Days passed, and the atmosphere in the palace shifted subtly. Whispers followed Li Yue wherever she went—not the mocking whispers of old, but uncertain ones. Some admired her clever defense, others speculated about the empress's interest in her.
But with attention came danger.
One evening, as she walked through the garden, a voice stopped her. "So, the forgotten concubine has found her tongue."
Li Yue turned. A tall man in dark robes stood beneath the lanterns, his expression unreadable. His features were sharp, his bearing commanding. She recognized him instantly: Xiao Han, the emperor's younger brother.
In her past life, she had barely exchanged words with him. He had been a shadow in the court, feared for his ruthlessness. Rumors whispered he commanded secret guards loyal only to him.
Li Yue inclined her head. "Your Highness."
Xiao Han's lips curved faintly, though the smile did not reach his eyes. "You surprised the court. Few dare to speak against Consort Lin, yet you did so without flinching."
"It was not courage," Li Yue replied quietly. "It was necessity."
"Necessity," he echoed. His gaze lingered on her, as if weighing her soul. "Tell me, Lady Li, do you intend to survive—or to win?"
Her pulse quickened. His words cut straight to the heart of her secret. She lowered her eyes, hiding the fire within them. "Survival is all I ask."
But Xiao Han's chuckle told her he did not believe her. "Very well. Perhaps survival will lead you farther than you expect." He turned to leave, then paused. "Be wary. The palace devours the careless. And you, Lady Li, have begun to taste too sweet for wolves to ignore."
With that, he vanished into the night, leaving her trembling—not with fear, but with recognition. For the first time, someone had seen her not as a pawn, but as a potential player.
The next day, summons arrived from the emperor himself.
An Ruo gasped. "His Majesty… he has not called for you in months!"
Li Yue's hands tightened around the silk letter. She remembered too well what had happened in her past life—the emperor had summoned her only to use her as a foil, scolding her in public while praising Lady Wan. Her humiliation had been sealed before the entire court.
But this time was different. Lady Wan had not yet entered the palace. And Li Yue was no longer the timid concubine waiting for scraps of affection.
The emperor sat upon his throne, resplendent in dragon robes, his gaze sharp as blades. Li Yue knelt, her forehead touching the ground.
"Rise," he commanded.
She obeyed, her movements graceful, her face serene.
"I have heard much of you lately," he said, his tone cool. "First mocked as insignificant, now accused of theft yet defended with wit. Tell me, Lady Li—have you grown bold, or merely reckless?"
Li Yue met his gaze. In her past life, she would have stammered, begging forgiveness. Today, she spoke with calm clarity.
"Neither, Your Majesty. I have simply grown weary of being misunderstood. I ask for no favor, no glory—only the chance to serve quietly, without false accusations staining my name."
The emperor studied her, surprise flickering in his eyes. He had expected tears, fear, perhaps a desperate plea. Instead, she had offered dignity.
At last, he said, "You speak wisely. Very well. I will watch you."
Dismissed, Li Yue walked out of the throne room with her heart pounding. He will watch me. That means I exist to him now. And if he watches me, I can change the story.
That night, as she gazed at the moon, Li Yue whispered, "In my last life, I was a shadow forgotten by all. This time, I will cast my own shadow across the palace."
And though she did not know it yet, someone else was also watching her from the darkness—Xiao Han, the emperor's brother, his eyes glinting with interest.
The game had only just begun.