The next day, whispers swept the inner court.
A guard from the Crown Prince's inner circle had been detained.
Rumor said he had plotted to steal imperial documents. Another version claimed he had spoken ill of the Emperor's health. In truth, no one knew.
But Shen Lian did.
She moved quickly.
That night, with Zhou shadowing her movements, she left a sealed envelope near the Director of Inner Guards' scroll rack.
Inside was only a name, and the golden ribbon Zhou had recovered.
The next morning, that same guard was quietly released. No charges, no demotion—only a transfer to cold detail near the garden walls.
It was not mercy. It was containment.
Someone didn't want questions asked.
And that someone was afraid.
Shen Lian watched from a high walkway as the guard was escorted away.
Zhou stood beside her.
"That was fast," he said.
"They're nervous," she replied. "That's good."
She turned to him. "Find out who replaced his duty post the night the ribbon went missing. That's who they're protecting."
Zhou nodded and vanished into shadow.
Later that evening, Shen Lian received a message.
An invitation.
The Crown Prince wished to meet her.
Alone.