The days had blurred into a suffocating haze for Yan Jiangri. Her marriage to Lin Shaungwei, once a symbol of unity and strength, had become a constant reminder of betrayal and deceit. She no longer looked at him as the man she had once trusted; she saw only the cold, calculating strategist who had chosen power over their bond. Every word from him, every glance, seemed to be a lie wrapped in a beautiful mask.
But it wasn't just Lin who had changed. Yan Jiangri's own heart had hardened. The woman who had once believed in love, in the possibility of a shared future, now saw only the dark reality of the empire's games. Her loyalty to her people and her kingdom remained unshaken, but her trust in Lin had crumbled into nothing.
And yet, she couldn't escape the palace. Couldn't escape the expectations thrust upon her. She was the Emperor's chosen bride, the symbol of political alliance, and the weight of that role pressed down on her shoulders like a shackle.
---
Meanwhile, Lin Shaungwei's obsession with Mei Ling had only grown.
His once-pure ambition had transformed into something more dangerous, something personal. Mei Ling, the King's daughter, had a beauty that was impossible to ignore, but it wasn't just her beauty that captivated him—it was her sharp mind, her ambition, and her ability to see through him. Every meeting, every stolen glance between them seemed to pull Lin deeper into her web.
In Mei Ling, Lin saw the future. Not with Yan Jiangri, whose loyalty to her people had become a burden to his ultimate goal, but with Mei Ling—whose royal blood and strategic mind could elevate him to unimaginable power. The two of them together could reshape the empire, and for Lin, that vision was intoxicating. She represented a path to his own destiny.
And yet, there was still Yan Jiangri—the thorn in his side, the woman who had once shared his bed and his dreams. Her presence was a constant reminder of his past choices, of the bond he had once tried to nurture, now shattered. He had been patient with her, waiting for her to submit, to bend to his will. But Yan Jiangri was no fool. She saw through his mask, and she had no intention of allowing him to manipulate her further.
---
Lin's internal conflict began to fester.
He had always prided himself on his control, his ability to manipulate every situation, every person, to suit his needs. But Yan Jiangri—she had been different. She had gotten under his skin, had made him question himself, his ambitions. For a time, he had believed in their shared future. But now, as his feelings for Mei Ling grew stronger, the need to rid himself of his wife became more urgent.
The betrayal he had orchestrated in his heart was not just a tactical move—it was a personal one. Yan Jiangri no longer served his vision. She had become an obstacle, a lingering reminder of his past mistakes, and he couldn't afford to let sentimentality cloud his judgment any longer.
---
The plan to kill Yan Jiangri began to take shape in the dark corners of his mind.
Lin didn't want it to come to this. He didn't want to kill her. There had once been love, and that love had not been easily erased. But love had no place in the world he was trying to build. Power, control, ambition—those were the only things that mattered. And Yan Jiangri had become a liability.
He set his plan in motion quietly, pulling strings behind the scenes. He arranged for her to take a late-night walk in the palace gardens, as she often did to clear her mind. She was vulnerable there, away from the watchful eyes of the palace guards. It would be the perfect opportunity for an "accident." A fall from the cliffs, perhaps. No one would question it. No one would suspect him.
But what Lin didn't account for was Joon-seo.
---
Joon-seo had noticed the shift in Lin's behavior long before Yan Jiangri had.
He had been her closest ally, her protector, and her friend. He had always sensed that something was off about Lin's behavior, but now it was impossible to ignore. The man she had once trusted had changed, his affection for her replaced by a cold, calculating detachment. Joon-seo had watched Lin's increasing interest in Mei Ling and the subtle coldness between Yan Jiangri and her husband. The signs were clear: Lin was no longer the man he had once been. And that realization cut Joon-seo deeply. He had always admired Lin, had seen in him the potential to be a great leader. But now, Joon-seo saw only a man consumed by ambition, willing to sacrifice anyone—and everyone—for power.
The night Yan Jiangri ventured into the garden, Joon-seo followed, unseen. He wasn't sure what he feared—whether Lin would finally make his move or if Yan Jiangri might discover the truth of Lin's betrayal—but he couldn't risk her safety. His loyalty to her was unwavering, and if she was to be protected, it was up to him.
---
In the garden, the moonlight cast long shadows over the stone paths.
Yan Jiangri walked alone, lost in her thoughts, unaware that danger was closing in. The night air was cool, and she welcomed the solitude. She needed space, needed to think. Lin's betrayal weighed heavily on her heart, but she had no choice but to continue forward. Her people needed her—her kingdom needed her. The war could not wait for her grief, could not wait for her broken heart. She had to remain strong, even if it meant facing the man she had once loved, now her greatest enemy.
But just as the assassin approached, a sharp sound from the bushes caught her attention. She spun around, instinctively reaching for the dagger at her waist, but before she could act, Joon-seo stepped into the clearing.
"Jiangri," Joon-seo's voice was urgent. "There's someone behind you."
She froze, her heart racing as Joon-seo's warning registered. She turned quickly, but it was too late. The assassin lunged toward her.
With a swift movement, Joon-seo blocked the strike, disarming the assassin and sending him sprawling to the ground. "Get back to the palace," Joon-seo ordered, his eyes sharp as he bound the assassin's hands.
Yan Jiangri stood there, trembling, her breath coming in shallow gasps. "How did you know?" she whispered.
Joon-seo's gaze softened as he looked at her. "I've been watching over you, Jiangri. And I feared that tonight would come."
She shook her head, disbelief written across her face. "Lin…" The name tasted bitter on her tongue. "He planned this?"
Joon-seo nodded grimly. "He has been plotting against you for some time now. I'm sorry."
---
Back in the palace, Lin's anger burned like wildfire.
The failed attempt had shaken him. He had thought that he could manipulate everything, bend it all to his will, but now he realized just how dangerous Joon-seo was. Lin's desire for Mei Ling had turned into a deadly obsession, and the need to rid himself of Yan Jiangri had become more urgent than ever.
As he paced the halls of the palace, he swore to himself that he would not fail again. He had Mei Ling by his side now, and nothing—nothing—would stand in his way.
---
For Yan Jiangri, the moment of truth had arrived.
She stood in the garden, her mind racing. The man she had once loved had turned against her, and now she was forced to face the reality of his betrayal. The marriage that had once been a symbol of power had become a prison. Lin was no longer the man she had married—he was a stranger, a monster driven by his own lust for power.
But she wouldn't let him win. She had lost too much already. The fight for her kingdom, for her people, had just begun.