Lady Xia entered the emperor's study, the soft scent of sandalwood filling the air. The candlelight danced against the gold embroidery of her robes, casting long shadows across the polished floor. She lowered herself into a deep bow, each movement poised and deliberate.
"Your Majesty," Lady Xia said softly.
Emperor Wei sat behind his desk, his fingers slowly turning the pages of memorials. He did not look up right away, but when he did, his gaze was sharp. "What brings you here, Lady Xia?"
She lifted her head, a faint smile curving her lips. "Only concern for Your Majesty," she replied.
The emperor arched a brow. "Concern?"
"Yes." Lady Xia let out a quiet sigh and took a step closer. "That young woman… she has been kneeling outside the palace for three days now." She said, tilting her head slightly. "Surely, that is long enough?"
The emperor's face stayed calm, showing little interest. "And why should that matter to me?"
Lady Xia answered with a soft chuckle. "Because, Your Majesty, whether you care for her or not, leaving her out there for this long reflects poorly on you. You are the Son of Heaven. To your people, you must be just but not cruel. Leaving a girl to kneel outside the palace for days? That is the kind of story that spreads."
She met his gaze, her voice gentle, smooth as silk. "Your Majesty, I care deeply for you and for anything that touches the hearts of the people."
The emperor said nothing at first, fingers drumming lightly against the armrest of his chair.
After a while, he exhaled. "I will consider it."
Lady Xia bowed gracefully. "Your wisdom shines as always, Your Majesty."
The emperor didn't reply. He only watched her in silence.
She stepped closer, her hands resting lightly on his shoulders before she began to massage them, slow, relaxing strokes easing the tension in his muscles.
"You rarely visit these days," he said after a moment.
Lady Xia's hands slowed briefly before resuming their gentle, soothing rhythm. "A woman knows when she is needed and when she is not."
Emperor Wei turned his head slightly. "And now?"
"Now, Your Majesty, I believe I am needed."
For a moment, silence filled the room. Then, her hands slipped away.
"Your Majesty," she began, "there is another matter I must bring to your attention."
The emperor glanced at her from the corner of his eye. "Speak."
She paused, carefully choosing her words. "It concerns Prince Yizong."
The emperor's fingers stopped tapping.
Lady Xia pressed on. "What happened with Xiao, it was reckless, yes. But the damage is already done, and the girl is carrying his child. Would it not be wiser to show him mercy and handle this matter with dignity?"
The emperor gave a small nod, though his expression told a different story.
Lady Xia leaned in slightly, her voice gentle but persuasive. "Yizong is young. Mistakes are part of youth. But he is still your son. To cast him aside now would only sow deeper trouble for the future."
The emperor studied her in silence for a long moment, but Lady Xia was not yet finished.
She offered a soft smile before adding, "And while we are speaking of your sons… might I suggest a touch of leniency for Prince Cheng as well?"
At once, the emperor's expression darkened.
"He has been careless," she continued smoothly. "Perhaps it's nothing more than a fleeting infatuation with this girl. Young men often lose their way over foolish attachments—"
The emperor's palm slammed against the desk with a sudden crack, the sound jolting through the room and making the candle flames shudder.
Lady Xia immediately lowered her head, her voice turning gentle. "Forgive me, Your Majesty. I overstepped."
His jaw tightened, but after shortly after, the emperor exhaled slowly. The anger in his eyes dimmed, though it did not disappear entirely.
Seeing the shift, Lady Xia spoke again, her tone careful. "All I meant was… he would benefit from your mercy."
She said nothing more, only bowed deeply, leaving the silence to fill the space between them.
And the emperor, despite all his power said nothing at all.
.... ThePalace
Prince Yizong stayed on his knees, his fists pressed against the cold floor. His head was lowered, but anyone could see the tension in his body. A few steps away, Xiao stood completely still, her dark hair falling over her face like a curtain. She kept her gaze down, her fingers twisting the edge of her sleeve. She didn't dare look at anyone.
The emperor gave a slight nod.
A palace guard stepped forward. "Bring the young lady into the palace."
The princes exchanged quick, cautious glances while the gathered officials and nobles stood in silence. Xiao stiffened, holding her breath as she glanced at the emperor, her face already turning pale. Even Yizong lifted his head slightly, a deep frown crossing his face.
No one spoke, but the same question went through their minds.
What was the emperor planning?
Outside, Mei had lost all sense of time. Three days had blurred into one long stretch of hunger, pain, and exhaustion. Her legs were numb, her back ached, and her lips were cracked from thirst. The world around her had faded, until she heard her name.
The guard's voice sounded far away, barely reaching her ears. But when the words finally sank in, a spark of relief cut through the haze.
The emperor had summoned her.
She tried to stand, but her body refused. Her legs shook, the ground tilting under her feet.
With sheer will, she forced herself forward, but every step felt like dragging a heavy stone uphill. As she reached the palace stairs, she began to doubt herself, she might never make it inside.
Her fingers gripped the railing, one step, then another. Soon she began feeling lightheaded, her breathing was shallow and uneven.
Her knees almost gave out, but she refused to fall. She kept going.
Once inside, Mei dropped to her knees, not out of formality, but because her body could no longer hold her up. Her forehead touched the cold floor as she whispered, "Your Majesty."
The emperor's voice was calm, but there was something in it Mei couldn't quite read. "You knelt outside my palace for days. Was it to make me look like a heartless ruler in front of my people?"
Mei's whole body was shaking and she replied in a hoarse voice. "No… Your Majesty," she swallowed hard, fighting to get the words out. "I came to beg for mercy, not for myself, but for Lady Xiao."
The hall went silent, the kind of silence that was suffocating.
The emperor stared at her, his face giving nothing away. Then, he let out a quiet sound.
"Ah."
There was a flicker in his eyes, curiosity, amusement, or maybe something darker. "A plea for mercy," he repeated. "So tell me… what exactly has Lady Xiao done that requires such a plea?"
Mei hesitated. Something about the way he asked made her stomach twist.
She glanced at Xiao. Their eyes met for only a second, but it was enough. Mei saw it, fear.
A chill ran down her spine.
"He… doesn't know?" The words slipped from her mouth before she could stop them, barely louder than a breath.
The emperor's expression went dark like distant thunder before a storm, his eyes shifted to Xiao.
"You have kept your silence all this time," he said, his voice calm but carrying an edge. "Yet now, this girl kneels before me, confessing to crimes I have not even heard?"
Mei felt the rush of guilt as she realized her mistake. She had miscalculated badly.
"Your Majesty," she gasped, turning back to him. "I—I didn't mean—"
A small gesture from his hand stopped her at once.
His next words were quiet, but they sliced through the room like a blade. "What crimes has Lady Xiao committed?"
Mei did not reply immediately, she wanted to believe the emperor truly didn't know, but the look in his eyes made her uncertain. What if he already knew everything? What if this was a test to see who would dare speak the truth?
She swallowed hard. "drug...ging Prince Yizong."
Gasps echoed across the hall, followed by hushed whispers. All eyes turned to Xiao, who shrank under their scrutiny, lowering her head even further.
The emperor said nothing at first. He simply let the silence stretch on for long, letting the the accusation settle in the ears of all present. Then, at last, he spoke.
"And you," he said, his tone slower now, "who are you, exactly? What is your connection to Lady Xiao?"
Mei lifted her head, her vision already blurring from exhaustion.
"I am Meiying… daughter of Ruan Haofeng…"
The emperor froze.
His back stiffened, and for a moment, his expression went blank, he took a step back, as if struck. His eunuch rushed forward, holding him.
Some royal officials began whispering amongst themselves while others watched the emperor with concern.
The emperor slowly lowered himself onto his throne, his fingers curling tightly around the armrests. A servant hurried to offer him tea, but he ignored it.
"Ruan Haofeng?" His voice was quieter now, but every word was razor-sharp.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Mei answered, her body swaying slightly. She could feel something shift in him, something significant but her mind was too foggy to grasp what it meant.
The emperor's gaze locked onto her, unblinking. Then, after a long silence, he spoke again.
"That family was wiped out years ago."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Mei said softly.
"Then how dare you come here claiming to be his daughter!"
The emperor's voice slammed through the hall echoing off the polished walls.
Mei flinched at the force of it.
"Do you have no shame?" His voice cut like a blade. "Stealing the name of a man who once served this court with honor?"
His words struck deep with accusation.
"He may have met his end, but Ruan Haofeng was once a respected official of this palace."
The silence that followed felt like a disaster waiting to happen. Mei swallowed hard, struggling to catch her breath.
Then, before anyone could speak, the doors swung open.
Prince Cheng entered without ceremony, his footsteps brisk. The sudden shift in atmosphere was immediate. Every official in the room turned to bow.
The emperor's fury was momentarily subdued as he settled back in his seat.
Cheng's eyes found Mei first, her trembling hands, her pale face, her barely upright body. His fists clenched at his sides, but his expression stayed calm.
Without hesitation, he stepped forward, lowering himself into a formal bow before the emperor.
"You arrived just in time," the emperor said coldly.
"The young lady over there just revealed some rather surprising information... something you failed to mention in your report."
His dark gaze locked onto Cheng.
"Tell me, Cheng," the emperor continued, his voice dangerously quiet. "Did you deliberately hide this from me?"
Cheng lowered his head. "I—"
"Show some respect!" The emperor's voice rang angrily, making everyone flinch.
Cheng tensed, then slowly dropped to his knees, bowing low.
"You brought me a report full of gaps, clouded by your misguided emotions," the emperor said. "Is this how you plan to rule one day? Do you call yourself worthy of the throne if your judgment is so easily swayed?"
Mei pushed herself forward, her forehead. "Your Majesty, please..."
A low, humorless laugh escaped the emperor. He rose from his throne, his presence filling the room like an approaching storm.
"Rise and step forward."
Cheng raised his head, his face pale with dread.
Mei glanced up at the emperor, her limbs trembling as she forced herself to stand.
Cheng stepped forward on instinct, reaching toward her but as he took another step—
"Stay where you are!"
The emperor's command struck like a whip.
Cheng froze, his hands curling into fists at his sides. His heart pounded at the unbearable sight of Mei struggling to hold herself upright.
The emperor's cold gaze settled on her. "What right do you have to speak on Prince Cheng's behalf?"
Mei could barely hear him over the pounding in her ears. Her body felt as though it might give out at any moment.
Before the silence stretched too far, Yizong spoke, his voice shaking slightly. "Your Majesty, the blame is mine alone. I—"
The emperor snorted, his scorn slicing through Yizong's words. "You do not speak for your brother, boy."
His glare snapped back to Cheng, eyes burning with fury. "You withheld vital information out of foolish emotions!" He jabbed a finger toward Cheng, whose fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. It had been years since Cheng had felt fear like this in his father's presence.
"A prince who lies to his emperor is no different from a traitor," the emperor declared, "If you have the courage to deceive me, you will one day have the courage to betray me."
Without warning, the emperor's piercing gaze shifted to Xiao. She stood frozen, her head bowed, though the slight tremble in her shoulders gave her away.
"What do you have to say for yourself?"
Xiao's breath caught. She could feel the emperor's fury, a storm pressing down on her chest. She opened her mouth, but no sound came out.
Her fingers twisted the hem of her sleeve, knuckles pale from the grip. The silence stretched unbearably long. Every second dragged as countless eyes bored into her, the pressure making it harder to breathe.
Then—
"Your Majesty!"
The voice shattered the silence.
A young lady rushed forward from the sidelines, falling hard to her knees. She pressed her forehead to the floor, her entire body shaking. Her hands clenched into trembling fists.
"It was me!"
The handmaid's voice rang out, unsteady but clear. "I was the one who drugged Prince Yizong. I—I only wanted to gain his favor. But… but Lady Xiao ended up in his bed by mistake. She knew nothing. Please, Your Majesty, she is innocent."
Gasps swept through the room like a gust of wind.
Mei's breath caught in her throat. She had not expected this turn of events.
Xiao's eyes widened in pure horror as she watched her handmaid. Her chest tightened painfully as tears flowed down her cheeks. She stepped forward, shaking her head, but her handmaid remained where she was, forehead to the floor, hands trembling at her sides.
The emperor watched the scene in silence, for a long moment, the room held its breath. Then, at last, he spoke.
"You admit to this crime?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," the handmaid whispered in a voice fragile, trembling like broken glass.
"Then the punishment is death."
Xiao's legs gave out beneath her, and she collapsed to the floor.
"She will be executed at dawn," the emperor continued, his tone flat, final. "Her beheading will take place at the eastern gate—a public warning to anyone foolish enough to conspire against the royal family."
Tears ran freely down xiao's face, but her voice failed her. No plea, no argument, no desperate words could make it past her lips.
Her handmaid, her most loyal servant had taken the blame. And now, she would pay for it with her life.
The emperor's expression remained unmoved. His eyes returned to Xiao. "However," he said, "a mistress should be able to control her servants, your failure to do so is a disgrace to the household you serve."
Xiao's breathing grew shallow with panic.
"As punishment," the emperor declared, "you are hereby confined to your quarters until further notice. You will not leave your rooms unless summoned."
A wave of hushed whispers filled the chamber, but no one dared object.
Xiao stayed where she was, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs.
The handmaid did not struggle. She did not beg for mercy. Her head remained bowed, she had already accepted her fate.
With a single wave of his hand, the emperor gave his command. "Take her away."
Two guards stepped forward, grabbing the handmaid by her arms and hauling her to her feet. The scrape of her slippers against the floor echoed through the hall, she did not resist.
Mei's breaths came fast and uneven. She had come to beg for mercy, but instead, she stood by helplessly as an innocent girl was condemned for a crime she didn't commit.
"This isn't right…"
She tried to speak, just before the words could leave her mouth, she felt hit by a wave of dizziness, her vision blurred, her legs gave way, and the floor seemed to tilt beneath her feet.
Strong arms caught her before she fell.
Cheng.
He moved without thinking, reaching her just in time and holding her close to his chest. As he tried to steady her, his voice sounded through the hall.
"How dare you!"
The emperor rose to his feet, his fury crackling through the air like a storm about to break. His sharp gaze locked onto Cheng, blazing with anger.
"You would defy me... in front of my court?"
The room froze. No one dared to move or even breathe too loudly.
Cheng gritted his teeth, his arms still wrapped protectively around Mei. His whole body was tense, bracing for the blow he knew would come.
"For your arrogance, you will pay," the emperor said.
The next words struck like a bolt of lightning.
"Imprison him in the Ninth Palace."
A ripple of shock spread through the room. Some officials exchanged uneasy glances, but none spoke out. The Ninth Palace, a place of isolation and disgrace was reserved for those who had gravely offended the crown.
"No privileges of rank," the emperor continued coldly. "No visitors. Let him sit in silence and reflect on his disobedience."
A heavy silence followed.
Cheng didn't move, his jaw tight with suppressed emotion. But in that brief moment, his gaze flicked down to Mei, just long enough for her to see it.
A glimpse of fear.
Then, her strength gave out, and the world disappeared.