Stolen Identity.

Ying Lan clung to the pendant in her hand, feeling its coolness against her palm. She hastened along the winding path that led to the courtyard exit, hoping to escape this place before Miss Ding regained consciousness, or someone stumbled upon her limp form.

The gate towered before her, flanked by familiar stern-faced men in armor, who carried swords and scanned each face and token with a wary eye. Ying Lan drew closer to them, wondering at the recent change in their ways. When had they begun to inspect not only those who sought entrance to the courtyard, but also those who sought exit?

Ying Lan handed over her stolen token and felt a familiar dread coil in her stomach as she watched the guard scrutinize it. "Is this yours?" he asked, studying her.

The question caught Ying Lan off guard, causing her to stammer, "Um… yes,"

The guard passed the token to his partner, who examined it closely. He looked at Ying Lan with a hard gaze. "So you are Cui Lin, then?"

A surge of panic swept over Ying Lan, and she felt a cold sweat break out on her forehead. She nodded. "Yes."

The guard raised an eyebrow. "Strange. Just last night, we found another eunuch named Cui Lin, lying unconscious in the bushes. His token and robes were gone. You wouldn't know anything about that, would you?"

Ying Lan could hear her heart pounding in her chest, a thunderous drum that threatened to burst her ribs. She shook her head. "No, I…I know nothing of it."

"Are you certain?" the guard pressed, pointing at her clothes. "Those robes seem too big for you. They look like they belong to him." He turned and gestured, and Ying Lan's heart sank as she saw the eunuch she had attacked emerge from behind the gate. He glared at her with hatred and recognition.

More guards appeared, their hands on their sword hilts as they closed in on her.