Ever since the emperor was overthrown, the imperial city has felt as if it were shrouded in an invisible pressure. The sky remained overcast, a reflection of the gloomy atmosphere hanging over the court. There was an unspoken tension in the air, suffocating anyone who dared to breathe too deeply. The palace lanterns flickered beneath the stone pillars, casting shadows that danced over the faces of the ministers, revealing traces of cunning and unease.
Su Jin sat quietly in the corner of the council chamber, her expression calm but her gaze sharp. She could feel the eyes in the room drifting toward her every so often, a silent probe, testing her reactions. She took a slow breath, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the rough wood grain of the armrest. The tactile sensation grounded her, giving her a fleeting moment of peace amidst the turmoil. She knew that everyone here was waiting—waiting for her to make a move, say a word, even reveal a subtle expression.
"They're waiting for us to slip up," came Ye Lingyun's voice from behind her, low and restrained, like the wind whispering past her ear. There was a hint of weariness in his tone, though his face remained composed, his gaze sharp as ever.
Su Jin turned her head slightly, casting him a glance, her eyes flashing with a mix of emotions. "They're not just waiting—they're scheming. They want to see chaos, hoping we'll tear each other apart." Her voice was soft but full of insight.
Her eyes returned to the ministers scattered across the hall. The air seemed to thicken with tension, and everyone was cautiously observing one another, all wearing masks that concealed their true intentions. The prince stood in the center of the hall, his gaze sharp but shadowed with worry. He was trying to hold the situation together, but Su Jin knew the game of power was never that simple.
"Su Jin," the prince's voice suddenly pierced the oppressive silence. He turned and locked eyes with her, his tone earnest yet tinged with an undercurrent of plea, "I need your support."
In that moment, the entire hall seemed to freeze. It was as if time itself had come to a standstill. Every gaze turned to Su Jin, and the weight of their stares pressed heavily upon her chest. She understood this wasn't just a personal request—this was a public challenge, a test. Her choice would shape the direction of many things to come.
Su Jin raised her head, her gaze as sharp as a blade. Her voice was calm, clear, and unwavering: "I never sought power. I am not here for that."
A faint smile flickered across the prince's face, but there was no warmth in it. His tone was gentle yet laced with pressure: "I know. But you also understand, without you, the kingdom will crumble. You are not just a vengeful soul, Su Jin. You are part of this new order."
Fatigue washed over Su Jin's heart like a rising tide. She had vowed never to be entangled in the court's political struggles, but now she found herself deeply mired in them, unable to escape. She closed her eyes briefly, making a difficult decision in the span of mere seconds.
"Give me some time to think," she replied, her voice steady, though her heart churned with turmoil.
The night deepened, the moonlight casting a cold, white glow over the palace's tall tower. Su Jin stood at the edge, her hands gripping the cold stone railing, the wind whipping her long hair across her face like a sharp blade. Her heart was a tangled knot of emotions, one that refused to be unraveled.
"What are you thinking about?" Ye Lingyun's voice was soft as he approached, standing beside her. His tone was as gentle as the night breeze, carrying a hint of concern.
Su Jin didn't turn to face him. Her eyes remained fixed on the horizon, as if the endless night sky held the answers she sought. "I've been asking myself… if everything we've done has any real meaning. We killed the emperor, we overthrew his regime, but has this kingdom truly changed?"
Ye Lingyun was silent for a moment, standing shoulder to shoulder with her as he gazed into the distance. After a pause, he spoke, his voice filled with both resignation and resolve: "Revenge has changed many things, but it won't bring immediate light. We broke the old order, but building a new world takes time."
Su Jin's brow furrowed slightly, her expression clouded with confusion and pain. "But I'm afraid… afraid that we're walking the same path they did. Power is like an invisible serpent, silently coiling around us, suffocating us."
Ye Lingyun turned to look at her, his eyes filled with tenderness and understanding. He sighed softly, his voice laced with both care and strength: "Power is dangerous, but we can't back down now. This kingdom needs you, sister. You are their hope."
Su Jin closed her eyes, taking a deep breath as the wind chilled her cheeks. She felt an overwhelming sense of pressure, as though the weight of a mountain was bearing down on her shoulders. She had once thought that revenge would bring her peace, but now she realized it was only the beginning—a journey far more complex and difficult than she had imagined.
"I thought… that once it was all over, I would find peace," she murmured, as if speaking to herself.
Ye Lingyun gently placed a hand on her shoulder, his voice firm: "We're far from finished. We still have a long road ahead of us."
Su Jin inhaled deeply, then nodded. She knew, now, that her decision had already been made.
The next day, Su Jin returned to the center of power, standing by the prince's side, becoming the symbol of the kingdom's reconstruction. Her choice earned her many new supporters, but it also birthed countless enemies. The old factions that once served the emperor began stirring in the shadows, unwilling to relinquish their power. They quietly conspired, preparing for rebellion.
At the same time, neighboring vassal states and foreign enemies started amassing their forces, sensing weakness within the kingdom. The entire realm seemed to be cloaked in an invisible shadow, and Su Jin knew that internal strife and external threats could no longer be ignored.
Standing at the heart of the council chamber, Su Jin felt the weight of countless eyes upon her. Some gazes were filled with hope, others with suspicion, and some even with hatred. She knew that every move she made would be scrutinized, and every decision she took would be magnified. Yet, there was no room for hesitation now. She had no choice but to stand firm.
"Sister, we must keep going," Ye Lingyun's voice came from beside her, low and steady.
Su Jin took a deep breath, raising her head as her resolute gaze swept across the room. She knew, no matter how difficult the road ahead, she had to walk it.
"For the kingdom… and for our family," she said softly, as though making a vow to herself and to everyone watching, "I will not turn back."