Dawn broke over the imperial city, washing the palace roofs with gold. The storm had passed, but its echoes lingered in hushed whispers: Wan Mei is gone. The emperor turned from her. Lady Li Yue stood tall.
Yet for Li Yue, the victory felt like something deeper—a wound finally closed.
An Ruo found her in the gardens, staring at the koi pond. "It is done," An Ruo said softly. "You should rejoice."
Li Yue smiled faintly. "Revenge is never sweet. It is… release."
An Ruo frowned. "And now?"
"Now, I live." Her voice carried a calm strength. "This time, I will not waste my days chasing love or fearing envy. I will build, protect, and carve my place by my own hand."
Later, the emperor summoned her. His gaze was thoughtful, less indulgent than when he looked at Wan Mei, but steadier. "You spoke wisely before the court. You chose patience over haste, truth over venom. Such clarity is rare."
Li Yue bowed. "I have walked through fire once, Your Majesty. I will not stumble again."
He studied her, then smiled faintly. "The palace needs balance, not just beauty. From today, you will manage the inner court alongside the empress. Do not fail me."
The announcement spread like wildfire. Li Yue, once a forgotten concubine, now stood among the most powerful women of the harem.
That evening, as lanterns glowed in her courtyard, Xiao Han appeared once more.
"You did it," he said simply.
Li Yue's lips curved. "I did what I had to."
He tilted his head. "And if fate should test you again?"
She looked up at the night sky, stars glimmering above. "Then I will rise again. For I am no longer the pawn I once was. I am the phoenix reborn."
The cicadas hummed, the palace lanterns swayed, and Li Yue felt a strange peace. The wheel of fate had turned, but this time, it turned by her hand.
Her story was no longer that of a forgotten concubine.
It was the story of a woman who seized destiny, shattered the false heroine, and carved her own legend.