The palace was alive with whispers.
As Li Yuhua moved through the imperial halls, she could feel the tension that clung to the air like a thick fog. Every servant, every courtier, every guard she passed seemed to exchange furtive glances, their conversations abruptly silenced as she approached. News of Fang Wei's growing influence had spread through the court, and the fear of what might come next was palpable.
But Li Yuhua had no time for fear. She was a woman of action, and she knew that if she hesitated now, all would be lost.
Tonight was critical. The emperor had called for an emergency session of the imperial council—something that rarely happened. It was clear to everyone that the emperor had grown wary of the power struggles brewing beneath the surface, but whether he would take decisive action or fall further into Fang Wei's web remained to be seen.
Li Yuhua's thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Lady Zhen, one of the empress's most trusted ladies-in-waiting. Lady Zhen bowed slightly as she approached, her eyes darting around to ensure they were alone.
"My lady," Lady Zhen whispered, her voice barely audible, "the empress wishes to speak with you. She has urgent news."
Li Yuhua nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Lead the way."
---
In the empress's private chambers, the atmosphere was tense. Empress Dowager Yu sat at the head of a small table, her face pale but composed. She motioned for Li Yuhua to sit beside her, and once Lady Zhen had closed the doors behind them, the empress wasted no time.
"There are troubling reports from the south," the empress began, her voice low and controlled. "Fang Wei's agents have been working behind the scenes, and I fear they are on the verge of securing the allegiance of several regional governors."
Li Yuhua's heart sank. The south was critical to the empire's stability—if Fang Wei gained control of the southern provinces, his grip on the empire would be nearly unbreakable.
"Do we know which governors have sided with him?" Li Yuhua asked, her tone urgent.
The empress nodded, sliding a scroll across the table toward her. "This list contains the names of those who have fallen under his sway. But more importantly, there are still those who remain loyal to the emperor. We must act quickly to secure their allegiance before Fang Wei can move."
Li Yuhua unrolled the scroll, her eyes scanning the names. Some were expected—men known for their opportunism, always ready to ally themselves with whoever held the most power. But others were surprising, men who had once sworn loyalty to the emperor.
"The empire is fracturing," Li Yuhua said quietly, her mind racing. "Fang Wei is playing his hand carefully, but soon, he will move openly. Once that happens, it may be too late."
The empress nodded grimly. "That is why we must act now. I need you, Lady Li, to secure the support of the loyal governors. Travel to the southern provinces if you must, but do whatever it takes to keep them on our side."
Li Yuhua's mind raced through the implications. Leaving the capital at such a critical time would be dangerous—Fang Wei's spies were everywhere, and her absence might be noticed. But the alternative—allowing the southern provinces to fall into Fang Wei's control—was far worse.
"I will do as you ask, Your Majesty," Li Yuhua said, bowing her head respectfully. "But I will need allies to support my mission."
The empress's eyes gleamed with a steely determination. "You will have them. Lady Zhen will travel with you, as will a small group of trusted guards. And General Xu has agreed to send a contingent of his men to ensure your safety."
Li Yuhua felt a surge of relief at the mention of General Xu. His loyalty had already proven invaluable, and with his men at her side, she had a chance to succeed.
"There is one more thing," the empress added, her voice soft but firm. "The emperor… he is wavering. Fang Wei has sown seeds of doubt in his mind, and I fear that without swift action, the emperor may fall under his influence entirely."
Li Yuhua's chest tightened. She had long feared this outcome, but hearing it confirmed by the empress herself was a heavy blow. If the emperor lost his will to act, Fang Wei's victory would be all but assured.
"I will do everything in my power to prevent that," Li Yuhua promised, her voice steady despite the turmoil she felt inside.
The empress smiled faintly, though there was a sadness behind her eyes. "I know you will, Lady Li. You are one of the few in this court who still fights for what is right. Do not lose sight of that."
Li Yuhua bowed once more before rising to leave. As she stepped out of the empress's chambers, Lady Zhen fell into step beside her, her expression tense.
"My lady," Lady Zhen said quietly, "we must leave at dawn. There is no time to waste."
Li Yuhua nodded, her mind already calculating the logistics of the journey. "I will make the necessary preparations. We cannot afford any mistakes."
---
That night, as Li Yuhua sat alone in her chamber, her thoughts were consumed by the task ahead. The journey to the southern provinces would be fraught with danger, but it was the only way to stop Fang Wei from consolidating his power.
She thought of Han Fei and his tireless efforts to gather intelligence, of General Xu's unwavering loyalty, and of the empress's quiet strength in the face of uncertainty. They were all depending on her to succeed.
But the weight of it all pressed down on her shoulders, and for a brief moment, doubt crept into her mind. Could she really turn the tide of this power struggle? Could she outmaneuver Fang Wei and save the empire from his grasp?
She pushed the doubts aside, knowing that hesitation could mean failure. She had come too far to falter now.
Tomorrow, the real battle would begin.
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End of Chapter 11
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