Shen Han walked down the corridor with tension in his shoulders. He was on his way back from the Imperial Guard office. His earlier exchange with Envoy Ruhan had left a faint uneasiness he couldn't shake. There was something about that man that he couldn't grasp. Every step he took and every word he spoke seemed loaded with hidden meaning. Shen Han knew he had to stay alert.
He was lost in thought when a familiar voice stopped him. "General Shen."
He lifted his head. Princess Lian Yue stood at the end of the corridor, looking far too satisfied.
"Your Highness," he greeted the princess, bowing slightly. His heart was beating faster, bracing for news he wasn't sure he wanted. Dealing with Ruhan had already made his mind tense, and now the princess's sudden appearance added another weight to his thoughts.
She walked closer, her smile brightening in a way that always made his stomach turn. "I was looking for you, actually."
"Is there something you need, Your Highness?"
Her lips curved slightly. "News, perhaps. I spoke with Father last night." She leaned in closely. "He agreed to our marriage."
Shen Han's brows furrowed. "Princess, that's—"
"Perfectly proper," she interrupted, almost teasing. "A royal match between the Emperor's daughter and his most trusted general. Father said he would grant the marriage. A decree will be issued soon."
Satisfaction entered her voice as she continued, "You should be honored, General."
Shen Han tried to remain calm, but his jaw tightened. "I am honored by His Majesty's trust, but my heart cannot be commanded."
Lian Yue tilted her head, annoyance flickering on her face. "Still Princess Lian Zhi?"
He said nothing.
"You are foolish," she snapped, "That woman will be married off soon, whether you like it or not. You're fighting a battle you have already lost."
Shen Han didn't say a word. He let his silence speak for him.
She folded her arms, breathing heavier with frustration. "Father's decree has sealed her fate. There is nothing you can do!"
Shen Han finally lifted his head. "Forgive me, Your Highness. But no matter what happens, my heart will not waver." He couldn't reveal the plan he and Lian Zhi had devised, but one thing was clear: there were two obstacles they still had to overcome before they could be together.
Lian Yue studied him for a moment before exhaling softly. "We'll see, General. I admire your devotion… even if it's wasted."
She turned and walked away, her steps heavy enough to echo on the wooden floor. Shen Han stood there long after she was gone. He knew he needed a new plan, and fast.
Little did he know, the one woman he truly loved had already taken the first, terrifying step of a plan that would change everything.
***
The next morning, the sunlight pierced through her window as Xiao Zhi rolled over in bed. It was almost too bright. She groaned and stretched a hand to shield her eyes... then she froze.
Her hands, which used to be soft and perfectly manicured, were now covered in angry red rashes. Panic surged, and she nearly screamed until realization hit. The poison she had taken last night was working.
She glanced at the rest of her body and saw the rash spreading just as she had planned. Heart hammering, she shot upright, pressing a hand to her mouth to stifle a squeal.
It works! The poison works! she thought, nearly bouncing with excitement.
"Qin Yan!" she called her loyal maid.
"Yes, Your Highness?" Qin Yan entered promptly.
"The poison works!" Xiao Zhi said, showing off her rashes.
Qin Yan's eyes widened. "Oh, Princess! Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Xiao Zhi assured her. "Now, spread the rumor around the palace. Tell everyone a plague is coming, and I might have caught it." She leaned in closer, whispering her next words. "Also, call a royal doctor, one you can trust. Ask him to come, but don't tell anyone else."
Qin Yan nodded. "Yes, Your Highness," and excused herself.
By mid-morning, whispers buzzed through the palace. Maids whispered, guards exchanged nervous glances, and the kitchen staff muttered anxiously about the "plague" sweeping the city.
Xiao Zhi lay back under the quilt, pale and dramatic. An imperial doctor sat next to her. She had briefed the doctor to follow her plan, bribing him with some money he couldn't refuse.
"Zhi'er, are you sure about this?" Consort Ling whispered, sitting by the bed. She had been terrified when she first saw the rash, but now she was playing along, though her worry was still real.
"I am, Mother. Don't worry. This will work."
Moments later, footsteps echoed outside. Her heart thudded.
Here we go.
The door opened. The Emperor entered first, his usual sternness softened by worry. Behind him, Lian Yue froze at the sight of her sister.
"Zhi'er… what has happened to you?" the Emperor gasped, eyes filled with concern.
Lian Yue covered her mouth dramatically. "Eww... Lian Zhi! What is that? You look… revolting!"
"Lian Yue!" the Emperor barked at her first daughter's comment. Lian Yue waved her hands in disgust.
Consort Ling seized the moment, collapsing beside the bed with a handkerchief pressed to her eyes. "My poor child! What curse is this?"
Xiao Zhi bit her cheek to keep herself from smiling. Perfect. Mama, you deserve an Oscar.
At the doorway, Ruhan stood quietly with his arms crossed. His dark eyes scanned the room. The Emperor's panic, Lian Yue's disgust, Consort Ling's performance, and finally landed on Xiao Zhi. A faint smile tugged at his lips, amused.
"Seems like the princess requires time to recover. I will inform the Tughril Khan that the wedding must be postponed."
Xiao Zhi blinked. Wait, that's not supposed to happen! Don't postpone! Cancel the wedding! Change the bride at least!
She gave a small, subtle nod toward the imperial doctor, who stepped forward with perfect timing.
"Your Majesty," the doctor said gravely, "the princess's condition is permanent. All remedies have failed. While she is not in grave danger, the rashes will scar. This… is incurable. This disease is like a curse."
Gasps filled the room.
"C-Cursed?!" Lian Yue shrieked, stumbling back toward the door.
Consort Ling pressed her hand to her forehead dramatically. "Heavens! My poor child! Why must fate be so cruel?"
Xiao Zhi groaned softly, turning her face away. "No… my beauty… my future…" Maybe I should get an Oscar, too.
Ruhan's eyes glinted with the look of a man watching a particularly clever stage play. "How fascinating," he breathed, his voice barely a whisper.
The Emperor's face hardened. "Is there truly no cure? No treatment at all?"
"None, Your Majesty," the doctor replied solemnly.
Lian Yue suddenly cried in panic, "Father, I shouldn't stay here! This could be infectious! I don't want to be cursed too!" She was about to flee the room before the Emperor stopped her.
"Lian Yue, stay. Since Lian Zhi's condition is incurable, she cannot be sent to Tughril as the bride."
Xiao Zhi looked up weakly, eyes shimmering with false tears, but her lips curled secretly.
It works.
Lian Yue gasped. "Father, you don't mean—"
"You will replace her as the bride for this marriage alliance," the Emperor said firmly.
"No! You can't! Father, please, no!" Lian Yue's face drained of color while Xiao Zhi fought to keep her smile hidden.
Only Ruhan remained unfazed, his gaze flicking toward Xiao Zhi with a faint smirk.
His eyes met Xiao Zhi's, surprisingly calm to her surprise. She didn't like it.
Is her plan really working?