Qian Renxue sat firmly upon the imperial throne, and the speed at which she consolidated her authority grew ever faster.
To bring the entire Heaven Dou Empire completely under her control, she centralized the empire's finances and seized every channel related to money and grain. Large-scale grain circulation was strictly regulated, placing the entire empire into a state of near wartime readiness.
At the same time, her suppression of the nobility intensified.
Once corruption or illegal dealings were uncovered, even the most illustrious noble houses could not escape punishment. For a time, fear spread through the aristocratic circles of Heaven Dou. Young nobles who once strutted about with arrogance and refinement now reined in their tempers and stayed indoors, terrified of drawing attention to themselves.
This unease soon spread to the Moon Pavilion.
In the past, Moon Pavilion had been a gathering place for noble youths. Entry required both immense wealth and status, and even then, a single place was hard to secure. But now the once-bustling halls had grown desolate, with few daring to visit.
Worse still, Emperor Xue Ye passed away suddenly. After Qian Renxue ascended the throne, all royal funding for Moon Pavilion was cut off entirely. This former source of immense profit was left barely able to sustain itself.
Deep within Moon Pavilion, inside an elegant yet silent hall—
"It truly never rains but it pours. What on earth is Xue Qinghe trying to do?"
Tang Yuehua frowned deeply, her fingers unconsciously twisting together until her knuckles turned white.
Her anxiety went far beyond Moon Pavilion's predicament.
What troubled her even more was the situation of the Clear Sky Sect, which had long gone into seclusion. Though hidden from the world, most of its members were unsuited to farming, forcing the sect to rely on outside purchases for grain, medicinal herbs, and daily necessities.
Now that Qian Renxue controlled the circulation of grain, both the difficulty and cost of acquiring supplies had increased severalfold.
To make matters worse, the sect's residence had recently suffered a mysterious earthquake. Houses were destroyed, disciples injured, and chaos spread through the mountains. The elders had no choice but to send envoys, desperately seeking ways to secure grain and medicine to survive the crisis.
"What should I do…?"
Tang Yuehua paced back and forth, her brows knitted tightly.
She had already contacted many nobles and merchants she once had good relations with, hoping to reopen old channels for buying grain. But under the current policies, those who once flattered her now avoided her entirely, terrified of being implicated. Even when grain was secured with great difficulty, it was often confiscated before it could be transported.
Just as despair began to creep in, a casual voice suddenly sounded from the doorway.
"Eh? Isn't Moon Pavilion supposed to be a place of elegance famed among the nobles?"
"Why is it so quiet today? Not a single soul in sight?"
Tang Yuehua stiffened and turned sharply.
At the entrance stood Bai Mu, dressed in white, a faint smile on his lips as he strolled inside. His gaze swept leisurely across the hall before finally settling on her.
"Your Highness, King of Order," Tang Yuehua said quickly, lowering her head. "Your presence honors Moon Pavilion. Please forgive my failure to receive you properly."
Her heart sank.
Not long after Xue Qinghe's ascension, Bai Mu had been granted the title of King of Order—a clear sign of imperial favor. It was even rumored that many of the new emperor's decrees originated from Bai Mu himself.
"No need for formality," Bai Mu replied lightly. "With Madam here, any place is worth visiting."
His tone shifted subtly as he stepped closer.
"I know very well what troubles you these days."
Tang Yuehua's heart tightened, but she forced herself to remain calm.
"I don't understand what Your Highness means."
"It doesn't matter whether you understand or not," Bai Mu said with a faint smile, his words striking with quiet precision.
"Natural disasters, supply shortages… these are only the beginning. I'm quite curious how long the Clear Sky Sect can endure."
Shock and fear flickered in her eyes.
"You—what exactly do you intend?"
Bai Mu regarded her calmly.
"Merely observing. When a cornered group faces life and death, will it rise up in desperation—or collapse in silence?"
Tang Yuehua clenched her teeth.
"If you push people too far, aren't you afraid of consequences?"
"Consequences?" Bai Mu chuckled softly. "I've always found them… interesting."
He stopped in front of her, his gaze steady and oppressive.
"That said, I do have some influence before Her Majesty the Empress."
His tone lowered slightly.
"If I were willing to speak on your behalf, the grain crisis of the Clear Sky Sect could be eased. Moon Pavilion, too, might survive this storm."
Tang Yuehua's shoulders trembled faintly.
She understood his meaning clearly. This was a threat—and an offer she could not refuse.
"If this continues," Bai Mu added calmly, "the suffering will only grow. Opportunities like this do not come twice."
Silence filled the hall.
At last, Tang Yuehua closed her eyes briefly, then opened them again, the pride in her gaze replaced by weary resolve.
"…What do you want from me?"
Bai Mu studied her for a moment, then smiled faintly.
"Nothing crude. I've simply long admired Madam's refinement and artistry. I wish to learn."
Her heart tightened, but she nodded slowly.
"If it is only instruction, I can teach you etiquette and music."
Bai Mu neither confirmed nor denied it, merely turning away.
"Then we have an understanding."
As he left the hall, Tang Yuehua remained standing in place, her figure framed by the empty elegance of Moon Pavilion—knowing full well that from this moment on, nothing would ever be the same.
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