The coronation ceremony proceeded as scheduled. Early in the morning, Lan Yuan was escorted by several merfolk into the Red Coral Palace. Her sister, who always seemed to have her heart set elsewhere, was waiting there. A delicate silver crown, shaped like thin, curved wings, encircled her fair forehead, spiraling like waves toward her temples. Layer upon layer of intricate…
Sexual content warning. The spring rain fell softly, creating a hazy curtain of water beneath the eaves. The chill seeped through the window into the room, and Lan Wu furrowed her brows in her sleep, instinctively pulling her arms under the blanket and mumbling something under her breath. “Hmm?” Ji Lingyue thought she had woken up, but when she turned…
Sexual content warning. Suddenly, Ji Lingyue paused, frowning as she sneezed. Lan Wu shrank back, embarrassed. “Maybe I should wash up first…” Before she could finish, Ji Lingyue’s hand pressed against her chest. In an instant, all her clothes vanished, replaced by a wave of coolness that washed over her like water. Ji Lingyue glanced at her meaningfully, sliding one…
Plop. A pearl fell, landing in the wooden basin Yu Shanye was holding. Testing the weight, she gently shook it. A soft rustling sound echoed. “I think this is enough,” she declared. “I don’t think so,” Lan Wu countered. She held a halved onion close to her eyes. Moments later— Plop, plop, plop. The mermaid’s eyelashes were damp, the corners…
As they stepped out of the palace, golden sunlight poured down from the sky. Lan Wu narrowed her eyes before turning back and calling out, “Ah Yue.” Ji Lingyue instinctively looked over, her gaze falling on the hand Lan Wu extended toward her. Bathed in sunlight, the lines on her palm were clear, warm and unblemished. She stepped forward, intertwining…