Chapter 12 : The Empress's Counterstrike

Chapter 12: The Empress's Counterstrike

The palace had never been so quiet.

Victory, though sweet, felt delicate, like a candle flame flickering before a mighty storm.

For two days after the trial, the court talked only about this. Ministers who had once stood by the Empress began to hesitate, their loyalty wavered as Prince Rui's influence grew. Some called it courage. Others labeled it reckless.

But everyone agreed on one thing:

> *The Empress would not let this go.*

In the private wing, Mei Lian sat in the garden pavilion. The early morning sun cut through the mist like golden threads. The lilies swayed gently in the breeze, but her heart remained restless.

> *It's too quiet.*

Winning in court was just one battle. She knew better than to think the war was over. The Empress was not a woman easily defeated.

And sure enough, the storm was brewing.

Her maid, Jinhua, rushed toward her, eyes wide with alarm. "My lady, urgent news!"

Mei Lian stood quickly. "Speak."

"The Empress…" Jinhua swallowed hard. "She has issued a royal summons for His Highness the Crown Prince."

Mei Lian's blood ran cold.

The Crown Prince. Rui's older cousin. The delicate balance of power in the royal family had always depended on the Crown Prince's weak temperament, letting the Empress operate from the shadows. If she was planning to use him directly—

"She's changing her strategy," Mei Lian whispered.

Jinhua nodded fearfully. "They say she will use the Crown Prince to publicly question Prince Rui's loyalty to the Empire."

A chill spread through Mei Lian's chest. This was no longer just about her. The Empress was now threatening Rui's entire future.

Hours later, Prince Rui stood before her in his private study, his jaw tense, eyes cold.

"She's playing her most dangerous card," he said flatly.

"She's trying to label you a traitor."

Rui exhaled, crossing his arms. "By defying her authority, I've given her the chance."

Mei Lian clenched her fists. "What will she accuse you of?"

"Ambition." His eyes darkened. "That I'm building a personal faction. That my defense of you is a disguise for rebellion."

"But that's insane!"

"In court, truth doesn't matter. It only needs to create enough doubt."

Mei Lian stepped closer, her voice shaking with quiet anger. "She would risk destabilizing the entire Empire to ruin you."

Rui's lips formed a bitter smile. "Power cares little for stability."

For a moment, silence hung heavy between them.

Then Rui's expression softened. "You should leave the palace, Mei Lian."

Her breath caught. "What?"

"It's not safe. Not anymore. She will come for you next."

"No." Her voice was fierce. "I won't run. Not after everything we've fought for."

He stepped forward, gripping her shoulders. "I won't let you become collateral damage in her war against me."

"And I won't let you face it alone." Her voice faltered slightly, but her determination didn't fade. "You said we'd stand together. I meant that."

Rui's eyes burned with something deeper than admiration—something painfully close to desperation.

He pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly.

"You scare me sometimes," he whispered into her hair.

"And you save me," she breathed.

The next morning, the Crown Prince led a private council meeting, with the Empress sitting behind him like a spider watching its web.

Dozens of high-ranking ministers filled the council chamber. The atmosphere was thick with barely concealed tension.

Prince Rui entered calmly, bowing slightly.

"Cousin," the Crown Prince greeted him with a thin smile. "You've made quite the spectacle these past days."

"I act only to defend the innocent," Rui replied smoothly.

The Empress's voice rang out, sweet as poisoned honey. "And yet your passion seems conveniently timed to gather loyal supporters around you."

The accusation was subtle but sharp.

The Crown Prince pretended to be concerned. "There are whispers, dear cousin, that you have ambitions beyond your current position."

Rui's gaze remained steady. "I serve the Empire."

"Do you?" The Empress's eyes narrowed. "Or do you seek to weaken the royal household by promoting a woman of… questionable origins?"

The room buzzed with barely contained scandal.

Rui's voice sharpened. "I only seek to defend those wrongfully accused."

Lady Jin stepped forward, her tone overly sweet. "With respect, Your Highness, no one questions your nobility. But it's risky to let personal attachments cloud judgment. The court must remain free of favoritism."

> *Favoritism.*

The word stung like acid.

They weren't just attacking Mei Lian's past—they were branding Rui's love for her as a liability, as proof of disloyalty.

The Empress smiled faintly, as if innocent.

"We must protect the integrity of the royal bloodline, dear nephew."

> *There it is.*

The ultimate threat: If Rui continued, they would strip him of his royal succession altogether.

That evening, Rui returned to Mei Lian's chambers.

His composure was firm, but Mei Lian saw the storm behind his eyes.

"They will demand I withdraw from the line of succession," he said quietly.

Mei Lian's throat tightened. "If you step back… the Empress wins."

"Yes." He exhaled. "But if I refuse, they may charge me with treason."

Tears burned in Mei Lian's eyes. "She's forcing you to choose between your future and me."

Rui gently lifted her chin, his voice low but steady. "There is no choice."

"Rui—"

"I love you." His voice cracked faintly. "I have loved you since the moment you stood unafraid before that snake in the silk garden. I will love you whether I am a prince or a man with nothing."

Mei Lian's tears flowed freely now. "You don't have to lose everything for me."

He smiled softly. "You are everything."

He kissed her then—not urgently, but deeply, like a man sealing his fate with the only truth that mattered.

The next day, the Empress summoned Rui once more.

The chamber was smaller this time—private.

Only Rui, the Empress, the Crown Prince, and Lady Jin were present.

"You've caused quite the divide," the Empress began calmly.

"I've merely defended truth."

The Empress stood slowly, walking toward him. "You may still salvage your position, Rui. Step aside. Release this… entanglement. Let Mei Lian leave quietly."

Rui's silence was his answer.

The Empress's mask finally cracked, her voice sharp. "Do not underestimate how far I will go."

"I never have."

The Crown Prince intervened softly, "Nephew, you risk the empire's stability for personal affection."

"No," Rui replied coldly. "I risk everything to cleanse the rot you both nurture."

Lady Jin hissed under her breath, but the Empress raised her hand, stopping any further argument.

"You defy us fully then."

"Yes."

The Empress smiled thinly, venomous. "Very well. Let us see how long you survive without the weight of your title protecting you."

Rui bowed.

"I am not afraid."

And he turned and walked out—leaving behind the world he was born into.

When Mei Lian heard the news that evening, she rushed to meet him in the moonlit courtyard.

"You stepped down," she gasped.

He turned to her, exhaustion finally creeping into his features. "Yes."

Tears slid down her cheeks. "You've given up everything."

"No," he whispered. "I've chosen everything that matters."

And in the quiet moonlight, under a world that had stripped them of titles, safety, and protection, they embraced as two equals—two hearts who had chosen love over power.

But somewhere deep in the palace shadows, the Empress smiled in the dark.

> *The next game had begun.*

To be continued.....

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