The palace was alive in ways that outsiders could never understand. Every corridor hummed with secrets, every painting hid a glance, every lantern flickered with silent gossip. Feng Lianhua had learned quickly that the palace did not reward innocence. It rewarded those who understood the unspoken rules, read between every line, and struck when others were blind.
That morning, she awoke to find a small folded note tucked beneath her pillow. The handwriting was delicate yet precise, clearly noble-born. Her heart skipped. An ally? Or a trap?
Unfolding it carefully, she read:
"The night holds more than sleep. Meet me by the eastern pavilion at midnight. –A Friend"
She could feel the weight of possibility. Any noble-born attempt at communication could be lethal if discovered, yet opportunities like this were what transformed pawns into players.
The First Challenge – Rival Consort's Game
Before the night could arrive, Lady Xiu had already made her move. At breakfast in the grand hall, she leaned close to Feng Lianhua, her voice soft, almost teasing.
"Consort Feng, it must be difficult to adjust," Lady Xiu whispered. "The palace is… unforgiving. Perhaps you would like a guide?"
Feng Lianhua tilted her head, letting a polite smile curve her lips. "I would be grateful for advice. It is rare to have someone so experienced notice me."
Lady Xiu's smile widened—but it did not reach her eyes. Every word was measured, every compliment a blade hidden beneath silk. Yet Feng Lianhua understood the subtle message: I will watch you. Step wrongly, and I will strike.
The tension of that encounter lingered like a perfume. She had survived her first duel of words. She had made the first impression: clever, cautious, calm.
Midnight in the Eastern Pavilion
When the moon rose, silver and sharp, Feng Lianhua slipped silently through the corridors. The palace was quiet, yet full of danger. Servants, guards, and spies could be anywhere. Every shadow could be a dagger.
At the eastern pavilion, a figure awaited her: tall, lean, and clad in dark green silk, blending with the night. His eyes, sharp and intelligent, glimmered in the moonlight.
"You came," he said softly, voice low.
"And you?" she asked, stepping closer, hands lightly brushing the carved railings.
"I watch. I wait. And I help, if it suits us both."
Feng Lianhua's mind raced. She had no reason to trust him. But she also understood the value of a carefully placed ally in a sea of enemies.
"What is your name?" she asked.
"Li Xun. I serve… the palace, but I notice things others do not. You are clever."
The words were simple, but in the palace, every compliment was a promise, every promise a trap.
First Subtle Victory – Setting the Trap
Over the next few days, Feng Lianhua observed Lady Xiu more carefully. The noblewoman was careful, but not perfect. A misplaced word here, a glance there, a whispered complaint to a servant… all recorded, all stored in Lianhua's mind like treasure.
She also learned the palace's poison cupboard—hidden beneath a loose tile behind the kitchen wall—was replenished nightly. A single vial could topple a life, ruin a faction, or prevent her enemies from striking first.
One night, she used a clever ruse:
She "accidentally" dropped a carved brush near Lady Xiu's tea.
Lady Xiu's hand brushed it, catching a hint of poisoned powder meant only to mark objects subtly.
No one was harmed, yet the message was clear: Feng Lianhua was aware, clever, and dangerous.
By morning, whispers had already started: "Consort Feng is no ordinary girl."
Forbidden Glance – The Emperor Enters
As she walked through the courtyard the next day, carrying trays of tea for her assigned duties, the emperor appeared. He did not speak, only observed her. The sun glinted off the gold embroidery of his robes, and Feng Lianhua felt the full weight of his gaze.
It was not approval. It was not disapproval. It was curiosity. And curiosity, she knew, was a double-edged sword in the palace. The emperor's interest could be a blessing… or a death sentence.
She bowed. "Your Majesty."
He inclined his head. "Consort Feng, the way you move through this palace… it is unusual. You notice things others miss."
A subtle smirk brushed her lips. "I only notice what must be noticed, Your Majesty."
He studied her for a long moment, then turned away. But his gaze lingered at the back of her mind like a shadow. The game had begun. And now, the stakes were no longer only her rivals—they were the emperor himself.