CHAPTER 20 — Lotus Threads and Returning Shadows
The Palace Before Dawn
The rain had stopped, but the palace didn't dare breathe.
Ruyi stood at the balcony of the Moon Orchid Pavilion, staring at the single red silk string she had discovered tied across her door. She had burned it already, scattering the ashes into the lotus pond.
But its memory clung to her fingertips.
Inside, Chen'er stretched in her sleep, mumbling something about "immortal poison" and "camel feeding," still holding the wooden spoon she'd used to defend her mistress the night before.
Ruyi sighed softly and allowed herself one rare indulgence
a smile.
But the smile faded when she sensed movement.
"Your Grace," came the Emperor's voice from behind her.
She didn't turn.
"You should be resting, Your Majesty."
He stepped beside her, the early light softening the steel of his posture.
"I could say the same of you," he replied. "You've been awake all night."
Ruyi finally faced him.
"You felt the threat too."
"Of course." His gaze lowered to her hand. "They are circling. And now they want you to know it."
"Good."
Ruyi's voice was quiet but edged.
"Let them reveal their confidence. It makes them sloppy."
The Emperor stared for a long, unreadable moment.
Then something softened between them.
"Ruyi…" His voice dropped. "You're not alone."
The words were simple, but weighted, tender.
She did not look away.
"Then neither are you."
For a heartbeat, silence wrapped around them warm, fragile, intimate.
The first moment of peace they'd shared in weeks.
THE WARMTH OF THE MORNING — A New Atmosphere
Later that morning, Ruyi, Chen'er, and the second maid Wen Xiu gathered in the side kitchen of the pavilion one of the few places free of spies.
Ruyi tied her sleeves and began preparing millet congee and herb-soaked duck.
Chen'er sighed dramatically.
"My lady, do you think His Majesty will notice if you accidentally cook for him again?"
Wen Xiu smirked. "Accidentally? Chen'er, she sharpens her knives while thinking of him."
Ruyi pretended not to hear them.
Chen'er giggled, leaning closer.
"You should have seen the way he stared at you during the storm—"
"Chen'er." Ruyi cut her off gently. "Stir the pot."
Before Chen'er could respond, a messenger arrived, bowing urgently.
Ruyi froze mid-motion.
She wiped her hands quickly. "Keep the congee warm. I'll return shortly."
She left in a swish of silk.
Chen'er watched her go, then turned to Wen Xiu.
"…Can we eat the duck?"
"No," Wen Xiu said.
"Yes," said a new, deep voice from the doorway.
They jumped.
A tall man stepped inside, looking like he'd been chased through a battlefield.
THE MYSTERIOUS MAN — The First Reappearance
His robes were travel-worn.
His expression was cold.
His presence was commanding.
Yet his eyes dark, sharp carried a warmth Chen'er remembered instantly.
Because this was him.
The man she had not seen in five years.
The man she once fed in desperation.
The man who had prayed afterward like she was heaven-sent.
And he was now far more handsome, far more refined, far more dangerous.
The man bowed slightly.
"My apologies. I escaped my pursuers by the southern cliffs and followed my nose here."
Chen'er whispered, stunned
"…Young Master Liang?"
His cold expression melted instantly into the warmest, softest smile not for Wen Xiu, not for the food but for Chen'er.
"Ah," he said softly, "so Heaven grants second chances."
Before Chen'er could collapse from shock, the man grabbed a bowl and devoured Ruyi's half-finished duck with reverence.
He paused mid-bite and breathed:
"…Isaac's camels…"
Wen Xiu blinked. "What?"
He swallowed hard, eyes glistening.
"When Isaac found his wife in the scriptures… the woman offered water to his camels."
He gestured to Chen'er dramatically.
"She fed me. Five years ago. When I had nothing."
Chen'er sputtered. "I fed you because you were dying!"
He placed a hand over his heart.
"And I lived. For you."
Wen Xiu whispered behind her sleeve,
"…oh dear heavens…"
FLASHBACKFiveYearsAgo
Chen'er was only a teenager then, serving at the Lin estate.
Ruyi was still unmarried.
A wounded young man had collapsed near their traveling party bloodied, sword cracked, hunted.
Chen'er, against all instructions, dragged him behind a hay wagon and force-fed him boiled eggs and river biscuits until he could breathe.
He grabbed her wrist as she tried to leave.
"If I live," he rasped, "I'll find you again."
Chen'er had rolled her eyes and said,
"Focus on living, then talk."
She never expected he would.
Wen Xiu snapped her fingers.
"You—who are you again?"
He straightened.
"I am Liang Yuren, distant cousin to His Majesty, descended from the eighth imperial branch."
He bowed.
"A swordsman, scholar, and servant of righteousness."
Then he winked at Chen'er.
"And seeker of one very specific woman."
Chen'er nearly fainted.
THE PRINCES' PLAYGROUND The Official Meeting
Laterthatafternoon, RuyiaccompaniedtheCrown Prince and Second Prince to the training courtyard.
She did not expect to see the swordsmen performing drills suddenly part like waves
clearing space for one man.
Liang Yuren.His blade flashed like water over moonlight.
Clean. Sharp. Effortless.
The young princes gasped.
"Mother Consort, he's amazing!"
Ruyi nodded politely. "A distant cousin, I'm told."
And then
Liang Yuren turned mid-spin.
His eyes locked straight onto Chen'er, who was carrying tea behind Ruyi.
He froze.
She froze.
The princes looked between them.
"…Mother Consort?" the younger prince whispered. "Why is your maid turning red?"
Ruyi smiled slightly.
"Oh," she murmured. "A long story
From the upper terrace, unseen by most, Consort Mei leaned against a column.
Her lips curled.
"So the maid finds her lover," she whispered.
Her eyes drifted to Ruyi.
"…while the Red Lotus finds theirs."
The wind stirred, carrying the faint scent of lotus resin.
LotusThreadsandReturningShadows
The training courtyard was alive with the crack of bamboo swords and the crisp shouts of young trainees, but all noise faltered when Liang Yuren stepped into the sunlit square.
He moved with the relaxed, effortless confidence of someone who had grown up running between battlefields and libraries alike.
His face was cold. handsome in a clean, severe way, as if carved from old jade.
His presence? Quiet thunder.
Chen'er, standing behind Ruyi with a tea tray, nearly dropped the cup.
Ruyi whispered without turning her head,
"Steady yourself. You're shaking the cups."
Chen'er hissed, "My lady… that man! He –he"
"Yes," Ruyi murmured, lips curving, "he's the one who ate my duck with tears."
Chen'er turned red to the tips of her ears.
A FriendlyDuel
The Crown Prince, excited, ran up to Liang Yuren.
"Cousin Liang! Show us the Northern Starlight Form!"
Liang's cold exterior softened only slightly.
"If Her Grace consents."
He bowed toward Ruyi.
Before Ruyi could answer, a deeper voice spoke:
"No need to ask her."
The Emperor had stepped into the courtyard.
The two men met eyes.
Same posture.
Same aura.
Same sword-calloused hands.
They mirrored each other like opposing reflections in polished steel.
"Your Majesty," Liang said with respectful calm. "It has been a while."
"Too long," Zhao Long replied coolly. "Draw your blade."
Ruyi blinked.
A duel? Here?
But the princes were already cheering, servants gasping, guards straightening.
Liang drew first.
The Emperor followed.
And then the courtyard became a storm.
Steel flashed like lightning.
Footwork struck like thunder.
Every movement was a memory old techniques of the imperial family, taught in secrecy, mastered differently.
Liang was fast
too fast for someone his age, and he moved with that reckless youthful energy that older warriors no longer dared to unleash.
Zhao Long countered with precision honed by years of command.
Their blades collided in a blur, and even Ruyi, experienced as she was, widened her eyes.
"…they fight like brothers," she murmured.
Chen'er, hands trembling, whispered,
"He was always like this… even back then."
Ruyi gave her a sidelong glance.
"Back then? Did you not tell me he could barely stand without you feeding him?"
Chen'er reddened again.
TheirDuel Ends
After a furious exchange, Liang parried, pivoted, and nearly tapped the Emperor's shoulder
Nearly.
Zhao Long twisted at the final moment, disarming him with a clean wrist-hook.
Liang's sword flew.
The courtyard erupted in applause.
Liang only smiled faintly—humble, graceful, respectful despite his loss.
"You've grown stronger, Your Majesty."
"And you," Zhao Long replied, "are still reckless."
"Recklessness is part of youth."
"You're not that young."
Ruyi coughed lightly.
Liang bowed.
Zhao Long gave the smallest approving nod.
And just like that, it was obvious
The Emperor trusted him.
The Dowager would like him.
The princes adored him.
And Chen'er…
Chen'er couldn't breathe.
Nature'sChild
As the servants dispersed, Liang wandered toward the peach grove beside the training ground. He touched the bark gently, almost reverently.
"He likes nature," Chen'er muttered.
"He likes you more," Wen Xiu whispered from behind.
"He likes history and stories," Chen'er added defensively.
"He told you stories," Wen Xiu countered smugly.
"He"
A peach blossom drifted down and landed in Chen'er's hair.
Liang turned, expression unreadable.
"…still clumsy," he said softly, stepping closer.
Chen'er froze.
Then he plucked the fallen petal from her hair and pocketed it as if it were a treasure.
Ruyi watched with interest.
"What a curious man."
The Emperor watched with a raised brow.
"What an inconvenient man."
The princes giggled behind them.
"What a romantic man!"
Chen'er nearly collapsed again.
Ruyi Notices Something
Liang's appearance…
His skill…
His timing…
None of it was coincidence.
Ruyi narrowed her eyes, her mind already weaving threads.
"Chen'er," she murmured, "did you ever mention him in your letters home?"
"No, my lady."
"Did he know where to find you?"
"No—"
"And yet…"
She glanced back at Liang, who was now showing the princes the correct foot pivot for decapitation* amidst their laughter.
"…he arrived on the exact day we received forged peace reports and Red Lotus warnings."
Chen'er swallowed.
"My lady… do you think he's dangerous?"
Ruyi's lips curved.
"Everyone is dangerous," she murmured. "But some are dangerous in ways that can be useful."
Her eyes softened—just slightly.
"And if he truly loves you, he'll be even more dangerous."
Chen'er turned beet red.
Ruyi turned toward the Emperor.
"Your Majesty… something is changing."
Zhao Long nodded.
"Something is coming."
From the roof above them, unseen by all, a single red lotus petal drifted down landing between Ruyi and Liang.
A warning.
A symbol.
A promise.
Ruyi lowered her lashes."…then let them come."
Chen'erAvoidsLiang Yuren
For the rest of the morning, the palace seemed to be playing a game with only two players
Liang Yuren and Chen'erbwho very desperately wanted NOT to be found.
Whenever Liang entered a hall, Chen'er vanished through a side door.
If he walked down a corridor, she ducked behind a passing servant.
When she saw him in the distance, she spun on her heel so fast she nearly twisted an ankle.
Wen Xiu watched this spectacle with open delight.
"You run like a criminal," she whispered.
"I am trying to evade someone!"
"Someone who adores you."
"He's a walking storm cloud with emotions!"
"He writes poetry, Chen'er."
"He prays too! Anyone who fights like a demon but prays like a monk is dangerous!"
Wen Xiu snorted.
"You're confusing danger with attraction."
"NO, I am not—"
Chen'er froze as a shadow stretched across the floor.
She didn't have to look to know whose footsteps those wereslow, steady, elegant.
Liang Yuren.
She ducked behind a decorative pillar.
Liang paused mid-step.
His cold eyes slid lazily toward the suspiciously shaking pillar.
"…Chen'er?"
Silence.
"Chen'er."
Softer this time.
Almost amused.
The pillar trembled.
Liang looked directly at it.
"If you wish to avoid me," he said calmly, "you should at least choose a pillar large enough to hide behind."
Wen Xiu choked on a laugh.
Chen'er leapt out from the opposite side
then bolted down the hall like her life depended on it.
Liang watched her flee, expression blank…
…but the corners of his mouth pulled up just a fraction
a smile meant for no one but himself.
The Emperor stepped out from the adjoining room.
"…is my palace a training ground for escaping criminals?"
Liang bowed."My cousin, I believe your maid fears I came to abduct her."
"She's not wrong," Zhao Long replied dryly.
"You chase her with your eyes."
Liang didn't deny it.
"I am simply… catching up to an old promise."
The Emperor gave him a sideways look.
"In this palace, catching requires permission."
"Then I will wait."
Liang's tone softened almost imperceptibly.
"I've waited five years already. A few more days will not kill me."
RuyiObserves
From across the courtyard, Ruyi watched Chen'er sprint past
and Liang watching her leave.
She tapped her fan against her palm thoughtfully.
"Well now," she murmured.
"This will be fun."
The Emperor, hearing her, gave her a sidelong glance.
"You find everything amusing these days."
"Only things that matter," Ruyi replied.
"And this?"
She smiled.
"Chen'er deserves someone willing to chase her without chasing too hard.
Zhao Long stared at her
a long, unreadable stare that held a quiet warmth.
"You truly care for your people."
"I value loyalty," Ruyi corrected.
"And Chen'er has given me her life without hesitation."
The Emperor's voice deepened.
"And what would you do…
if someone threatened her?"
Ruyi's lashes lowered.
"The same thing I would do if someone threatened you."
Her fan snapped shut.
"I do not forgive."
TheMessageFromtheDowager
Before the Emperor could speak again, a palace guard ran toward them and bowed.
"Your Majesties Her Imperial Highness the Dowager summons you both. Immediately."
Ruyi exchanged a glance with Zhao Long.
A rare dual summons meant only one thing
political tremor.
Or danger.
Or both.
Ruyi adjusted her sleeve calmly.
"Shall we go?"
Zhao Long nodded, expression turning cold.
Behind them, Liang watched Chen'er disappear around a pillar again.
Ruyi hid a smile.
"Come, Your Majesty," she murmured. "It seems the palace begins to move."
The Emperor exhaled, the weight of the court returning to his shoulders.
"And so," he said quietly,
"do we."