The Inner Palace was beautiful in the way a gilded cage was beautiful.
High walls wrapped in flowering vines, koi ponds carved with impossible precision, corridors so clean they felt untouched by human hands. Guards stood at every entrance, their presence polite, immovable.
Jiao Shui felt it the moment she crossed the threshold.
This was not protection.This was containment.
Her new chambers overlooked a private garden where plum blossoms drifted like quiet thoughts. Silk screens filtered the sunlight, and incense burned with an almost medicinal calm.
"You will not leave this wing without escort," the chief eunuch said, bowing. "The Emperor's command."
Jiao nodded, her expression serene even as her chest tightened.
After the attendants withdrew, silence settled.
She stood alone for a moment, listening to her own breathing.
Then a soft tap sounded at the lattice window.
She turned sharply.
Song Lingfang slipped inside with the grace of someone who had memorized palace blind spots for years. He landed lightly, already scanning the room.
"You're not supposed to be here," she whispered.
"I know."
She rushed to him before sense could interfere. "You're injured. You should be resting."
He smiled faintly. "I heal faster when I know you're safe."
Her laugh came out sharper than intended. "Safe? Lingfang, I'm being guarded like a treasure chest."
"And treasures are targeted," he said quietly.
They stood close, the air thick with things unsaid.
She reached up, adjusting the bandage at his shoulder. "Prince Yang said Shenzha wants to retrieve something living."
Lingfang's jaw tightened. "He thinks you belong to him."
"I don't belong to anyone."
Lingfang met her eyes. "Then don't let them decide that for you."
A pause. A breath. A thread pulled too tight.
Outside the chamber, footsteps echoed.
Lingfang stepped back instantly, shadow melting into the window frame.
Before he left, he said softly, "If the Emperor tightens his hold… it's because he's afraid."
"Of Shenzha?" she whispered.
"Of losing you," Lingfang replied.
He vanished.
Moments later, the door opened.
The Emperor entered alone.
His presence filled the room without effort. He took in the space, the window, the faint disturbance in the air. He was not a fool.
"You're unhappy here," he said calmly.
"It's… quiet," she replied carefully.
He approached, stopping at a respectful distance. "You were nearly taken last night. I will not allow that again."
"You don't trust me," she said.
"I trust you too much," he corrected. "That is the danger."
She met his gaze. "What do you intend to do with me, Your Majesty?"
He studied her for a long moment.
"I intend to keep you alive," he said. "Even if it means you resent me."
Her heart twisted.
Outside, the plum blossoms fell.
Inside, the walls closed in just a little more.
And far beyond the palace, a ghost counted the days.