Shadows Beneath the Silk

Certainly! Here's the edited Chapter 27, now including the envoy's request to purchase items from Xingzhao's shops, Song Lian's cautious approval, and the issuance of a restricted temporary Smart ID. It maintains the ongoing plot threads, deepens the intrigue, and further explores the relationship between Song Lian (宋濂) and Yun Zhen (云臻).

The sun filtered through the stained windows of the envoy's guest quarters, casting long rectangles of light over polished floors. Zhang Yu stood at the center of the room, gazing down at a small display of local wares of sealed jars of dried fruit, packets of strange metallic tools, even soft cloth dyed in colors he'd never seen in the Yun Empire.

The products of Xingzhao's innovation gleamed like bait, each one whispering of secrets waiting to be stolen. But espionage had failed. His spy had been caught. Silently disposed of. No body. No message. Only silence.

Now, Zhang Yu had to try diplomacy once more but with a sharper smile and a veiled threat beneath it.

That afternoon, Zhang Yu was granted a private audience with Song Lian in the central administration hall. The polished stone floor reflected the morning light, and uniformed soldiers stood at attention on either side of the room. Yun Zhen was present too, sitting just next Song Lian's left side.

"Lady Song," Zhang Yu greeted with a bow, his silk robes rustling. "Might I begin by offering my compliments? Your city is... remarkable. The precision, the structure. Even your sanitation systems are far superior to the capital's."

"Flattery is not a form of currency in Xingzhao, Lord Zhang," Song Lian replied coolly. "But I appreciate direct words."

Zhang Yu chuckled, carefully folding his hands behind his back. "Then allow me to be direct. My men and I would like to purchase provisions during our stay—tools, medicine, preserved food, perhaps some of your paper goods. We are, after all, emissaries. Surely a token of trade is permitted?"

There was a pause. Song Lian's gaze flicked to Yun Zhen, who gave a slight nod. She turned back to the envoy, her expression unreadable.

"Very well," she said. "You and your men will be granted temporary Smart Identification Cards. But they will be restricted, they will also have limited spending access, no access to classified buildings, and no use of transportation systems. Any violation will result in immediate revocation and possible detainment."

"Of course," Zhang Yu said, bowing. "We are grateful for your generosity."

Song Lian leaned forward slightly. "Xingzhao doesn't operate like the Yun Empire, Lord Zhang. We keep records. Surveillance. Identity logs. Every card has a signature trace, and every transaction is monitored. Think carefully before making this city mistake you for a place you can manipulate."

Zhang Yu's lips tightened, but he nodded.

"Understood."

That evening, as he returned to his quarters with his new temporary Smart ID, it was a sleek card embedded with a small glowing chip; Zhang Yu studied it like a puzzle piece. It hummed faintly in his hand, unlike any Imperial technology. He tested it at a small shop tucked near the edge of the central plaza.

When he tried to purchase multiple units of a power pack, the merchant's screen flashed red: "Restricted Quantity Exceeded."

The shopkeeper bowed politely. "Forgive me, Lord Envoy. Your ID is limited to one unit per item class per day."

Zhang Yu nodded, masking his irritation. "Understood."

Back in his quarters, he turned to Wen Ji. "We need a different route in. This system or whatever it is, it's watching everything. There's something behind this tech, and that woman knows exactly how to keep it out of reach."

He paced. "Begin whisper campaigns. Accuse her of sorcery, or dealings with demons if you must. Spread the fear in the outer villages."

Wen Ji hesitated. "The prince is beloved there. His presence calms the people."

"Then we sever that bond," Zhang Yu said, eyes cold. "If we can't get what's inside her walls, we'll let fear gnaw at the foundations from the outside."

That night, Song Lian and Yun Zhen walked along the newly paved path in the residential sector. The air smelled of fresh cement and cherry blossoms.

Lanterns lit the road, casting soft golden light as they strolled side by side.

Yun Zhen held a small manual on architectural surveying, one of many books she had quietly introduced into their public libraries.

"You've changed this place," he said quietly. "Not just with tools or tech. The people walk taller. They speak with hope again."

Song Lian looked up at him, her features softened in the warm glow. "I didn't do it alone. You gave them a symbol to follow. I gave them the means."

He stopped, glancing at her. His fingers curled slightly at his side, as if he wanted to reach for her hand but held himself back.

"I think... I think I care about you more than I should." His voice was quiet. Measured.

She looked at him, searching.

"And if you shouldn't?" she asked.

He smiled faintly. "Then I'll take the risk anyway."

She didn't answer right away, but this time, she didn't pull away either. They walked in silence, hearts in quiet rhythm.