Wanqing begins inspecting the visiting beast-tamers while serving tea.

False matches increase Wanqing’s tension.

Wanqing compares He Zhaojun to Mingzhen’s encoded description.

He Zhaojun notices Wanqing’s recognition.

He tests Wanqing with courteous attention while she tries not to reveal fear.

Wanqing follows He toward the private blessing chamber.

The private blessing chamber isolates Wanqing with He.

He reveals the scarred left palm from Mingzhen’s description.

He explains the living hand-flesh vow technique and its danger.

He frames the vow as fidelity, revealing the intended trap.

Wanqing redirects the wording by appealing to He’s vanity.

Wanqing prepares to hide a counter-object inside the vow strokes.

Wanqing starts carving the living vow and speaks the devotional wording aloud.

The hidden object of the vow is set: fidelity to He’s death, not to He.

The vow seals before He understands the trick.

The fatal vow-script starts reacting under He’s skin.

He realizes something is wrong and questions Wanqing.

Wanqing leaves before He can openly retaliate without exposing the problem.

The chapter ends on the contrast between He’s itching vow and Wanqing’s dangerous small victory.