The night after Lei Rong was thrown out…
The Lei residence did not sleep.
Not a single candle went out.
Servants whispered like ghosts in the corridors.
Guards doubled their patrols.
Even the cats hid.
Lei Hua sat on her bed, hugging her pillow like it was her last life-saving treasure.
(*I just watched someone get deleted from the family in one sentence… I am living inside a political horror drama…*)
Outside her door, two guards stood like iron statues.
Lei Hua swallowed.
(*I used to be scared of my boss sending emails. Now I'm guarded like a criminal.*)
And then—
**DING.**
The Gossip System chimed again.
[DING. Host, the palace is watching you.]
Lei Hua's soul nearly left her body.
(*The palace? THE PALACE?! WHAT DID I EVEN DO?! I ONLY THOUGHT TOO LOUDLY!!!*)
---
### INSIDE THE PALACE
The Emperor sneezed again.
The Empress looked at him calmly.
"You sneezed twice today. Someone is thinking about you."
The Emperor smiled lazily.
"I hope it's not another corrupt official."
A kneeling eunuch rushed in.
"Your Majesty. A strange girl has appeared in the Lei family. Her words exposed corruption, and even Lei Yue has personally protected her."
The Emperor's eyes sharpened.
"…Lei Yue?"
That one name alone made the entire hall go quiet.
Even the Crown Prince Zhen Wu lifted his head.
Zhen Ruo, standing at the side, clenched his fingers slightly.
The Emperor tapped the armrest.
"Summon her."
The eunuch trembled.
"Yes… Yes Your Majesty!"
Zhen Ruo lowered his eyes.
A faint smile crept onto his lips.
"Interesting… very interesting."
---
### BACK AT THE LEI RESIDENCE
The next morning, chaos arrived on golden wheels.
**THE IMPERIAL CARRIAGE.**
Covered in dragon patterns.
Ten layers of guards.
One imperial decree.
The entire Lei family rushed out and kneeled like their lives depended on it.
Lei Hua followed in panic.
(*I'M DEAD. I'M DEAD. I'M DEAD. I'M DEAD—*)
The eunuch opened the decree and shouted:
"By the will of Heaven, Lei Hua is summoned to the palace immediately!"
The family exploded internally.
Lei Ming's face turned ghost-white.
Granny Lei nearly fainted again.
Lei Hua almost cried on the spot.
(*I HAVE NEVER EVEN SEEN A PALACE TOILET BEFORE WHY AM I BEING SUMMONED—*)
Lei Yue walked forward calmly.
Her presence alone made the guards tense.
"I will escort her."
The eunuch hesitated.
Lei Yue raised her eyes.
The eunuch instantly bent lower.
"…Of course."
Lei Hua turned to Lei Yue with shining eyes.
(*SHE'S COMING WITH ME. I'M SAFE. I'M 80% SAFE—*)
Lei Yue looked at her.
"Do not embarrass me."
Lei Hua saluted like a soldier.
"I WILL EMBARRASS MYSELF QUIETLY."
---
### ON THE WAY TO THE PALACE
The carriage moved like a rolling execution chamber.
Lei Hua sat stiffly.
Lei Yue leaned calmly beside the window.
Lei Hua stared.
(*How is she breathing calmly like this… I feel like I'm going to be chopped into nine generations—*)
Lei Hua finally whispered:
"S-Sister Yue…"
Lei Yue didn't look at her.
"Speak."
Lei Hua swallowed.
"…Am I going to die?"
Lei Yue paused.
Then answered coolly:
"If you behave, no."
Lei Hua: (*ONLY "IF"?! THAT IS NOT COMFORTING—*)
---
### INSIDE THE GRAND HALL
The palace floor shined like it was polished with fear.
Ministers lined up like statues.
The Emperor sat high above like a god.
Lei Hua walked in.
Every step felt like stepping on her lifespan.
**All eyes turned to her.**
Zhen Wu observed calmly.
Zhen Ruo smiled faintly.
Several ministers lowered their heads in hidden calculation.
Lei Hua kneeled.
"Commoner Lei Hua greets Your Majesty…"
Her heart was screaming.
(*DON'T THINK. DON'T THINK. DON'T THINK—*)
The Emperor looked at her with interest.
"So… you are the one who speaks secrets without opening your mouth."
Lei Hua froze solid.
Her thoughts stopped.
For one second.
Then exploded.
(*HE KNOWS. HE REALLY KNOWS. I'M FINISHED. I'M A NATIONAL TREASURE OR A NATIONAL CRIMINAL—*)
The Emperor laughed.
A slow, dangerous laugh.
"Do not fear."
He leaned forward.
"You will now work for me."
The entire hall shook.
Lei Hua lifted her head in shock.
"…W-Work?"
The Emperor's eyes shone.
"Yes. You will become my blade."
Lei Hua's mind went blank.
And in the shadow of the hall—
Zhen Ruo's smile slowly deepened.
END OF CHAPTER 10