The gates of the Golden Phoenix Palace towered above Shen.
Jade lions snarled at either side.Gold-plated guards stood motionless.A thousand eyes watched as the village-born boy walked forward—calm, unflinching.
He wore no blade.Only the old robe of a long-dead noble.But somehow… he still looked like a king.
The Hall of Fragrance
Inside, the Hall of Fragrance was alive with light.
Silk banners rippled from every pillar.Courtesans in phoenix masks danced like drifting petals.And nobles, dressed in jeweled robes, whispered behind wine cups.
The Empire's elite had gathered.
"Who is he?""Some mountain dog from the provinces…""He walks like he owns the floor…"
Empress Dowager's Game
Seated atop a lotus throne, the Empress Dowager observed Shen with a smile that never touched her eyes.
"He doesn't bow," she murmured to her shadow guard."He knows someone's always watching. Interesting."
She clapped her fan once.
"Bring him forward."
A Test of Words
An official stepped down.
"Shen of Ember Village," he called. "State your name and status before the Empress Dowager."
Shen walked to the center of the golden floor.
He bowed only slightly—barely enough to be polite.
"Shen. Farmer. Survivor," he said plainly."No titles. No lands. But I brought peace where your armies failed."
A hush fell over the court.
Someone choked on wine.
The Empress Dowager tilted her head. "A bold claim."
"Truth needs no embroidery," Shen replied.
The Crown Prince Appears
Laughter rang from the western wing.
Crown Prince Xiyuan descended the stairway in black robes embroidered with storm clouds.
"Peace? Or massacre?" he said, smirking."You sent thirty trained men back in pieces."
Shen turned to face him."I buried them with honor. More than they planned for me."
Murmurs. Shock.The air was electric.
Xiyuan's eyes glinted with restrained fury.
Poison in the Cup
A servant arrived with two cups of wine.
"A toast," said the Empress Dowager, smiling with razor-thin lips."To new friends."
Shen held the cup up.
Paused.
Then, with one sharp motion—he switched cups with the Crown Prince.
"After you, your Highness."
Gasps.
Xiyuan's face paled. The wine was untouched.
The Empress Dowager… laughed.
"How clever. You do belong in court after all."
But Danger Lingers
As the banquet wore on, nobles approached Shen.
Each brought compliments wrapped in riddles.Offers laced with chains.
"Join our house.""Marry into our family.""Swear loyalty."
He declined them all.
But in the shadows, spies whispered:
"Where did he learn to speak like that?""Who trained him?""He doesn't act like a commoner…"