Chapter 42 - Petals on a Blade

The court roared in silence.

Rumors had begun to rot through every carved screen and crimson corridor — that Wu An, the Fourth Prince, now disgraced, would not remain quiet for long. But even whispers feared Wu Taian.

He sat in the Eastern Pavilion of the Inner Court, lounging like a prince but smirking like a predator. The others played at civility. Taian never pretended. His sleeves were embroidered with dragons that snarled, not soared. The eunuchs avoided his gaze, and even generals twice his age bowed with unease.

Across from him, a servant knelt — trembling.

"You watched him die?" Taian asked.

The boy nodded. "Yes, Your Grace. He didn't struggle."

Taian sipped his tea, then tipped the entire cup onto the boy's head. The porcelain clattered on the floor.

"Then you're of no use to me," he said coldly.

Before the servant could beg, two guards dragged him away.

Wu Kang entered as the doors closed. He said nothing at first — he didn't need to.

"You think I went too far," Taian said, licking sugar from his fingers.

"No," Wu Kang replied. "I think you're getting bolder. That's useful. Until it's not."

Taian smiled. "You're welcome."

The silence stretched between them like a blade.

"You're backing me because of her," Wu Kang said.

Taian's grin vanished.

"I'm backing you because this empire deserves better than that hollow-eyed snake you call a brother. You want the throne. I want revenge. That's enough."

"She died because of the ritual."

"No. She died because Wu An lit the flame."

Taian stood and dusted off his sleeves. "He disgraced our mother. That's not politics. That's personal."

"And if I fall?"

"Then I burn with you," he said. "But I'll take half the court down first."

Wu An's Estate – That Night

I hadn't slept in two days. Not because I couldn't.

Because I didn't trust the dreams anymore.

My ceremonial house arrest meant nothing. The guards were loyal to the Lord Protector, not to Wu Kang. And they still bowed low when I passed — more carefully now, like I carried something unseen.

And perhaps I did.

Liao Yun stood beside the garden pond, his hands behind his back.

"You've been too quiet," he said.

"I've been listening."

"To what?"

"To what they think I've become."

He smiled faintly. "They're wrong."

"I'm not so sure."

The moon shimmered on the koi pond, but I saw only red beneath the water.

"They accused me of killing Minister Yao. But I didn't touch him."

"I know," Liao said. "That's why it's brilliant."

I turned. "What?"

"He was bait. Not just to disgrace you. To isolate you."

"Wu Kang thinks if I'm cornered, I'll flinch."

Liao Yun's voice lowered. "Then don't flinch. Strike."

He handed me a small folded page.

"A list?" I asked.

"Witnesses. Servants who saw Yao arguing with Taian. And a clerk who overheard something… unapproved."

"And why haven't they spoken?"

"They're afraid."

"Then they need a reason to fear me more than him."

For the first time, Liao Yun smiled like a strategist.

"Then let's give them one."

Inner Archives

Wu Jin adjusted the ink brush slowly, as if choosing each stroke with care. But his eyes weren't on the paper — they were on the shadows.

"They've moved too soon," he whispered.

From across the low table, Shen Yue poured tea.

"My father watches them. He knows the Crown Prince and the Third Prince went too far."

"But he'll do nothing unless he's sure."

"Then make him sure," she said.

Wu Jin glanced at her.

"And your Prince?"

"He's not broken."

"No," Wu Jin said. "He's sharpening."

Hall of Records – Two Days Later

The doors burst open.

Guards scrambled, eunuchs dropped scrolls, and Minister Shen Yuan rose with fury.

"What is the meaning of this?!"

I stepped forward, flanked by two guards loyal to my father — not the court.

"I invoke the Right of Rebuttal," I said. "Clause 14 of the Ministerial Codes."

Gasps.

That right hadn't been used in thirty years. It allowed a prince, even under house arrest, to challenge a criminal charge if new evidence arose.

The Lord Protector, seated in judgment, did not stop me.

"Speak," he said.

I tossed a scroll onto the table. "This witness served Minister Yao. She heard him argue with Prince Taian. Twice. One of them ended with a threat."

A murmur rose.

"And this?" I held up a second scroll. "An account from a tea-boy. He saw Minister Yao enter Taian's private chambers the night before his death. He never left."

Shen Yuan stood. "You dare accuse a fellow prince?"

"I accuse no one," I said. "I present evidence. Let the court draw its own conclusions."

The silence felt like a bow pulled taut.

Then—

"Enough," the Lord Protector said.

He gestured to the guards.

"Verify the testimonies. Quietly. No announcements."

I bowed. "Thank you."

As I turned to leave, I met Wu Kang's eyes.

He didn't blink.

But his hands were tight fists.

Palace Garden – That Evening

Shen Yue walked beside me.

"You embarrassed them."

"I gave them a choice."

"To fear you… or to follow."

"Exactly."

She paused. "Then you're not broken."

"No," I said. "But I've stopped pretending I'm whole."

She said nothing.

But I felt her hand brush against mine.

Eastern Pavilion – Later

Wu Kang stared into the brazier, the flames reflected in his wine.

"You told me this would work," he hissed.

Yi Huan, the eunuch, bowed deeply. "It was not failure. It was bait. And he's taken it."

"What?"

"Now we know his pattern. His counter-strike. And we still control the scroll rooms. The next move will be ours."

Taian laughed from the corner.

"You think too small," he said. "Next time we strike, we don't leave evidence. We leave a corpse."