Poisoned Shadows
POV: Cheng Palace / Court Intrigue
The court buzzed with tension as ministers whispered behind ornate screens. Some loyalists to Xiao Xing marveled at the young Emperor's strength, yet others plotted silently. Giyeok's rise as Empress had unsettled the nobility, and fear and envy festered in their hearts.
One minister, cloaked in silk and arrogance, muttered to his ally, "A commoner as Empress? The Emperor's judgment is clouded by passion. It is only a matter of time before chaos reigns."
Others nodded, plotting subtle ways to undermine her authority — a poisoned cup, a hidden blade, a whispered rumor. Nae Yi's shadow loomed over them, a reminder that cunning and fear could bend even loyalty to ruin.
POV: Giyeok / Private Chambers
Giyeok had sensed subtle shifts in the court. Servants looked away nervously, ministers avoided her gaze, and even the Emperor's allies acted strangely. Still, she remained vigilant, sharpening her mind as finely as her blade.
That night, a cup of tea was delivered to her chambers — its aroma sweet, yet tinged with something unfamiliar. Her instincts screamed danger, but exhaustion dulled her caution. She drank.
Within moments, a burning pain gripped her chest. Her vision blurred, her strength faltering. She collapsed to the floor, grasping the edge of the table, every breath a struggle.
POV: Xiao Xing / Awareness
Xiao Xing, standing outside Giyeok's chambers, sensed her distress. The subtle shift in the air, the faint whisper of a servant fleeing, told him all he needed to know. He burst into the room, finding her pale, trembling, her life hanging by a thread.
"No!" he shouted, dropping to his knees beside her. "What have they done? Who dares?"
Giyeok's eyes flickered open, meeting his. "…Xiao… Xing… they… poisoned me…"
Rage unlike anything he had ever felt ignited within him. His hands clenched around the ornate pillars of the room, knuckles white, his breath coming in harsh bursts.
POV: Ministers / Court Panic
Word of Giyeok's condition spread like wildfire through the palace. Ministers cowered, realizing the Emperor's wrath would not be contained. A trembling noble approached, bowing low.
"Your Majesty… please… it was not our intention… we meant no harm…"
Xiao Xing's voice cut through the room like a blade. "You poison the Empress? You poison my heart, my life, my empire? Tell me, fools… do you think I will forgive this?"
The room fell silent. Even the most defiant ministers shrank under his gaze, the weight of his fury palpable.
POV: Xiao Xing / Threat
He lifted Giyeok into his arms, her body frail but still breathing. "Hear me, all of you," he said, voice low but deadly. "If she dies… if a single hair on her head is harmed again… I will abandon this empire. I will leave Cheng to crumble, and every one of you who remains will answer for it. Do you understand?"
Trembling, the ministers nodded, fear overtaking pride. No one dared challenge him further.
POV: Giyeok / Recovery
Days passed, and under the Emperor's vigilant care and the ministrations of loyal healers, Giyeok slowly recovered. Xiao Xing refused to leave her side, his fury smoldering like a coiled serpent beneath his calm exterior.
"I will never let them harm you again," he whispered one evening, her hand in his. "…Never."
Giyeok, despite weakness, smiled faintly. "I know… we face them together. Always."
Xiao Xing's eyes burned with renewed determination. The poison had not only tested Giyeok's strength but solidified the bond between them — a bond forged in blood, trust, and unbreakable love.
Closing Scene: Consolidation of Power
The ministers, cowed and fearful, conceded. Giyeok remained Empress, her position unchallenged. Xiao Xing's authority over the empire was absolute, yet the shadow of Nae Yi's influence lingered.
From the palace balcony, Xiao Xing looked toward the horizon. Li Dynasty's forces were regrouping. The empire's internal strife had only been temporarily quelled.
Giyeok, standing by his side, rested her head on his shoulder. "…The storm is not over," she murmured.
"No," he replied, hand gripping hers tightly. "But we will face it. Together."
And so, Cheng remained under the firm grip of its Emperor, love as his shield, vengeance as his sword, and the promise of conquest and justice burning bright in his heart.