Xue Lian

*Night draped itself over the inner palace in silk and shadow. Lanterns burned low, their red glow trembling against carved screens and lacquered pillars. Beyond the walls, the empire slept—unaware of how carefully its silence was guarded. She lay among embroidered cushions, crimson robes spilling like spilled wine across white sheets. Gold thread caught the light with every breath she took, dragons and peonies woven into submission she had never agreed to. They called her precious. Favored. Chosen. She called it a cage. Her gaze drifted to the canopy above, fingers resting lightly at her throat, where jade and silk pressed just a little too close. The emperor had left hours ago. His presence always lingered longer than his touch—an expectation, heavy and unspoken. She did not miss him. Sh