Chapter 3 – The Dangerous Decision
The candlelight in her tiny servant's quarters flickered against the cracked walls. Yanyue sat on the narrow bed, staring at her trembling hands.
Go to him tonight… or be dragged before him.
Either choice was dangerous. If the Emperor truly intended to restore her to her rightful place, the Chancellor—who had slaughtered her family—would not stand idle. If she resisted, Zhao Wenzhi might expose her, and her head would roll before dawn.
A knock at her door made her jump.
"Li Mei?" A fellow maid, Xiu'er, peeked in. "The Chief Eunuch says you are to attend His Majesty's study at midnight."
Yanyue's chest tightened. "Thank you. I'll… be there."
When the palace bells tolled the midnight hour, she crossed the shadowed gardens to the Emperor's private study. The lacquered doors opened at her approach.
He was alone, seated behind a table strewn with scrolls. The lamplight caught in his hair, turning the black strands to molten bronze.
"You came," he said, setting aside a brush.
"I had little choice," she replied quietly.
His eyes narrowed, but he leaned back, studying her. "Six years ago, the Li clan fell. The order came from my court—"
"From your mouth," she cut in, her voice sharp.
His jaw tightened. "I did it to protect the throne. To protect myself. If I hadn't… they would have killed me, and the empire would have bled into chaos."
Her throat burned with unshed tears. "And I was what? A sacrifice for your crown?"
His gaze softened, but only slightly. "You were the one thing I regretted. Every day."
The air between them grew heavy. She hated the way her heart still betrayed her, beating faster at his voice.
But before she could speak, the door slid open.
A woman's voice, smooth as silk, coiled into the room. "Your Majesty… am I interrupting something?"
Consort Liang stood in the doorway, her crimson robes spilling like a pool of blood around her feet. Her painted lips curved in a knowing smile.
And her eyes… were fixed on Yanyue.
Cliffhanger: "I don't believe we've met," Consort Liang said, stepping inside. "And yet… something about you feels so very familiar."