Wei Estate – Moonless Night

The wine in General Wei Xuanzhi’s cup had long since gone cold.

He sat alone in his war hall, surrounded by relics of old victories—battle maps, banners, carved bronze blades. All reminders of a man who used to matter.

But tonight, the silence mocked him.

He had been humiliated.

By her.

In front of the very court that once praised his brilliance.

Her voice echoed in his mind—measured, superior, laced with knowledge she shouldn’t have had.

She died. On her wedding night.

The words haunted him, though he didn’t yet understand why.

Minister Yu arrived before dawn.

No servants. No guards. Just two men with too much to lose and too little time left to be subtle.

“The tide has turned against you,” Yu said without pleasantries. “She’s eroding your foundation, and you’re letting her do it in front of the throne.”

“You speak as if I have a choice,” Wei muttered.

Yu leaned forward.

“You do. Side with me. Publicly. Openly. Back the rightful heir—Prince Shenwei—and we will rebuild your influence together.”

“You’ll be the general who put an emperor on the throne.”

“Or,” he said, lowering his voice, “you can continue being the relic she’s turning you into.”

Wei’s hand tightened around his wine cup until it cracked.

He stood.

“Draw up the alliance terms.”

Eastern Palace – That Same Morning

Shen Lianhua received the news over tea.

Wei Xuanzhi had submitted a formal letter of alignment to Minister Yu’s faction.

A single line from the report made her smile.

"He believes she can’t strike directly without risking the Emperor’s judgment."

“He still doesn’t see it,” she murmured.

“See what?” Xiao Fen asked.

Lianhua stood, walking to her window where sunlight was just breaking over the palace roofs.

“That I never needed to strike him directly.”

“I just needed him to betray himself.”

Later – Crown Prince’s Pavilion

Li Shenzhao read the same report with a raised eyebrow.

“So he’s declared himself,” he said.

“Good,” Lianhua replied. “Now I can bury him.”

Shenzhao looked at her, quietly impressed.

“You’re not angry?”

“No,” she said. “Because now… everything he gains from this alliance can be used to destroy him publicly.”

“His pride just handed me my sword.”

Shenzhao stepped forward, resting his forehead gently against hers.

“You’ve already won, haven’t you?”

She closed her eyes.

“Not yet. But I’ve drawn the blade.”