Crimson silk draped from the towering ceiling, swaying gently in the night breeze drifting through the deliberately opened window. Oil lanterns flickered, casting golden glows upon Mei Lin's body as she knelt atop a gilded bed, its edges adorned with intricate gold carvings. Her hair was half-pinned, revealing the curve of her slender neck, while her pale chest was faintly visible beneath the sheer fabric that barely qualified as clothing.
"I am not a woman to be bought," she whispered in her heart, though tonight, her entire body had been prepared for sale—to the most powerful man in the empire.
The heavy doors engraved with dragons creaked open, drawing Mei Lin's gaze. Footsteps approached—measured, cold, and commanding. The air thickened with heat. Mei Lin held her breath, her fingers curling tightly atop her bare thighs.
She already knew this wasn't just her first night in the palace. It was her first night as an offering to her new master. And that man… was the Emperor himself.
Emperor Li Xuan entered without a sound. His black robe shimmered softly under the dim light of the lanterns. His long hair was tied high, his eyes sharp as they traced the length of her body from head to toe. There was no lust in that gaze—only assessment. Like a collector appraising a newly acquired possession.
"You're the servant from the southern kingdom?" he asked at last as he stopped before her.
Mei Lin bowed gracefully, concealing the storm of hatred beneath her calm obedience. "At Your Majesty's service."
"Rise," he commanded coolly.
She nodded and stood with practiced grace. There was no shame in her movements—only deliberate care. Every motion crafted to draw attention, yet veiled in layers of unspoken secrets. The Emperor stepped closer, lifting her chin with a single finger, tilting her face toward the lantern light.
"Your skin is soft," he murmured. "But your eyes... they're far too bold." His fingers grazed her lips.
Mei Lin replied in a whisper, "I was trained to serve Your Majesty with both body and gaze."
Li Xuan smirked. "You don't seem like an ordinary servant."
His voice cut through her like a blade. He either knew too much, or was simply suspicious—both possibilities were dangerous.
She fought to remain composed, lifting her chin just enough to seem submissive and defiant at once.
"I am merely an offering from the southern kingdom. A princess traded for peace, Your Majesty," she explained with humble precision.
"Peace?" Li Xuan scoffed, his cold fingers still on her face. "Peace doesn't exist in politics. It's just the pause before the next war," he whispered, his lips near hers.
Mei Lin said nothing, her lips pressed tightly together. She prayed he wouldn't close the space between them—yet she knew this was why she had been sent. As bait. As a tool. As a pawn in a game far larger than herself.
The Emperor withdrew his touch and began circling the bed like a predator stalking prey. But there was something in his movement that made Mei Lin realize—this man wasn't seduced. He wasn't truly interested in her. Not in the way others might be.
"What is your age?" he asked, his eyes now fixed on the dragon carving behind her.
"Eighteen, Your Majesty."
"Still young. But you hide your fear remarkably well," he noted with a nod.
"I was trained to," she answered, firmer this time.
"Tell me—who trained you?" he asked suddenly, his gaze sharp as steel. "You're no ordinary princess. Your poise… your eyes… they're not of a mere girl."
Thump.
The question hit like an arrow to her chest. She had played the role too perfectly. Controlled herself too well. And this Emperor… was too clever.
She took a slow breath, suppressing the tremble in her voice. "My teacher was Madam Zhu from the Jade Blossom Pavilion. She trained noble girls in etiquette and dance, Your Majesty."
"Madam Zhu teaches dance, not how to hold your breath when you think you're about to be killed," he snapped back. "What is your real name?"
Mei Lin blinked. Her heart tensed at that question. "Mei Lin, Your Majesty."
"The name you were born with?" he pressed.
She bit her lip, steadying her voice. "It is the only name I've ever had, Your Majesty."
Li Xuan let out a soft laugh. "You lie well—but not well enough to fool me entirely." His fingers drifted down her neck, though his eyes never left hers. "There's poison in your stare. And yet… something inviting."
"I do not intend to challenge Your Majesty," she said, though her tone carried a faint trace of old vengeance.
He circled her once more, silent, save for the swish of robes against marble. Then he stopped behind her, letting the silence stretch between them like a blade yet to strike.
"Your real name is not Mei Lin."
Her heart thundered. That single line was enough to shake her composure. He knows? But she didn't answer. She knew the rule of this game: whoever speaks first—loses.
"I know who sent you," he continued. "And I know… you bring more than just your body."
Mei Lin struggled to breathe.
"They think I would weaken at the sight of such a beautiful trap," Li Xuan said. "But they forget—I do not hunger for the bodies they offer… I hunger for the truth."
She lifted her gaze, locking eyes with the Emperor. Eyes too clear for a man who had tasted absolute power—yet too deep to read.
"If Your Majesty knows I am not an ordinary servant… why not cast me aside?"
"Because I want to know: what is your purpose here? To kill me?" His voice remained calm, yet danger lurked beneath.
Mei Lin gave him a faint smile. "If I intended to kill you, Your Majesty, I wouldn't have dressed like a doll and brushed every strand of hair to appear fragile before you."
Li Xuan chuckled. A rare sound in such a vast chamber. But his laugh held no softness. If anything, it meant trouble. He was intrigued—and that made everything more dangerous.
"So," he said slowly. "Tell me... what is your real name?"