The following morning, a dense fog clung to the streets of Chang'an, shrouding the city in a veil of gray. The distant bells of the palace temple rang faintly in the air as Li Yuhua walked through the market district. Despite the early hour, the streets were already bustling with activity—merchants hawking their goods, servants hurrying to deliver their masters' orders, and the ever-watchful palace guards patrolling the gates.
For Li Yuhua, the day brought a new challenge. She had barely slept after her encounter with Lady Wen and Xiao Ruichen. The tension of her mission weighed heavily on her mind. Chang'an was becoming increasingly dangerous with every step she took, and yet, there was no turning back. Her path was set, and her father's legacy rested on her success.
As she made her way toward a teahouse near the southern gate, her thoughts turned to her next target—Chancellor Fang Wei. Though her initial goal had been to infiltrate Lady Wen's circle, Chancellor Fang was the true enemy. It was his machinations that had led to her family's ruin, and his rise to power that had ensured their downfall. Lady Wen was merely a stepping stone to the real prize.
Inside the teahouse, the atmosphere was warm and fragrant, a contrast to the cold fog outside. Patrons sat at low tables, sipping tea and discussing the latest court gossip. Li Yuhua scanned the room, her eyes searching for her contact—Han Fei, a former scholar turned informant. He had once been a promising student of the imperial academy, but his outspoken nature had made him enemies in high places. Now, he survived on the fringes of society, trading in secrets and information.
She found him seated in a quiet corner, hunched over a cup of tea, his face partially hidden by a wide-brimmed hat. Han Fei was a gaunt man, his once sharp features worn down by years of hardship. His clothes were plain and unassuming, the kind that allowed him to blend easily into any crowd.
Li Yuhua approached cautiously, taking a seat across from him. He glanced up, his dark eyes flickering with recognition. "Lady Li," he murmured, keeping his voice low. "You're late."
"My apologies," she replied, signaling for a cup of tea. "I had an unexpected encounter."
Han Fei raised an eyebrow but said nothing. He took a sip of his tea, his gaze never leaving her face. "You've been making waves," he said after a moment. "People are starting to notice you, and that's dangerous."
Li Yuhua leaned forward slightly, her expression serious. "I need to get closer to Chancellor Fang," she said, cutting to the chase. "What do you know about his movements?"
Han Fei let out a dry laugh. "Getting close to Fang Wei is like trying to touch a tiger's whiskers. He's surrounded by guards, courtiers, and spies. The man doesn't make a move without someone knowing about it."
"I'm aware of the risks," Li Yuhua said, her tone measured. "But there must be a way. Everyone has a weakness, something that can be exploited."
Han Fei tapped his fingers against the table, his eyes narrowing. "Fang Wei's weakness isn't an object or a person. It's his hunger for power. He's been consolidating his influence ever since the emperor fell ill. Rumor has it, he's been making moves to secure his position as the regent."
Li Yuhua felt a cold shiver run down her spine. If Fang Wei succeeded in becoming regent, his power would be absolute. There would be no hope of stopping him then. "Does he have any enemies?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Han Fei smirked. "Enemies? Plenty. But none who can touch him. Not openly, at least. The court is full of men who would love to see him fall, but they're too afraid to act. Fang Wei is like a spider in the center of a vast web. If you want to bring him down, you'll have to cut the threads one by one."
Li Yuhua nodded, absorbing his words. "What about Lady Wen? How deep is her loyalty to him?"
Han Fei's expression darkened. "Lady Wen is an opportunist. She'll support anyone who keeps her in power. But she's also smart—she won't go down with the ship if it starts sinking. If you can prove that Fang Wei's position is weakening, she might be willing to turn against him."
Li Yuhua mulled over the information, her mind working through the possibilities. Lady Wen was indeed a key piece in this dangerous game, but the risk of approaching her too early was immense. She needed more leverage.
Before she could respond, Han Fei's gaze shifted to the door, his face tightening with alarm. "We're being watched."
Li Yuhua didn't move, but her eyes subtly followed his gaze. In the corner of the teahouse, a man in a soldier's uniform was watching them, his attention far too focused to be casual. Li Yuhua's heart raced. Had Fang Wei already caught wind of her plans? Had someone betrayed her?
Han Fei quickly stood up, his voice barely a whisper. "We need to leave, now. They're onto us."
Without a word, Li Yuhua followed him out of the teahouse, her senses on high alert. The fog outside had thickened, providing some cover, but she could feel the eyes of the soldier on her back as they moved through the narrow streets. Every step felt like a race against time, the tension coiling in her chest.
As they turned a corner into a quieter alley, Han Fei grabbed her arm, his voice urgent. "Listen to me—Fang Wei's reach is longer than you think. If he knows you're after him, you're as good as dead."
"I can't stop now," Li Yuhua said, her voice fierce. "This is bigger than me. It's about my family. It's about justice."
Han Fei's expression softened for a moment, but his tone remained harsh. "Justice won't matter if you're dead. You need to be smarter, move in the shadows. There's more at play here than you realize."
Before Li Yuhua could respond, they heard the sound of footsteps approaching from behind. Han Fei's eyes widened, and without another word, he pushed her toward a narrow passageway between two buildings. "Go! I'll lead them away."
Li Yuhua hesitated for a brief moment, her heart pounding. But she knew he was right. If she stayed, they would both be caught. With a final glance at Han Fei, she turned and sprinted down the alley, her footsteps echoing in the fog.
The cold air bit at her face as she ran, the city's labyrinthine streets closing in around her. She could hear the faint sound of pursuit behind her, but she didn't dare look back. Her only hope was to lose them in the fog and make it to the safety of the southern district, where she had an old ally waiting.
As she rounded a corner, her foot caught on a loose stone, and she stumbled, barely catching herself before hitting the ground. Her breath came in ragged gasps, but she forced herself to keep moving. She couldn't stop now.
The fog was thicker here, obscuring her vision, but she knew these streets well. She had grown up in Chang'an, after all. This was her city, and she would use every advantage she had to survive.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she slipped into the shadow of a narrow archway, pressing herself against the cold stone wall. The footsteps of her pursuers grew faint, then disappeared altogether.
Li Yuhua allowed herself a moment to catch her breath, her body trembling from the adrenaline. She had escaped, for now. But the chase had left her shaken, a stark reminder of just how dangerous her mission had become. Fang Wei's men were closing in, and it was only a matter of time before they caught up to her.
She needed to act fast. Han Fei's warning echoed in her mind—there was more at play than she had realized. The web of intrigue surrounding Chancellor Fang was growing tighter, and she was caught in the middle of it.
As she stood in the shadows, her thoughts turned to Xiao Ruichen. The general had warned her about the dangers of Chang'an, but he had also seemed to know more than he let on. Could he be an ally, or was he yet another player in this deadly game?
One thing was clear: time was running out, and Li Yuhua could no longer afford to rely on caution alone. The storm was coming, and if she didn't strike first, she would be swept away by the rising tide.
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End of Chapter 4
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