Beneath a moon that hung like the half-lidded eye of a sleeping dragon, Miho stood before the door to his chambers, a shadow that knew its place in the dark. Her black cloak, stitched with golden thread, slipped from her shoulders to reveal a body wrapped in sheer silk — the fabric clinging to her curves like dew to a blossom. Her jade sash shimmered as it hugged her waist, delicate as a bamboo stalk. Bare legs glowed like polished Song silk. Her long black hair, fragrant with jasmine, spilled over her chest where a tiny dragon pendant rested, rising and falling with each breath.
Lian Fan opened the door. His golden eyes scanned her coldly, but within them, a flicker pulsed — wild, unreadable.
Miho (in a voice like rustling bamboo leaves):
"My lord… I missed you."
Inside his mind, thoughts twisted like smoke.
So beautiful… in betrayal. If she's lying, I'll burn the sky and salt the earth beneath it.
He grabbed her chin between his fingers.
"Did you come because your heart longed for me… or because someone wants my head on a platter?"
She smiled, her hand gliding across his chest.
"Even if the heavens barred my path… I'd tear them open for a night like this."
His hand closed around her waist, yanking her close.
"Do you know what I do to liars?" he whispered against her ear.
"I make rugs from their bones."
She leaned in, her breath teasing his neck.
"Then let me be the rug you tread… all the way to your bed."
---
Inside, candlelight soaked the walls in gold. Shadows swayed like forbidden lovers. The air was heavy with sandalwood, jasmine, and the heat rising off her body.
Lian Fan pressed her against the wall — the chill of the stone against her back, the fire of his body against her front. His fingers ran along her neck like strings of a guqin, then tilted her chin upward.
Miho (panting):
"Your touch… like blades dipped in glacier water."
Lian Fan (brushing her ear with his lips):
"Then let me warm you… drop by drop."
His hands slid beneath the silk, discovering thighs smooth as river stones. Fingertips painted red trails across her skin. He caught the robe's edge, then slowly tore it — the sound like ancient parchment splitting.
Miho (soft giggle):
"Is this how you treat a woman's clothes?"
Lian Fan (hands gripping her hips):
"Those weren't clothes… just barriers in my way."
The silk fell to the floor. Her bare body glowed in candlelight, nipples glistening, hardened. He lifted her onto the table, cool wood meeting warm flesh. His tongue circled her nipple, slow and teasing.
Miho (gripping his shoulders):
"Such cruelty… is it pleasure or punishment?"
Lian Fan (sliding a finger between her thighs):
"No… it's restoration."
His touch stirred wet heat from her core. He laid her on the bed, body trembling beneath him like a pinned butterfly. He entered her slowly, drawing gasps and tremors with each inch.
Miho (biting her lip):
"Don't stop… don't stop this time!"
Their rhythm built — moans colliding with skin, wet friction and fire, until release surged like molten lava through their entwined forms.
Later, Miho traced his chest with her fingers.
"Next time… I'll be the one giving orders."
He caught her chin.
"Next time… there'll be no room for orders at all."
Outside, the moon watched silently as the candles died, one by one, leaving only the scent of sweat, jasmine… and something darker.
---
Dawn
Lian Fan awoke to fists pounding his door.
He reached across the bed.
Empty.
Only the scent of jasmine and a tiny drop of blood on the pillow remained.
He smiled.
"So… this is how you play."
He opened the door to two young soldiers in formal armor, fury burning in their eyes.
Soldier 1 (voice trembling):
"You're under arrest! Come quietly!"
Lian Fan's shadow darkened the candlelight behind him.
"Your master wants me? He should come himself."
Soldier 2 lunged with his blade.
"You bastard rapist!"
The sword sliced air. Lian Fan ducked, grabbed the attacker's wrist, and twisted. A crack echoed. The man collapsed, screaming.
The second charged. Lian Fan turned, kicked hard — a knee shattered. The soldier hit the ground. Lian Fan slammed his skull into the floor, silencing him.
He stood above the first, who now whimpered.
"Rapist? Who told you that?"
Soldier (blood at his lips):
"Miho… she told the court… that you…"
Lian Fan chuckled coldly.
"Ah… the rug speaks."
He grabbed the soldier by the hair.
"I don't begin revenge with insects… but she deserves a gift."
---
Later That Morning
Two wooden crates were delivered to the gates of a manor on the eastern hill. Inside, stripped and broken, lay two soldiers — arms twisted behind their backs, eyes frozen in terror. Blood pooled beneath their tongues.
A single rose was placed on top. Black petals soaked in crimson.
Lian Fan walked down the street in silence, wiping his hands with a white silk cloth.
He entered the great hall where golden banners swayed.
Voices hushed as he passed .