Yue receives a special gift from the Emperor. General Wan tells her about the bracelet's real history. She wonders if she is truly appreciated or if she is simply a substitute for a ghost.
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Yue's eyes widened as she held the pouch he placed in her hand. The silk felt cool, a deep blue like the night sky.
"Your Majesty, I don't deserve—"
"Open it," The Emperor said softly.
Yue carefully undid the drawstring and tipped the contents into her hand. A bracelet with delicate silver links and a central piece of pale jade slipped out.
The clasp wasn't like any she'd seen in the palace. Instead of a simple hook, it featured a detailed butterfly design with a tiny hidden mechanism.
"It's beautiful," she whispered, tilting it to catch the light. Li Zhao took it from her hand gently, his fingers brushing hers.
"Allow me." He fastened it around her wrist with surprising tenderness. The metal felt cool against her skin but as if it belonged there.
"I bought this many years ago," he said, his eyes on the bracelet. "From a traveling merchant."
Yue looked at the bracelet, feeling it was strangely familiar. Her fingers naturally found the hidden mechanism of the butterfly clasp.
"You know how to open it," Li Zhao noted, his voice careful.
"It just... feels familiar," Yue said. "Maybe I've seen work like this somewhere before."
Li Zhao kept his gaze on her.
"Maybe."
He didn't tell her that the bracelet had never come from a merchant. It was a gift to a young princess made by the royal jeweler of the Yun Kingdom.
Yue looked at the Emperor, her eyes bright with genuine thanks.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I promise to make the Qarakhai feast exceptional."
Li Zhao watched her, his expression softening at her earnest promise. She spoke of repaying him with effort, not knowing the doubts he had. Each moment seemed to show her memory of things she shouldn't know.
"You speak as if this were a transaction, Noble Lady Yue," he said with a hint of amusement.
"Not everything requires repayment."
"Even so," she insisted, standing straighter with determination,
"I will ensure the feast is memorable. The Qarakhai will be impressed by our hospitality and understanding of their customs."
Li Zhao couldn't help but smile—a rare, heartfelt smile that changed his usual stern demeanor.
"I'm certain you'll succeed," he said, gently patting her head.
Yue was surprised by the gesture, which was so casual and warm, different from how he usually was with others in the palace.
At that moment, a court eunuch bowed deeply in the doorway.
"Your Majesty, the Minister of War has arrived with urgent news from the northern border."
Li Zhao straightened up, putting on his serious, royal expression again.
"We'll continue our discussions later. You may take your leave."
Yue bowed deeply as she took her leave, the new bracelet catching the light as she moved.
She strolled through the palace hallways, her fingers fiddling with the butterfly clasp on the bracelet.
Its familiarity puzzled her. She couldn't figure out how she knew exactly how to open it.
The more she tried to grasp the memory, the more it faded like mist.
The garden was peaceful under the late afternoon sun. Lotus flowers floated quietly on the pond, their pink petals glowing in the golden light.
Yue stopped by the water's edge, watching two Mandarin ducks glide across the mirrored surface.
"Lady Yue." She turned to see General Wan approaching.
He wore casual clothes instead of his usual military uniform. He smiled warmly, but his eyes quickly focused on her wrist.
"General Wan. What brings you to the gardens?"
"I was meeting the captain of the palace guard."
He gestured at her bracelet. "That's new."
Yue nodded and raised her arm slightly. "A gift from His Majesty."
Wan's expression changed subtly—a slight tension in his eyes and jaw.
He took her wrist gently to examine the bracelet closely.
"The craftsmanship is unique," he remarked with careful words.
"You don't often see such work in the Li Empire."
Wan suddenly let go of her wrist.
"Did the Emperor tell you where it came from?"
"A traveling merchant years ago," answered Yue.
"I see." Wan checked to make sure they were alone.
"Have you heard anything from the kitchen staff? Any unusual activities or strangers?"
"Nothing so far. Everyone is focused on preparing for the Qarakhai feast." She spoke softly.
"And you? Any trace of the intruder we chased?" asked Yue.
"Gone without a trace."
Wan's gaze returned to the bracelet. His eyes stayed on the bracelet, looking more troubled.
He glanced around once more for privacy and spoke in a low voice.
"Yue, this bracelet... it's from the Yun Kingdom." His fingers hovered near the butterfly clasp.
"This craftsmanship—the hidden mechanism, the unique carve of the jade—these are trademarks of Yun artisans. They were known for such jewelry, especially pieces with secret clasps."
Yue gazed at the bracelet, feeling a chill despite the warm sun.
"Yun Kingdom? But why would the Emperor give me something from there?"
"I don't know," Wan replied, though his eyes seemed to suggest more.
"Perhaps he doesn't know its true origin."
Yue shook her head slowly. "No. He knew. He watched me open the clasp like he was testing me."
Wan's jaw tightened. He clasped her hands, lowering his voice further.
"Yue, think about this. The Emperor was once engaged to the Yun princess before the tragedy. He mentioned this to you, right?"
"Yes, but how does that relate to—"
"Sometimes," Wan continued, looking deeply into her eyes, "when a man loses a loved one, they try to fill that emptiness.
"The Emperor might see something in you—maybe you remind him of her somehow."
Yue pulled her hands back, looking confused. "Do you think he's using me as a replacement for the Yun princess"
"It wouldn't be the first time a powerful man has done such a thing." Wan's voice was gentle but firm. "This bracelet—it could have belonged to her. And now he gives it to you."
Yue glanced at the bracelet, feeling its weight more than before.
"But why would he do that?"
"You remind him of what he lost," Wan explained.
"Be careful, Yue. The Emperor's interest in you might not be as it appears."
The bracelet shone in the afternoon sun, its jade-looking as though it glowed from within.
"I'm not a replacement," she insisted, though doubt lingered.
Wan's expression softened.
"I'm telling you this because I care about you, not to upset you. The Emperor's interest in you could put you in a tricky spot—politically and personally."
A cool breeze swept through the garden, rustling the leaves overhead. Yue wrapped her arms around herself, suddenly chilling despite the warm day.
"Even if you're right," she whispered,
"Even if what you say is true," she said quietly,
"What does it matter? I serve at His Majesty's pleasure. If he finds comfort in some resemblance I bear to someone lost, is that so terrible?"
"It matters," Wan said quietly, "Because the Empress already sees you as a threat. If she thinks the Emperor feels more for you than just favor..."
He didn't need to finish the sentence. They both understood the Empress's capacity for cruelty.
Wan turned his gaze toward the palace.
"Yue, after the recent incidents and the growing dangers surrounding us..." he said, standing tall.
"I believe you should learn to protect yourself. You can't always count on others to protect you."
"What are you saying?" Yue asked, her fingers gently touching the bracelet.
"Meet me tomorrow morning at dawn by the old cypress grove behind the servants' quarters."
I'll teach you some simple self-defense moves—techniques that could help in a dangerous situation."
He spoke softly. "It's not complicated, but it might give you some time if you're ever in trouble again." Yue's eyes widened with concern.
"That's unheard of. If someone learned that a palace concubine was training with the General—"
"That's why we'll meet at dawn where nobody else goes," Wan said, his expression firm.
Yue paused, glancing nervously at the busy palace where servants prepared for the feast.
"I know you care, General Wan,"
"But I'm already overwhelmed with helping Consort Shu with embroidery and organizing the Qarakhai feast, and I barely find time to sleep."
"Make time," Wan urged, his tone gentle but firm.
"The palace is becoming more dangerous each day. Learning these skills could be crucial for your safety."
Yue played with the bracelet on her wrist, feeling torn.
"The Emperor has increased security. Isn't that sufficient?"
"Guards can't be everywhere," Wan replied quietly, stepping closer.
"Next time, it could be something worse, like poison or a hidden blade."
A shiver ran down Yue's spine.
"Just for one hour before dawn," Wan insisted.
"Before the palace wakes. You'll be back before anyone notices."
Yue breathed out, understanding his genuine concern.
"We'll be discreet," Wan assured her. "I've ensured the area is secure. No one will see us."
Yue paused to think, then nodded with determination. "Alright, dawn it is.
Wan's relief was clear. "Wear something you can move easily in. And, Yue—"
Wan met her eyes with seriousness, "—tell no one."
As they separated, neither noticed the shadow shifting behind a cluster of decorative rocks at the garden's edge.