Without an explicit decree from the Flower Deity, even outsiders were forbidden from entering.
For someone with Xing Xian’s temperament, being confined there alone for an entire year was an unbearably severe punishment.
Even Mei Xian thought it was too harsh and pleaded on her behalf.
“Xing Xing didn’t mean to cause a delay. Besides, with the Flower Festival approaching, we still need her for the song and dance rehearsals…”
Jin Xiu remained firm. “Someone else will take over for now.”
His expression softened slightly as he added, “The Water Moon Mirror is a place of peace, ideal for cultivation. A year of quiet meditation inside will allow her to refine her magic and deepen her understanding. For her, it may not be a punishment, but an opportunity.”
Xing Xian grew anxious. “But—”
Jin Xiu cut her off. “Are you worried about the Celestial Maiden? If she has need of you, I will send someone to relay her message.”
Her delicate face flushed instantly.
Unable to argue further, she stared at him for a long moment.
Seeing that he had no intention of retracting his decision, her eyes turned red.
Lowering her head, she ran out.
Mei Xian hesitated before speaking. “Xing Xing admires you greatly, my lord. Won’t this punishment be too harsh for her?”
Jin Xiu gestured for her to bring over the Floral Register and said calmly, “As the Flower Steward, she must always remember her responsibilities. She is already impulsive by nature. If she is indulged any further, how will she manage her duties in the future? You must understand that you are now the Master of All Flowers. She is your subordinate. Of course, personal ties matter, but if you allow them to cloud your judgment and fail to enforce discipline when needed, you will lose authority. If everyone in the Hall of Blossoming Dawn behaves like this in the future, how will you maintain order?”
He paused, then added, “I will have someone send her into the Water Moon Mirror shortly. In a few days, bring her some medicine, but do not tell her it was from me.”
Mei Xian nodded in agreement.
But as she did, the corner of her eye caught sight of his hand.
She drew in a sharp breath, her face paling.
“This… Lord Jin Xiu!”
Jin Xiu calmly pulled his sleeve down a little to conceal it. “You may leave. Report to me if there’s anything else.”
Mei Xian stood there in a daze.
She had seen such wounds before—once, a thousand years ago.
Those who had never suffered Heavenly Punishment would never know the kind of pain that seeped into one’s very bones.
Back then, he had been unable to lie down for three full months.
Every night, he sat in silence within the pavilion, unable to sleep.
Yet by day, he carried on as usual, handling affairs with his usual calm and grace, showing no sign of weakness.
The outsiders knew nothing of what had happened.
All the while, the Hall of Blossoming Dawn had been abuzz with rumors about why a certain little flower demon had suddenly disappeared.
Even now, some still believed that the small spirit had simply been sent away.
But other than Heavenly Punishment, what else could possibly harm him?
So the rumors were true.
He had endured the Heavenly Punishment again.
But for whom?
Was it for the Celestial Maiden’s sake?
Mei Xian lowered her gaze, her voice soft. “Your ascension is approaching. My lord, you must take care of yourself.”
With that, she bowed and quietly withdrew.
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