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Morning sunlight poured gently across the vast grounds of the Great Empire of Tianzhou, wrapping the imperial palace in soft gold.
After several tense days filled with whispers, fear, and tightened security, the palace finally seemed calmer.
At least on the surface.
The skies above Tianzhou were unusually clear that morning, painted in pale blue with drifting white clouds stretching endlessly above the palace rooftops.
Sunlight reflected beautifully against the glazed golden tiles of the imperial halls while warm breezes wandered freely through the open courtyards.
It was the kind of weather that almost made the palace feel peaceful again.
The imperial gardens were especially breathtaking during this season.
Cherry blossom trees swayed gracefully beneath the sunlight, scattering soft pink petals across stone pathways and koi ponds below.
Bright peonies bloomed proudly beside carefully trimmed hedges while lotus flowers floated quietly upon crystal-clear waters.
The entire garden looked almost dreamlike.
Elegant.
Alive.
And for once-
Not suffocating.
Among the winding garden pathways walked Shen Yunxi.
Beside him was Mei Lian, cheerfully holding a delicate silk umbrella above them to shield him from the sunlight.
Unlike the tense atmosphere lingering elsewhere in the palace, Mei seemed determined to enjoy the pleasant weather fully.
"This weather is perfect," she sighed happily.
Her eyes sparkled as she looked around the gardens.
"Honestly, if the palace wasn't full of terrifying people, I could stay here forever."
Yunxi glanced toward her quietly.
Mei grinned sheepishly.
"Well... maybe not forever."
The maid twirled the umbrella slightly as they continued walking side by side along the stone path.
"But look at this place today!"
She gestured dramatically around them.
"The flowers are blooming so beautifully this season. Even the air smells sweeter."
Yunxi quietly observed the surroundings.
She was right.
The garden truly looked beautiful.
The soft wind carried the scent of flowers through the air while colorful butterflies drifted lazily between blooming branches.
Somewhere nearby, the faint sound of flowing water echoed peacefully from a hidden fountain.
For a brief moment-
The palace no longer felt cruel.
Mei suddenly leaned closer toward him conspiratorially.
"Young Master Shen..."
Yunxi blinked.
"I think even the flowers are jealous of your face today."
Yunxi immediately looked away.
Mei burst into laughter.
"There it is! That embarrassed expression again!"
Yunxi lightly shook his head helplessly.
Mei sighed dramatically afterward.
"You know... if you smiled more often, the entire palace would probably faint."
Yunxi lowered his gaze shyly.
The maid softened immediately.
"Ah, but honestly..."
Her tone became gentler.
"I'm glad you came outside today."
Yunxi looked toward her again.
"You've seemed lonely ever since the princess left."
At the mention of Princess Xiao Lihua, Yunxi's expression softened faintly.
Mei noticed instantly.
"She'll be alright," she reassured again quietly.
"The Guo'an Empire is far safer right now."
Yunxi nodded slowly.
Even so-
The palace felt emptier without Lihua's warmth.
As they continued walking, the garden path gradually led toward a larger open area where an elegant pavilion stood near the center of the lake.
The pavilion was beautiful.
Its dark wooden pillars were carved with intricate phoenix patterns while soft silk curtains drifted gently between the open sides of the structure.
Golden lanterns hung from the curved rooftop despite the daylight, swaying softly in the wind.
Several noblewomen sat inside surrounded by attendants and servants.
Soft laughter echoed faintly from within.
Yunxi's steps slowed slightly.
His gaze shifted toward the pavilion quietly.
And there-
He immediately recognized them.
Royal Consort Ning Xue sat gracefully at the center beside Concubine Zhao Liyue, Concubine Han Yurong, and Concubine Fang Xinyi.
Yunxi's expression subtly stiffened.
The memories of humiliation from the tea gathering still lingered painfully within him.
But then-
He noticed another figure seated among them.
A woman dressed in elegant jade robes embroidered with golden phoenixes.
Graceful.
Refined.
Beautiful.
Yunxi blinked slightly.
Mei followed his gaze immediately.
Then quietly leaned closer.
"That's the Empress."
Yunxi looked surprised.
Empress Su Wanyin.
So this was the emperor's wife.
Mei lowered her voice further.
"She rarely joins gatherings like this lately because of her pregnancy."
Yunxi's gaze lingered briefly upon the empress.
Unlike the sharp elegance of Ning Xue or the overly decorated appearances of the other concubines-
Su Wanyin appeared softer.
Gentler.
Yet something about her calm composure still carried authority impossible to ignore.
Meanwhile-
Inside the pavilion, the empress had already noticed the unfamiliar figure standing nearby.
Her gaze lingered briefly on Shen Yunxi.
Ah.
So this was him.
The famous mute male concubine everyone kept whispering about.
Even Wanyin herself paused slightly.
The rumors truly had not exaggerated his beauty.
His appearance carried an almost fragile elegance difficult to describe properly.
No wonder the inner palace discussed him endlessly.
The empress quietly set down her tea cup.
Then-
To everyone's surprise-
She stood.
The other concubines immediately blinked in confusion.
"Your Majesty?" Ning Xue asked softly.
But Wanyin merely smiled faintly before gracefully stepping away from the pavilion.
Her personal maids quickly followed behind her, one holding a silk umbrella while another carried a delicate feather fan.
The concubines exchanged glances instantly.
Curiosity flickered visibly across their expressions.
Meanwhile, Mei immediately straightened nervously as the empress approached.
"Greetings to Her Majesty the Empress!"
Mei bowed quickly.
Yunxi followed immediately afterward.
Su Wanyin stopped before them elegantly.
Up close, the empress looked even more refined beneath the sunlight.
Her eyes were calm.
Observant.
Yet unexpectedly warm.
"So you are Shen Yunxi."
Her voice was smooth and gentle.
Yunxi lowered his gaze respectfully.
Mei quickly answered on his behalf.
"Yes, Your Majesty. This servant greets the Empress."
Wanyin's gaze returned toward Yunxi again.
"I have heard much about you recently."
The other concubines watched from the pavilion silently.
Especially Ning Xue.
The royal consort's smile remained graceful outwardly-
But her eyes had sharpened subtly.
Meanwhile, Wanyin continued softly.
"You seem quieter than I expected."
Mei smiled awkwardly.
"Young Master Shen is naturally gentle, Your Majesty."
The empress nodded slightly.
Then unexpectedly-
"I apologize."
Mei blinked in confusion.
Wanyin's expression softened faintly.
"The palace has not been very kind to you lately, has it?"
The air immediately shifted.
Even the concubines within the pavilion visibly stiffened.
Yunxi looked genuinely surprised.
The empress noticed immediately.
Then smiled softly.
"Do not look so frightened."
Her tone remained calm.
"I do not enjoy unnecessary cruelty within the inner palace."
Those words caused Ning Xue's expression to tighten slightly from afar.
Mei carefully glanced between everyone nervously.
Meanwhile, Yunxi quietly observed the empress.
This...
Was not what he expected.
He had assumed the empress would resemble the others.
Cold.
Mocking.
Cruel behind elegant smiles.
But Su Wanyin appeared different.
At least outwardly.
Then-
As the wind shifted gently-
Yunxi's gaze unconsciously lowered slightly.
And there-
Beneath the layers of the empress's robes-
He noticed the subtle curve of her stomach.
Small.
But visible.
Wanyin noticed where he was looking almost immediately.
Her hand instinctively rested against her abdomen gently.
And for the first time-
A genuinely soft smile appeared across her face.
"My child," she said quietly.
Her voice carried unmistakable warmth.
Yunxi blinked slightly.
Wanyin's gaze lowered toward her stomach.
"The imperial physicians say the baby is healthy."
A softness lingered within her eyes rarely seen before.
"I still find it strange sometimes..."
Her fingers lightly brushed against the fabric of her robes.
"That there is already another life growing here."
Mei smiled brightly.
"That's wonderful news, Your Majesty."
The empress nodded faintly.
"I hope the child resembles His Majesty."
Her tone softened even further while speaking about the emperor.
Yunxi quietly observed her expression.
There was affection there.
Real affection.
Perhaps even love.
But then-
For the briefest moment-
As Wanyin lifted her gaze again-
Something colder flickered beneath her smile.
Gone almost instantly.
Yet enough to make Yunxi pause quietly.
A mask.
Or perhaps-
Something hidden deeper beneath elegance and gentleness.
The warm breeze drifted once more through the blooming garden.
Cherry blossom petals scattered softly across the stone pathways.
And beneath the beautiful morning sunlight-
Shen Yunxi suddenly realized something.
The imperial palace was far more dangerous than cruelty alone.
Because sometimes-
The most frightening people were the ones who smiled the sweetest.
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(End of Chapter 20)