Daughter of the Moon Goddess

Later that night, Xingyin wakes from a nightmare, screaming. Liwei rushes in to comfort her. As Xingyin calms down, she becomes self-conscious of the situation, and of her own changing feelings for him. They kiss. Afterward, Liwei confesses his attraction to her. They kiss again. She gives him his seashell birthday gift and asks to spend his birthday with him before the banquet. He agrees and leaves. Xingyin is torn between her feelings for him, her guilt over her secrets, and her worries for her mother.

When Xingyin arrives at Liwei’s room the next morning, he gifts her with a hairpin—a common love token. He asks her to attend the birthday banquet later that evening. She agrees. They spend the morning in the Mortal Realm, which is typically forbidden without the emperor’s permission; Liwei’s freedom to openly leave the Jade Palace signals that Xingyin’s role as his companion will soon end.

They picnic in a forest, and Xingyin thinks of her mortal father. She considers telling Liwei her secret, but decides against it, fearing awkward timing. They challenge each other to swordfights and blindfolded archery competitions. Liwei shows her the Phoenix Fire Bow and explains that “only those with a strong lifeforce can wield such a weapon effectively” (143), making Xingyin think of her father. She asks Liwei if a mortal could wield that kind of weapon, and he tells her that though it would be difficult, it’s possible. Even blindfolded, Xingyin wins the archery challenge. Liwei confesses his love, and Xingyin is surprised, but euphoric.

Returning to the Jade Palace, they separate until the banquet. A servant brings her a gift from Liwei and informs her that a guest is outside Liwei’s quarters. Xingyin goes to greet the visitor in his stead. The visitor, a girl, admires a painting Liwei is working on, but accidentally ruins it. She and Xingyin promise secrecy over the mess. After returning to her room, Xingyin opens Liwei’s gift: a portrait of her during their archery competition that morning. A love message is written on the painting. Xingyin writes a reply, intending to give it to him at the banquet.

At the banquet, Xingyin spends time with General Jianyun. He asks again about her decision regarding the army; she defers her response. Jianyun formally introduces Xingyin to Wenzhi, a military celebrity. Wenzhi is the soldier who had applauded Xingyin’s archery at training, and invites her to join their table.

As they sit down, the royal family enters. Liwei greets Xingyin first on the way to his seat, a breach of etiquette. Wenzhi points out important visiting dignitaries, including the current Flower Immortal, the Phoenix Kingdom’s Queen Fengjin, and her daughter Princess Fengmei, the mysterious visitor at Liwei’s rooms earlier that day. Xingyin is stunned and dismayed, but tries to distract herself, with Wenzhi’s support. Liwei, however, is openly watching her with increasing unhappiness. Xingyin and Wenzhi notice, making the atmosphere awkward.

The empress also notices Liwei’s behavior and calls Xingyin up to the royal table. She asks about Xingyin’s hairpin; Liwei says it is a gift from him. The empress attempts to humiliate Xingyin by demanding an impromptu return gift. Xingyin takes out her flute and nervously prepares to perform. Wenzhi brings her a stool and advises her to “advance with a clear mind” (158). She plays successfully, enraging the empress, who announces Liwei’s betrothal to Fengmei. Xingyin is shocked and devastated, hurt that Liwei never told her about this. Liwei verifies it as the truth by accepting congratulations. Wenzhi consoles her.

After the banquet, Xingyin looks at the moon, seeking comfort. Liwei tries to explain: The betrothal is meant to strengthen the political ties between the Celestial and Phoenix Kingdoms, especially after the sunbird disaster, in order to oppose the growing strength of the Demon Realm. He intended to refuse the betrothal before the banquet and tell his parents of his love for Xingyin, but was pressured into accepting by his duty to protect his kingdom.

Xingyin is upset but understands his choice. She takes out her reply to his painting and crushes it, then declares her intent to leave. Liwei tries to convince her to stay, but fails. She returns his hairpin, then bids him farewell.