A deal with the devil
331 Words
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*Episode 7:
Morning sunlight spilled into Liyue’s chamber, but there was no warmth in her eyes—only a storm.
She summoned her maid, *Xiao Ran*, the only servant she truly trusted.
“Send a letter,” she ordered, “to General Yan Rui. Tell him it’s time.”
“Time for what, my lady?”
Liyue looked out the window toward the palace gates.
*“Time to remind the court who I am.”*
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At the same moment, in the royal study, the Crown Prince—*Zhaohan*—read reports of the whispering nobles. His grip tightened on the scroll.
“Her influence is growing.”
Shen Weining stood beside him, pale and panicked. “She’s poisoning minds. We should have silenced her when we had the chance.”
Zhaohan glared at her. “We still can.”
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That evening, Liyue arrived at the imperial opera, escorted not by a noble lady—but by *Tang Shi* himself. The sight stunned the entire court.
She wore deep red silk, the color of power, not innocence. The audience bowed—not to her title, but to her presence.
During intermission, Tang Shi leaned toward her and whispered, “You’re playing this game like a queen already.”
She didn’t smile. “Because I’m not playing. I’m conquering.”
He offered his arm. “Then conquer with me.”Liyue paused.
*Aligning with Tang Shi meant protection… but also danger. His enemies were not few.* Still, she saw in him what she needed: fire to match her frost.
She slipped her arm into his. “Then let’s make a deal.”
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Back at her residence, she found a box placed on her bed.
Inside was a *shattered hairpin*—the very one her mother once wore. And a note:
*“The past should stay buried, Liyue. Or it will bury you.”*
Liyue’s eyes narrowed.
*“You should’ve buried me deeper.”*
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