In the secondary audience hall of the Imperial Palace, a faint golden light filters through the windows, creating a solemn atmosphere. Emperor Sun Hao, with an unruffled expression, sits on his jade throne, his eyes carefully observing the three individuals in front of him.

  On the right, Taijian Li Ming, the chief eunuch and the emperor's right-hand man, maintains a respectful posture. To his left, the Yushi Dafu of the Yushitai, Zhang Wei , stands ready to give his report. Finally, the Neingjun of the Nei Wei, Liu Yan , with a tense expression, waits to be questioned.

  "Neingjun Liu Yan, how is it possible that an assassin managed to enter the room of Zhāohuán Wen?" Sun Hao's voice, though calm, carries a steel edge. "And not only that, but he was also able to successfully escape from the imperial palace."

  Liu Yan steps forward, bowing her head before speaking.

  "Your Majesty, due to the birthday party held in the park, most of the guards from the Cloud Fragrance Pavilion were reassigned to protect the party. Guards were maintained, but in smaller numbers”, Liu Yan replies, her voice firm but tinged with concern. "Apparently, it was not enough. And I fear that someone with knowledge of the new security measures informed the person who planned the assassination, as he even knew the route with the fewest guards in order to successfully escape."

  Sun Hao nods thoughtfully at the information revealed to him by the Neingjun as he continues his questioning "Yushi Dafu Zhang Wei, what has your investigation found?"

  Zhang Wei steps forward "Your Majesty, we have found remnants of talismans in the ceiling beams just above Zhāohuán's room. According to our investigation, these talismans contain remnants of Darkness Qi."

  Sun Hao frowns "Darkness Qi? What were those talismans supposed to do?"

  "Although few traces of them remain, from what little is left we have been able to deduce that their function was to envelop an area in darkness, making anyone in that area completely hidden and, unless someone was specifically sought out, only shadows would be seen”, explains Zhang Wei. "The theory is that the intruder took advantage of the reduction in guards to enter the pavilion and then used the talismans continuously to avoid detection."

  Silence falls briefly in the room as Sun Hao processes the information. Finally, he speaks again "And what does this suggest about the killer's origin?"

  Zhang Wei takes a deep breath before continuing “The number of talismans used and their rarity indicate that whoever sent the killer must be someone with a powerful background, Your Majesty. It's not something just anyone can obtain or use without advanced knowledge."

  Sun Hao nods slowly "Very well. Neingjun Liu Yan, starting today, I want a Nei Baihu in charge of protecting the areas where Zhāohuán Wen usually is."

  "As you say, Your Majesty”, Neingjun Liu Yan replies, bowing.

  Sun Hao gestures with his arm as he says “Neingjun Liu Yan, Yushi Dafu Zhang Wei, you may withdraw."

  Both bow deeply before leaving the room, leaving the emperor alone with Taijian Li Ming.

  Sun Hao turns slightly in his throne, directing his gaze at the eunuch "Taijian Li Ming, what do you think of all this?"

  Taijian Li Ming, his face serene, steps forward "Your Majesty, this appears to be a high-level conspiracy. We must consider all possibilities, including the involvement of internal factions."

  "You can narrow down the investigation further. Look for those who still have contacts with my father and have access to the changing of the guards”, Sun Hao replies. "With what the Yushitai has found, there is only one faction that could have access to so many talismans, and that is the Sect. And within the sect, only my father is crazy enough to spend resources on something like this."

  "It will be done as you say”, Taijian Li Ming replies with a bow, after which he asks. “Is there anything else you desire, or may I withdraw?"

  "Just one thing, how is the matter of the cultivation book they gave my daughter going?" Sun Hao asks in a tone as serious as or even more serious than he had during his previous interrogation.

  "It's at a standstill, Your Majesty”, replied Taijian Li Ming. "We have questioned everyone who gave Zhāohuán Wen books on her birthday, and an official from the Jiaofangsi who attended the party at the invitation of Guifei Xiang admitted to giving her a book containing the story that was camouflaged, but insists that the book was complete when he purchased it, and the store where he bought it says the same thing. They seem sincere, so we assume that someone exchanged it for the one he gave at the party in the few days he had it in his possession before the party or during the party itself."

  Taijian Li Ming sighs and continues “Other than that, there are no more clues, as virtually anyone in the court could have done it."

  Sun Hao taps his fingers on the armrest of the throne as he thinks about what Taijian Li Ming has told him for a moment before continuing to ask him “And what is my daughter doing with that information? She hasn't started cultivating, has she?"

  "According to Wang Lianhua, she often meditates to observe Qi when she has nothing better to do, but she believes it is more a form of entertainment than cultivation”, Taijian Li Ming replies. "She says that what Guifei Xiang told her about the possible dangers of cultivation has her terrified. She even thought that Taiyi Yulin was trying to kill her when she observed the needles working on her legs."

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  Taijian Li Ming seems to hesitate for a moment after his words, but finally asks the Emperor a question "May I make an observation, Your Majesty?"

  Sun Hao looks at him for a second before replying “Go ahead, Taijian Li Ming."

  "If what Wang Lianhua told us about the speed at which she detected Qi is correct, she may have already formed a protodantian”, Taijian Li Ming says to Sun Hao. "If we let her cultivate, she could be a genius among a million."

  "I will not risk my daughter's life for a possibility. That is what evil sects do, and I do not intend to follow that path”, Sun Hao replies. "My daughter will begin cultivating when there is no danger to her life."

  "You may withdraw now”, Sun Hao tells Taijian Li Ming as he dismisses him with a wave of his hand.

  "Then I take my leave, Your Majesty”, Taijian Li Ming says to the emperor with a bow, after which he leaves the room, leaving Sun Hao deep in thought.

  In an office in the outer palace, dimly lit by sunlight filtering through rice paper windows, a woman dressed in a luxurious gold-embroidered robe paces with obvious restlessness. Her eyes are fixed on the eunuch standing in front of her, maintaining a respectful posture.

  "Why are the palace guards so agitated?" the consort asks impatiently.

  The eunuch, in a calm and controlled tone, replies “Furen, from what I have been told, there was an assassination attempt on Zhāohuán Wen last night. An intruder managed to infiltrate her room, but was apprehended before he could do anything."

  The consort frowns, her eyes filled with contempt as she exclaims in a bitter voice that echoes throughout the office “An assassination attempt. And they couldn't even accomplish something as simple as killing a piece of trash who can't move? Useless!”

  The eunuch maintains his composure, waiting for the consort to finish expressing her displeasure before continuing "I have also learned that another reason they are so upset is that the assassin was able to escape despite all attempts to stop him. This has been a serious stain on their reputation, and they are moving heaven and earth to try to find the culprit to regain some face."

  The consort stops short, turning to look at the eunuch with piercing eyes "Does that pose any risk to us or our plans regarding the waste and her mother? Do we know if she has started cultivating?"

  "I don't know for sure, Furen”, the eunuch replies. "However, my contacts have reported that over the years they have been interviewing everyone who gave Zhāohuán Wen a book on that birthday. For now, I have decided to keep a low profile and halt all our plans so as not to draw attention to ourselves."

  The consort snorts in frustration "Incompetent! Not only do we not know if that useless girl has begun cultivating, but we also have to stop all our plans because of another incompetent person like that guy who doesn't deserve to be called an assassin. But, you did well to stop everything. We cannot allow this incident to interfere with my eldest son's plans."

  The eunuch nods deferentially "I understand, Furen. We will keep a low profile and watch closely. It is not worth risking the possibility of your eldest son being named heir for a girl who poses no real threat."

  The consort crosses her arms, still visibly irritated, but nods "All right. I will trust you, but always remember to whom you owe everything. Do what you must."

  "As you command, Furen”, replies the eunuch with a nod.

  The consort turns and heads for the door, her posture elegant but rigid, while the eunuch remains in the office, reflecting on the orders he has received and the implications of recent events.

  In the quiet courtyard of the Clouds' Fragrance Pavilion, Wang Lianhua sits on a stone bench, her mind still reeling from the events of the previous night. Around her, the singing of birds and the soft whisper of the wind in the trees attempt to bring a peace she cannot find.

  Lianhua's mind returns again and again to the moment she saw the assassin in little Wen's room. Although she had been trained for situations like this, it was the first time she had faced a real threat. She was never sure how she would react, but fortunately, she did not freeze or hesitate, managing to save little Wen's life.

  The crunch of gravel underfoot interrupts her thoughts. She looks up and sees Guifei Xiang approaching with a serious expression, followed by Fei Yi Lingxi.

  "Lianhua, we need to talk”, Guifei Xiang says softly, but without letting go of her serious tone.

  Lianhua nods "It's okay, Guifei Xiang. I just needed a moment to reflect."

  Guifei Xiang sits down on a nearby bench, while Fei Yi Lingxi remains standing beside her. After sitting down, she looks inquiringly at Lianhua, who begins to feel nervous, although thanks to her training she is able to maintain a facade of serenity.

  "I suppose you had to give a report on what happened last night”, Guifei Xiang begins to say to Lianhua. "I intend to speak to your superiors to ask them to allow you to continue as Wen's Fei Yi, in addition to whatever tasks they deem appropriate. But I wanted to know your opinion, because if you don't agree, I can always ask for you to be replaced."

  Lianhua is surprised, as her position, once discovered, lost much of its usefulness. She bows and replies “I would be delighted to continue being Zhāohuán Wen's Fei Yi, Guifei Xiang."

  "Then you will continue to be so if I can convince your superiors”, replies Guifei Xiang. "Besides, Wen has also made it very clear to everyone she has spoken to that if you don't come back, she plans to start complaining to everyone, even the Emperor if necessary."

  Lianhua smiles slightly as she imagines little Wen, with her abrasive personality, annoying everyone to get her to return, but she can't help asking one last question "If I may ask a question, Guifei Xiang?"

  "Go ahead, Lianhua”, Guifei Xiang replies.

  "Now you know that I am a Yushi of the Yushitai, and that I have been reporting everything that has happened in the residence to my superiors”, Lianhua says before asking. "Why do you trust me so much?"

  Guifei Xiang flashes a sad smile as she replies “Although my family is not very important, I am still a noble. I grew up surrounded by guards, and I know that the higher your rank, the more restricted the little freedom we have becomes."

  "Compared to what the Yushitai could have sent us, you have always been good to Wen and competent in everything you had to do. We couldn't ask for more”, Guifei Xiang continues to tell Lianhua as she gets up.

  After giving one last look at Lianhua, who seems surprised by what she has been told, Guifei Xiang heads for the courtyard exit. But before leaving, she turns her head to look at Lianhua and says a few last words "Besides, Wen has already decided she wants you back, and I pity anyone who tries to prevent that."

  With that, she leaves the courtyard, followed by Fei Yi Lingxi, who has not uttered a single word during the entire conversation.

  After Guifei Xiang's departure, Lianhua allows herself a moment to close her eyes and take a deep breath. She must remain strong, not only for little Wen, but for all those who believe in her.

  With new determination, Lianhua rises from the stone bench. There is much to be done, and she cannot afford to rest, as little Wen's safety may depend on her actions.

  As she leaves the courtyard, a shadow of resolve darkens her eyes. The danger is real and constant, but beyond her duties and comparing the difference in treatment she receives here and how she was treated in her family, she will not allow anything or anyone to hurt those who have trusted her without asking for anything in return.