The echo of General Wei's boots still rang in Phoenix Hall long after he was gone. The chest of silver had been carried away, and the maids still crouched on the floor, too frightened to breathe loudly.
Ananya remained standing in the middle of the hall, her heart pounding in her ears. She forced her voice steady. "They strip me like a criminal, and for what? They don't even tell me the reason."
Fen Yu darted in front of her, fists balled, her round eyes blazing. "It's unfair! It's cruel! They just want to see you fall!"
Wei Rong's jaw clenched, his eyes smoldering. "This is no accident. Someone planted it. Rumors don't grow this fast without poison."
Li Shen's voice, calm as still water, carried the edge of a blade. "And if poison spreads, we must find the hand that poured it."
Ananya turned to them sharply. "But how? I can't even leave this hall now."
Fen Yu floated closer, lowering her voice as though afraid the walls had ears. "You don't have to. We will."
Ananya blinked, startled. "You mean—"
Wei Rong smirked darkly. "Investigate. Slip into corners no one dares. No eyes can catch us. We'll see where the whispers started."
Li Shen gave a single grave nod. "We divide. Soldiers, scribes, maids. Each leaves a trail. By dawn, we'll know who holds the knife."
Ananya's throat tightened. "And if you find something? What then? What proof can ghosts bring me?"
Fen Yu reached out, her hands brushing the air near Ananya's cheek. "Then at least you'll know the truth. You won't fight shadows blind."
Wei Rong barked a laugh. "Don't worry, girl. We'll bite harder than they expect."
For the first time since General Wei's arrival, a faint smile touched her lips. She lowered her eyes, whispering, "Go, then. But return to me."
The three ghosts shared a look, and without another word, they melted into the dark corners of the hall, vanishing like smoke.
Ananya sank onto her seat beside the cold lamp. She lifted her embroidery, but her hands shook too much to guide the needle.
She stared at the cloth in silence. They won't tell me why. They think fear will break me. But I will not bow. Not now.
The hall was still, but in its silence, unseen allies moved through the night.