A Night of Celebration, A Century of Silence
It was meant to be just another grand banquet — a celebration of the Third Prince's military success and his newly bestowed title. The palace had seen a hundred such events before. But this one... was different.
Not because of the food or the music or the golden lanterns glowing like stars.
But because she came.
The Second Empress.
Lady Qingyu.
She had lived like a ghost for years — rarely seen, never heard. Her palace was silent, her presence forgotten by most except those who whispered about her in corridors when they were sure no one was listening. So when word spread that she had accepted the Emperor's invitation to attend, the palace froze.
Even the wind outside seemed to hold its breath.
And then the doors opened.
She walked in slowly, wearing robes of deep silver and pale jade — graceful, serene, untouchable. Time hadn't dulled her beauty. It had simply sharpened it into something quieter, colder, almost holy. The hall fell completely silent. Music stopped mid-note. Servants bowed too fast. Ministers stared.
Even the Emperor stood still.
He watched her approach with eyes that seemed both hungry and haunted. Perhaps no one else noticed how tightly he gripped the edge of his throne… or how his breath caught in his throat.
Then he did something no one expected.
No decree. No announcement. Just a single, trembling sentence:
"Qingyu… come sit beside me."
A murmur rippled across the room. Eyes widened. Some wives stiffened. A few concubines lowered their gazes, pretending not to hear. For a moment, even the Third Prince looked up, startled.
And Lady Qingyu?
She didn't flinch. She didn't smile.
She simply walked — quietly, without a word — and sat beside him.
Not beneath him.
Not behind him.
Beside him.
The Emperor didn't look at anyone else that night.
And while the ministers raised their cups and the court musicians began to play again, everyone knew:
This banquet wasn't just about the Third Prince.
It was about the Emperor's oldest guilt.
And the woman he still couldn't let go.
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End of Chapter 14
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