The Emperor's palace was a sea of lavish silks and whispered conversations. Li Lan and her husband, Prince Wang Cheng, were attending a royal banquet—the first since their intimate conversation—and the atmosphere was a stark contrast to the quiet intimacy they had built. Li Lan's heart still hammered with a mix of nerves and resolve, a physical reminder of the shared purpose they now carried.
The tension in the room thickened as Prince Wei, the favored son of the Second Empress, entered. He was everything Wang Cheng was not—loud, charismatic, and radiating a powerful, effortless charm that drew every eye. He moved through the crowd with a magnetism that seemed to pull people into his orbit. Li Lan's gift, however, saw a different man. His aura was a shimmering, deceptive mirage of false compassion, a beautiful illusion covering a heart of stone and ambition.
He made his way directly to their table, his smile dazzling as he addressed Wang Cheng. "Brother," he said, his voice full of feigned warmth. "I hear you've been working on a new project for the common people. That is so like you, always thinking of others."
His words, to anyone else, would have sounded like genuine praise. But to Li Lan, they were laced with a cold sarcasm that pricked at her senses. She could feel the bitter resentment seeping through his polite veneer. His compliment was a lie, a subtle taunt intended only for his brother.
As he spoke, he wove a spell, a grand illusion of care and kindness. Li Lan saw in her mind's eye a mirage of a lush, green field, blooming with life. He spoke of the plight of the common people, his voice full of carefully crafted sorrow. But beneath the surface, she saw a barren, cracked land, a cruel smile, and a heart that felt nothing but disdain for those he claimed to care for. He was a master of deception, a weaver of false realities. Her gift was the only thing that could expose his true nature.
Li Lan looked at her husband, whose face was alight with a sincere admiration that made her heart ache. Wang Cheng saw only the charming prince, the man who spoke so convincingly of compassion. He could not see the cold emptiness beneath the illusion.
Prince Wei then turned his full attention to Li Lan, his smile tightening. "I am so glad my brother has you now, sister. I am sure you will inspire him to greatness."
His words were a direct challenge, a silent acknowledgment of the game they were now playing. But his true intention, a dark and venomous contempt, felt like a physical blow against her. She felt the full force of his malice, a hatred that saw her not as a person but as an obstacle to be removed. Li Lan held his gaze, her own expression a serene mask, expertly hiding the horror she felt inside.
The illusion was so perfect, so complete, that a cold dread settled in her stomach. Prince Wang Cheng had an enemy unlike any other. And she, Li Lan, was the only one who could see him for what he truly was.