The palace never slept. Lanterns flickered in hallways, casting long, twisting shadows. Servants whispered behind carved doors. The scent of incense mingled with the lingering bitterness of schemes. Feng Lianhua moved through it all with measured steps, her mind a web of possibilities, every thread connecting enemies, allies, and her own survival.
She had learned much in a week: even a glance could conceal a threat, every word could be weaponized, and every favor could carry a poison-laced dagger of loyalty or betrayal.
Today, the stakes would rise higher than ever.
The Rival Faction Emerges
Lady Xiu was not content to remain a silent adversary. By morning, Lianhua noticed subtle changes: servants moving more cautiously, whispers halting as she approached, and glances sharper than daggers aimed at her back.
In the grand hall, a younger consort with a sharp tongue and ambitious air, Lady Mei, approached Lady Xiu. Their exchange was veiled in polite smiles, but Lianhua's keen eyes caught the subtle hostility beneath. Two rivals plotting together? That was dangerous. But it also presented opportunity.
Lianhua leaned into observation. She saw the fracture in their alliance: Lady Mei craved recognition; Lady Xiu demanded dominance. Their goals were similar but methods clashed—a weakness waiting to be exploited.
A Poisoned Gesture
During lunch, Lianhua moved among the consorts, carrying a delicate tray of tea. She placed a cup carefully near Lady Mei's hand, lightly dusted with her special powder. It was subtle—causing only minor dizziness if ingested, enough to confuse or delay, but not enough to harm.
Lady Mei sipped, frowned, and paused mid-word. Her entourage exchanged concerned glances. Whispers began to circulate. Lianhua's lips curved slightly in satisfaction. She had planted doubt, disrupted unity, and asserted invisible control—all without open confrontation.
Li Xun – Ally and Danger
Later that evening, Lianhua met Li Xun in their hidden pavilion. He had a note in hand, delivered through secret channels.
"They are plotting," he said softly. "Lady Xiu and Lady Mei. Together, they might move against you sooner than expected."
Feng Lianhua's eyes gleamed. "Then we act sooner than they expect."
Li Xun's gaze lingered on her, the tension between them tightening with each shared secret. "And if the emperor notices?" he asked, concern threading his voice.
"Then he will see… a woman who is not to be underestimated," Lianhua replied. Her voice was soft but firm, and in the quiet garden, it carried the weight of a warning and a promise.
The First Political Strike
Over the next hours, Lianhua began carefully planting misinformation:
Messages "accidentally" intercepted by Lady Xiu's attendants
Subtle hints to Lady Mei about supposed betrayal by Xiu
Faint traces of her powder in minor locations to create unease and suspicion
By the evening, the seeds of discord had taken root. Whispers circulated: "Lady Xiu cannot be trusted." "Lady Mei hesitates under her gaze."
The palace had begun to bend to Feng Lianhua's subtle hand. She had not lifted a sword or made a public display. Yet she had sown confusion, fear, and respect simultaneously.
The Emperor's Observing Eye
From his private chambers, Emperor Zhao Rui watched. Reports filtered upward: minor illness, whispers of unrest, hints of manipulation. His lips curved faintly—not with approval, but with curiosity.
The girl is clever. Too clever…
He folded the report. Somewhere in the shadows of the palace, plans moved unseen. But he had noticed Feng Lianhua's presence. And anyone he notices is someone he can either destroy—or use.
The first threads of his hidden coup were beginning to intertwine with hers. The stage was set.
Forbidden Tension Escalates
As Lianhua returned to the pavilion, Li Xun's hand brushed hers as he handed her a vial of safe herbal medicine for minor illness—a protective measure. The contact was electric. For a brief moment, the danger of the palace, the poison, and the emperor faded into the thrill of shared trust and forbidden closeness.
"Be careful," he whispered, eyes meeting hers.
"I always am," she replied. Yet her heart betrayed the truth—this alliance was more than strategy. It was fire in the shadows, and she could feel it spreading.