The palace had fallen into silence.
The celebrations outside the Duke residence were far away, but within the imperial palace, the atmosphere felt strangely heavy.
A cold wind drifted through the ancient corridors.
Inside the Dowager Empress's courtyard, only the faint sound of wooden prayer beads could be heard.
Click.
Click.
Click.
The Dowager Empress sat before a small shrine, incense curling upward in delicate spirals. A candle flickered beside a bronze Buddha statue.
Her lips moved silently as she chanted scriptures.
Ever since the Empress's mysterious incident at the lake, followed by the strange ambush outside the palace, an uneasiness had settled deep within her heart.
She had begun praying every evening.
Not because she was superstitious.
But because the palace no longer felt peaceful.
"...May Heaven protect this dynasty..."
"...May the ancestors guide us..."
"...May all evil leave this palace..."
Just then—
Tap.
A faint sound came from the open window.
