The Hidden Hand Of The Court

The flickering lanterns cast long shadows across the grand hall, their dim glow barely illuminating the polished floors. A lone figure stood before an ornate screen, his hands clasped behind his back. His robes were embroidered with golden threads—a mark of high rank within the imperial court.

A soft rustling of fabric signaled the arrival of another. The masked cultivator knelt before him, their head bowed in submission.

"It is done," the masked figure murmured. "The ritual was completed, but… an unexpected complication arose."

The man before them did not move, but his presence grew heavier, as if the very air in the chamber had thickened. "Explain."

"The girl, Bai Lu." The cultivator hesitated. "She intervened."

A long silence followed. Then, a quiet sigh. "She is troublesome."

The man's fingers tapped lightly against his sleeve. Bai Lu was more than a mere cultivator—her reputation alone made her a threat. If she was already prying into matters best left untouched, it was only a matter of time before she unraveled the deeper schemes in motion.

"And what of Wang Shi?" he asked at last.

The masked figure shifted uneasily. "He still lingers in obscurity, but he grows stronger. She is training him."

Another sigh, this one edged with quiet amusement. "Then we must act before he becomes a problem."

He turned slightly, his face still obscured by the veil of shadows. "Increase surveillance. I want no surprises. If he shows signs of awakening to his true potential… ensure he does not live long enough to use it."

The masked cultivator bowed. "As you command."

With that, they vanished into the night, leaving the grand hall silent once more.

The man turned to gaze out at the courtyard, where the full moon hung low over the palace roofs. His grip tightened.

The son of the late empress should have perished long ago.

That he still drew breath was an inconvenience.

One that would soon be corrected.

--

The grand hall remained still, the weight of unspoken words lingering in the air long after the masked cultivator had left. The man, adorned in robes befitting his high status, took slow steps toward the intricately carved window.

Beyond the courtyard, the imperial palace stood in silent majesty, its golden rooftops gleaming under the moon's pale light. To the common people, it was a symbol of order and power. To him, it was a battlefield—one where swords were sheathed in silk, and poison carried more weight than steel.

A soft knock interrupted his thoughts.

"Enter."

The doors slid open, revealing another figure—an older man with sharp, calculating eyes and a neatly kept beard. His robes were similarly elaborate, though his bore the insignia of the Imperial Advisory Council.

"You summoned me, Minister Xun?"

Xun Jiang, one of the highest-ranking officials in the empire, turned to face his guest. A man of few words, his reputation within the court was that of an unshakable force—one who never acted without purpose.

"I assume you've heard," Xun Jiang said, voice smooth as silk.

The advisor nodded. "The empress's son still lives. And Bai Lu stands at his side." His lips pressed into a thin line. "She will not be easily swayed. Her presence complicates matters."

Xun Jiang chuckled softly. "Complications are temporary. The boy's existence is the true matter at hand. If he is allowed to grow, there will come a time when he claims his rightful place." His gaze darkened. "That cannot be allowed to happen."

The advisor folded his hands behind his back. "Then you intend to act?"

"The court is not yet ready for open conflict," Xun Jiang admitted. "But… a well-placed hand can topple even the sturdiest foundation." He turned back toward the window. "The assassins failed. The hidden sects stir. Bai Lu's intervention was unforeseen, but not unmanageable. If she becomes a greater obstacle, we will handle her as well."

"And Wang Shi?"

Xun Jiang's expression remained unreadable. "He is young. Foolish. Training will not change that overnight." He waved a hand dismissively. "There are far greater forces at play. If he thinks a single cultivator can protect him forever, he is more naive than I thought."

The advisor hesitated. "And if he truly is his mother's son?"

Silence stretched between them. Then, Xun Jiang's lips curled into a knowing smirk.

"Then let him prove it."

He gestured toward the farthest part of the palace, where the forbidden chambers lay cloaked in darkness.

"There are those who have been waiting for his return. If he survives long enough to awaken his inheritance… then he will not need assassins to kill him."

The advisor's eyes flickered with understanding. A fate worse than death awaited Wang Shi if he ever uncovered the truth.

Xun Jiang turned away, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Either way, his story will end soon."