DongZe walked through the corridors as if he owned the silence itself. His presence alone bent the space around him. Every flicker of movement caught his eyes, every whisper brushed against his ears. Beneath his composed exterior, his thoughts circled endlessly, weaving traps and counter traps for Concubine Lian.
Inside the West Residence, XiaoQi's world had shrunk to a gilded cage. Her health was returning, but with each day of strength came an equal measure of restlessness.
"You are not to leave here," DongZe said one evening. His voice was low, steady, as he closed the lacquered doors behind him. The faint scent of sandalwood clung to his robes, filling the chamber as he stepped closer.
XiaoQi set down the silk embroidery frame she had been pretending to work on. "I am well enough now," she answered, her tone carrying a quiet edge. "I cannot stay locked away like a frightened child."
His gaze softened for a fleeting moment, yet his reply carried iron beneath it. "It is not about what you can or cannot endure. It is about what I refuse to risk. Until I uncover the hand that struck at you, you will remain here."
Her lips parted in protest, but he cut her off with a look that was both unyielding and protective. "Do you not trust me?"
The words lingered in the space between them, heavy as stone.
XiaoQi's chest tightened. She wanted to say that she trusted him, that she believed in his strength, yet the thought of confinement made her blood run hot. She rose to her feet, her steps light but defiant, and crossed the room until she stood just before him.
"I trust you," she whispered, her eyes meeting his. "But trust is not the same as silence. I do not want to be hidden away like some secret."
DongZe lifted his hand, his fingertips brushing across hers, a little gesture that bore the weight of everything he couldn't express.
"You are not a secret," he said quietly. "You are the one thing I cannot lose."
She sighed, letting her shoulders relax as his words settled inside her. The fight drained from her, though a spark of her independence still lingered in her gaze.
"I will stay," she conceded at last, her voice gentle but tinged with reluctance. "But only because you asked it of me."
DongZe inclined his head, a rare hint of relief flashing across his features. His thumb brushed the back of her hand before he let go, the gesture gone as quickly as it came. "That is all I need," he murmured.
Meanwhile, Lian's world had shrunk to a suffocating cage. The Crown Prince's silent vigilance crushed against her shoulders like a weight she couldn't bear, and the Emperor's subtle scrutiny lingered like smoke, seeping into every move she took. Servants who had earlier bowed joyfully now averted their gaze. Guards who had previously ignored her now stared at her movements with unreadable expressions.
Every whisper in the hall felt like a blade sliding close to her throat. Every glance carried accusation. And at the centre of it all was that wretched maid, shielded beneath DongZe's protection. The girl moved freely under the Crown Prince's command, untouchable. Each attempt Lian had made to punish her had crumbled before it began, blocked at every turn, and the taste of that failure was more bitter than poison.
Pride gnawed at her. Fury burned in her chest like wildfire. Desperation coiled in her veins, whispering of risks she had never before considered. If the straightforward strikes had failed, then she would slither beneath, unseen, and strike from the shadows.
That night, she sought out one of the lesser guards, a boy hardly older than twenty, tasked with overseeing the maid's movements. His armour was still stiff from being new, and his hands were calloused but clumsy. He stood at his post in the lantern-lit courtyard, attempting to appear awake, but his eyes revealed his tiredness.
Lian approached with deliberate grace, her silken robe swaying softly with each step. The embroidery of silver and red caught the glow of the lanterns, shimmering like liquid fire.
"Good evening," she said, her voice a gentle ripple, almost melodic.
The young man started, straightening instantly. "C-Concubine Lian." He bowed awkwardly, his ears turning pink.
She smiled faintly, a curve of lips that promised nothing yet suggested everything. "You have been most diligent in your duties. Loyal. Reliable. Qualities the palace often overlooks."
The guard's chest lifted slightly, pride warring with nervousness. "I only serve where I am ordered, my lady."
"Such humility." Lian tilted her head, her gaze lingering on him just long enough to unsettle. She stepped closer, and the faint fragrance of lotus clung to the air between them. "And loyalty such as yours deserves recognition. A reward."
His throat bobbed as he swallowed, his hands tightening on his spear. "A reward...?"
Her laugh was low and soft, designed to slide into his thoughts like silk through fingers. "Yes. I can make it worth your while. Sleep with me, and I will see to it that you are remembered. Favoured, even. There are paths to advancement in this palace, and I hold the keys to more than one of them."
The guard's breath hitched. His eyes darted toward the shadows, as though afraid someone had overheard, then back to her, wide with uncertainty. "My lady, I... this is dangerous."
"Dangerous?" Lian let the word linger on her tongue, tasting it. She leaned in slightly, her lips curving in amusement. "Danger is the only true coin in this place. But tell me... would you rather remain invisible forever? Or take hold of the opportunity before you?"
His hesitation was palpable, thick as the night air. He was caught, tangled between fear and longing. She could see it in the way his fingers twitched, in the way his body leaned almost imperceptibly toward her.
Her eyes gleamed, sharp and predatory beneath the veil of delicacy. She did not need his full surrender tonight. All she needed was the seed of temptation planted deep enough that it would root. With that seed, she could bend him. She could twist his loyalty until it cracked, turn his weakness into her weapon.
And in that weakness lay the promise of freedom.
Lian straightened, brushing the sleeve of her robe as though the conversation had been no more than a passing courtesy. Her smile was soft, but her eyes glinted like glass under a blade. "Think about it," she said quietly enough for only him to hear. "When you're ready, come to me. And I'll show you how generous I can be.
She turned and slid back into the halls, leaving a faint rustle of silk behind her. The guard was frozen in place, his heart racing, the echo of her words hanging to him like perfume.
Night had fallen like a velvet curtain over the East Residence, soft and silent except for the distant, muffled footfall of guards patrolling the outside halls. Lian waited in a dark corner of a vacant corridor, the flickering candle light highlighting the scarlet and silver threads of her robe.
The guard arrived just as she had anticipated, hesitating at the edge of the corridor. His armour clinked softly as he took a cautious step closer. Moonlight glinted off his youthful face, pale and nervous, and his hands were trembling, though he tried to steady them behind his back.
"My lady," he whispered, voice rough with fear and something else he could not name, "I... I have thought of your words. I am ready."
Lian's lips curved into a soft, almost innocent smile, capable of both disarming and luring. She moved closer, the silken hem of her robe murmuring against the marble floor. "You are eager. I like that."
Her eyes held a sparkle that promised indulgence, warmth, yet underneath, there was a sharpness that mirrored the glint of a blade.
"I... I will do as you asked," the guard said, voice low. His gaze flicked to her lips, then back to her eyes. "I... I only hope I am worthy of your... reward."
Her laugh was soft, teasing, a sound that made the blood in his veins run hot. "Worthy?" she said. "Why speak of reward before the act? Allow us to enjoy the night first." She stretched out and delicately brushed his arm, causing him to shudder. Her touch was electrifying and intoxicating, evoking both desire and confusion.
He gulped hard, his heart pounding in his chest, and took a tentative step forward. "Yes, my lady."
She smiled wider, sharp and teasing, her eyes glittering with something dark. She placed the cup in his hands and pressed his fingers to it lightly. "Drink," she whispered. "Trust me."
He raised the cup, trembling, and drank. The liquid was sweet, almost intoxicating. At first, warmth spread through him, dulling reason. Then the poison took hold, sharp and twisting, coiling inside him like fire in his veins. His knees gave out, and he collapsed to the floor, coughing violently.
Lian stepped back, her robe swinging as she moved with the grace of a predator circling its prey. "Oh, you're quite sensitive," she whispered softly, dipping her head as she watched him struggle. "And now you're mine to command."
He glanced at her, his face contorted with fear and sorrow. "You are going to kill me—"
"Not if you obey," she interrupted, her voice a purr. She leaned down, her eyes level with his, piercing and merciless. "If you want to live, you will let me pass into the West Residence. If you do not, you will not see another sunrise. The antidote is in my hands, and it will remain there until you make your choice."
The guard's lips quivered, torn between fear and the faint, lingering yearning that had brought him to her in the first place. "I... I... I will... I will do it," he mumbled, his body shivering.
"Good," she purred. Her hand lifted his chin, forcing him to meet her gaze. "You will do exactly as I say. One slip, one hesitation, and there will be no antidote. You understand me?"
"I understand! I understand!" His voice was desperate, ragged, and all the courage he had felt earlier had drained away.
The palace lay drowned in silence, the hour when even the crickets grew hushed. The young guard's boots scuffed faintly against the stone as he walked, each sound unnervingly loud in the stillness. His chest tightened with every step toward the forbidden wing. He knew what it meant to bring her here. If discovered, his life would not be enough to pay for such treachery.
Behind him, Lian followed as though the night itself parted for her. She did not hurry. Her movements were languid, her silk robe sighing across the floor. The faint perfume of lotus clung to her like a secret, soft yet suffocating. She did not look like a woman sneaking into forbidden grounds. She looked like a queen returning to her rightful court.
The closer they came to the West Residence, the heavier the guard's legs felt. The air here was sharper, charged with watchfulness. Torches burned in tall sconces, flames snapping as though they too were on edge. Pairs of soldiers stood alert at intervals, their armour gleaming dully under the light.
The boy swallowed, his throat dry. "If they stop us," he whispered, "I cannot protect you."
Lian's voice brushed against his ear, quiet as velvet, dangerous as a blade. "You cannot protect yourself. That is why you will do as I say."
Her hand slid briefly along his arm, nails grazing just enough to make him shiver. "Stand tall," she added. "Men do not believe liars who cower."
When they reached the first post, two sentries crossed their halberds, barring the way. "Who goes there?" one demanded, eyes narrowing.
The young guard's heart hammered against his ribs. He forced his shoulders back, though his knees quivered. "Shift change," he said, his voice almost steady. "I was ordered to escort a senior attendant to the inner quarters."
The other sentry's gaze swept over Lian. She had lowered her chin, the lantern glow kissing only the curve of her cheek and the delicate bow of her lips. To the eye, she seemed nothing more than another veiled woman of the palace, quiet and dutiful.
The first guard frowned. "Strange. The Crown Prince has forbidden all movements tonight."
A bead of sweat slid down the boy's neck. For a breath, he could not find his tongue. Then he felt the sharp prick of Lian's nails against his back, hidden from view. Pain lanced through his skin, and with it, words spilled out in a rush.
"I do not question orders," he blurted. "I only obey. If you doubt me, take it up with Captain. But the maid awaits. She was told to expect us."
The sentries exchanged a look. Suspicion flickered, but weariness dulled their resolve. After a pause that seemed to stretch forever, one finally grunted. "Very well. Be quick about it."
The halberds lifted. The gate creaked open.
Relief swept through the young guard so quickly his knees almost buckled. He stumbled forward, Lian gliding at his side. When the gate shut behind them with a heavy thud, he exhaled sharply, chest heaving. "They believed it," he whispered hoarsely.
Lian's laugh was low and sinuous, curling through the night air like smoke. "Of course they did." She tilted her head, her eyes glittering. "Men always believe what they want to believe. Fear blinds them. Desire makes them deaf. And you, my dear, are both blind and deaf."
He flinched at the mockery, shame burning his ears.
His mind screamed that he had gone too far, that he had betrayed the very household he was sworn to protect, yet the burn of the poison in his belly silenced his conscience.
Survival had taken its place.
As they proceeded deeper into the West Residence, the air got increasingly stifling.Patrols circled with trained accuracy, interrupted only by the quiet clink of firearms. Every crevice appeared to tell of DongZe's vigilance, every flicker of flame a reminder of the Crown Prince's impending arrival.
But Lian didn't shrink. Her gaze swept across the courtyards with studied curiosity, assessing patrol routes and observing where shadows pooled heaviest. Her strides were quiet, and her countenance was calm, as if she belonged here.
For the first time in days, she felt the thrill of power stir in her chest. The West Residence was no longer an unreachable fortress. She was inside.
She leaned close to the trembling guard, her breath brushing his ear. "Now," she murmured, her voice a silken thread, "take me to her."
The boy's mouth went dry. His tongue felt thick as he croaked, "Yes, my lady."
The clearing lay hushed beneath the dim lanterns, the silence broken only by the faint hiss of torchlight and the uneven rasp of the young guard's breathing. His steps faltered, his knees buckling as though the strength had been drained from him. His skin was waxy and pale, lips nearly colourless, and his eyes darted around like a cornered animal.
"My lady," he croaked, clutching his stomach. His voice was hoarse, trembling with panic. "Please... can I have the antidote now? I did everything you asked. I brought you here. Please..."
Lian turned her gaze on him slowly, her expression serene, almost bored, as if his suffering were a minor inconvenience. She parted her lips to speak, but the sharp sound of wicker striking stone interrupted her.
A basket tumbled across the flagstones, herbs scattering in a fragrant spill. The maid who had confessed to DongZe stood frozen, her face bloodless. Her hands still hovered uselessly in the air, as if they could somehow gather back what she had dropped.
Her eyes met Lian's. Recognition and terror flared at once.
"You..." the maid whispered, her voice trembling. "Concubine Lian."
The guard whipped his head toward her, horror widening his eyes. His mouth opened as if to call out, but only a strangled sound escaped. He dropped to his knees with a gasp, his hands scrabbling against the stone.
"My lady, please," he begged again, his voice breaking now. "The antidote. I cannot last much longer. Give it to me."
Lian did not look at him immediately. Her attention lingered on the maid, the corners of her lips curling into something soft and cruel. When she finally lowered her eyes to the trembling guard, her tone was sweet enough to rot teeth.
"You will have your antidote," she said, letting each word fall like a drop of poison, "but only after you deal with that little pest." She flicked her gaze toward the maid, who stood rooted in fear, her whole body quaking.
The maid stumbled backward, her voice high with panic. "No... no, please. She lies. She will never give you what you want. Do not listen to her!"
The young guard's chest heaved, each breath shallow and ragged. His spear rattled in his grip as his strength waned, yet his fear of death held it steady enough. He turned his desperate face to Lian. "If I harm her, the Crown Prince will kill me. You know he will. They will hang me before dawn."
Lian's eyes flashed with contempt, and she moved closer. Her perfume lingered heavy in the air, thick with lotus and smoke, wrapping around him like a snare. She crouched low, her face level with his, her voice so soft it was almost tender.
"If you do nothing," she whispered, "the poison will finish you. It will eat through your veins until your blood turns black and your lungs burn like fire. You will die screaming, alone, and forgotten. But if you obey me, I will give you life. Obedience is survival. Defiance is death."
Her words pressed into him like blades, leaving no space to breathe.
The maid clasped her hands together, her voice breaking with desperation. "Do not do this. Please. I told the truth. The Crown Prince protects me. If you kill me, she will cast you aside anyway. You will die for nothing."
"Silence," Lian snapped, her voice cracking through the night like a whip. Her eyes blazed as she straightened, her smile returning, composed and venomous. "Let us see which he values more. His oath to a prince or his own pitiful life."
The guard's spear wavered, the tip jerking with his shaking hands. His breath came fast, tears glimmering at the corners of his eyes as he looked between the two women.
The maid took a faltering step back, her chest rising and falling with shallow breaths. Her voice was little more than a whisper. "Please... do not kill me."
The guard's breathing grew ragged, each inhale sounding like gravel dragged over stone. He staggered forward, the spear trembling in his hands, eyes flicking between Lian's merciless stare and the maid's terrified face.
"I do not want to die," he rasped, his voice cracked with desperation. With a guttural shout, he lunged, thrusting the weapon toward the maid.
The world seemed to lurch.