Night settled quietly over the inner Palace.
Lantern light spilled softly across stone floors, and the world beyond Xin Ying's chamber faded into distant silence. She lay on her narrow bed, exhaustion heavy in her limbs, staring at the dark wooden beams above.
Good thing I passed my science classes, she thought faintly. Otherwise, I wouldn't have noticed the potatoes.
A bitter smile touched her lips.
In her old life, knowledge had been a tool for teaching.
Here, it had become a weapon for survival.
She closed her eyes.
That same night, within the Empress's private hall, a report was delivered.
"A servant named Xin Ying," the head servant said quietly.
"She solved the poisoning case."
Li Hua sat behind a low table, fingers resting lightly on porcelain.
"Hmm…" the Empress murmured. "Interesting."
Her gaze lifted, thoughtful.
"I want to see her tomorrow morning," Li Hua said. "Prepare another meal and tea."
She paused, then added softly, "For our guest."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The knock came at dawn.
Xin Ying opened the door to find a servant standing straight-backed, her expression formal.
"The Empress wishes to see you now."
Xin Ying's heart tightened.
"Yes."
She followed quickly, adjusting her robes as they walked. The closer they drew to the inner hall, the more magnificent the Palace became—silk curtains layered like mist, jade ornaments gleaming softly, attendants lining the walls in perfect silence.
When the doors opened, Xin Ying stepped inside.
The hall was vast.
At its center, upon the throne, sat a woman cloaked in regal stillness.
Beautiful.
Cold.
Power gathered around her like frost.
Xin Ying dropped to her knees at once, bowing until her forehead touched the stone floor.
"Rise," the Empress said.
Xin Ying obeyed and was guided to a seat. She sat carefully, hands folded, eyes lowered—then instinct took over.
She observed.
Behind the Empress stood a man, dressed as a palace attendant.
Something was wrong.
His stance is off, Xin Ying thought. Too rigid.
Her gaze sharpened.
There—beneath the sleeve.
Metal.
A knife.
Xin Ying did not think.
She lunged forward.
"Your Majesty—!"
The man moved at the same instant, blade flashing—but guards surged in from all sides. In the chaos, the knife sliced upward.
Pain exploded across Xin Ying's face.
Blood poured warm and blinding from her right eye as she staggered, crashing to the floor.
"Guards!" the Empress shouted. "Seize him!"
Steel rang. The assassin was restrained.
"Call Li Yuetong," the Empress ordered sharply. "And the physician—now!"
She rushed down from the throne, kneeling beside Xin Ying, hands trembling as she pressed cloth against the bleeding wound.
"Stay with me," Li Hua said urgently. "Don't close your eyes."
Xin Ying tried to speak—but the world tilted.
Fear. Pain. Darkness.
She fainted.
When she woke, the world was quiet.
Too quiet.
Her head throbbed. Her right side felt heavy, numb.
Bandages covered her eye.
"…This voice…" Xin Ying thought faintly.
She turned her head.
Li Yuetong stood near the bed, speaking in low tones with the Empress and a man she didn't recognize—likely the physician.
When Li Hua noticed movement, she rushed to her side.
"Are you all right?" the Empress asked, voice tight with worry.
"I'm… fine," Xin Ying replied hoarsely.
Li Yuetong's expression was solemn. "The knife cut too deeply. The physician says your right eye can no longer see."
The words struck like a bell.
Xin Ying froze.
Then slowly, she sat up.
"Careful," the Empress said immediately, reaching out to steady her.
Is she… that caring? Xin Ying thought distantly. The novel said she was cold…
She pushed the thought aside.
"Thank you," Li Hua said quietly. "If not for you, I don't know what would have happened."
Her eyes searched Xin Ying's face. "How did you notice him?"
Xin Ying opened her mouth.
"Because th—"
Sudden pain surged through her chest.
She coughed.
Blood stained the cloth at her lips.
"Oh my god—!" the Empress gasped. "Are you all right?!"
Li Yuetong stepped forward instantly.
"I'm… f-fine," Xin Ying forced out, wiping her mouth weakly.
Inside, her thoughts raced.
So I can't tell them the plot, she realized. The story won't let me.
The room fell silent.
Outside, the Palace breathed on—unaware that fate had just claimed its price.
Xin Ying lay back against the pillows, one eye bandaged, blood still warm at her lips.
She had saved the Empress.
And lost something she could never take back.
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Thank you for reading my novel