Morning entered the palace softly, like a cautious guest.
Golden light slid across the marble corridors and rested gently on carved pillars, warming cold stone that had witnessed generations of emperors and empresses.
The Emperor had barely slept.
Not because of work.
Not because of ministers.
But because of a thought.
Today… I will eat breakfast with her.
It sounded simple.
But for him, it was not.
He adjusted his robe and walked toward the Empress's courtyard without announcing himself.
---
The Sound of Her Laughter
Before he reached the doors, he heard something rare.
Laughter.
Bright.
Unrestrained.
Free.
He slowed.
Through the half-open doors, he saw her.
Lian An stood beside a small stone stove, sleeves slightly folded, hair loosely tied. A thin ribbon slipped from her shoulder as she leaned forward to flip something in a pan.
Steam rose around her like morning mist.
She was smiling.
Not the polite smile she wore in court.
