Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 11 - Chapitre 20

Sua forced herself to move silently through the dark garden, her heart pounding violently against her ribs. If she was caught tonight, it would all be over. She leaped behind a thick hedge, crouching low as she navigated her way back toward the rear corridor of the estate.Suddenly, she froze.A scent drifted through the crisp night air, a heavy, intoxicating perfume. Through the gaps in the leaves, she saw two figures that made her stomach instantly churn.Liu Chang and Cai Ji.They stood hidden in the shadows of the willow tree. Liu Chang's fingers brushed against Cai Ji’s cheek as if she were something infinitely precious. The girl leaned into his touch, laughing softly, her eyes sparkling with dark passion."To celebrate my victory," Cai Ji purred, her fingers tracing the collar of his robe."What if

Sua returned to her room just before dawn broke. The early morning air was still cold against her skin. Outside the window, dew clung to the leaves in the pale dawn light.​Inside the dim room, Bae Ya was fast asleep on the bed, a blanket half covering her body. The girl’s face looked peaceful; a faint smile lingered on the corner of her lips. Bae Ya, the young maid who had always slept on mats and straw, was now experiencing the luxury of a soft mattress and silk pillows for the first time.​Sua approached her slowly, then gently shook her shoulder. "Bae Ya... wake up. We must exchange clothes immediately."​The girl blinked slowly, rubbing her heavy eyes. "Miss… is it morning already?" she murmured, her voice raspy with sleep. Once she realized she was sleeping in Sua’s place, Bae Ya scrambled up and nearly fell in her panic.​Sua smiled thinly, though her face was pale with fatigue. "Don’t worry. You can sleep here if you like.

“Vomiting blood…?” Sua froze.​Without hesitation, Sua strode toward the door. However, her steps halted the moment she saw two dark-robed guards standing in the corridor. They crossed their spears, blocking the doorway.​“Apologies, Miss. By order of the Prime Minister, you are not permitted to leave the room. Your punishment has not ended yet,” one of the guards said firmly.​Sua glared at them. “This is about my mother. I must—”​“Orders are orders, Miss. We are only doing our duty.”​Sua gritted her teeth. She desperately wanted to break past them, but she knew what would happen if she forced her way through. The guards remained unmoved. Their expressions were as cold as stone.​Bae Ya, following from behind, pulled on Sua’s arm. “Let me speak. I will go before the Prime Minister.”​S

​Sua turned quickly. A figure climbed in lightly and silently. Only one person would be this relaxed on a night like this. It was Rai Yuan.​Sua immediately stood up. "You followed me?" Her tone turned sharp.​Rai jumped down from the windowsill, ignoring the sharpness in her voice. He approached, then took out a small wooden box from inside his robe.​"I came here to give you something," he said calmly. "And when you ran off without a word, I got curious. Now I know... this might be useful."​Sua stared at him suspiciously, then glanced at the box. Rai opened it slowly. Inside lay a set of shiny silver acupuncture needles, neatly tied with a fine red cloth.​The timing was almost too perfect. Sua stared at the wooden box, the silver needles neatly bound with red cloth, glistening under the lantern light. A gift that came at the perfect moment.​Her eyes narrowed.​

“I need someone to deliver the temporary decoction to my mother at the Shi hour. Is your confidant reliable?”​Rai Yuan smiled faintly. For the first time, Sua was not simply issuing commands or scoffing at him, but making a request that signaled trust. Although her tone remained firm, Rai could tell she was beginning to rely on him.​The man stepped closer and suddenly took Sua’s hand. The touch made Sua stiffen, but she did not immediately pull away. Rai held it gently.​“Come here,” Rai said softly.​Sua followed, reluctant yet not halting her steps. They slipped out of the pavilion, heading down the path toward the west wing of the inner residence, where the servants' quarters were hidden behind a small garden.​Beneath an old plum tree stood a young man in a dark uniform, his frame slender and agile. He wore a half-mask, but his sharp, confident eyes made him resem