The General’s Demand

Chapter 26: The General's Demand

The meeting had ended.

But the battle had just begun.

Ye Xian walked through the palace corridors, her steps measured, her mind calculating.

She had played her part well—given the Emperor an answer that satisfied him, yet revealed nothing.

But someone else had seen too much.

Han Yue.

And now—he was following her.

---

A Confrontation in the Courtyard

Ye Xian stepped into the outer courtyard, the cool air brushing against her skin.

She didn't turn around.

She didn't need to.

Because Han Yue was already there.

"You answered well in the meeting," he said. His voice was calm—but too even.

Controlled. Dangerous.

Ye Xian exhaled lightly. "Did I?"

Han Yue took a slow step forward, stopping beside her.

"The greatest threat is what remains unseen," he murmured. "Interesting choice of words."

Ye Xian finally turned her head slightly, meeting his gaze.

"And why does that interest you, General?"

A pause.

Then—he smiled.

"Because it sounded like something an assassin would say."

---

The Blade Hidden in His Words

The courtyard was quiet, but the space between them was anything but.

Ye Xian remained still, her expression unreadable.

"You assume much," she said smoothly.

Han Yue tilted his head. "Do I?"

"You're implying I have something to hide," she said.

Han Yue let out a soft chuckle. "I'm not implying anything."

A pause.

Then—his voice dropped lower.

"I'm stating it outright."

The words settled between them, slow and sharp.

Ye Xian didn't blink.

Because now—she had a choice.

Deny. Deflect. Or challenge.

She exhaled softly. "And if I do have something to hide, General… what will you do?"

Han Yue's eyes darkened slightly.

"I will find out the truth."

A dangerous answer. Because he meant it.

Ye Xian tilted her head slightly. "That sounds like a threat."

Han Yue's lips curled faintly. "A warning."

A pause.

Then—he stepped closer.

"Tell me, Physician Xie," he murmured, his voice quiet, deliberate. "Why did you really come to the Imperial Court?"

The question was too direct. Too precise.

This wasn't just suspicion anymore.

Han Yue already knew.

He just wanted her to admit it.

---

A Move Against the Board

Ye Xian inhaled, choosing her next words carefully.

She could try to escape this conversation.

Or—she could turn it against him.

She stepped forward slightly, closing the space between them.

"If I were hiding something," she said lightly, "wouldn't it be wiser for you to pretend you didn't notice?"

Han Yue studied her, his expression unchanged.

"You're saying I should ignore you."

Ye Xian smiled faintly. "I'm saying that if you start seeing ghosts, General, you might end up chasing them forever."

A pause.

Then—Han Yue's fingers twitched slightly.

Just for a fraction of a second.

But Ye Xian caught it.

Because she had just confirmed something.

Han Yue wasn't looking for her. He was looking for someone else.

Someone from his past.

And somehow—he had connected her to them.

---

The End of the Conversation—For Now

Han Yue exhaled slowly. "You're good at this."

Ye Xian tilted her head. "At what?"

Han Yue's lips curved slightly.

"At walking on the edge of a blade," he murmured. "Without ever slipping."

Ye Xian lowered her gaze slightly, placing a hand over her heart. "It's a useful skill."

A silence.

Then—Han Yue finally stepped back.

"For now," he said, "I'll pretend I don't see the ghosts."

But then—his gaze flickered, sharp and knowing.

"But one day, Physician Xie, you'll have to stop pretending too."

And with that—he walked away.

Leaving Ye Xian standing there, her pulse steady.

But her mind—racing.

Because she had avoided danger.

But not forever.

Han Yue wasn't finished yet.

And next time—he wouldn't just be asking questions.

---

The Watchers in the Shadows

As Ye Xian turned to leave, another voice spoke.

"Well, that was fun to watch."

She exhaled softly. Of course.

Zhao Fengyun.

He was leaning against one of the stone pillars, his smirk as lazy as ever.

"You didn't interfere," she noted.

Zhao Fengyun chuckled. "You seemed to be handling yourself just fine."

Ye Xian arched a brow. "And yet, you followed me here."

A pause.

Then—Zhao Fengyun's expression shifted slightly.

Not playful. Something deeper.

"You're making too many enemies," he murmured.

Ye Xian didn't react. "Is that your concern?"

Zhao Fengyun exhaled. "If you die before I figure out what game you're playing, then yes."

A silence.

Then—he took a step closer.

Closer than necessary.

"Be careful, Ye Xian," he murmured, his voice lower now. "Because soon, it won't be just Han Yue testing you."

A flicker of something unreadable passed through his gaze.

Then—he turned and disappeared.

Ye Xian exhaled.

Yes.

She knew.

And that was why she had already planned her next move.

---

End of Chapter 26