Entering the Palace

Li Xueyan stood before the towering palace gates. The golden roofs shone under the morning sun, and the scent of blooming flowers drifted through the air. The capital was lively, but the palace was silent—too silent.

Guards in silver armor stood at attention. Their eyes watched every movement, their hands ready to draw their swords at any moment.

Xueyan took a deep breath. She was stepping into the lion's den.

Beside her, Feng Zhiwei looked calm, his hands hidden inside his robe. Lan Xi and Jin Hu stayed a few steps behind, their faces unreadable. Elder Mei had chosen to remain in the city, watching from the shadows.

A eunuch in silk robes stepped forward. His expression was polite, but his eyes were sharp.

"Lady Li Xueyan, His Majesty is expecting you. Follow me."

Xueyan nodded and walked forward.

Zhiwei took a step as well, but the eunuch raised his hand.

"Only Lady Li may enter."

Xueyan paused. A trap? She turned to Zhiwei, but he only gave her a slight nod.

"We'll wait for you," he said softly.

Xueyan clenched her fists. Then, without another word, she stepped through the gates alone.

---

The Palace Halls

The palace was even grander inside. Red pillars stretched toward the ceiling, and golden dragons curled around them, their eyes gleaming. The floor was polished until it reflected the sky above.

Servants moved quietly, their heads lowered. Eunuchs walked in small groups, whispering to each other. Every person here had power in some way—even those who did not fight.

Xueyan followed the eunuch through the halls, her footsteps echoing. She kept her face calm, but her heart beat faster.

She had not been inside the palace since she was a child. Back then, her father had brought her here once, before he was killed. Before her life fell apart.

They stopped in front of a massive door. The eunuch turned to her.

"His Majesty is inside. Do not speak unless spoken to. Do not look him in the eye for too long. Do not—"

"I understand," Xueyan interrupted.

The eunuch frowned but said nothing. He pushed open the doors, and Xueyan stepped inside.

---

Meeting the Emperor

The throne room was vast. Golden banners hung from the ceiling, and a long carpet stretched from the entrance to the golden throne.

And there, sitting high above all, was the Emperor.

He was an old man, his beard long and silver. His dragon robe shimmered under the light, and his crown sat heavy on his head. His eyes, though tired, were still sharp.

Xueyan knelt before him, her back straight.

"Li Xueyan greets Your Majesty."

For a moment, there was silence. Then the Emperor spoke.

"You are braver than I expected."

Xueyan looked up slightly. His voice was calm, but there was something hidden beneath it. Amusement? Curiosity?

"Your Majesty called for me," she said carefully.

The Emperor nodded. "Rise."

She stood up slowly, keeping her posture firm.

The Emperor studied her for a long moment. "Your father was a great man. His death was a loss to the empire."

Xueyan's hands clenched at her sides. "Yes."

"Do you seek revenge?"

The direct question made her heart pound, but she did not hesitate.

"Yes."

A slow smile crossed the Emperor's face. "Good. Then perhaps you can be useful to me."

Xueyan frowned. "What does Your Majesty mean?"

The Emperor leaned forward. "Your uncle, Prime Minister Li Jiang, grows too bold. He gathers power, whispers to the wrong people. You want revenge. I want balance. Perhaps we can help each other."

Xueyan's mind raced. Was this a trap? Or was the Emperor truly against her uncle?

"Why should I trust Your Majesty?" she asked.

The Emperor chuckled. "You shouldn't."

She stiffened.

"But you have little choice, do you?" he continued. "Your enemies are many. You are strong, but not strong enough. Not yet. Work for me, and I shall give you the opportunity you seek."

Xueyan took a deep breath. The Emperor was right. If she wanted revenge, she needed allies. Even dangerous ones.

She bowed her head slightly. "What does Your Majesty require?"

The Emperor's smile widened. "There is a man I need you to deal with. A noble who grows too ambitious. If you can prove yourself… we shall talk again."

Xueyan lifted her gaze. "Where is he?"

The Emperor nodded to the eunuch. "He will give you the details. Do not disappoint me, Li Xueyan."

Xueyan bowed once more. "I will not."

As she turned to leave, she felt the Emperor's eyes on her back.

The game had begun.

---

A Dangerous Task

The eunuch led her back through the halls, stopping in a quiet courtyard.

"The noble His Majesty spoke of is Lord Wei," he said. "He controls much of the trade in the south. Recently, he has refused to pay his taxes. Some believe he is working with rebels."

Xueyan narrowed her eyes. "So His Majesty wants me to deal with him?"

The eunuch gave a small smile. "His Majesty wants to see what you are capable of."

Xueyan exhaled. "Fine. Where can I find him?"

"He is in his estate at the western district. But be careful. He is well-guarded."

Xueyan nodded. "I understand."

She turned to leave but paused.

"Tell me one thing," she said. "Is the Emperor truly against Li Jiang?"

The eunuch chuckled. "Who can say? The palace is full of shifting alliances. One day, a man is an enemy. The next, he is a friend."

Xueyan frowned. She had expected as much.

But for now, she had a mission.

---

Reuniting with Her Allies

Outside the palace, Zhiwei and the others were waiting.

Jin Hu smirked. "Still alive?"

Lan Xi looked relieved. "What happened?"

Xueyan took a deep breath. "The Emperor wants me to eliminate a noble. If I do it, he'll help me against my uncle."

Jin Hu whistled. "That was fast."

Zhiwei's eyes darkened. "The palace plays dangerous games."

Xueyan met his gaze. "I know."

She turned to the others. "We leave tonight. If Lord Wei is hiding something, I want to know."

Zhiwei studied her for a moment before nodding.

Jin Hu grinned. "Finally, some action."

Lan Xi sighed. "I have a bad feeling about this."

Xueyan tightened her grip on her sword.

She did too.

But she had already stepped into the game. Now, she had to play.