In the days following those quiet afternoons under the yellow tree, a change began to ripple through the palace of Tughril. It was a small change at first, just a detail so subtle that the ministers and tribal lords noticed it but were too afraid to ask about it.
It happened during the morning assembly. Every morning, the Khan would enter and take his place on the high seat.
But now, he was no longer alone.
Standing just a step behind him, near the edge of the raised platform, was Princess Lian Zhi.
The first time she appeared, the ministers assumed she was just there to deliver a message. The second time, they thought perhaps she was being honored as a guest. By the third day, the whispers began to grow like a rising wind.
On this particular morning, the hall was packed. Tribal leaders from the far north had arrived, standing in rows as they waited for the Khan to speak.
