The silence of the estate felt oppressive the next morning, an unsettling calm that lingered in the air like a heavy fog. Shuyin stood before the grand window of her chambers, staring out at the sprawling gardens below, though her thoughts were far from peaceful. The death of General Zhao had been a necessary step—one that would send a clear message to anyone daring to challenge her authority—but it had also shifted the power dynamics in ways that were still unknown.
Her mind churned with plans, strategies, and contingencies. She knew that her victory over Zhao wouldn't go unnoticed for long. Those who sought to seize power would soon come crawling, drawn by the scent of weakness in the estate's leadership. It was inevitable. People like that were always eager to test their limits.
And Shuyin would make sure they paid the price.
---
Li Mei entered the room, her presence calm, but her eyes carried the weight of an uncomfortable truth.
"Lady Murong," she began cautiously, bowing slightly. "There are whispers spreading through the estate. General Zhao's death has already been noticed. Some of the men who were loyal to him are... concerned."
Shuyin didn't flinch. "Let them be concerned," she replied coolly, her voice steady. "Fear is a powerful tool. If they are afraid, they will be easier to control."
Li Mei hesitated, then spoke again, her voice lower now, almost hesitant. "But there are others who... might seek to use this as an opportunity. There are some factions within the army, especially among the younger officers, who might challenge your authority."
Shuyin turned to face her, a small, dangerous smile playing on her lips. "Let them try," she said softly. "I will show them the same fate that befell Zhao. Those who think they can outmaneuver me will soon learn how wrong they are."
Li Mei seemed to shrink slightly under the weight of Shuyin's words but nodded. "Understood, Lady Murong."
---
As the day wore on, the first signs of unrest began to surface. The lower officers, sensing the instability within the higher ranks, began to gather in hushed groups, speaking in murmurs. Some were already considering their options, weighing their loyalty against their ambitions.
Shuyin had anticipated this. There would be a period of chaos—a storm before the calm. The key now was to act quickly, decisively. She couldn't afford to wait.
She turned to Li Mei once more. "Prepare the guest chambers. We will host a meeting tonight."
Li Mei's brow furrowed slightly. "A meeting, my lady? Who do you plan to invite?"
"Those who will bend the knee," Shuyin answered, her eyes hard. "And those who will think they can challenge me. Tonight, we make our next move."
---
That evening, the grand hall was filled with the whispers of men who thought themselves important. Shuyin stood at the head of the room, calm and collected as the guests gathered—officers, nobles, and influential figures in the estate. They had been summoned, each one intrigued by the power vacuum left in the wake of General Zhao's sudden demise.
The air buzzed with tension as the last few figures filtered into the room. Shuyin's gaze swept over the crowd, scanning their faces, reading their expressions, calculating their potential moves. These were not her allies—not yet—but they would be. At least, most of them.
"Welcome, gentlemen," she said smoothly, her voice echoing through the hall, silencing the murmurs. "You've all come for one reason or another. Some of you are curious. Some of you are ambitious. And some of you... are already planning how to seize control."
She let the silence stretch for a moment, allowing her words to sink in.
"You should all know one thing," she continued, her voice sharp. "I do not tolerate weakness. General Zhao's betrayal was dealt with swiftly. And those who think they can follow in his footsteps will be treated in the same manner."
A murmur rippled through the crowd. Shuyin watched with cold satisfaction as the uncertainty on their faces slowly turned to wariness.
"Tonight," she said, her tone lowering, becoming almost intimate, "we decide who will rise—and who will fall. There is no place for hesitation in this world. If you wish to survive, you must prove your worth. If you do not, well... you'll become another forgotten name in the annals of history."
She took a step forward, her eyes locking onto the closest man, an officer who had once been loyal to Zhao. His name was Wei Feng, and he was a dangerous fool who thought he could challenge her. His posture stiffened under her gaze, and for a moment, Shuyin could see the flicker of doubt in his eyes.
"You, Officer Wei," she said calmly, her voice carrying across the room. "Do you believe you are worthy of leading this army?"
Wei Feng's eyes flickered, then hardened. "I... I have served with honor. I am loyal to this estate."
"Loyalty is a currency that is easily spent," Shuyin said, her tone colder than ice. "You are not here because of loyalty, Officer Wei. You are here because you fear what happens if you aren't."
A hush fell over the room. Wei Feng's hands clenched into fists at his sides, but he did not speak.
"Tonight, we find out who will fall into line," Shuyin continued, her gaze sweeping over the gathered men. "And who will be left behind."
She turned and made her way to the far side of the room, where a large table was laid out with scrolls, maps, and contracts. Shuyin picked up a scroll and unfurled it, revealing the meticulous plans she had already set in motion. It wasn't just about the military. It was about consolidating power, about forming alliances that would ensure her reign remained unchallenged.
"You will all leave here tonight with an understanding of your place in this new order," Shuyin said, her voice steady, final. "Those who accept it will thrive. Those who refuse... will be forgotten."
---
As the meeting unfolded, alliances were made, and betrayals were born. Shuyin's calm demeanor never wavered as she manipulated the room, carefully sifting through the ambitious, the desperate, and the power-hungry. By the time the night ended, her grip on the estate was more secure than ever.
---
But as the last guests left, and the heavy door closed behind them, Shuyin stood by the window once again, her gaze distant. There was still much work to be done. There were forces beyond her control—forces that would come for her sooner or later.
And when they did, she would be ready.
---