It happened just after midday.
A tall eunuch from the palace appeared at the gates of the Lotus Pavilion.
"Lady Yue Zhenzhen," he said clearly, "His Majesty has summoned you."
The entire courtyard fell silent.
Some girls gasped and a few looked away quickly.
One muttered, "She's in trouble."
Another whispered, "No—she's being favored."
Well we'll see.
Chun'er's hands shook as she fastened the pearl comb into my hair.
"What if it's a trap?" she whispered. "What if he blames you for something?"
"If it is," I said softly, "then I'll know more when I return than I do now."
She looked at me like I was mad.
I only smiled.
The emperor didn't summon me to his chambers. He called me to his private study.
The room was quiet and full of shadows. Light from the window spilled across the floor. A single pot of tea sat steaming on a low table.
He was alone.
I bowed deeply.
"Your Majesty."
He gestured. "Sit."
I sat across from him. He poured the tea himself, again.
Neither of us spoke at first.
Then, softly, he asked:
"Why did you not speak during the flower banquet?"
I answered, "There was nothing useful to say."
"Why do you avoid the other women?"
I smiled faintly. "They don't like quiet company."
"What do you want from me?"
I looked down at my cup.
"I want to live," I said simply. "That's all."
He watched me carefully.
Like he was reading a book in a language he once knew but had forgotten.
Then it happened.
His eyes met mine—and something inside him jolted.
Just for a moment, he wasn't sitting in that room.
He was in a hall full of broken red silk. A throne stood empty. A woman in red walked away from him, her face turned.
And her voice said—
"I'll remember everything."
He blinked hard.
The moment was gone.
He was back in the study.
The tea. The window.
Me, sitting across from him with my hands in my lap.
Still and harmless.
He looked away, gripping the edge of the table.
"You may go," he said.
I stood and bowed. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Then I left.
After I was gone, he sat in silence for a long time.
Then he turned to Eunuch Lin, who had waited outside.
"Have the shadows watch her," he said quietly. "She is not to be spoken to. Not touched. Not approached."
Eunuch Lin bowed.
"And if anyone tries?"
Zhao Yunxie's eyes darkened.
"Stop them."