The palace loved scandals almost as much as it loved executions.
All it took was one whisper.
By morning, the rumor had already grown teeth.
The Crown Prince was secretly meeting someone at night.
The Crown Prince was neglecting Li Shuran.
The Crown Prince had… unnatural interests.
None of it had a name attached.
Which made it perfect.
The Queen listened as the report was delivered, her expression calm, fingers gently tapping the armrest.
"Interesting," she said. "And where did this rumor begin?"
The servant lowered his head. "Near the Eastern Palace. Several guards overheard… laughter."
The Queen smiled.
A rumor without proof was bait.
And her son was predictable.
"Do nothing," she said softly. "Let it spread."
Across the palace, Zhen Luo heard it too.
Feng Huai shut the door sharply. "They're testing you."
Zhen Luo poured tea calmly. "I know."
"If you react, they'll know it's true."
"And if I don't," Zhen Luo replied, "they'll push harder."
That night, the Queen made her move.
She ordered a surprise inspection of the Eastern Palace.
No warning. No excuses.
Torches flared as guards flooded the halls.
Zhen Luo stood calmly in the center of the room, expression unreadable.
"Search everything," the Queen ordered coolly. "Especially the inner chambers."
Behind the silk curtain—
Nothing.
No boy. No secret. No trace.
The Queen narrowed her eyes.
Elsewhere in the palace, Han Jian crouched on a roof, watching torches blaze like fireflies.
Xu Ren whispered, "They're searching for you."
Han Jian smirked. "Late."
He shifted his gaze slightly.
Two shadows moved below.
Bai Zehan and Luo Xian.
"Wow," Bai Zehan muttered, pulling Luo Xian into an alcove. "Tonight is busy."
Luo Xian hissed, "This is not the time for jokes."
They had been meeting quietly for months—too quietly.
And tonight, they were in the wrong place at the wrong time.
A guard turned.
"Who's there?!"
Bai Zehan cursed under his breath. "Great."
Before the guard could shout again, Luo Xian stepped forward, calm and composed.
"I'm here on His Highness's orders," he said smoothly. "Delivering documents."
The guard hesitated.
Bai Zehan leaned closer and whispered, "You're scary when you lie."
Luo Xian shot him a look. "You're loud when you breathe."
They slipped away just as more guards rushed past.
Only when they were safe did Bai Zehan laugh quietly. "Well. That was intimate."
Luo Xian rubbed his temples. "If we're caught together again, we're finished."
Bai Zehan smiled at him, softer this time. "Then let's not get caught."
Above them, Han Jian watched, eyes thoughtful.
"So that's your secret," he murmured. "Interesting."
By dawn, the inspection ended.
Nothing was found.
The Queen's expression was cold.
"Escaped again," she said quietly.
Li Shuran clenched her fan. "Then allow me to escalate."
She smiled sweetly.
That afternoon, a new rumor spread.
This one had a name.
Han Jian.
Zhen Luo heard it from a servant and nearly crushed his teacup.
"They're aiming at him now," Feng Huai said grimly.
Zhen Luo stood slowly, eyes dark. "Then they've made a mistake."
Because rumors were easy to start.
But once they touched something precious—
They stopped being games.
Far from the palace halls, Han Jian stood before the cracked mirror again, fingers brushing the glass.
"Good," he whispered. "You've finally chosen your target."
The reflection smiled back.
And it did not look merciful.