The palace was alive with music and laughter, its grand halls filled with the most powerful nobles of the empire. Beneath the dazzling lanterns, shimmering silks and golden hairpins glistened, adding a touch of grandeur to the evening's festivities. It was a rare occasion—an imperial banquet held in honor of the emperor's recovery, though in truth, everyone knew the emperor was far from well.
Li Yuhua stood at the edge of the hall, her eyes scanning the sea of faces with measured calm. She had donned a gown of deep crimson embroidered with delicate golden lotuses—a color chosen not only to draw attention but to signify power. The whispers of her presence had already begun to swirl among the courtiers. A beautiful, mysterious woman at the banquet of the year was bound to raise suspicions. But that was exactly what she wanted.
As she made her way through the crowd, she caught sight of Chancellor Fang Wei, standing at the center of a group of advisors, his presence as commanding as ever. He was dressed in his usual black robes, his sharp, fox-like features carefully composed. The man radiated an aura of confidence, as though he were the master of the empire, not merely its chancellor.
Li Yuhua's heart tightened at the sight of him. This was the man responsible for her family's destruction—the man who had conspired to ruin her father's name and strip her family of their lands and honor. Every fiber of her being screamed for her to confront him, to rip away his false mask and expose him for the villain he was. But she knew better. Now was not the time for open conflict. She had to be patient, to play the game as he did.
As she approached the chancellor's group, she felt a pair of eyes watching her intently. Turning her head slightly, she met the gaze of Xiao Ruichen, who stood near the banquet table. His eyes, like steel, were unreadable, though the intensity of his stare made her pulse quicken. He was dressed in the formal attire of a general, his armor polished to a gleaming silver, his posture as rigid as a soldier standing guard. Even in the opulence of the court, Xiao Ruichen looked out of place—his presence a stark reminder of the battlefield.
Li Yuhua gave him a small, almost imperceptible nod before continuing toward Chancellor Fang. If Xiao Ruichen had followed her here, it meant one of two things—either he didn't trust her, or he was trying to protect her. In either case, his involvement complicated things. She couldn't afford any distractions tonight.
"Lady Li," a voice called from behind, smooth and calculated. Lady Wen, resplendent in a gown of pale jade, stepped forward, her lips curled into a smile. "I had heard you were invited. It seems you're making quite an impression."
Li Yuhua turned to face her, forcing a smile of her own. "Lady Wen," she said with a polite bow. "It's an honor to be in such esteemed company."
"Indeed," Lady Wen replied, her eyes glinting with mischief. "It's not often we see someone of your…background at an imperial banquet. I imagine it must be overwhelming."
Li Yuhua held her composure, recognizing the jab. "I find it quite enlightening," she said smoothly. "There's much to be learned from observing the movements of powerful men and women."
Lady Wen's smile faltered for a brief moment before she laughed softly. "You have a sharp tongue, Lady Li. But be careful—sharp tongues often find themselves in dangerous situations."
The threat was clear, but Li Yuhua refused to be intimidated. She offered a demure smile in return, hiding the storm brewing within her. "I appreciate the advice," she said. "I'll be sure to keep it in mind."
Before Lady Wen could respond, the sound of a gong echoed through the hall, signaling the start of the evening's entertainment. A group of dancers entered, their movements graceful and fluid, as the music swelled into a haunting melody. The court's attention shifted, allowing Li Yuhua a moment of reprieve.
As the dancers spun in intricate patterns, Li Yuhua's thoughts returned to her mission. The banquet was more than just a celebration—it was an opportunity. Among the guests tonight were powerful allies and enemies alike. But more importantly, it was a chance to gather information, to observe who held influence over whom.
Her gaze drifted back to Chancellor Fang, who had taken a seat at the emperor's side. He appeared relaxed, as though the empire itself were resting on his shoulders. But beneath that calm exterior, Li Yuhua knew he was always plotting, always watching.
"You seem distracted, Lady Li," a familiar voice murmured beside her. Li Yuhua turned to find Xiao Ruichen standing at her side, his expression unreadable.
"General Xiao," she replied coolly. "I didn't expect to see you here."
His eyes narrowed slightly, though his tone remained neutral. "Nor did I expect to see you. Chang'an is a dangerous place for someone like you."
Li Yuhua bristled at his words, though she kept her voice calm. "I'm capable of taking care of myself, General."
"Are you?" he asked, his gaze piercing. "Or are you walking into a trap?"
She met his gaze head-on, refusing to back down. "I'm here for my family," she said quietly. "I won't stop until I see justice served."
For a moment, Xiao Ruichen said nothing, his expression inscrutable. Then, with a slight tilt of his head, he said, "Justice comes at a price, Lady Li. Be sure you're willing to pay it."
Before she could respond, the dancers concluded their performance, and the emperor rose to address the court. His voice was weak, barely audible, and Li Yuhua could see the strain in his features. The emperor was far from well, and it was clear that his grip on the empire was slipping. Beside him, Chancellor Fang stood like a vulture, his eyes gleaming with ambition.
As the emperor spoke of his hope for the empire's future, Li Yuhua's resolve hardened. She knew what she had to do. The path before her was treacherous, but there was no turning back now.
When the emperor's speech concluded, the courtiers rose to offer their praises, and the banquet resumed. Li Yuhua felt a presence beside her again—this time, it was Han Fei. He had slipped into the banquet unnoticed, dressed in the simple robes of a scholar.
"I have what you need," he whispered, his voice barely audible above the chatter. "Meet me at the willow grove near the palace gates after the banquet."
Li Yuhua gave a slight nod, her heart racing. Whatever information Han Fei had gathered, it was crucial. But as she glanced around the hall, she couldn't shake the feeling that eyes were watching her every move. The game was growing more dangerous by the hour, and with each passing moment, the stakes were rising.
As the evening wore on, Li Yuhua maintained her composure, playing her role as the mysterious newcomer to perfection. But inside, her mind was a whirlwind of plans and calculations. She had set the pieces in motion, and soon, the real battle would begin.
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End of Chapter 5
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