Chapter 18: The Hall of Discipline

The Hall of Discipline was silent.

Stone pillars lined the room like judges. The air smelled of sandalwood and old ink.

Shen Lian stepped forward alone, her footsteps echoing. Palace stewards and matron instructors stood on either side, their faces unreadable.

The injured maid lay in a side chamber, wrapped in linens, unconscious. A palace physician whispered that her words had been incoherent.

"The accused," a steward intoned, "is charged with striking another during forbidden hours. Do you deny it?"

Shen Lian bowed her head. "I deny it."

"Yet she named you."

"I have many names," Shen Lian said calmly. "Perhaps she meant another."

Murmurs stirred. One matron covered her mouth in a faint gasp.

The steward's brow twitched. "You mock the court?"

"I protect my name," Shen Lian replied. "If that is mockery, then perhaps my loyalty is misplaced."

A new voice cut through the tension.

"She is not mocking. She is choosing her words carefully—because she understands what this hall is."

All turned.

The Empress stood at the threshold.

Every figure knelt. Shen Lian lowered her head last.

The Empress walked forward, slow and deliberate, her voice light. "I summoned her yesterday. I gave her instructions. She would not have broken rules while under direct command."

The stewards bowed deeply. "Your Majesty, we did not know—"

"Now you do."

A pause.

The Empress looked to Shen Lian. "You did well."

Then she turned and left.

The hall emptied faster than it had filled.

Only Zhou remained, watching from behind the pillar, fists clenched in silent awe.

That night, he knelt in front of her quarters and said nothing.

Shen Lian opened the door.

"You knew I would win," she said.

Zhou looked up, his voice low. "You were never in danger. But if they had touched you—"

"They didn't," she interrupted.

She stepped forward and rested a hand on his head.

"And that is because we act first. Always."