Morning sunlight poured into the chamber, glinting off the polished bronze mirror.
林树敏 (Lín Shùmǐn) hummed a cheerful tune as 舒嫣 (Shū Yān) fussed over her messy hair.
Her neck still hurt a little from last night's royal throttling, but her smile could've lit up the Cold Palace.
"He didn't kill me. That's progress."
Shu Yan looked horrified. "Progress?! His Majesty nearly strangled you!"
Shumin stretched lazily. "Details, details. I call it emotional development. One day he'll upgrade from choking to casual conversation."
Before Shu Yan could argue, a soft voice came from behind the curtain.
"Message for Wen Guiren. Her Majesty 顾昭瑶 (Gù Zhāoyáo) requests your presence in the Phoenix Hall."
Shumin froze mid-sip of tea. "Wait—the Queen? My Queen?"
Shu Yan blinked. "Your—? You mean Her Majesty, the Queen?"
Shumin clutched her chest dramatically. "My idol. My goddess. My fandom origin story. Zhanyao forever!"
The maid gave her a look of pure dread. " what are saying my lady?? really can't understand "
---
The Phoenix Hall was as breathtaking as Shumin imagined from the novel—lotus-scented air, soft chimes, sunlight gleaming off golden silk.
Shumin's heart pounded like a fangirl at a concert.
> Okay, deep breaths. Don't squeal. Don't faint. You're supposed to be noble and tragic, not a K-drama extra.
When she entered, 顾昭瑶 (Gù Zhāoyáo) sat near the window, every movement graceful, her beauty so serene it was almost unfair.
Shumin bowed low.
"Your Majesty! It's an honor to—uh—breathe the same oxygen, I mean—serve you."
The Queen's lips curved faintly. "Rise, Concubine Wen."
Her voice was calm, but there was something behind it—a quiet curiosity.
"I heard," she said slowly, "that you stopped His Majesty's carriage yesterday."
Shumin blinked, then laughed awkwardly. "Ah—yes, technically. I may have… waved too enthusiastically."
The Queen's fan paused mid-motion. "Why would you do that?"
Shumin froze. Okay, stay calm. Don't mention arrows. Don't mention interrogation.
She smiled brightly. "I just wanted His Majesty's attention!"
顧昭瑶 tilted her head slightly. "Attention?"
"Yes! I thought if he saw me, he'd remember I exist. You know, palace life...so many beautiful ladies, and I'm just… background furniture."
Shu Yan made a choking sound behind her.
The Queen's eyes lingered. "So, he threatened you afterward?"
Shumin nodded quickly.
"Oh, totally! He said he didn't want to see my face again."
Then she added under her breath, "Which, to be fair, is hard because my face is gorgeous but not like yours."
Zhaoyao's lips twitched ever so slightly.
"You speak quite freely, Concubine Wen."
"Thank you, Your Majesty! I take that as a compliment."
For a moment, the Queen said nothing. Then she lowered her fan, voice softer.
"Bravery and honesty are rare in the palace. But be careful they can also be dangerous."
Shumin blinked. "Don't worry, I'll limit both to twice a week."
Zhaoyao exhaled...a faint sound that might've been amusement, or disbelief.
"You may go."
---
Outside, Shu Yan practically dragged her down the hall.
"Aiyaaa...My lady, please! You can't talk to the Queen like that!"
Shumin brushed her sleeve, grinning. "She likes me. I can feel it. We have bestie potential."
"what Bestie?! My lady" Shu Yan gasped. " She was testing you!"
"Testing? No, that was bonding! There was eye contact. Shared sarcasm. Emotional connection!"
"Emotional....!!! my lady, please stop."
Shumin only smiled dreamily. "She's even prettier in person. I'm so happy I met her alive."
Shu Yan blinked. "Alive? You… what are you talking about?"
"Nothing, nothing!" Shumin waved her off, grinning. "You wouldn't understand...it's like finally meeting your favorite character after binge-reading her life."
Shu Yan frowned. "Binge… reading?"
Shumin cleared her throat. "Never mind. Ancient metaphor."
The maid stared at her as if she'd started speaking another language. "My lady, you really should rest."
"Rest? No way! This is character development arc number two."
Shu Yan sighed, whispering to herself, "I don't know what curse hit her head, but I hope it wears off soon."
-----
But somewhere behind the silk curtains of the Phoenix Hall,
the Queen watched the departing concubine through half-lidded eyes, her expression unreadable.
"Concubine Wen…" she murmured softly. "Let's see how long that honesty lasts."
--
But by the time they returned to the Cold Palace courtyard, whispers were already circling like flies.
Two palace maids stood by the well, whispering behind fans.
"I heard Wen Guiren spoke directly to the Queen this morning!"
"Not just that His Majesty summoned her last night too. Twice in two days! Maybe she's caught his eye…"
Shumin stopped mid-step. "What?"
Shu Yan grimaced. "Rumors spread fast here, my lady. Everyone thinks...."
"Thinks I'm seducing the King?" Shumin gasped.
"Ugh! No! I'm loyal to Zhanyao! I'm a fandom representative!"
Shu Yan hissed, "Please lower your voice....!"
Too late. Two eunuchs passing by turned their heads, startled.
Shumin facepalmed.
"Great. Now they'll think 'Zhanyao' is a secret spell."
---
By dusk, a royal messenger arrived again.
"Wen Guiren," he announced stiffly, "His Majesty commands your presence."
Shu Yan's eyes widened.
"Again?!"
Shumin groaned, flopping onto her chair. "He must've read the rumors. I bet he'll ask if I'm trying to seduce him. Which..rude! I have standards."
"My lady, please..."
Shumin stood, straightened her robe, and muttered,
"Fine...Time to clear my name… again."
She paused at the door, giving Shu Yan a grin.
"If I don't come back, tell the Queen I loved her story."
Shu Yan buried her face in her hands. "You mean your life! Tell her you loved your life!"
---
As Shumin walked toward the imperial hall under the fading sunset, she exhaled softly.
'Rumors, suspicion, interrogation…
This palace is scarier than the novel ever described.'
But still..she couldn't help smiling.
'If I can change one tragedy, maybe I can change them all.'
----
@Li Zhan:-
Inside the main hall, 李湛 (Lǐ Zhàn) sat in silence, fingers tapping lightly against the armrest.
He remembered her—
a woman he had never visited, barely even recalled existed among the countless concubines recorded in the harem registry.
And yet, she had appeared from nowhere, blocking his horse, defying his command,
looking straight into his eyes as if she weren't afraid of him at all.
Her words still lingered in his mind
"See? You don't even know me, and yet you've already judged me. Typical."
Li Zhan's brows drew together.
She was supposed to be insignificant, disposable.
He'd met countless women who flattered, feared, or hid behind titles
but none who spoke to him like that.
'Presumptuous woman...'
he thought, though his pulse betrayed irritation mixed with something else
a faint curiosity he couldn't name.
'I never meant to remember her face.'
But he did.
And that, more than anything, unsettled him.