The night deepened over the palace, but no one in the Emperor's chamber felt its quiet.
The air inside was heavy.
Still.
Unsettling.
—
On the bed—
Lady Chen lay motionless.
Her face pale.
Her breathing faint.
So faint that one had to stand close to even notice it.
—
The healer moved around her carefully.
Checking her pulse again.
And again.
As if hoping—
Something would change.
—
But nothing did.
—
The Arrival
Outside—
Hurried footsteps echoed.
Voices.
Urgent.
Panicked.
—
"The Minister has arrived!"
—
The doors opened abruptly.
—
Chen Guowei entered first.
His usual composed demeanor—
Gone.
—
Behind him—
Madam Zhao Lifen rushed in.
Her face already pale with fear.
—
"Ruyi—"
Her voice broke.
—
But the moment she saw the bed—
Her steps faltered.
—
"…No…"
—
She rushed forward.
Falling beside her daughter.
—
"Ruyi!"
—
Her hands trembled as she held her.
"…Wake up…"
—
No response.
—
Chen Guowei stood beside the bed.
Frozen.
—
