The following days at court were filled with tension, as rumors of impending change spread like wildfire. Every corner of the palace seemed to buzz with quiet whispers—servants gossiping, nobles exchanging glances, ministers debating behind closed doors. Li Yuhua had heard many stories of the imperial court's duplicity, but to witness it firsthand was far more chilling. Everyone was a player in this dangerous game, and trust was a rare, fragile thing.
Li Yuhua spent her days walking through the vast palace gardens, keeping a careful eye on the shifting tides of power. She knew that Chancellor Fang's plans were moving forward, but he was a careful man—too careful to act without perfect timing. The court was watching him closely, but he had mastered the art of deception, making it difficult to discern his true intentions. He smiled, he charmed, he manipulated with a finesse that left no room for doubt in the eyes of those who supported him.
But Li Yuhua wasn't fooled. She had seen men like him before—men who hid their malice behind a facade of loyalty. She had grown up among wolves, and now, she was ready to hunt.
As she strolled through the gardens one afternoon, she found herself drawn to the koi pond near the eastern pavilion. The water was calm, its surface shimmering in the sunlight, and the bright orange fish darted gracefully beneath the surface. It was a place of peace amidst the chaos of the court, and for a moment, Li Yuhua allowed herself to relax, her thoughts drifting.
"You've been quiet these past few days," a voice said from behind.
Li Yuhua's heart skipped a beat, but she didn't show it. She turned slowly to find Xiao Ruichen standing a few steps away, his expression as impassive as ever. He was dressed in his military robes today, a stark contrast to the delicate beauty of the garden.
"I've had much to think about," she replied, keeping her voice steady. "The court is… different from what I expected."
Xiao Ruichen stepped closer, his eyes scanning her face. "The court is dangerous," he said bluntly. "And you seem to be at its center."
Li Yuhua's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
"I've been watching you," he continued, his voice low. "Since the day you arrived in Chang'an, you've been moving through the palace like a shadow. You speak little, but you see everything. I don't believe you're here just to pay your respects to the emperor."
Li Yuhua felt a surge of tension but masked it with a polite smile. "I'm here for my family," she said, repeating the story she had told many times before. "To seek justice for my father."
Xiao Ruichen's gaze didn't waver. "Justice? Or revenge?"
There was a challenge in his words, one that made Li Yuhua's pulse quicken. He was testing her, probing for weaknesses in her story. For a brief moment, she considered revealing the truth, but the thought quickly passed. Xiao Ruichen was still an enigma to her. Though he had shown concern for her safety, she couldn't be certain of his loyalties.
"I seek only what is right," she said firmly. "My father was wronged, and I will see his name restored."
Xiao Ruichen studied her for a long moment, his eyes searching for something—perhaps a crack in her resolve. But after a moment, he nodded, as if satisfied with her answer.
"I believe you," he said quietly. "But be careful, Lady Li. This is a dangerous game you're playing. And you're not the only one with a stake in it."
Li Yuhua watched as he turned and walked away, his footsteps silent on the garden path. She exhaled slowly, her heart still racing. He was getting too close—too close to the truth. And if Xiao Ruichen found out what she was truly planning, he could become a threat.
She stayed by the koi pond for a while longer, her mind spinning with thoughts of Xiao Ruichen and Fang Wei. The two men were as different as night and day, yet both were powerful in their own ways. One was a wolf in sheep's clothing, the other a warrior with a code of honor. Li Yuhua didn't know which man posed the greater danger to her mission, but she knew that both could be her undoing if she wasn't careful.
As the sun began to set, Li Yuhua made her way back to her chambers. She had an important meeting to prepare for—a meeting that could change the course of everything.
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Later that night, as the palace fell into a hushed stillness, Li Yuhua slipped into the shadows once more. Han Fei had arranged a meeting with one of their most critical informants, a man deep within Fang Wei's inner circle. The meeting was to take place in one of the forgotten corridors of the palace, a place where secrets could be exchanged without fear of eavesdroppers.
As Li Yuhua navigated the dark halls, she kept her senses sharp. The palace was a maze of hidden passageways, and getting lost here could mean more than just losing her way—it could mean losing her life.
When she reached the designated meeting spot, a hooded figure was already waiting for her. Yan Zhi, a minor official who worked directly under Fang Wei, had been feeding them information for weeks. His role within the chancellor's administration was small, but it gave him access to sensitive documents and private conversations—intel that was invaluable to their cause.
"Lady Li," Yan Zhi greeted her in a whisper, his voice trembling slightly. He was a nervous man by nature, always glancing over his shoulder, but his loyalty to their cause was unquestionable.
"Do you have it?" Li Yuhua asked, her voice low.
Yan Zhi nodded quickly and handed her a sealed scroll. "These are records of Fang Wei's private meetings with foreign envoys," he whispered. "He's been negotiating secret alliances—promising military support in exchange for political backing. He's preparing for a coup."
Li Yuhua's hands tightened around the scroll. This was the proof she needed. Fang Wei's treachery extended far beyond embezzlement—he was actively plotting to overthrow the emperor. With these documents, she could finally bring him down.
But before she could say anything, Yan Zhi's eyes widened in fear. "Someone's coming," he whispered urgently. "You have to leave. Now."
Li Yuhua quickly concealed the scroll within her robes and nodded. "Be careful, Yan Zhi. You've done more than enough."
With a swift glance over her shoulder, she disappeared into the shadows, her heart pounding. The night was filled with danger, and every step she took felt like a step closer to the edge of a precipice. But she couldn't stop now. Not when she was so close to her goal.
As she moved through the darkened palace corridors, her thoughts raced. The evidence was in her hands, but how and when to use it would be the ultimate test. If she acted too soon, she risked exposing herself. But if she waited too long, Fang Wei would make his move, and the empire would fall into chaos.
Li Yuhua knew one thing for certain: the moment of reckoning was fast approaching.
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End of Chapter 7