Chapter 14: The Emperor Awakens
The night air was thick with tension as Prince Rui slipped through the hidden passageways of the outer palace. Every step was calculated and every breath controlled. The palace was silent, but the silence felt unnatural; like a beast holding its breath before striking.
General Han followed close behind, his voice low. "Are you certain the scrolls are inside the vault?"
Rui's eyes narrowed. "My sources have never failed me. The Empress hides her darkest secrets where no one dares look; inside the Emperor's own vault."
Han shook his head. "If we're caught, this is treason."
"It's already treason." Rui's voice was steady. "The Empress forced my hand. I will no longer play her game."
---
Far below them, deep in the palace dungeon, Mei Lian sat in the cold darkness. Her body was weak, but her mind was sharp. She replayed every word the Empress had spoken and every veiled threat.
The Empress was confident, but not invincible.
> *If Rui can expose her corruption, the entire court will turn against her.*
Mei Lian's heart pounded not with fear, but with desperate hope. She clung to one truth:
> *Rui is still fighting.*
And as long as he fought, she would not break.
---
In the dead of night, Rui and General Han reached the guarded entrance to the Emperor's private vault.
Two imperial guards stood watch. Their armor gleamed in the moonlight.
Rui stepped forward boldly.
The guards stiffened, surprised. "Prince Rui?"
"You recognize me."
They glanced nervously. "This area is forbidden, Your Highness."
"I am not here to debate protocol." Rui's voice was like steel. "Step aside."
The guards exchanged a look. Their orders were clear; no one entered without the Emperor's or Empress's permission.
But then Rui played his final card.
He pulled out a jade token—one only the Emperor himself could issue. A symbol of absolute authority.
The guards paled instantly.
"My lord… we didn't know—"
"Then now you do," Rui said coldly. "Open the door."
The heavy iron doors groaned open.
Beyond lay a small chamber filled with rows of sealed scrolls and ledgers. The Emperor's personal archives—a place even the Empress rarely entered.
General Han quickly moved to the ledgers.
"These are tax records," Han whispered. "Hidden accounts stretching back years."
Rui's eyes scanned the seals. Many bore falsified dates and secret signatures—ledgers carefully concealed from official records.
But then he found it:
A thick scroll marked with the Empress's personal crest.
He unrolled it.
It contained detailed accounts of enormous sums funneled from provincial taxes into private military investments; bribes, weapons, foreign mercenaries.
Cold fury surged through Rui.
"This is enough."
General Han nodded. "If this reaches the council, her reign collapses."
But Rui knew they had little time.
---
Meanwhile, across the palace, Lady Jin stood inside the Empress's private chamber.
"Your Majesty, spies report Prince Rui is moving."
The Empress's gaze remained calm. "Of course he is."
"Shall we intercept him?"
"No." The Empress sipped her tea. "Let him gather his evidence."
Lady Jin frowned. "Why?"
"Because even if he gathers proof, there will be no court left to hear his accusations."
Lady Jin's eyes widened as she understood.
"You plan to execute Mei Lian before dawn."
The Empress smiled thinly. "Without the girl, Rui loses his only leverage. Once she is dead, he will crumble."
---
In the dungeon, the cell door creaked open once more.
Two execution guards entered.
"It's time."
Mei Lian's pulse quickened.
> *So soon.*
No trial. No last words. No ceremony.
Her execution was meant to be quiet; buried beneath secrecy, far from public eyes.
The guards dragged her to her feet, securing her wrists. Her legs trembled, but she forced herself to walk steadily.
She would not give the Empress the satisfaction of seeing her break.
---
At the same time, Rui and General Han raced through the secret corridors, clutching the scrolls.
But suddenly, footsteps echoed behind them—soldiers.
"Run!" Han shouted.
They sprinted through the dimly lit halls, the sound of pursuit growing louder.
The Empress had made her move.
---
As Mei Lian was dragged toward the execution chamber, a small courtyard came into view. Lanterns flickered in the wind. Two silent executioners waited beside a block of stone.
One of the guards whispered mockingly, "Regrets, assassin?"
Mei Lian lifted her chin. "Only that I didn't kill the right people."
The guard scowled and shoved her forward.
---
Inside the palace, Rui and Han reached the outer courtyard.
Suddenly, dozens of armed soldiers blocked their path.
The Captain stepped forward, raising his sword. "By order of the Empress, you are under arrest for theft and treason."
Rui's voice was icy. "You will step aside."
The Captain hesitated but signaled his men forward.
Rui drew his sword. "Then I give you one chance to survive. Lay down your weapons."
No one moved.
For a breathless moment, it seemed battle was inevitable.
But then a voice boomed from the grand balcony above.
"Enough!"
All heads turned.
The Emperor.
---
The frail old man had not been seen publicly for months, presumed too weak to rule. But now he stood, supported by two attendants, his voice surprisingly strong.
"My son," he said, addressing Rui. "What have you brought me?"
Rui stepped forward, holding the scrolls high.
"Proof of treason, Your Majesty. Proof that your throne has been poisoned by your own blood."
The Emperor's eyes narrowed. One of his attendants took the scrolls and unfurled them.
Gasps echoed through the soldiers as the crimes unfolded: embezzlement, bribery, illegal military funds—all tied to the Empress's secret accounts.
The Emperor turned to his Captain. "Do you see now?"
The Captain faltered, lowering his sword.
"My Emperor, I… I did not know."
"Then now you do," the Emperor said coldly.
He turned to Rui. "Where is the girl?"
Rui's face paled. "They are executing her."
The Emperor's gaze hardened. "Find her. Now."
---
The execution chamber echoed with the sound of steel as one executioner raised his blade.
Mei Lian closed her eyes.
> *Is this how it ends?*
But before the blade could fall, shouts rang out.
"Stop in the name of the Emperor!"
The soldiers burst into the chamber.
The executioners froze.
Rui rushed in moments later, eyes wild, breath ragged.
"Mei Lian!"
She opened her eyes just as he reached her, cutting the ropes around her wrists with shaking hands.
"You're safe," he whispered hoarsely. "You're safe."
Her legs gave way, but he caught her, pulling her into his arms.
Around them, soldiers bowed low.
"The Emperor commands her release."
---
Hours later, as dawn broke, the palace stood in stunned silence.
The Empress was placed under house arrest. Lady Jin was detained for questioning. The court, once united in fear beneath her rule, now whispered of her downfall.
Inside the Emperor's private chamber, Rui stood beside Mei Lian as the Emperor reviewed the scrolls.
"You've risked everything for this girl," the Emperor said softly.
"I have gained everything because of her," Rui replied.
The Emperor studied Mei Lian carefully.
"You have spirit, child."
She bowed deeply. "I serve the Empire, Your Majesty."
"No," he said. "You serve something rarer; truth."
He turned to Rui.
"You will reclaim your title."
Rui's jaw tightened. "I am unworthy if the price is silence."
The Emperor nodded. "Then we will rebuild the court together. Without lies."
For the first time in many years, hope flickered behind the old man's eyes.
---
Later, as Rui and Mei Lian walked through the quiet garden, her voice trembled.
"It's over."
"No," Rui said softly, squeezing her hand. "It's only beginning."
She looked up at him, eyes glistening.
"But we survived."
He smiled.
"Yes. And now, we live."
He pulled her close as the first light of morning bathed them in gold.
For the first time, they stood together not as fugitives or pawns, but as partners.
Free.
At last.
To be continued...