Zhihao sat quietly at his desk, fingers resting lightly on the edge of the map sprawled across the surface. His mind was on the reports—the whispers of unauthorized troop movements near the northern border. He stared at the map, not truly seeing the lines and markers, but piecing together the puzzle in his head.
It wasn't just about the Xu Kingdom's threat; the court itself was a ticking time bomb. The ministers were moving, and Zhihao could feel the weight of their schemes pressing in. Someone was making a bold move—without his approval. Likely, it was Minister Feng. The man had been pushing for aggressive action lately, trying to stir conflict with the Xu Kingdom. There was a game being played, but Zhihao wasn't the type to let anyone play him.
He needed confirmation. Someone to investigate without raising suspicion. Someone who wouldn't be pulled into the ministers' plots.
"General Tian Yi..." Zhihao's voice was soft, considering. The general was fiercely loyal to the kingdom, and as far as Zhihao could tell, not tied to any particular faction. But loyalty was always a fragile thing, and Zhihao knew better than to rely on blind faith. This mission wasn't just about stopping the ministers from causing war; it was about testing where Tian Yi's true loyalties lay.
He rose from his chair, moving to the window and letting the cool evening breeze wash over him. His thoughts flicked briefly to the harem. He wondered how Mei was handling things. He didn't need to ask her directly—they had always operated in perfect sync, their plans weaving through the palace like an invisible thread, unnoticed but ever-present. Mei was his counterpart, the only one he could trust in this twisted game.
His attention shifted as the door creaked open, and Yun, his trusted spy, entered with a low bow. "Your Majesty, General Tian Yi is waiting outside."
"Send him in," Zhihao said, turning back to his desk, his face slipping into the serene mask he wore so well.
General Tian Yi entered, his expression calm and composed, though his sharp eyes immediately sought out any signs of trouble. Zhihao appreciated that about him—Tian Yi was always prepared, always alert. But there was also a stiffness in the man's demeanor that made Zhihao cautious. Tian Yi's loyalty was to the kingdom, not to him personally. That distinction was important.
"Your Majesty," Tian Yi said, bowing deeply. His tone was formal, yet respectful.
Zhihao nodded toward the seat opposite him. "Please, General. Sit."
Tian Yi obeyed, sitting with the same military precision that marked all of his movements. Zhihao took a moment to observe him in the flickering candlelight, wondering if he could truly trust the man. Not fully—not yet.
"There's been some troubling news," Zhihao began, his tone light, as though they were discussing mundane palace affairs. "Troops have been moving along the northern border without my orders."
Tian Yi's brows furrowed slightly. "Without your command, Your Majesty? Who gave the order?"
"That's what I need you to find out," Zhihao said, leaning forward, his voice soft but steady. "I believe some of the ministers are acting without my consent. They may be trying to provoke a confrontation with the Xu Kingdom."
Tian Yi's jaw tightened, his gaze hardening. "If the Xu Kingdom is provoked, it could lead to war."
Zhihao nodded slowly. "Which is exactly why this must be handled delicately. I can't trust anyone else with this, General. You're the only one whose loyalty I can rely on."
There it was—the subtle test. Zhihao watched Tian Yi carefully, waiting for any sign of hesitation, any flicker of doubt. Tian Yi's honor-bound loyalty made him the perfect man for this task, but Zhihao needed more than blind dedication to the kingdom. He needed to know if Tian Yi could be trusted with Zhihao's interests as well.
"Investigate these troop movements," Zhihao continued. "But do so quietly. No formal orders. I don't want the ministers to know that I'm aware of their actions."
For a moment, Tian Yi didn't respond, his eyes focused on the map between them. The silence stretched, heavy with unspoken meaning. Zhihao could sense the conflict in the general—Tian Yi was a man of duty, but he also knew the dangers of crossing the powerful ministers. This mission would put him in direct opposition to them.
Finally, Tian Yi nodded, his voice steady. "I will investigate, Your Majesty. You have my word."
Zhihao's lips curled into a soft smile, one that held just enough warmth to show appreciation, but not too much to betray the deeper game he was playing. "Thank you, General. I knew I could count on you."
Tian Yi stood, bowing deeply before taking his leave. Zhihao watched him go, his fingers lightly tapping the desk. The general had passed the first part of the test, but the true challenge was yet to come.
As Tian Yi strode through the palace corridors, his mind churned with conflicting thoughts. The king's request was not just a mission—it was a dangerous move, one that could put him at odds with the very people who held power in the court. But Tian Yi's loyalty was to the kingdom, not to its ministers. He had served too long, seen too much bloodshed, to let petty schemes tear apart the fragile peace they had managed to maintain.
But Zhihao... Zhihao was not like other rulers.
There was something different about the king, something that unsettled Tian Yi in ways he couldn't quite understand. Zhihao's words were always carefully chosen, his gaze always lingering just a bit too long. The king had a way of making Tian Yi feel... seen, in a way that no other ruler had ever bothered with. And yet, there was a darkness behind those warm smiles, a sharpness to Zhihao's kindness that made Tian Yi wary.
"I will not fail," Tian Yi muttered to himself, as if solidifying his resolve. But the unease lingered, a subtle tension that gnawed at the edges of his loyalty.
Back in the harem, Mei stood by her window, watching the distant lights of the palace flicker like fireflies in the night. The tea ceremony earlier that day had been another exhausting exercise in false pleasantries and veiled insults, but she had learned something important. Xu's influence was growing, and she was beginning to make moves outside the harem.
Mei's lips pressed into a thin line. She knew Xu had been meeting with Minister Shen, one of the more dangerous players in the court. It was a delicate balance—Xu's control over the harem was weakening, but her alliances with key ministers were growing stronger. If Mei wasn't careful, Xu could consolidate her power into something far more dangerous.
She glanced at the note on her table, the one Lian had slipped her just before dinner. Xu's movements were becoming more brazen, and it was only a matter of time before she made a direct play for control.
Mei tapped her fingers against the window sill, her mind racing through the possibilities. Xu was powerful, but Mei had something Xu didn't—Zhihao.
They hadn't spoken directly about their plans in days, but that didn't matter. Mei knew Zhihao was working behind the scenes, maneuvering the ministers and generals like pieces on a board. It was a silent dance they had perfected over the years. Mei handled the harem, Zhihao handled the court, and together, they kept the palace under control.
Mei's lips curled into a small, satisfied smile. Xu and Shen could scheme all they wanted. Mei and Zhihao were always one step ahead.
Later that night, Zhihao stood in the shadows of the garden, his gaze wandering over the darkened palace. He could sense the tension building—both in the court and in the harem. Xu was pushing harder, growing bolder in her attempts to gain influence. And now, with Minister Shen backing her, she posed a real threat. But Zhihao wasn't worried. He and Mei had been through worse.
The sound of soft footsteps behind him made Zhihao turn, his eyes catching the silhouette of Mei as she approached.
She said nothing as she came to stand beside him, her gaze following his as they looked out over the quiet palace grounds.
"Xu is moving faster than I expected," Mei said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Zhihao nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Let her. The more reckless she becomes, the easier it'll be to dismantle her plans."
Mei's eyes flicked toward him, her expression unreadable. "And Tian Yi?"
Zhihao's smile didn't waver. "He'll manage. Or he won't. Either way, we'll adapt."
They stood in silence for a moment, the unspoken understanding between them clear. Mei and Zhihao never needed to discuss their plans openly. They worked in tandem, perfectly attuned to each other's strategies. It had been that way for as long as either of them could remember.
As the moonlight bathed the palace in its soft glow, Zhihao's thoughts drifted back to Tian Yi. The test had begun, and soon, he would know exactly where the general's loyalties lay.
Mei's voice broke through his thoughts. "Just be careful, Zhihao. We can't afford to misstep."
Zhihao glanced at her, his smile softening slightly. "I never do."
With that, Mei turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving Zhihao alone with his thoughts once more.
The game was in motion, and Zhihao was more than ready to see how it played out.