The first bells of the Imperial City tolled at the hour of the Dragon, a low, resonant hum that rippled through the pre-dawn darkness. From the highest tier of the capital's golden roofs down to the crooked eaves of the merchant streets, the city stirred as though awoken by a giant's breath.
Mist pooled between the palace walls like restless ghosts, rolling along the white-jade pathways where night lanterns still flickered faintly. The dew was sharp this morning, clinging to the lacquered beams of the Hall of Heavenly Radiance — the very place where, by midday, the fate of the empire's highest marriage would be sealed.
Beyond the grand avenues, the servants' quarters bustled to life. Robed attendants hurried with steaming basins, bundles of brocade, and stacks of ceremonial scrolls. The sharp scent of incense drifted from the temple annex, mingling with the crisp bite of morning air.
In the shadowed corners of the palace kitchens, gossip bloomed faster than the fires they lit.
"They say the Empress's chosen consort has no clan, no court rank… no cultivation at all," whispered a laundry maid as she wrung out a crimson sash.
"A mute, too," another replied with a low snicker, glancing over her shoulder. "What sort of omen is that? A husband who cannot speak?"
"Better mute than treacherous," said an older servant, though even she sounded unconvinced. "But if the ministers have their way, he won't keep the Empress's pillow warm for long."
The words traveled like embers on dry grass, curling from the servant halls to the antechambers of the court, where silk-clad ministers were already sharpening their smiles.
The Groom Prepares
In a small, understated wing of the palace far from the grand ceremonial chambers, Meng Qingzhou sat motionless before a bronze mirror. The flickering candlelight softened the sharp line of his jaw and cast shadows that hinted at secrets long kept.
An attendant — a boy barely sixteen — fussed nervously with the folds of Qingzhou's formal robe. Layers of deep indigo and gold fell in precise symmetry, each stitch and thread meant to proclaim dignity, even if the man wearing them was seen as a commoner among wolves.
"Your Grace," the boy ventured hesitantly, "this… may be the most important day of your life."
Qingzhou lifted his gaze to the boy's reflection, his eyes calm but unreadable. A soft tilt of his head — neither a nod nor a shake — dismissed the boy's attempt at conversation.
The truth was, words were unnecessary. They would have been dangerous.
Beneath the careful stillness of his features, Qingzhou's thoughts moved like water beneath ice. His silence had been a shield for years — long enough for the court to believe he was harmless. Long enough for them to forget that a man who does not speak is not a man who cannot think.
A thin smile ghosted his lips as the final fastening was tied. Today, he would walk into the grandest hall of the empire not as a lamb led to slaughter, but as a blade hidden in plain sight.
The Palace Awakens
By the time the sun's first light touched the vermilion gates of the outer court, the palace grounds had transformed. Silk banners rippled high above, embroidered with golden phoenixes whose wings caught the light like fire. Court musicians assembled in two long lines, their zithers and flutes tuned to the ceremonial mode of blessings.
From the high balconies, foreign envoys peered down, their jewel-colored robes a splash of color amid the sea of black-and-gold court dress. The marriage of an Empress was not merely a union — it was a statement to all nations. And the statement today was one of… confusion.
"Is that truly him?" murmured a general to a minister beside him as Meng Qingzhou emerged into the light, his steps unhurried, his expression calm as polished jade.
"No family. No title. And silent as a stone," the minister replied, hiding his smirk behind his fan. "The Empress must see something the rest of us do not. Or perhaps… she is blinded by stubbornness."
Qingzhou passed beneath the gaze of hundreds without flinching. His eyes swept once — slowly — across the assembled court, noting every narrowed gaze, every forced smile. He felt the pressure of their judgment like the weight of a thousand unsheathed blades.
He smiled inwardly.
Let them look.
By midday, the ceremony would begin.
And by the time the sun set, Meng Qingzhou would no longer be the harmless, voiceless husband they imagined.
[Reader's Reference Section]
Characters Introduced/Featured:
Meng Qingzhou – Male lead, outwardly mute and of no social standing, but secretly cured and hiding his voice; carries himself with calm precision, using silence to disarm opponents.
Unnamed Court Ministers – Political figures seeking to depose Qingzhou before his influence grows.
Palace Servants – Represent the common voice of gossip and public opinion in the palace.
Places:
Imperial City – The empire's capital, built in concentric rings with the palace at its heart. Hall of Heavenly Radiance – Main ceremonial hall for imperial weddings and grand announcements. Groom's Wing – A smaller, less ornate palace wing designated for Qingzhou's preparation, subtly indicating his lower perceived status.
Notable Objects/Symbols:
Indigo and Gold Formal Robe – Marriage attire signifying union with royalty; the gold symbolizes imperial favor, the indigo a mark of steadfastness. Golden Phoenix Banners – Empress's personal crest, signifying authority and renewal.