As the moon began its slow descent, casting a pale, silvery light over the Celestial Dragon Palace, the night still held its dark, silent grip. Morning was yet to break. In a secluded corner of the palace, within the Prime Minister's office, Lady Lianhua meticulously finished writing the last of her scrolls and documents. She placed them neatly on her desk, ensuring everything was in perfect order before rising from her chair and gliding out of the room.
As she moved through the dimly lit corridors, the guards on duty bowed deeply in respect. Her presence commanded attention; her eyes, sharp yet tinged with exhaustion, glinted like cold steel. The moonlight filtering through the palace windows illuminated her features, highlighting a striking contrast. She possessed a rare beauty—elegant and refined—yet exuded an aura of strength, akin to a seasoned commander. Her stance was confident, her movements fluid and decisive, much like the Emperor’s. It was no surprise that new recruits, flustered and awe-struck, would often stammer "Yes, sir!" when she barked commands, only to blush with embarrassment upon realizing their mistake. Both men and women, captivated by her commanding presence and flawless beauty, were easily drawn to her.
As Lianhua neared her private chambers, tucked away at the far end of the palace, she slid open the wooden door and stepped inside. The room was impeccably neat, the bed immaculately arranged, without a wrinkle to mar its surface, almost as if it had never been used. She paused for a moment, her gaze sweeping over the room, as if checking for any hidden presence. Satisfied, she approached a large cabinet and discreetly slid open a hidden panel. Behind it lay a concealed passage, barely large enough for her to crawl through. She lowered herself to her knees and entered, carefully sealing the panel behind her.
The narrow crawlspace opened into a much larger tunnel, wide enough for three people to walk side by side. Lanterns hung along the stone walls, casting a warm, flickering light that illuminated her path. The air was slightly cool, and there was a faint smell of earth and incense, a peculiar combination that felt both secretive and calming. She continued down the passage, her lips curving into a satisfied smile, until she reached what seemed to be a dead end. Without hesitation, she knelt once more, pulling out a small, square piece of wood that acted as a makeshift key. The wall in front of her shifted, revealing a hidden doorway that led into another room.
She stepped through the entrance, sliding the wooden piece back into place, sealing off her secret path. The room she entered was a stark contrast to her official chambers. Lavish and ornate, it was filled with luxurious furnishings. A grand bed with silk sheets and plush pillows stood at the center, draped with delicate curtains. Around the room, intricately embroidered garments, fine jewelry, and an assortment of cosmetics lay neatly arranged on an elegant vanity, which boasted a large, crystal-clear mirror. The air was fragrant with the scent of expensive incense, lending the room a serene and almost intoxicating atmosphere.
Lianhua’s eyes softened as she took in the surroundings. She crossed the room and slid open a door to the adjoining bathroom, revealing a spacious, tiled area dominated by a large bathtub, already filled with steaming water. The gentle curls of steam rising from the surface promised warmth and relaxation. With a fluid motion, she began to undress. She unfastened her martial arts uniform, letting the dark blue fabric slip off her shoulders and fall to the floor, followed by her pants. She stood naked, her skin gleaming under the soft light, before slowly removing the pins that held her hair in place. Her long, jet-black hair cascaded down her back, flowing all the way to her knees.
She stepped into the bath, easing herself into the warm water. As her body submerged, a sense of relief washed over her, the heat soothing her muscles and washing away the fatigue of the long night. Her hair fanned out around her, the dark strands mingling with the water. Slowly, the dye began to dissolve, turning the water a darker hue. Gradually, her true hair color emerged, a much lighter, softer black that shimmered in the dim light. She sank deeper into the bath, dipping her face beneath the surface. When she resurfaced, the makeup that had given her a more stoic, jade-like appearance had melted away, revealing her natural features.
Freed from the subtle but deliberate mask she wore during the day, her true beauty emerged—delicate and breathtaking. Her eyes, now more defined and almond-shaped, sparkled with a natural radiance, and her jawline, no longer emphasized to look slightly masculine, revealed a graceful, feminine curve. It was a face that could launch a thousand ships, capable of captivating and commanding at once.
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For nearly an hour, she luxuriated in the bath, letting the warmth melt away the tension from her muscles. When she finally rose, she reached for a robe—a gown of lavender silk, embroidered with delicate golden patterns. The fabric clung to her figure, accentuating her curves, enhancing the elegance that few got to see during her working hours.
Draping the robe over her shoulders, she moved back into the main room, her hair still damp, clinging to her back. She picked up her discarded uniform from the floor, folding it neatly and placing it into a hidden compartment at the bottom of the closet. With a satisfied sigh, she yawned, the exhaustion from the night’s work finally catching up to her.
She crawled onto the massive bed, sinking into the softness of the sheets, and within moments, she drifted off to sleep, her breathing slow and steady. But her rest was short-lived. Barely thirty minutes had passed when the sliding door to her chamber creaked open, and a maid entered quietly, her expression anxious. She tiptoed over to the bed, gently shaking Lianhua’s shoulder.
“Your Highness Yue, please wake up,” the maid whispered, her voice soft but insistent. “His Majesty has requested your presence.”
Princess Yue stirred, her eyes heavy with sleep as she blinked awake. She let out a soft yawn, stretching her arms before turning to the maid. “Why is Father calling for me so early?” she asked, her tone groggy and slightly irritable.
“I do not know, Your Highness,” the maid replied. “But he said to bring you to him as soon as you woke up.”
Suppressing a sigh, Princess Yue rose from the bed, still wrapped in her lavender silk nightgown, the fabric draping elegantly over her form. She followed the maid through the dimly lit corridor, her feet shuffling slightly as she tried to shake off the remnants of sleep. The palace was quiet, the morning yet to fully awaken, and the stillness was a stark contrast to the bustling court session the night before.
When they arrived at the Emperor’s chambers, the maid slid open the door, announcing Princess Yue’s presence. Inside, Emperor Feng Zhou sat on a low couch, surrounded by scrolls and documents, his brow furrowed as he reviewed them. Princess Yue glanced around, noticing that the room was devoid of the usual aides and attendants. It was a rare moment of privacy between father and daughter.
With a casual wave of her hand, Princess Yue signaled the maid to leave, and with a bow, the maid exited, sliding the door shut behind her. Seeing no need for formality, Princess Yue sauntered over to the longer couch across from her father, lazily stretching out on it. “Father, why are you calling me so early?” she complained, letting her head rest against the armrest. “I barely got any sleep last night, you know.”
Emperor Feng Zhou looked up from his papers, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “That’s precisely why I summoned you, my dear,” he said, his tone warm and slightly amused. “After your announcement at last night’s court session, your mother was ready to burst into your chambers this morning to start preparing for your wedding. I had to intercept her, or you’d have no sleep at all.”
Princess Yue groaned, covering her face with a pillow. “Mother is relentless,” she muttered, her voice muffled. “I thought I’d have a bit more time before she pounced.”
“Well, she was very eager,” Emperor Feng Zhou continued, chuckling at his daughter’s exasperation. “But I managed to stall her. I thought you could use some rest here while I get some work done. That way, you’re spared from her nagging… at least for a little while.”
Princess Yue sighed in relief, peeking out from behind the pillow. “Thank you, Father. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” She relaxed back into the couch, allowing herself to unwind, but something nagged at her, and she glanced over at him. “Although, I suppose I did bring it on myself, didn’t I?” she added with a wry smile. “I shouldn’t have announced the date during the session.”
Emperor Feng Zhou nodded, his eyes twinkling with mild reproach. “Yes, you were a bit too eager to play your part as Prime Minister. But you let a little detail slip—Lianhua, the Prime Minister, would never have sent that letter without prior approval from me. It was a small misstep, but noticeable.”
Princess Yue’s eyes widened slightly as she realized her mistake, and she sat up a little, her expression sheepish. “Oh no… I didn’t even think about that.”
The Emperor laughed softly, reaching out to pat her hand. “Don’t worry, Yue. Everyone was too caught up in the shock of me dissolving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to notice your slip-up. They were all still reeling, so it flew under the radar.”
Princess Yue let out a relieved breath, her shoulders relaxing. “I suppose that’s one good thing about your dramatic announcements,” she said, her tone teasing. “They cover up my blunders.”
“Don’t get too comfortable relying on them,” Emperor Feng Zhou replied with a grin. “You’re doing well, but you must always be mindful. Balancing your two identities isn’t easy, and even the smallest mistake could raise suspicions. You’ve managed to keep up the act flawlessly so far, but remember, there’s always more to learn.”
Yue nodded, her expression thoughtful. “I understand, Father. I’ll be more careful next time. I can’t afford to let my guard down, even for a moment.”
“Good,” Feng Zhou said, his voice firm but affectionate. “Now, enough talk of work. Close your eyes and get some more sleep while you can. I’ll handle your Mother, and we’ll deal with whatever plans we have to come up next together.”