Chuang Chi paused, her body frozen in mid-motion as Junior Edina's words echoed in the room. “The rule that states a disciple of the main family cannot marry a member of the main family—I will change it.”
“What…? W-what…?” Chuang Chi's initial confusion was quickly overtaken by a flicker of hope. Her disbelief mingled with a desperate yearning that she hadn’t dared to entertain until now.
For the first time during their conversation, Junior Edina’s expression shifted. A small, calculated smirk tugged at the corners of her lips as she leaned in slightly. “What I’m saying is, if I become the sect leader, you and Brother Shun can get married.”
Chuang Chi’s breath caught in her throat. The mere thought of a future where she could be with Lu Shun openly, without fear or secrecy, was something she had long abandoned as impossible. Yet here it was, being offered to her like a lifeline.
The truth was, Lu Shun Cha Ling and Chuang Chi had been lovers for years, a relationship they had been forced to hide from the world. The bond between them had formed during their years of training under Sect Leader Liang Feng, where they, along with Lu Shun’s sister, Lu Lan, had become inseparable. Their love had blossomed in secret, nurtured in the shadows of the sect’s rigid rules and traditions.
When the time came for them to step into their respective roles within the sect, Liang Feng had discovered their relationship. As the strict and principled leader, he had insisted they remain apart, unwilling to bend the sect’s rules, even for his beloved disciples. But Lu Shun, ever resourceful and determined, had found a way to defy those constraints.
When the Shun Mansion was being constructed, Lu Shun had secretly included a hidden exit in its design, a passageway that allowed him to slip away undetected. It was through this clandestine route that he and Chuang Chi would meet under the cover of night, stealing moments of happiness that the world had denied them.
Senior Edina had only learned of this secret in her previous life, during the desperate moment when Lu Shun had tried to help her escape her doomed marriage to Gu Tianlong. He had revealed the hidden passage, hoping to provide her with the same freedom it had granted him and Chuang Chi. It was this knowledge that Senior Edina had now weaponized, using it to give Junior Edina the leverage she needed against Chuang Chi.
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Junior Edina's voice, now tinged with a subtle confidence, broke the silence. “I know what you and Brother Shun have sacrificed to keep your love hidden. If you stand by me, if you become the figurehead of my faction, I will make sure you never have to hide again. Together, we can change the sect's rules and give you the life you deserve.”
Chuang Chi’s heart raced as she looked at Junior Edina, the weight of the decision pressing heavily on her.
“I… I don’t know what to say,” Chuang Chi finally whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. “This is… it’s everything I’ve ever wanted, but…”
“But you need time to think,” Junior Edina finished for her, her tone softening ever so slightly. “I understand. But remember, this offer is only as good as the timing. Once the race for ascension begins, everything will change. The decision is yours, but don’t take too long. We’re running out of time.”
Chuang Chi slowly sank back into her seat, her mind spinning with the possibilities. The room fell into a tense silence as she grappled with the weight of Junior Edina’s proposition. Everything she had ever dreamed of was within reach, but the cost of pursuing it was steep.
In Mei Lin’s Office, Jinwei Mansion,
Mei Lin, the head maid of Jinwei Mansion, sat at her desk, carefully composing a detailed letter to the Thousand Pavilion Palace. The task had been assigned to her by Young Mistress Edina, who had instructed her to gather all the orphans and lower-ranking beggars within Jinwei Mansion by the end of the month. This was the first significant task Edina had entrusted to her, and Mei Lin felt a sense of satisfaction and relief. It had always seemed as if the young mistress was cautious or perhaps lacked trust in the new staff. This assignment, however, was a clear indication that Edina was beginning to place her confidence in Mei Lin.
The Thousand Pavilion Palace was a well-established private information network, intricately tied to the Blazing Dawn Sect. It handled the sect’s more delicate and covert information-gathering tasks, operating outside the sect’s direct influence to ensure confidentiality and discretion. Services from the Thousand Pavilion Palace came at a considerable price, but their value was undeniable. Mei Lin knew that any correspondence with them was not to be taken lightly.
With this in mind, she meticulously drafted the letter, detailing the young mistress’s request. The task involved mobilizing the lower ranks within the mansion—a collection of orphans and beggars often overlooked by others but crucial to whatever plan Edina had in mind. Mei Lin didn’t need to know all the details to understand that this was more than just a simple order. The secrecy surrounding the task hinted at something much larger, something that would undoubtedly have repercussions within the sect.
In addition to her own letter, Mei Lin carefully attached a second, sealed letter from Young Mistress Edina. This one was marked with strict instructions that it was to be opened only by the staff of the Thousand Pavilion Palace. Mei Lin didn’t know its contents, and she had no intention of prying—her duty was simply to ensure it was delivered safely and securely.
Once the letters were prepared, Mei Lin leaned back in her chair, letting out a sigh of mild frustration. “I still have to write a report to Mistress Li Mei,” she muttered to herself, since the administrative head of Jinwei Mansion was still Li Mei and held custody of Young Mistress Edina. Any financial matters exceeding 800 silver taels had to be reported to her, a task that Mei Lin found particularly bothersome.
Despite her annoyance, Mei Lin dutifully composed the report. She included the essential details: Edina’s contact with the Thousand Pavilion Palace and its cost—a transaction worth 1 gold tael. She was careful, however, not to divulge too much. The report was succinct and deliberately vague, omitting any specifics that might raise unwanted questions.