Xu Lianhua's POV
The teacup shattered inches from my face.
Oh, how clumsy, Lady Zhao said sweetly. I do hope none splashed on the Empress.
Laughter rippled through the noble ladies. Twenty pairs of eyes watched with hatred.
My first official court appearance since being named Imperial Strategic Advisor. They were making sure I knew what they thought.
Perhaps the Empress should sit farther away, another lady suggested. These ceremonies can be dangerous for those unfamiliar with proper etiquette.
More laughter.
I kept my face blank. Don't react. Don't give them ammunition.
I heard she advised the Emperor on military matters, Lady Chen whispered loudly. A woman. In the war council.
An illegitimate one, Lady Zhao added. With no education, no business meddling in state affairs.
My husband says the Emperor only consults her because... well. We know why men keep certain women close.
The implication was disgusting. And untrue.
Pillow talk, someone muttered. Whispering nonsense while he's distracted.
Heat burned in my cheeks but I stayed silent.
I wonder if she can even read.
Is her face even pretty? Rather plain compared to legitimate Lady Mingzhu.
My hands clenched. They wanted me to crack. To prove I didn't belong.
Illegitimate blood always shows eventually
Are you suggesting my brother has poor judgment?
The room fell silent.
Princess Shen Ruyi stood in the doorway, eyes blazing.
Your Highness! Lady Zhao bowed. We didn't mean
My brother is the smartest man in the empire. He's never made a strategic error. Ruyi walked in, women scrambling aside. So if he values the Empress's counsel enough to make her Imperial Strategic Advisor, perhaps you should question your own judgment, not his.
The ladies stared at their tea cups.
Ruyi smiled at me. Walk with me, sister.
Sister. She'd called me sister.
In the garden, Ruyi linked arms with me. Don't let them see you break. They smell weakness and attack.
Thank you. You didn't have to
Yes, I did. You saved the empire. She studied my face. How did you see the invasion pattern?
I hesitated. Could I trust her?
I spent years reading Father's military strategy books. When no one was watching.
While they ignored you, you educated yourself. Ruyi grinned. Brilliant. And now you're more valuable than any of them.
I laughed despite everything.
Listen, court politics are brutal. But you have my brother's trust. Use it. She paused. And I think we could be friends.
Friends. I'd never had friends.
I'd like that.
Good. Now let me teach you to survive court
A servant rushed over. Your Majesty. The Emperor requests your immediate presence. Urgent.
My stomach dropped.
Ruyi squeezed my arm. Remember you're not the scared girl anymore. You're Imperial Strategic Advisor. Act like it.
I hurried to the Emperor's study. General Li Jian was there, both men grim.
What's wrong?
We found something. The Emperor gestured to his desk where a gold ring lay. In Lady Pei's belongings. The ring she described.
My heart stopped. The mysterious man's ring.
Do you recognize it?
Yes. It's an official seal ring. Only given to high-ranking court officials. He showed me the carved symbol. This particular symbol belongs to one specific position.
What position?
His eyes met mine. Grand Scholar Feng. My former tutor. One of the most trusted advisors in the empire.
The world tilted. Grand Scholar Feng who'd publicly supported me. Who was supposed to teach me tomorrow.
Was the mastermind.
That's impossible. He defended me in court
Because he wanted you close, General Li said. Wanted to control you.
We can't prove it's his ring, the Emperor said. He could claim it was stolen. We need to catch him in the act.
How?
He looked at me. You go to your lessons tomorrow. Act normal. Let him think you're still a naive puppet he can manipulate.
You want me to spy on him?
I want you to be careful. He's killed three people. If he suspects you know... He didn't finish.
I was supposed to sit across from my family's murderer and pretend everything was fine.
I can't. I'm not trained
You spent twenty-one years invisible in a hostile household. You know how to hide what you're thinking. How to survive when everyone wants you gone. He stepped closer. This is the same. Just higher stakes.
What if I fail?
Then I'll protect you. But Lianhua, you're the only one who can do this. He thinks you're weak. Use that.
A guard burst in. Your Majesty! Grand Scholar Feng is here. He wants to congratulate the Empress. Requesting a private audience.
The Emperor and I locked eyes.
He was here. Now. Wanting me alone.
Send him to the Empress's receiving room.
The guard left.
This is it, the Emperor said quietly. He's assessing you. Show him what he expects. Nothing more.
And if he asks about the invasion pattern?
Tell the truth. That you read strategy books. That you got lucky. He paused. Make yourself useful but not threatening. Intelligent but not too intelligent.
Walk the line.
Exactly. He handed me a small dagger. Hide this. Just in case.
The weapon felt heavy. Real.
Lianhua. His voice stopped me. If anything feels wrong, scream. My guards will be right outside.
I walked toward my receiving room, realizing:
Survival meant becoming someone I'd never been.
Someone who could lie to a murderer's face.
Someone dangerous.
Could I do it?
Grand Scholar Feng waited, smiling warmly.
Your Majesty, he said, bowing. How wonderful to see you. I've been eager to discuss your remarkable discovery.
His smile was kind. Grandfatherly. Genuine.
And I knew, with absolute certainty, I was looking at the man who wanted me dead.
I smiled back.
Grand Scholar Feng. What an honor.
Let the game begin.