The rumors spread faster than fire in dry grass.
By morning, the capital streets were filled with whispers.
By afternoon, they were filled with people.
"They say the Crown Prince executed loyal ministers!"
"They say he's killing anyone who opposes him!"
"The Queen is trying to protect us!"
Zhen Luo stood at the palace balcony, watching the crowd gather below.
"They're shouting your name," Feng Huai said quietly.
"Yes," Zhen Luo replied. "That was the plan."
The Protest
The crowd surged toward the palace gates, banners raised, voices shaking the air.
"Down with the tyrant Crown Prince!"
"Bring justice!"
"Save Lady Li!"
Li Shuran watched from her chambers, fingers trembling.
"So fast," she whispered. "She turned them against him in three days…"
The Queen stood beside the Emperor in the high viewing hall, expression worried and gentle.
"Your Majesty," she said softly, "the people are frightened. Perhaps my son has gone too far."
The Emperor frowned, watching the chaos below.
Zhen Luo stood beside him, silent.
"They fear me," he said calmly. "Good."
The Emperor turned sharply. "You are enjoying this?"
Zhen Luo met his gaze. "I am controlling it."
The Second Couple Arrested
Meanwhile, palace guards surrounded Bai Zehan's residence.
Bai Zehan opened the door in his robe, yawning. "Good morning. Am I being executed or invited to tea?"
Luo Xian stood behind him, expression calm.
"You two," the captain said stiffly, "are under investigation for leaking state secrets."
Bai Zehan sighed. "Knew being smart would bite me one day."
They were escorted through the palace in full view of officials.
Whispers followed.
"Those are the traitors…"
"They worked with the Crown Prince…"
"They must be punished…"
Bai Zehan leaned toward Luo Xian. "We planned for this, right?"
"Yes," Luo Xian replied quietly. "Don't improvise."
Bai Zehan smiled. "That's my specialty."
Li Shuran's Betrayal
That night, Li Shuran walked alone to Zhen Luo's palace.
Guards looked shocked but let her in.
She knelt the moment she entered.
"I will testify," she said quietly.
Zhen Luo stared at her from behind his desk. "Against who?"
She swallowed. "The Queen."
Feng Huai stiffened.
Li Shuran laughed bitterly. "She promised I would be Empress. She promised protection. But I'm just her shield."
She raised her head, eyes sharp.
"I don't want to die."
Zhen Luo studied her for a long moment.
"You chose survival over loyalty," he said.
"Yes."
"Good choice."
She flinched.
Han Jian Moves
That same night, Han Jian stood in the Emperor's private study.
Only three people were present: the Emperor, Zhen Luo, and Han Jian.
"This is highly inappropriate," the Emperor said, glaring. "You are only a bodyguard."
Han Jian bowed slightly. "I am many things."
He placed a stack of documents on the table.
"These are confessions from your hidden intelligence network," he said calmly. "Every spy, every assassination order, every bribe connected to the Queen's faction."
The Emperor's face darkened as he flipped through them.
"These… are real?"
Han Jian smiled faintly. "I extracted them myself."
Zhen Luo said nothing.
The Emperor looked at his son differently now.
"Where did you find such a man?" he asked quietly.
Zhen Luo replied, "He found me."
The Emperor stared at Han Jian.
For the first time, he felt fear.
The Queen Realizes
In her chambers, the Queen received a report.
"Lady Li has gone to the Crown Prince."
"Bai Zehan and Luo Xian are under arrest."
"The Emperor met privately with Han Jian."
Her cup shattered in her hand.
"So," she whispered, smiling slowly, "my own pieces are turning."
Her eyes turned cold.
"Then I will remove the board."
The Calm Before Disaster
Zhen Luo stood alone on the palace wall at night.
Han Jian joined him, silent as always.
"The people hate you," Han Jian said lightly.
Zhen Luo stared at the city. "They always hate what they don't understand."
Han Jian tilted his head. "And if they try to kill you?"
Zhen Luo looked at him.
"Then I'll kill them first."
Han Jian laughed softly. "You're becoming more like me."
Zhen Luo replied, "You're becoming more like a liability."
Han Jian smiled. "Good."
The people shouted.
The nobles whispered.
The Queen sharpened her final blade.
Li Shuran changed sides.
The second couple entered prison on purpose.
And the Emperor realized his son had built a shadow empire behind him.