Wei Lian's POV
The shadow moved fast through the gardens.
I followed at a distance, keeping to the darkness. My heart hammered. In my first life, I'd never broken curfew, never risked punishment.
But that Wei Lian had died accomplishing nothing.
This one would be braver.
The figure stopped outside the Crown Prince's quarters, glancing around. I pressed myself against a pillar, barely breathing.
Then they pulled out a small vial, dark liquid catching the moonlight.
Poison.
Not now. Not yet. The Crown Prince wasn't supposed to die for another eighteen months!
Unless I'd already changed things. Unless my switching the wine tonight had created ripples I didn't understand.
The figure approached the quarters' water barrel, where servants drew water for the Crown Prince's morning tea.
I had seconds to decide. Stop them and reveal myself? Or watch and gather information?
The figure uncorked the vial
Guards! I screamed. Intruder in the Crown Prince's courtyard!
The figure spun toward me, face hidden by a hood. For one second, we locked eyes.
Female. Young. Furious at being interrupted.
Then she ran.
I chased without thinking. She was fast, but three months of watching palace layouts gave me an advantage. I knew which paths led to dead ends.
Stop her! I yelled as we burst into a main courtyard.
Guards finally responded, blocking her escape. She spun, trapped, and I saw her face clearly.
Lady Chen's personal maid.
My stomach dropped. Chen Mei was still working for the Empress Dowager, even after tonight's humiliation. And now she'd escalated to attempted murder.
Seize her! A commanding voice rang out.
We all froze.
Imperial Consort Hua Rong swept into the courtyard, radiating authority. What is the meaning of this disturbance?
The guards bowed. Imperial Consort, we caught an intruder near the Crown Prince's quarters.
Hua Rong's eyes narrowed on the maid, then slid to me. For the first time, she really looked at me. Calculating. Assessing.
And who raised the alarm?
I did, Imperial Consort. I bowed deeply. Forgive the disturbance, but I saw someone tampering with the Crown Prince's water supply.
Did you. Her voice was silk over steel. How convenient that you, a brand new concubine, happened to be walking past the Crown Prince's quarters after curfew.
Trap. She was turning this around on me.
I couldn't sleep, Imperial Consort. I was walking in the gardens when I saw movement. I kept my voice humble, scared, not hard to fake. I know I broke curfew, but I couldn't ignore a threat to His Highness.
Search her, Hua Rong commanded, gesturing to the maid.
Guards found the vial immediately. Hua Rong took it, unstopped it, sniffed delicately.
Her face went carefully blank. Serpent's Breath poison. Enough to kill a child within hours. She looked at the maid. Who sent you?
The maid's lips pressed together. Silent.
Very well. The dungeons will loosen your tongue. Hua Rong nodded to the guards. Take her. And someone verify the Crown Prince's water hasn't been contaminated.
As guards dragged the maid away, Hua Rong turned to me. You may have saved my son's life tonight, Concubine Wei Lian.
Your son you'll murder yourself in eighteen months, I thought but didn't say.
I only did my duty, Imperial Consort.
Still. Such... awareness for a new concubine. Her eyes glittered. Tell me, how did you know to look at the water barrel specifically?
Dangerous question. I didn't, Imperial Consort. I just saw her crouching near it and thought it suspicious.
Hmm. Hua Rong studied me like I was a puzzle. You'll be rewarded for your vigilance. But do remember, the Inner Palace is dangerous for those who see too much.
Threat delivered with a smile.
I understand, Imperial Consort.
She glided away, taking the poison with her.
I stood alone in the courtyard, shaking. I'd stopped an assassination attempt. Saved the Crown Prince's life. But I'd also drawn Hua Rong's direct attention, years too early.
Had I just made everything worse?
That was either very brave or very stupid.
I spun to find a man in guard captain's uniform watching from the shadows. Late thirties, scarred face, sharp eyes.
General Lin Zhao.
The Emperor's most trusted commander. The man whose family would be massacred in one year if I didn't stop it.
Captain. I bowed. I didn't know anyone else was here.
I patrol at night when I can't sleep. He stepped closer. I saw what happened. You put yourself at risk to protect the Crown Prince.
Anyone would have
No. Most people would've stayed hidden. Avoided trouble. His expression was approving. You're Wei Lian? From the disgraced Wei family?
My throat tightened. Yes, Captain.
Your father was Wei Aldric.
Yes.
I knew him. Briefly, years ago. He was a good man. Lin Zhao's voice was certain. I never believed the embezzlement charges. The evidence was too convenient.
Tears stung my eyes. Someone had believed in my father. Someone who mattered.
Thank you, Captain. That... means more than you know.
Your father taught you well. You have his courage. He nodded once. If you ever need anything, Concubine Wei Lian, remember the Wei family still has friends.
He walked away before I could respond.
Back in my quarters, I collapsed on my bed, mind racing.
I'd changed things. Stopped an early assassination attempt. Gained Lin Zhao's respect. But also drawn Hua Rong's attention.
Too fast, I whispered. I'm moving too fast.
But what choice did I have? The plot against the Crown Prince had already started earlier than before. I couldn't just watch and wait.
Three months. I had three months until the Jiangnan flood. That was my next move warning the Emperor, proving I knew things I shouldn't.
But how to get his attention without ending up executed for witchcraft or conspiracy?
A soft knock. Su Jin slipped in, eyes wide. My lady! Everyone's talking about you! They say you saved the Crown Prince!
Su Jin
The Empress Dowager's servants are asking questions about you. Where you came from, who you know, why you were in the gardens. She grabbed my hands. My lady, you need to be careful. They're looking for reasons to eliminate you.
I know. I squeezed her hands. But I couldn't let that child die.
You have a good heart, my lady. But in this palace... Su Jin's voice dropped. Good hearts get people killed.
She didn't know how right she was.
After she left, I lit a candle and sat at my small desk. I needed a plan. Needed to think three steps ahead like I'd watched Hua Rong do.
Tomorrow, I'd probably be summoned by the Empress Dowager. She'd want to assess this new concubine who'd disrupted her plans.
I needed to seem harmless. Lucky, not clever. Naive, not dangerous.
While secretly gathering every piece of information I could about the real conspiracies happening in the palace.
I pulled out paper and ink, started writing everything I remembered:
Jiangnan flood three monthsGeneral Lin's family massacre one yearCrown Prince's murder eighteen monthsRebel attack two years
Under each, I noted what I knew about how it happened and who was really responsible.
Then I burned the paper, memorizing every detail first.
No evidence. No trails. Just a lucky concubine who happened to be in the right place at the right time.
Dawn light crept through my window. I hadn't slept, but I felt clear-headed. Determined.
I'm coming for all of you, I whispered to the rising sun. Empress Dowager. Hua Rong. Prime Minister Zhao. Every traitor who destroyed this empire.
But first, I need to make the Emperor notice me.
And I knew exactly how to do it.