Yan Shu engineers a garden meeting with Second Prince Jin. The jade pulls her toward him — but cold, uncertain. She needs to know.

The garden meeting. Jin agrees to the ritual touch, extending his hand.

The ritual begins. Their palms touch, jade between.

Yan Shu collapses. Jin catches her. The jade cools.

Yan Shu recovers slowly. Days pass. Time runs out.

Yan Shu engineers a temple visit to find the bastard.

The ceremony. Yan Shu approaches the bastard.

The jade settles warm. The burning stops. Relief.

Jin watches from a distance. Victory should feel like relief.

Yan Shu digs into her sister's memories. She needs to understand.

Memory: Yan Liu with Crown Prince Ruan. The truth begins to emerge.

Memory: Yan Liu's final moments. The truth crystallizes.

Yan Shu understands. The jade carries her sister's corrupted belief.

The jade has no moral compass. Only her sister's last corrupted thought.

Yan Shu realizes she must forge. She is a forger born.

The plan forms. She must create a duplicate jade.

Yan Shu returns to the river markets. Gathering tools.

Cliffhanger: The forgery must be finished. The plan must work.