After the trial, Suwei was moved to a pavilion closer to the imperial residence.
A symbolic gesture.
A political message.
But also...
A provocation.
Since then, his servants began to rotate frequently.
Messengers took longer.
The gazes... were colder.
And that night, the tea had a strange aroma.
—
It was Lin Qiao, a young nurse from the Yueji House, who noticed the change.
"My lord..." she said as she bowed, "with your permission, may I taste it first?"
Suwei nodded.
Lin Qiao drank barely a drop...
And her face turned pale.
"It's a silent flower... a poison that slowly numbs the senses."
It leaves no mark. Only... forgetfulness.
—
Immediately, Suwei ordered silence.
"Don't say a word outside this pavilion."
"Should I inform the Council?" she asked.
Suwei shook his head.
"First... the emperor."
—
That same night, an anonymous messenger delivered a black-sealed letter to the throne.
Jin Long opened it expressionlessly.
He read it in silence.
