The imperial palace loomed ahead, its towering walls painted in hues of red and gold, shimmering under the fading light of dusk. Li Yuhua stood at the gates of the inner district, her gaze fixed on the grand entrance that separated the commoners from the world of power. Inside those walls lay her objective—revenge, redemption, and the restoration of her family's honor. But getting there would be far from easy.
As she presented her forged papers to the guards at the gate, her heart pounded in her chest. Years of planning had come down to this moment, and one misstep could undo everything. The guard, a middle-aged man with a gruff demeanor, scrutinized the documents closely. Li Yuhua kept her head lowered, her face veiled in modesty, every movement calculated to seem as unremarkable as possible.
"Merchant's daughter, you say?" the guard muttered, his eyes flickering between her and the papers.
"Yes," she answered softly, her voice laced with humility. "My family deals in silk and jade, sir. We've been summoned by Lady Wen to deliver a shipment of her favored goods."
The guard grunted, clearly uninterested in her story but diligent enough to keep her waiting. Every second stretched painfully as Li Yuhua fought to maintain her composure. Her mind raced, considering all the possible outcomes. If he asked the wrong question, if he doubted even a single detail of her story, it could mean the end of her mission before it even began.
Finally, the guard handed the papers back to her. "Go on through," he said, waving her toward the palace gates. "But be quick about it. The inner district isn't a place for lingering."
Li Yuhua bowed her head in gratitude and stepped forward, her pulse still racing. As the heavy gates creaked open, she was hit with a wave of memories. The grand halls of Chang'an's inner district were once a place of comfort and familiarity to her, back when her family's name had carried weight. Now, it was enemy territory.
She passed through the first courtyard, its stone pathways lined with meticulously pruned trees and colorful lanterns, swaying gently in the evening breeze. Servants scurried about, and the distant murmur of conversations echoed through the corridors. But despite the serene beauty, Li Yuhua could feel the tension in the air. The imperial court was a place where every smile hid a dagger, and every word carried double meaning.
Her destination was the residence of Lady Wen, a minor noblewoman with a reputation for extravagance. It was under the guise of a delivery that Li Yuhua had entered the palace, but her true purpose was far more dangerous. Lady Wen was a key figure in the court and one of Chancellor Fang Wei's many allies. If Li Yuhua could learn more about the chancellor's plans through Lady Wen's network, it would bring her one step closer to the revenge she sought.
As she made her way toward the residence, a familiar voice halted her in her tracks.
"Well, well, if it isn't Li Yuhua."
The voice was smooth, dripping with disdain, and it sent a chill down her spine. Li Yuhua turned slowly, her expression carefully controlled, though her heart clenched at the sight of the man before her.
Xu Ying, the son of a once-powerful minister and a figure from her past, stood with an arrogant smirk on his face. His robe of deep blue silk shimmered in the twilight, and the emblem of his house was embroidered across his chest. Once, the Li and Xu families had been close allies, but that had all changed when her family was disgraced. Xu Ying, always quick to seize opportunities, had eagerly distanced himself from the fallen Li family, and his father had supported the lies that led to their downfall.
Li Yuhua inclined her head slightly, masking her contempt. "Lord Xu," she said, her voice neutral. "It has been many years."
Xu Ying took a step closer, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Indeed, it has. I never thought I'd see you again, especially not here in Chang'an. What brings you back, I wonder? Or have you decided to embrace a life of humble servitude, delivering silks like a commoner?"
Li Yuhua felt her temper flare, but she tamped it down. Now was not the time for confrontation. "My family's circumstances have changed, Lord Xu. I am but a simple merchant's daughter now, as you can see."
Xu Ying laughed softly, his gaze sharp as he studied her. "How convenient. I remember your father—so proud, so honorable. I wonder how he would feel seeing his daughter reduced to such a state. It's almost poetic, wouldn't you say?"
Li Yuhua's hand tightened around the fabric of her sleeve, but she kept her expression calm. "We all must adapt to the circumstances we are given," she said quietly. "I am no different."
Xu Ying's smile widened, but there was a cruelty behind it. "Ah, ever the diplomat, even in disgrace. But be careful, Li Yuhua. Chang'an is not kind to those who have fallen from grace. The court is far more dangerous than it was when you were last here."
His words hung in the air like a veiled threat. Li Yuhua knew exactly what he was implying. She had no allies here, no protection, and a single misstep could lead to her ruin—or worse.
"I thank you for your concern, Lord Xu," she replied, her voice steady. "But I have no intention of causing trouble. My only goal is to live quietly and fulfill my duties."
Xu Ying's gaze lingered on her for a moment longer before he gave a mocking bow. "Very well. I'll be watching with great interest. Welcome back to Chang'an, Lady Li—oh, forgive me. Merchant's daughter, I mean."
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Li Yuhua standing in the courtyard, her fists clenched at her sides. She watched him disappear into the distance, her mind seething with anger. Xu Ying's family had played a significant role in her father's downfall, and seeing him again only fueled her determination.
But as much as she wanted to confront him, she knew now was not the time. The court was watching, and one wrong move could ruin everything. She could not afford to let her emotions get the better of her.
Taking a deep breath, she turned and continued on her way to Lady Wen's residence, her mind focused on the task at hand. She had come to Chang'an for a purpose, and no amount of taunting or reminders of the past would deter her. Xu Ying was just one of many obstacles in her path, and she would deal with him in time.
As she approached the gates of Lady Wen's estate, her thoughts returned to Xiao Ruichen. His presence earlier in the marketplace still lingered in her mind. The way he had looked at her, as though seeing straight through her disguise, unsettled her in a way she hadn't expected.
Xiao Ruichen was no ordinary man. He was a general of immense power, feared and respected by many, and yet, there was something about him that made Li Yuhua uneasy. What role would he play in the coming days? Was he a potential ally—or a formidable enemy?
She would have to tread carefully around him. Chang'an was a city built on lies, and everyone had their own agenda. If she was to succeed in her mission, she would need to be smarter, quicker, and more ruthless than ever before.
But one thing was certain: the storm was gathering, and Li Yuhua would not be swept away by it.
End of Chapter 2