As the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, casting a soft golden hue across the sprawling palace grounds, Zhao Han stirred from his restless sleep. The weight of the previous day's revelations still lingered in his mind—the realization that Aoi trusted him so completely, her belief that he would always protect her, while he quietly schemed to use her as a pawn in his plan to restore his father's power. It was a conflict that gnawed at him, but he couldn't afford to dwell on it. Today was too important.
He rose silently, careful not to disturb the stillness of the early morning. The palace was a maze of shadows and silence at this hour, the corridors deserted save for the occasional guard silently passing through. Zhao Han moved with purpose, each step echoing softly against the cold marble floors. His mind was already focused on one goal: Aoi's chamber. It was located in a secluded wing of the palace, far from the constant bustle of the court. Her room was a sanctuary, the only place where she could find some peace amid the relentless demands of palace life.
When he reached her door, Zhao Han hesitated for a moment. His chest tightened as his thoughts swirled—he had to do this. There was no turning back now. He had been patient, calculating, and now the time had come to make his move. He knocked softly, the sound of his knuckles against the wooden door breaking the silence. The air smelled faintly of herbs and fresh flowers from the nearby garden, mingling with the lingering scent of incense that always seemed to hang around Aoi.
The door creaked open, revealing Aoi standing in the soft glow of the morning light. Her hair was disheveled from sleep, her face still dappled with the remnants of dreams, but her eyes were alert, the natural sharpness within them unchanged.
"Zhao Han," she greeted, her voice soft and calming, though tinged with the grogginess of early morning. "You're up early."
Zhao Han offered her a faint, almost distracted smile, his eyes betraying none of the thoughts clouding his mind. "Good morning, Aoi," he replied, his voice gentle, though the tension simmering beneath the surface was palpable. "I need to speak with you."
Aoi's brow furrowed slightly, her instincts telling her that this conversation would not be like the others. The air between them seemed to thicken, and she couldn't shake the feeling that Zhao Han's words today would carry weight far beyond what she could imagine. She nodded, taking a small step back to allow him inside.
The moment the door closed behind him, the atmosphere in the room shifted. Zhao Han's playful demeanor vanished like smoke, replaced by something colder, sharper. His eyes fixed on her, burning with a quiet intensity.
"Walls have ears, you know," he murmured, his voice low and filled with a strange gravity. He moved toward her with purposeful strides, locking the door behind him. Aoi's pulse quickened. The walls of her sanctuary—her peaceful, familiar space—suddenly felt too small, too suffocating.
"I need you to do something for me," Zhao Han continued, his tone now serious. He stood before her, eyes never leaving hers. "Something that will change everything."
Aoi's heart skipped a beat. Despite her usual ability to remain composed, her mind raced. She had known this day would come, when Zhao Han would ask for something that couldn't be easily ignored or dismissed. Her stubbornness, her desire to protect herself, made her bristle at the thought. She crossed her arms over her chest, her gaze unwavering. "What is it?" she demanded, though she already had a sinking feeling she wouldn't like the answer.
Zhao Han hesitated for a moment, before he spoke again, his words punctuated by a quiet, chilling certainty. "I want you to be Taizifei—the Crown Princess."
Aoi blinked, the words hanging in the air like a storm cloud. "Taizifei?" she echoed, disbelief creeping into her voice. The weight of the title was immediate. Aoi knew what it meant: power, influence, but also unimaginable danger. The very thought of becoming entangled in such a web made her stomach churn.
Zhao Han's gaze hardened, his expression unwavering. "Yes. I want you to be the next Taizifei. I will force Huang Taihou to give you that title."
The audacity of his plan was staggering. Aoi's mind spun as she tried to process what Zhao Han was asking. Huang Taihou—The Empress Dowager, a woman whose power could not be underestimated. For Zhao Han to even consider going against her, let alone attempt to manipulate her into granting Aoi such a title, was a move fraught with peril.
Aoi took a step back, her eyes narrowing as she tried to gauge his true intentions. "You're asking me to risk everything," she said quietly, her voice steady despite the storm raging in her chest. "Huang Taihou is not someone you can just... force."
Zhao Han's lips curled into a faint smirk, but it was the kind that didn't reach his eyes. "I have my ways. Huang Taihou may be powerful, but I will make her see that you're the one who should hold that title. You will be Taizifei, whether she likes it or not."
Aoi felt a shiver run down her spine. The confidence in Zhao Han's voice made her uneasy, and the ruthlessness she sensed beneath his words sent a quiet warning through her. He had changed—he was no longer the boy she had known, the one she had once saved. He had become a man who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals, and she was caught in the middle.
She turned away slightly, her thoughts spinning. Her mind screamed at her to say no, to walk away before it was too late. But her aunt—her aunt's life was still in Zhao Han's hands. If she refused, if she fought him now, what would become of her? What would happen to her family? She couldn't risk that. Not yet.
"I…" she started, but the words caught in her throat. Her pride, her stubbornness, rose to the surface, making it hard to admit she had little choice in this matter. But she had to play the game for now. For her aunt's sake, for her own survival. She would bide her time.
"I understand," she said at last, her voice soft but laced with steely resolve. She refused to let her emotions betray her. "But know this—I will not be a pawn in your game. I will do this, but I will not be controlled."
Zhao Han studied her carefully, as if weighing her words, before nodding slowly. "You'll have no choice but to play your part, Aoi. You've already taken the first step."
His eyes gleamed with cold determination, but there was something else in his gaze, something unreadable, that made her uneasy. Yet she knew he was right. For now, she had no choice. She would have to follow his plan, pretend to be the docile piece he wanted, while watching his every move, guarding herself against whatever else he might ask of her.
With a final glance, Zhao Han turned toward the door. "Rest well, Aoi. The next steps are already in motion." He opened the door and stepped into the hall, leaving her to her thoughts.
Aoi stood frozen for a moment, her heart still racing. The silence of the room felt suffocating now, as if the very walls were closing in on her. She had agreed—reluctantly, and with a heavy heart. But the decision felt like a trap, one from which there would be no easy escape