Mei Lin's POV
Three days passed in a careful dance.
Mornings I navigated harem politics—learning which concubines could become allies, which were Lian's spies, which were simply trying to survive. Imperial Concubine Su began sitting with me at meals. Not speaking much, just quiet solidarity that said more than words.
Afternoons I spent with Tang Qing, mapping the palace servants' gossip network. She'd identified the two officials discussing my father—Minister Fang and Minister Zhou. Both mid-level bureaucrats. Both terrified of something.
Nights belonged to the Emperor.
We met in his private study every evening. Talked about philosophy, strategy, governance. Sometimes we played chess, evenly matched, which delighted him. Sometimes we just sat in comfortable silence, reading.
He never pushed for more than I offered. Never demanded answers about my past. Just accepted me as I was.
It was intoxicating. Dangerous. Perfect.
You're getting better at chess, Yiren commented, studying the board between us. Last week I won easily. Tonight you've got me cornered.
I had a good teacher.
Your mysterious father?
I tensed. He noticed immediately.
Sorry. I didn't mean to push.
It's fine. I moved my piece, trapping his general. Checkmate.
He laughed, genuine and warm. You're full of surprises, Mei Lin.
Is that good or bad?
Both. You keep me guessing. I'm never bored. He leaned closer. But sometimes I wonder what else you're hiding behind those careful eyes.
Everything. I'm hiding everything.
Nothing important.
Liar. But he smiled. Someday you'll trust me enough to tell me the truth. I can wait.
Guilt twisted in my chest. He was being so patient. So kind. And I was deceiving him with every breath.
A knock interrupted the moment. Eunuch Chen entered, bowing.
Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager requests your presence. Urgent family matter.
Yiren's expression shifted to imperial formality. Of course. Mei Lin, I'm sorry—
Go. Duty calls.
He stood but hesitated. Then quickly pressed a kiss to my forehead. Tomorrow night. Don't forget.
I won't.
After he left, Chen approached me with careful steps.
Noble Lady, I've arranged your meeting with Imperial Concubine Su. Tomorrow afternoon in the meditation garden. It's private. No servants. No witnesses.
Thank you, Eunuch Chen.
Be honest with her, he advised. Su values directness. And she's desperate for an ally against Lian. Use that.
The next afternoon, I found Su waiting in the meditation garden. She sat on a stone bench, feeding fish in the pond where a concubine had drowned last year.
Noble Lady Mei Lin. She didn't look up. Eunuch Chen said you wanted to talk.
I did. About Imperial Noble Consort Lian.
Everyone talks about Lian. Usually in whispers. You're brave or stupid enough to be direct.
Maybe both. I sat beside her. She's tried to kill me twice. She'll try again. I need allies who understand how dangerous she is.
Su finally met my eyes. And you think I'm such an ally?
I think Lian poisoned your unborn child three years ago. I think she destroyed your position as the Emperor's favorite. I think you want revenge as much as I want survival.
Su's face went carefully blank. That's a dangerous accusation.
It's the truth. You know it. I know it. The whole palace knows it but nobody says it.
If I confirm that, if I admit Lian murdered my child, what then? We have no proof. No way to touch her.
We gather proof. Together. I leaned closer. I have resources. Connections. The Emperor's favor. You have knowledge. Three years of watching Lian's patterns. Understanding how she operates.
Why should I trust you? You've been here less than a week.
Because I'm the first person who's challenged Lian openly and survived. Because the Emperor actually listens to me. Because together we're stronger than either of us alone. I held her gaze. And because you're tired of being afraid.
Su was silent for a long moment. Then she laughed—bitter and broken.
Three years I've stayed quiet. Accepted my fall from grace. Avoided making waves. And you show up and immediately declare war on the most powerful woman in the Inner Court.
Is that a yes?
It's insanity. But Su smiled. I'm in. What do you need?
Relief flooded through me. Everything you know about Lian. Her routines. Her associates. Who visits her. Where her money comes from.
Her money comes from Prime Minister Wei. Her cousin. He's been embezzling from the imperial treasury for years. Lian gets a percentage.
Can you prove that?
No. But I know she receives monthly payments. Always on the new moon. A servant brings a locked box to her quarters. She opens it privately. The next day, she buys expensive gifts or bribes officials.
We need to intercept one of those boxes.
That's impossible. The servant is absolutely loyal to Wei. And Lian guards those boxes personally.
Nothing's impossible. Just difficult. My mind raced through possibilities. When's the next new moon?
Five days.
Then we have five days to plan. Can you map Lian's routine? When she's most distracted?
Su studied me with new respect. You're actually serious about this.
Deadly serious.
The Emperor really chose well. You're either brilliant or completely insane.
Probably both.
We talked for another hour, sharing information. Su knew things I didn't—which officials were in Lian's pocket, which servants could be bribed, which concubines were spies.
In return, I shared Tang Qing's intelligence network. The whispers from below-stairs. The rumors Lian was spreading.
By the time we parted, we had the beginnings of a strategy.
That evening, a summons arrived. Not from the Emperor.
From the Empress Dowager.
My stomach dropped. The Empress Dowager hated me. Viewed me as an embarrassment to imperial dignity. What could she possibly want?
I dressed in my most formal robes and followed the servant to the Empress Dowager's residence. It was magnificent. Cold. Every surface polished to perfection.
The Empress Dowager sat like a statue carved from ice. Fifty years old and beautiful in a severe way. Her eyes held no warmth.
Noble Lady Mei Lin. How kind of you to attend me.
The honor is mine, Your Grace.
Is it? She gestured for me to sit. Let me be direct. You're a problem.
I kept my face carefully neutral. I don't understand.
Don't play innocent. You're a servant who seduced the Emperor. You have no family, no connections, no breeding. Yet somehow you've captured his attention so thoroughly he raises your rank and spends every night with you.
I don't control the Emperor's favor, Your Grace.
No. But you exploit it. Her voice turned sharp. The Emperor needs a proper Empress. Someone of noble birth with political connections. Someone who can bear legitimate heirs. You are none of these things.
I've never claimed to be.
Yet you parade around the Inner Court like you belong. You challenge Imperial Noble Consort Lian. You build alliances. You act like you have power. The Empress Dowager leaned forward. You are nothing. A momentary distraction. When the Emperor tires of you—and he will—you'll be discarded. I want you gone before that happens. Before you embarrass him further.
Her words cut deeper than I expected. Because part of me feared she was right.
With respect, Your Grace, that's the Emperor's decision, not yours.
Insolent child. But there was almost approval in her eyes. You have courage. Foolish courage. But courage nonetheless.
She stood, signaling the audience was over.
Leave the palace, Noble Lady. I'll arrange a generous settlement. Enough to live comfortably. You'll avoid the humiliation of being cast aside.
Thank you for your concern, Your Grace. But I'll stay.
Then you'll suffer the consequences. Her expression hardened. This palace destroys those who don't belong. Mark my words—you'll regret your stubbornness.
I left with my head high but my heart pounding.
The Empress Dowager was right about one thing: I didn't belong. I was playing a dangerous game far above my station.
But I couldn't stop now. Not when I was so close to exposing Wei. Not when Yiren looked at me like I mattered.
That evening's summons came as expected. The Emperor wanted to see me.
But when I arrived at his study, something was different. He seemed tense. Distracted.
Mei Lin. Come in. We need to talk.
My stomach clenched. Those words never meant anything good.
What's wrong?
The Empress Dowager spoke to me. About you. He paced. She wants me to send you away. Says you're inappropriate. An embarrassment.
And what do you think?
I think— He stopped. Turned to face me. I think I don't care what anyone else thinks. But I need to know something. Why are you really here?
The question hit like a physical blow.
What do you mean?
You're too intelligent to be just a servant. Too strategic to be here by accident. You're hiding something important. His eyes searched mine. I don't need to know what. Not yet. But I need to know if I can trust you.
This was it. The moment where I had to choose how much truth to give.
I can't tell you everything, I said carefully. Not because I don't want to. Because it's dangerous. For both of us.
Dangerous how?
There are powerful people in this palace who've done terrible things. I'm trying to expose them. But if they know what I'm doing, they'll destroy me.
Who? Lian?
Lian and others.
He stepped closer. Let me help you.
You can't. Not without proof. And I don't have enough yet.
Then we gather proof together. He cupped my face. You don't have to do this alone, Mei Lin. Whatever this is.
I wanted to tell him everything. Wanted to trust him completely.
But Wei's shadow loomed too large. If Yiren knew I was planning to destroy his most trusted advisor, would he help? Or would he choose Wei's decade of loyalty over my days of attraction?
Soon, I whispered. When I have solid evidence, I'll tell you everything. I promise.
I'll hold you to that. He kissed me—soft and sweet and full of promise.
When we broke apart, he smiled. Now. Stop worrying about the Empress Dowager. You're not going anywhere.
We spent the evening as usual. Talking. Laughing. Playing chess.
Normal. Perfect. A lie built on secrets.
As I left his chambers that night, guilt heavy in my chest, I nearly collided with someone in the corridor.
Prime Minister Wei.
He steadied me with hands that felt like ice.
Noble Lady Mei Lin. How fortunate to encounter you. His smile never reached his eyes. I've been meaning to speak with you.
My heart raced but I kept my voice steady. Prime Minister Wei. How may I help you?
I'm curious about your background. The Emperor values you highly, yet nobody knows where you came from. Your family. Your history. His eyes glittered in the lamplight. It's my duty to ensure those close to His Majesty are... appropriate.
I'm just a servant who got lucky, Prime Minister.
Are you? Because you remind me of someone. Someone from years ago. He studied my face. Can't quite place it. But I will. I always do.
Terror shot through me. Did he suspect? Did he recognize me?
I'm sure many people look similar, Prime Minister.
Perhaps. He released my arm. Enjoy the Emperor's favor while it lasts, Noble Lady. Fortunes change so quickly in this palace.
He walked away, leaving me shaking.
Wei was investigating me. Getting suspicious.
I had to move faster. Gather evidence before he discovered the truth.
Five days until the new moon. Five days until Lian received her next payment from Wei.
Five days to plan the perfect theft.
And somehow survive long enough to see it through.