The first light of morning broke over the rooftops like spilled gold.
Mist coiled through the narrow streets of the capital as the world slowly woke — merchants pulling up their shutters, farmers guiding carts laden with vegetables, and the smell of boiling soy and steaming bread drifting through the air.
In that restless morning crowd, four shadows moved together.
One walked in boots and uniform — the Empress disguised as a palace guard.
Three floated just beyond the light — her loyal ghosts.
The city was alive with rumor.
"Did you hear? The Empress has caught the plague!"
"They say it's Heaven's punishment!"
"No, no — she fainted during prayer, that's what my cousin in the palace told me!"
"Fainted? My nephew says she's already half-dead!"
Every whisper grew larger by the street, until the gossip itself seemed to fill the air like smoke.
Fen Yu, the mischievous female ghost, covered her mouth and giggled. "Oh no, Your Majesty, you've died and they forgot to bury you!"
