The theft was discovered at dawn.
A murmur spread through the servants' quarters before the wooden clapper even sounded. Whispers slipped between folded robes and half-tied hair.
"The jade hairpin is gone."
"From the inner corridor?"
"No… from the Hall of Quiet Virtue."
Xin Ying paused mid-motion, her fingers tightening around the edge of her basin.
The Hall of Quiet Virtue was not a place servants entered lightly. It belonged to one of the noble consorts—a woman protected by both status and silence.
Yun Qiao leaned closer, her voice barely audible. "They're saying a servant will be punished. Publicly."
Xin Ying felt a familiar tightening in her chest.
This is how it always starts, she thought. Fear, then blame.
By midmorning, the corridors were sealed. Servants were ordered to kneel along the stone path, heads bowed, hands flat against the ground. Guards moved among them, armor clinking softly.
The steward's voice rang out. "Whoever took the jade hairpin will confess now. Otherwise, punishment will be shared."
Shared punishment.
Xin Ying lowered her gaze, but her mind sharpened.
Shared punishment only happens when they don't know, she realized.
She began to observe.
The stone floor beneath them was clean—too clean. Someone had washed it recently, though the scent of water lingered faintly near the western lanterns.
She glanced subtly toward the lantern stands.
One was crooked.
That alone meant nothing—except that Palace servants were trained to keep everything aligned.
Xin Ying's eyes traced the corridor.
The jade hairpin had been taken during the night. The Hall had been locked. Only those assigned to night duty could have entered.
She shifted slightly and caught sight of a girl two rows ahead.
Her sleeves were damp.
Still drying.
The morning sun glinted off something pale at the edge of her cuff.
Jade dust.
Xin Ying inhaled slowly.
She washed it.
The girl's hands trembled, fingers curling into the stone.
Fear leaves patterns.
When the steward stepped closer, Xin Ying raised her voice—soft, but steady.
"May I speak?"
Gasps rippled through the kneeling servants.
The steward turned sharply. "Who spoke?"
Xin Ying lifted her head just enough. "This servant requests permission to speak."
Silence followed.
Then—footsteps.
A guard studied her. "Say it quickly."
Xin Ying bowed her head. "The theft occurred during night duty. The jade hairpin was taken, then washed. The water stains remain near the western lanterns, and the culprit attempted to clean the floor—but overlooked the stand."
The steward's eyes narrowed.
Xin Ying continued, calm. "The jade dust on the culprit's sleeve has not been fully removed."
A sharp intake of breath.
"Check them," the steward ordered.
Guards moved.
The girl screamed when they pulled her sleeve back. Shards of broken jade fell onto the stone.
She collapsed, sobbing.
"I only meant to sell it," she cried. "I didn't mean—"
She was dragged away.
The corridor fell silent.
Xin Ying remained kneeling, heart pounding—but her face was calm.
The steward studied her for a long moment.
"You," he said. "What is your name?"
"Xin Ying."
He nodded once. "Return to your duties."
No praise.
No punishment.
But eyes followed her as she rose.
That evening, Xin Ying scrubbed the steps near the lotus courtyard, her thoughts heavy.
Yun Qiao hurried over, eyes wide. "Do you know what you've done?"
"I stopped an injustice," Xin Ying replied quietly.
Yun Qiao swallowed. "You've been noticed."
---
Unbeknownst to Xin Ying, beyond carved screens and silk curtains, four figures sat in quiet discussion.
"A servant spoke out of turn," one voice said mildly. "Yet spoke correctly."
Wang Tianhua smiled faintly. "Courage and clarity are rare."
Li Yuetong's gaze was sharp. "Observation like that comes from training."
Zhang Shuqin folded his hands. "Or integrity."
A soft laugh followed.
Ling Zhihao's eyes glinted in the candlelight. "Or ambition."
The lantern flame flickered.
"Find her," Ling Zhihao said lightly.
And in the Palace below, Xin Ying continued to work—unaware that her shadow had reached the highest halls.
---
Thank you fir reading my novel