"Oh! That ghost…"
The words slipped from Zhan's lips before he could stop himself, his heart racing wildly. Dowager Ruyan and Daneen, startled by his outburst, both turned sharply to look at him.
"Son! Ghost? Where?" Daneen asked in surprise.
Zhan swallowed hard, then quickly shook his head, forcing a nervous smile. "N–Nothing, Momma. I didn't say anything." His tongue stumbled clumsily as he tried to cover up his slip.
Daneen opened her mouth to speak again, but Dowager Ruyan gave her a subtle look that told her to leave it. Reluctantly, Daneen pressed her lips together, replacing her words with a faint smile.
Zhan's entire body trembled, though he did everything he could to keep it hidden. He pressed himself against the chair, repeating silent reassurances in his mind, desperate to shake off the dread that clung to him. No matter how much he tried, he couldn't deny it...the figure haunting his thoughts, the stranger, was right here in this room.
As Daneen moved to prepare food for King Yibo, Dowager Ruyan gave her a small shake of the head and flicked her gaze toward Zhan. Daneen lowered her eyes, then glanced at Zhan with a knowing look.
"My dear."
At the gentle call, Zhan looked up in surprise. Dowager Ruyan tilted her head slightly toward the food. He hesitated, not fully catching her silent gesture, until Daneen leaned closer and spoke softly, clarifying.
With a shaky exhale, Zhan obeyed. Still restless, his chest rising and falling too quickly, he moved around Dowager Ruyan and settled near King Yibo. When he bent slightly to reach for the dish, the faint, intoxicating fragrance that had unsettled him earlier brushed against his senses again. The same fragrance… unmistakable.
Startled, Zhan jerked back a little, trying to steady himself, but the tremor running through his body betrayed him.
"Son, are you unwell?" Dowager Ruyan asked with careful concern. Even King Yibo glanced briefly toward them at her words.
Zhan shook his head quickly, fighting to mask his panic. "I'm fine, Momma." His voice was thin, unconvincing.
Despite his denial, his head swam, and his vision blurred faintly. After serving King Yibo, he dragged himself back to his seat, each step stiff, as though any sudden movement might make him lose control completely.
Not once did he manage to bring the food to his lips. He kept turning the spoon in his hand, sneaking glances toward King Yibo, who was eating in composed silence, every gesture regal and deliberate.
When Daneen noticed his untouched plate, she gave him a gentle reminder. Zhan forced a small smile and finally lifted a spoonful to his mouth. He chewed slowly, but it felt like swallowing stones.
At that very moment, King Yibo set his own spoon aside and reached for a napkin. Their eyes collided....again.
Zhan tried to tear his gaze away, but King Yibo's sharp eyes held him fast. The king leaned back slightly, tilting his head in a calm, unhurried manner. Then, with a subtle curve of his lips, he gave Zhan a slow, deliberate wink.
Zhan's breath caught. His chest tightened.
Both Daneen and Dowager Ruyan noticed his sudden stiffness and reached toward him at the same time. Dowager Ruyan quickly offered him water, while Daneen rubbed his back, whispering soothingly.
Zhan coughed hard, trying to catch his breath, his face pale. Yet, even as he steadied, he refused to look again toward the king's side of the table.
When the gathering finally ended, he followed Daneen and Dowager Ruyan out. But as King Yibo stepped toward his car, the inevitable happened...Zhan's eyes lifted, clashing once more with his.
This time, something inside Zhan flared. His fear twisted into a burst of defiance. He clenched his jaw, narrowed his eyes, and shot the king a sharp glare.
And King Yibo, calm and inscrutable, only moved his lips slightly...as though on the edge of a smile, or perhaps about to speak...before vanishing behind the open door of the waiting car.
- - - -
Confusion, astonishment, and wonder all came together to rob Zhan of sleep that night. His mind was completely tangled by everything that had happened earlier. Was that man truly a ghost? Or something else he could not yet understand?
No matter how he tried, his thoughts always circled back to their past encounters.... three in total. If his reckoning was right, then the man must indeed be of this household, since Daneen had called him her son, just as Dowager Ruyan had called him her grandson.
That explained his air of authority, the grandeur that clung to him....enough to rival even a king's. For Zhan, however, this household was beginning to twist logic beyond recognition. From what he could see, Daneen was living here, which would mean she was separated from her husband. Or perhaps she had married into the household? But ever since his arrival, Zhan had never once seen any sign of a husband or a separate residence for her.
"Ahh…"
The heavy sigh slipped from Zhan's lips as he sank deeper into restless thoughts.
The Next Morning
Just as Zhan had wrestled through the night with unanswered questions, Dowager Ruyan too had been sleepless, unsettled by what she had observed and pieced together. By dawn, unable to keep it to herself, she summoned Daneen.
Daneen entered hurriedly, worried that perhaps Dowager Ruyan had taken ill in the night. But seeing her seated calmly, she let out a breath of relief and moved to sit beside her.
"Momma, you startled me...I thought perhaps you hadn't been well."
The Dowager gave a faint smile without replying, instead handing Daneen the balm for her aching legs. Daneen accepted it quietly and began applying it, her own lips curved in a soft smile.
"Daneen," Dowager Ruyan asked at last, "what did you understand?"
Daneen looked up, puzzled. "About what, Momma?"
"The meeting between Yibo and the royal consort."
Daneen chuckled lightly. "Momma, you'll make me laugh. Why bring up such a matter?"
"Just answer me."
"I don't know exactly what you mean, but from what I see, their pairing feels destined...as if they were always meant to complement one another as husbands."
Dowager Ruyan turned her head, smiling faintly. "That is not all I see."
Daneen fixed her with a steady look, waiting. For a moment, the Dowager remained silent, as though she might say nothing more. But at last she continued:
"My observation tells me it is as if there was already a bond between them, before yesterday's encounter."
"A bond?" Daneen repeated in surprise. "Are you saying they knew each other already?"
"That is what it seems."
"But Momma, how? Don't forget...Yibo does not leave these walls. On the rare occasion he does, he is surrounded by guards. Where, then, would he have had the chance to form such a connection with a boy of Zhan's standing? Remember, even within these walls, not all are permitted to see his face, let alone the commoners outside."
"That is exactly what troubles me. My heart tells me there is something we do not yet know...something beyond what has been shown to us."
"What kind of something, Momma?"
"That," she said gravely, "is the very answer I am still searching for."
Both women fell into silence, each lost in her own unsettled thoughts.
~**~
Barrister Aas had finally succeeded in locating Babiy and Huan. Yet it was not the previous day as Grandfa had been led to expect; they had waited until evening before giving up, frustrated by the lack of word. When Barrister confirmed their whereabouts at last, he immediately called Zeng with the news.
Zeng, eager, went straight to inform Grandfa...but found that he had entered the temple. Containing his excitement, he waited outside.
When the prayers ended, the crowd began filing out. Grandfa emerged among the first, steady despite his age. As he moved to rise, a man nearby extended his hand in greeting. Grandfa accepted it politely, smiling faintly.
But the man's smile lingered too long, his eyes locking with Grandfa's, sharp and unyielding. Grandfa, unsettled, found himself staring back, sensing there was more behind the gaze.
"I know you value goodwill, old man," the stranger said evenly. "Do not turn it into harm against those who've shown you none. Take my advice: keep those two away from matters that do not concern them. Otherwise, you and they may soon find yourselves where your son-in-law and grandson already are."
With that, the man pulled his hand free and rose. Grandfa's eyes followed him in shock until the figure disappeared into the crowd. Only then did he draw in a ragged breath, his chest pounding as though it might burst from the strain of what he had just heard.
As soon as he stepped out, he ran into Zeng. They locked eyes for a few seconds before moving closer. Zeng, spotting him with excitement, hurried over. Without any greeting, Zeng bent toward Grandfa's ear and whispered the message from Barrister.
Grandfa forced a faint smile, then slightly nodded, though his eyes betrayed deep thought. Zeng, still not noticing Grandfa's unsettled mood, said eagerly,
"Baba, let's go...Barrister is waiting for us right now."
Grandfa's gaze lingered on him, as though he wanted to refuse. His heart reminded him of the weight of their kindness toward him...he could never bear to put their lives, or those of their families, at risk. If anything, he was willing to sacrifice his own strength to shield them. The words of that man had only reinforced his suspicions that there was a hidden scheme surrounding Babiy's capture, just as there had been in the hospital when Mah's had been denied treatment.
This meant all their movements were being tracked closely….
"Baba, look... he's calling me again," Zeng interrupted his thoughts.
Grandfa let out a hidden sigh. Zeng's impatience made it clear he had no time to dwell further. He told himself he'd wait for the right moment to think through things carefully, not because those pursuing them were stronger than him, but because he did not want to take a path he had long despised. Yet, with them, even approaching where he stood would be impossible....let alone touching his bloodline.
Barrister
Barrister Aas placed his phone down after ending the call. His eyes shifted to his secretary, who was about to leave, assuming his boss was still busy.
"Sui," he called.
The secretary halted immediately, turning back with respect.
"Is there a problem?"
"No, Sir. Just that… a man insists on seeing you. I tried explaining you had an urgent schedule, but he refused to listen."
Barrister paused in thought for a moment, then exhaled slowly, shaking his head. "Fine. Let him in. Even if it's just for ten minutes...I'm about to head out anyway."
"Okay, Sir."
The man entered, drawing Barrister's gaze instantly. Without waiting for permission, he took a seat, his eyes scanning the office like someone mentally cataloguing everything inside. Finally, he turned to Barrister, as if on cue, and extended his hand.
Barrister almost hesitated, but then accepted the handshake.
"I'm sorry, Barrister. I know you don't know me, and I entered without asking. But don't let my name matter...what's important is why I came here." He smiled faintly, continuing before Barrister could interrupt. "What you need to know is simple. This...." he placed a leather bag on the desk, "....contains enough money to keep you comfortable for a long time. All I want is for you to forget about the case your in-law brought to you. In fact, I want you to stop him from meddling in things that don't concern him."
"And why exactly should I do that?" Barrister asked, his tone firm though anger was beginning to rise within him.
"The reason doesn't matter. What matters is this...if you ignore my advice, then that becomes your problem, Barrister."
Barrister's face darkened, his anger now plain. He was about to speak when his phone rang, breaking the moment. Both men turned toward the device, then glanced back at each other.
The stranger smiled, pointing at the phone. "Go ahead, answer it."
Barrister clicked his tongue in irritation, shooting him a sharp look before reaching for his phone, which continued buzzing insistently….
"…Hello."
He said sharply, not knowing who it was. Instead of answering, the caller spoke his name, as though whispering it directly into his ear.
"Barrister Aas! Don't be stubborn, or you'll lose yourself... and those you're trying to protect. I am giving you an order, not advice. Even your family won't escape the snare that's closing in."
Barrister flinched as though stung. The voice continued with authority:
"They're already on their way to you. It's up to you now... distance yourself from them, and warn your in-law. I leave you with this."
Before he could respond, the call ended abruptly.
He pulled the phone from his ear and immediately tried redialing the number, but....
The man with him stood up, chuckling. "Barrister, don't bother. You'll never reach him again, not on this line. I'll take my leave."
Barrister struggled to catch his breath, then just as the man was about to leave, his own courage pushed him to speak harshly:
"I don't get frightened by shadows or cowards. Take your trash bag with you....it will serve you better than leaving it here to become a stain on your part. That's advice."
The words struck deep, but the man, street-hardened and arrogant, only smirked. Without a word, he gave Barrister a mock salute, then left.
Behind him, Grandfa and Zeng, who were about to enter the office, had nearly bumped into the man. He glanced at them briefly, neither greeting nor pausing, then left with the air of someone important.
Grandfa and Zeng didn't mind him; it was clear enough from his bearing that he was a man of influence.
Barrister, left standing, forced himself to swallow the anger twisting across his face. After a moment, he greeted Grandfa and Zeng with respect as they entered, just as they always did.
Grandfa gave a slight smile. "So, you finally found where they are?"
Barrister returned the smile faintly, nodding, and pulled a file from his desk. "Honestly, I didn't think it would come this easily, Grandfa. But we've been fortunate. I think we should hurry there before any obstacle arises. You know the state of this country."
Both Grandfa and Zeng agreed. Without delay, the three of them rose and left together, each lost in his own thoughts...especially Grandfa and Barrister.
Palace – Dowager Taihou
Eager to know how the meeting between the King and the male royal consort had gone yesterday, Dowager Taihou prepared to visit Dowager Ruyan's quarters today.
Among her small retinue was Jasrah, who wished to check on Zhan again. Already, the palace spies had rushed ahead to inform their masters. It was routine in the empire... every spy reported even the slightest movements of nobles to their patrons. In this way, secrets spread quickly to the ears of every influential figure in the palace, especially matters meant to stay hidden.
Dowager Taihou was received with the honor befitting her status at her mother-in-law's residence. Attendants served them refreshments, but because the meeting concerned their private secrets, all servants were dismissed.
In the vast sitting room, only Dowager Ruyan, Dowager Taihou, Jasrah, and Daneen remained. Their discussion lasted for some time before Dowager Ruyan sent her trusted maid, Banou, to summon Zhan.
Zhan was restless. He had woken from a troubling afternoon dream about his parents, which left his chest heavy and his limbs cold. He had not left his room the whole day, apart from exchanging morning greetings with Daneen and Dowager Ruyan as he usually did.
Earlier, servants had delivered food along with a message from Daneen saying she would come to see him. Dowager Ruyan herself often visited to check on him... an elder whose calm presence and quiet dignity had slowly softened Zhan's guarded heart. Though not overly cheerful, she sometimes drew him into conversation, and her care reminded him of the family he longed for.
Still, unease lingered in him. Deep inside, he felt that some danger was approaching through his parents... if it hadn't already arrived.
The heat of the day made him remove the cloth wrapped around his head. His long, dark hair fell loose at the center, framing his youthful face.
He uncovered the untouched tray of food. Appetite was absent, as it had been since morning. Instead, he poured himself a cup of milk and drank it slowly, as was common in the land.
He placed the cup on the bedside drawer and headed to change into lighter clothing. After washing, he dressed in a thin, white robe adorned with red floral patterns. The garment illuminated his youth and freshness.
From the perfumes Daneen had left him, Zhan picked three scents, spraying them lightly across his body. Calmly, he returned to the bed, noting the redness of his hands from earlier illness.
He pulled the blanket halfway up his legs and leaned against the mattress, whispering with a sigh, "Enough… let it be."
The notebook where Zhan recorded everything that happened lay open in his hands. He hoped writing might ease the restless thoughts tormenting him about his parents, but the haunting dream refused to leave his mind... not even for a second.
On the surface, he looked ready to pour his feelings onto paper: his eyes fixed on the page, pen steady in his hand, posture calm and composed. But no words came. Not even two. It was as if someone had washed his mind clean, leaving it empty. The farther he drifted into his thoughts, the more the old words he had written blurred and slipped away before his eyes.
A knock at the door startled him. He drew a sharp breath, then grabbed the outer robe hanging beside him and draped it over his shoulders before answering:
"Yes! Whoever it is, come in."
The maid Banou entered nervously. Fear of Zhan was plain on her face and in the way her voice trembled as much as her body.
"Greetings the royal consort."
Zhan shot her a sharp glare. "And you expect me to be well, when I'm surrounded by sycophants like you who lick the crumbs of others? Enough! Speak what brought you here...I've no patience for witches like you."
Banou lowered her head, voice unsteady. She truly feared the young man, for his words always struck straight, without hesitation.
"Uhm… it's just that Dowager Ruyan wishes to see you."
Zhan lifted a hand dismissively. In his heart, he deeply disliked this woman. As Banou turned to open the door again, his mocking tone stopped her.
"Wait for me outside. And don't you dare touch a single soul of one of my attendants while I prepare. If even one falls ill, I'll have you dragged out of this palace myself."
Banou's body shook as she stammered, "That will never happen, your royal consort."
"Hypocrite," Zhan muttered under his breath, stepping down from the bed.
- - - -
From the moment he entered the sitting room, Zhan kept his gaze lowered. Not once did he look directly at them. But unlike him, they couldn't take their eyes off the young man who carried himself with a calm dignity that drew their hearts.
Instead of choosing a chair as the others had, Zhan sat quietly on the soft carpet below.
"Huh, my son, come sit with us," Jasrah urged, trying to coax him upward.
Zhan only shook his head gently, a faint smile on his lips. "No, this is fine for me."
They all looked at him with admiration and warmth. He turned and greeted Dowager Ruyan, who responded with kindness and affection. He then paid his respects to Dowager Taihou, who...despite her usual pride and authority...found herself smiling, oddly softened by the boy's presence.
Silence stretched for a few moments before Daneen broke it, calling his name.
He answered respectfully but still did not raise his head.
"Look at us," Daneen said more firmly. "Lift your face."
With effort, Zhan obeyed. No matter how defiant he seemed at times, he had a hidden trait: respect for anyone who showed him genuine care, even if others thought they didn't deserve it.
"My son," Daneen said softly, "by now you know all of us, don't you?"
"Yes, Mamy."
"But you don't yet know our true place, do you?"
Again, he replied quietly, "No, Mamy."
"Then today you will learn. I want your full attention...listen carefully."
He nodded.
"Just as you know, Momma...for us, that is Dowager Ruyan..she is our mother. She gave birth to your father-in-law, my brother, and also to me and two others you will learn of later. One of them has already passed away."
Her words hit him with unexpected weight. His lips trembled slightly before he answered in a low, pained voice:
"May he… rest in peace."
They exchanged a heavy silence, watching him closely as the truth settled deeper into his heart.
Daneen continued, "The one you hear addressed as Dowager Taihou is in fact your mother-in-law. She is the one who gave birth to the King of this empire now, your husband who came yesterday…"
Startled, Zhan's eyes widened, his chest pounding as if his heart wanted to leap out. In a rush of words, he blurted, "The King! That man from yesterday..." but then quickly stopped, swallowing the rest of his sentence once he remembered where he was.
"Did you know him before yesterday?"
The question came unexpectedly from Dowager Ruyan, who had been studying him closely. Zhan broke into a cold sweat, shaking his head quickly. Skilled at quick thinking, he managed to add, "Momma, I was only surprised. I never imagined it would be so easy to see the King face-to-face."
Their lips curved into faint smiles at his youthful remark, though Dowager Ruyan's sharp eyes had already read through his hesitation. Yet, wise and composed, she joined in the polite smile as well.
Daneen continued, "This is Dowager Taihou's younger sister... your aunt by marriage. I'm presenting them all to you together because what you are about to hear is of great importance."
Zhan nodded in acknowledgment. Jasrah then picked up where Daneen had stopped.
"Son, the reason we have given you this long introduction is because today marks the beginning of your duty as a royal consort within this palace. Now that you have recovered, you will be moved into your royal consort chambers like the other two royal consorts. However, since you are new, you will receive guidance and training from our trusted attendants to help you adjust to your position. You were chosen for your composure and discipline. There is no need to revisit the tragedies of the past, for as a son of this land, you already know the sorrow surrounding the deaths of the King's former consorts."
Zhan swallowed hard, struggling to contain the grief that welled up in his throat at the thought of his lost sister's, managing only a small nod.
Dowager Taihou then spoke, her tone softer than expected. "My son, you will be the first person in my life I must ask a great favor from. This comes from the bond I already feel toward you and the light we all see in you. We believe you are the one who may bring clarity to the darkness that surrounds us. We need you to be close to King Yibo and uncover the truth of what lies behind these misfortunes, for all of the previous consorts died mysteriously after entering his chambers. I give you my word...we will protect you and never allow harm to come your way."
Dowager Ruyan continued firmly, "We shall arrange gradual and discreet meetings between you and King Yibo. Our hope is that you will observe him carefully...his actions, his habits, and his interactions with both courtiers and servants. Be vigilant. King Yibo is clever, deeply private, and difficult to understand. His face and words reveal little of his true intent. Do not, under any circumstances, let him suspect you. Our hope is that you will act bravely and wisely in all matters concerning him and this court. And whatever you encounter that seems unusual or troubling, report it immediately to one of us."
Their words made Zhan's heart race for two reasons: the heavy responsibility now thrust upon him...and the hidden storm that already brewed in his own heart.
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛