The quiet night had given way to the bustling of the royal court as the sun rose over the Tang Dynasty's capital. Yet, amidst the royal palaces and lush gardens, the air had shifted. What had been a secret now fluttered like an exposed thread, slowly unraveling through the silent whispers of the court.
Ming had hardly slept. The words Zhen had spoken to him the night before, beneath the full moon, echoed in his mind like a haunting melody. His love for Zhen had grown—undeniably so—and yet, the weight of the world around them pressed upon his chest. Their bond, though forged in secrecy, was fragile. A single rumor, a single glance, could unravel everything.
As he entered the grand hall, he was greeted by his fellow servants, their faces carefully neutral. But beneath the surface, there was a tension that none of them could disguise. The royal court was rife with rumors, and Ming could feel their weight pressing down upon him like a storm cloud on the horizon.
Among the courtiers was a familiar face, one that Ming had come to dread. It was Master Tian, Zhen's most trusted advisor. The elder man was sharp-eyed and observant, with a knack for reading the court's dynamics. His presence was commanding, and his opinion had the ear of the Emperor. But there was something else about Tian—a sharp edge to his gaze when he looked at Zhen, something possessive that sent a chill down Ming's spine.
Master Tian had always been a fixture of the royal court, a man with ambition far greater than his station. Ming had learned early on that Tian's eyes were always watching, always calculating. The advisor had never seemed to trust Ming, and now, with the whispers of Zhen's affection for him spreading through the halls, Ming felt the sharp sting of suspicion.
Tian's voice cut through the murmurs of the court as he spoke to Zhen in the center of the hall, his words low but forceful. "Your Highness," he said, bowing deeply, "I have heard troubling reports from the servants and guards. It seems that certain… favors are being granted to those who do not deserve such attentions."
Zhen's face darkened as he met Tian's gaze, his usually calm expression clouded with frustration. He had not yet revealed his connection to Ming to anyone other than his closest confidants, but the rumors were already beginning to surface, carried on the wind like a poison. Ming could feel the weight of Tian's words pressing upon him, and he held his breath, not daring to move.
"I am not blind, Tian," Zhen replied coolly, his voice low and steady, though a flicker of annoyance danced in his eyes. "I have always been aware of the whispers in the palace. You need not remind me."
But Tian's eyes narrowed, the malice beneath his polite facade evident now. "Forgive me, Your Highness, but there are things that cannot be ignored. The affairs of the palace are not a matter of personal desire. The Emperor's favor is earned through duty, not through… sentimental attachments."
Ming could feel the weight of the words, each one dripping with accusation. His heart pounded in his chest, but he remained still, his eyes downcast, not daring to meet Zhen's. He knew Tian's game—he was playing a dangerous game of power, trying to pull Zhen back into the world of politics and away from the forbidden love he had sworn to protect. It was clear that Tian's jealousy ran deep. Zhen had always been his pawn, but now… now it seemed as though even the prince was slipping away.
"I do not need your advice, Tian," Zhen said firmly, his voice cold, but the tension in his shoulders betrayed his unease. "I am well aware of my responsibilities. As for the rumors, I will handle them in my own way."
But Tian wasn't done. He stepped closer to Zhen, lowering his voice so only the prince could hear. "The court is not blind, Your Highness. Nor is the Emperor. If these rumors continue to spread, it will be your reputation that suffers. The Emperor expects loyalty above all else, and your actions will be judged accordingly."
Ming's chest tightened. Tian was not merely concerned with reputation—he was threatening them both. Ming could feel the weight of his words like an iron chain wrapped around his neck. He had already been exiled once before; he could not bear the thought of being cast aside again, especially not now, not when Zhen's love seemed to be the only thing that had ever made him feel whole.
Zhen's gaze was unwavering as he stared at Tian, the words heavy in the air between them. "I will make no promises to you, Tian. My loyalty lies with my heart, not with the demands of the court."
Tian's eyes flashed with a brief, dangerous glimmer, but he bowed his head, his lips curling into a false smile. "As you wish, Your Highness. But remember… the court watches. And it always finds a way to deal with those who are… too conspicuous."
With a final, calculating glance at Ming, Tian turned on his heel and left the hall, his robes trailing behind him like a storm cloud. The atmosphere in the court seemed to shift, as if the entire palace had exhaled in relief. But for Ming, the sense of dread remained.
Zhen's eyes lingered on the door where Tian had exited, his jaw clenched in silent anger. Slowly, he turned to Ming, his expression softening.
"Ming," he said, his voice low and urgent, "I'm sorry. He's always been… jealous. I never expected it to go this far. But now… things will become more difficult for both of us."
Ming swallowed hard, trying to steady his racing heart. "I… I don't want to be a burden to you, Zhen. But I can't help but feel the weight of his words. What will we do? How can we continue like this?"
Zhen took a step forward, his gaze steady but filled with an intensity that made Ming's breath catch. "We will endure. No matter what happens, I will not let go of what we have. We must be cautious, but we will not be afraid. Do you understand?"
Ming nodded, though doubt still lingered in his heart. Tian's words had planted seeds of fear, but Zhen's resolve gave him a sliver of hope. They would face whatever came together. He had to believe that.
But as the court continued its daily rituals, Ming couldn't shake the feeling that the shadows in the palace were growing longer, and the price of their love was about to become even steeper.