Mei Lin's POV
Morning came too quickly.
A servant knocked at dawn with a tray of rice porridge and tea. Morning meal is in the communal hall in one hour, Noble Lady. Attendance is mandatory.
Great. My first official harem breakfast where everyone would judge me.
I dressed in the same blue robe—still my only option. Tried to arrange my hair in something resembling the elaborate styles I'd seen on other concubines. Failed miserably. Ended up with a simple knot at the base of my neck.
Looking at my reflection in the cracked basin of water, I looked exactly like what I was: a servant pretending to be nobility.
Perfect.
The communal hall was already full when I arrived. Concubines sat in strict order of rank at long tables. The highest-ranked near the head. The lowest near the door.
I took my seat at the very end. Alone.
Conversations stopped as I sat down. Dozens of eyes studied me with everything from curiosity to contempt.
So that's her. A woman's voice carried clearly across the hall. The servant who got lucky.
I heard she seduced the Emperor with dark magic.
Look at her hair. Like a peasant.
She won't last a week.
I kept my eyes on my bowl, eating slowly. I'd survived worse than gossip.
Noble Lady Mei Lin. The voice was warm. Genuine. I looked up.
A woman stood beside my table. Mid-twenties, with kind eyes and simple robes. Not as elaborate as the higher ranks, but well-made.
I'm Imperial Concubine Su. May I join you?
My eyes widened. Imperial Concubine was fourth rank, far above my Promised Maiden status. She shouldn't lower herself to sit with me.
Of course, Imperial Concubine Su.
She sat gracefully. Please, just Su. We're going to be living together. Formality gets exhausting. She glanced at my bowl. How are you settling in?
Well enough.
Liar. But she smiled. The quarters are terrible, aren't they? I had the same room when I first arrived. The roof leaks when it rains.
Despite myself, I smiled back. I'll keep that in mind.
You'll also want to avoid the fish pond on the east side. A concubine drowned there last year. Very tragic. Su's voice was light, but her eyes were serious. Accidents happen frequently in the Inner Court.
Message received. The harem was dangerous.
Thank you for the warning.
I'm not warning you. Su sipped her tea. I'm telling you the truth so you can make informed decisions. There's a difference.
I studied her. Su had been the Emperor's favorite three years ago according to palace gossip. Then fell from grace. Now she lived quietly, avoided politics.
Why was she helping me?
Why are you being kind to me? I asked bluntly.
Su's smile turned sad. Because I remember being new and terrified and alone. Someone should have helped me then. No one did. I won't make that mistake again.
Before I could respond, the hall went silent.
Imperial Noble Consort Lian had entered.
She was even more beautiful in daylight. Hair piled high with jade ornaments. Robes that probably cost more than a village. She walked like a queen, and every concubine bowed as she passed.
Every concubine except me. I was already seated and lower rank. I didn't have to bow.
But I probably should have.
Lian's eyes found me immediately. She walked the length of the hall and stopped at my table.
Noble Lady Mei Lin. How wonderful to see you looking so... healthy.
The emphasis on healthy made it clear she'd expected otherwise.
Thank you, Imperial Noble Consort Lian. Your concern is appreciated.
Her smile sharpened. I wanted to apologize personally for yesterday's misunderstanding. The bracelet situation was clearly a mistake. I hope there are no hard feelings.
Misunderstanding. She'd tried to have me executed and was calling it a misunderstanding.
Of course not, I said smoothly. Mistakes happen.
They certainly do. Lian's eyes glittered. I've arranged a small welcoming banquet for you. Tomorrow evening. All the concubines will attend. It's tradition when someone new joins the Inner Court.
My stomach clenched. A banquet. Where Lian controlled the food and wine.
You're too generous.
Not at all. We're all sisters here. Lian touched my shoulder. Her fingers pressed hard enough to bruise. I insist you attend. It would be terribly rude to refuse.
She walked away, leaving me cold despite the warm morning.
That was a death threat, Su said quietly. You know that, right?
I know.
Will you go?
Do I have a choice?
Su was silent for a moment. There are always choices. Sometimes they're just all bad.
After breakfast, I explored the Inner Court while other concubines practiced music or embroidery. I memorized every path, every exit, every place an assassin might hide.
The Inner Court was beautiful and deadly. Gardens designed for secret meetings. Pavilions where poison could be slipped into tea. The fish pond where a concubine had drowned—probably pushed.
I found Tang Qing in the servants' quarters, washing linens.
Mei Lin! She dropped the clothes and hugged me. Are you okay? I heard about last nightsummoned by the Emperor on your first day
I'm fine. I pulled her into an empty storage room. But we need to talk. Lian's planning something. A banquet tomorrow night.
Tang Qing's face went pale. The welcome banquet? Mei Lin, you can't go. Three concubines have died at those banquets. Poison in the wine.
I know. But refusing would be an insult. She'd use it against me.
Then what do you do?
I thought about the Emperor's study. The way he'd looked at me when he said you're full of surprises. The intelligence in his eyes that missed nothing.
I need information, I said slowly. Everything you can find out about Lian. Who visits her? Who does she pay? What secrets is she hiding?
You want me to spy?
I want us to survive. I gripped her hands. Lian is connected to powerful people. If I can prove she's corrupt, I can use that to protect myself. But I need evidence.
Tang Qing was quiet. Then she nodded. Okay. I'll listen. Watch. Be careful.
You too. If Lian suspects you
I know how to be invisible. Six years, remember? She squeezed my hands. We've survived this long. We'll survive longer.
After she left, I continued exploring. Memorizing guard rotations. Noting which concubines had the most servants, the best quarters, the most influence.
Everything was information. Information was power.
As sunset approached, I returned to my quarters to prepare for my second meeting with the Emperor.
I was washing my face in the cracked basin when I heard it.
Footsteps. Just outside my door.
I froze, listening.
The footsteps were deliberately soft. Trying not to be heard.
More than one person.
My heart started racing. I looked around frantically. The room had no weapons. No way to defend myself except
I grabbed the ceramic basin. It wasn't much, but it was heavy.
The door creaked open.
Three figures in black masks slipped inside.
Assassins.
They moved fast, fanning out to surround me. Moonlight caught on steel—knives.
I backed against the wall, basin raised. My mind raced through options. Scream? The nearest guard was too far. Fight? I'd lose. Run? They blocked the door.
Don't scream, one of them said. Male voice, rough. We'll make it quick.
Lian sent you. I kept my voice steady despite the terror flooding my veins. How much is she paying?
They exchanged glances. Surprised I wasn't begging.
Enough, the leader said. Now hold still.
She's using embezzled money. I spoke fast. Stolen from the imperial treasury. Prime Minister Wei's money.
The leader hesitated. What?
Kill me and you become witnesses. You know how this works. Lian eliminates everyone who knows her secrets. You take her money, I die, then you die to cover the trail.
You're lying.
Am I? Three concubines dead in three years. All Lian's rivals. Do you know what happened to the people who killed them? I watched understanding dawn on their faces. Exactly. They're all dead too. Convenient accidents.
The assassins looked at each other again. Uncertainty replacing confidence.
Even if that's true, the leader said slowly, we have our orders.
I'll pay you double to leave. Triple to tell Lian I'm dead.
With what money? You're a servant.
I'm the Emperor's concubine now. I played my only card. The Emperor summoned me tonight. To his private chambers. Alone. Kill me and he'll investigate. He'll find out who hired you. Then Lian kills you anyway to hide evidence.
More silence.
I pressed my advantage. But let me live, take Lian's payment, tell her I'm dead. She's happy. You stay alive. Everyone wins except her.
The leader studied me. Then slowly lowered his knife.
You've got steel in you, girl. I respect that. He gestured to the others. We're leaving.
Relief made me dizzy.
At the door, the leader turned back. He tossed something that landed at my feet with a soft thud.
A knife. Real and sharp.
For next time, he said. Because there will be a next time. Lian doesn't give up easy.
They disappeared into the darkness.
I collapsed against the wall, shaking. The knife lay on the floor, moonlight catching its edge.
I'd talked my way out of death. Again.
But the assassin was right. Lian wouldn't stop. This was just the beginning.
I picked up the knife with trembling hands. Finally, a real weapon.
A knock made me jump.
Noble Lady Mei Lin. Eunuch Chen's voice. The Emperor is waiting.
I quickly hid the knife under my sleeping mat. Smoothed my robe. Tried to stop shaking.
Time to face the Emperor again.
Time to smile and talk philosophy while hiding the fact that someone had just tried to kill me.
Time to pretend I wasn't falling for the one man who could destroy everything.
I opened the door.
Chen studied my face with sharp eyes. Are you well, Noble Lady? You look pale.
I'm fine. Just nervous.
Nervous is wise around the Emperor. He gestured for me to follow. But he seems to like you. That's both good fortune and terrible danger.
I'm beginning to understand that.
We walked through the darkening palace. As we approached the Emperor's study, my heart hammered for entirely different reasons than fear.
Chen knocked. The door opened.
And there he was—Yiren, sitting by candlelight, waiting for me.
His eyes met mine and something sparked between us. Recognition. Attraction. Danger.
Mei Lin. His voice was warm. You came back.
You commanded it, Your Majesty.
I asked. There's a difference. He gestured to the cushion across from him. Sit. We have much to discuss.
I sat, hyperaware of how close we were. Of how his eyes tracked my every movement.
I've been thinking about our conversation last night, he said, pouring tea. You said survival is based on deception. Showing one face while hiding another.
Yes.
What face are you showing me right now?
The question stole my breath.
Honesty, I said carefully. As much as I can afford.
And the face you're hiding?
Fear. Exhaustion. The constant terror of making one wrong move and dying.
His expression softened. You don't have to fear me. Not here. Not in this room.
Everyone should fear the Emperor.
Even you?
I met his eyes. Especially me.
Why especially you?
Because I'm lying to you. Because I'm using you. Because I'm terrified that you'll discover the truth and hate me for it.
Because I have more to lose than most, I said quietly.
He leaned forward. Close enough that I could see the exhaustion in his eyes. What are you afraid of losing?
You, I thought. And hated myself for it.
My life, I said instead.
Your life is safe. I told you that.
Is it? Someone tried to kill me tonight. Three assassins. In my quarters.
His face went hard as stone. What?
I convinced them to leave. But they'll try again. Lian won't stop until I'm dead.
I'll station guards
Guards won't help. Lian has money and connections. She'll find another way.
Yiren stood abruptly, pacing. Then what do you suggest?
Make me valuable. The plan crystallized as I spoke. Give me a higher rank. Show the court you favor me. If I'm nobody, I'm easy to kill. But if I matter to you, people will hesitate.
He turned to study me. Clever. You want to use me as a shield.
Yes.
At least you're honest about it. He smiled slightly. Most people would pretend affection.
Would you prefer I lie?
No. He came back to sit beside me. Closer than before. I prefer your truth, even when it's mercenary. Do you know why?
Why?
Because it means when you do show affection, I'll know it's real.
My breath caught. The air between us felt charged.
And if I never show affection?
Then at least I'll know where I stand. His hand lifted, fingers brushing my cheek like he'd done last night. But I don't think that will happen.
You're very confident.
I'm very observant. His thumb traced my jaw. Your pulse is racing. You're leaning toward me, not away. And when I touch you, your eyes go dark.
Heat flooded my face. That doesn't mean
It means you feel this too. Whatever this is.
His face was so close. I could count his lashes. See where candlelight painted gold in his dark eyes.
I should pull away. Remember my mission. Stay focused.
Instead, I whispered, This is dangerous.
Everything about us is dangerous. His voice was rough. That doesn't make it less real.
He was going to kiss me. I could see it in his eyes. The decision forming.
And I wanted him to. God help me, I wanted it.
But if he kissed me, everything would change. I'd lose the detachment I needed. I'd start caring about him instead of just using him.
I pulled back sharply. I should go.
Disappointment and understanding warred in his expression. If that's what you want.
It's what's wise.
Since when do you do what's wise? But he didn't stop me as I stood.
I made it to the door before his voice stopped me.
Mei Lin.
I looked back.
He was still sitting, watching me with those too-perceptive eyes. I'm raising your rank to Noble Lady. Effective immediately. You'll receive better quarters, servants, a monthly allowance. The court will know you have my favor.
Thank you.
Don't thank me. It's strategic, like you said. But his smile said otherwise. And Mei Lin? Tomorrow night. Come back. We're not finished.
I fled before I could do something stupid. Like go back to him. Like let him kiss me. Like forget that this was all supposed to be a game.
Outside, I leaned against the wall, heart pounding.
This was spiraling out of control. I was supposed to manipulate him. Instead, he was getting under my skin. Making me feel things I couldn't afford to feel.
I had to be more careful. More guarded.
Tomorrow. Tomorrow I'd do better.
But tonight, walking back to my quarters, I couldn't stop thinking about the way he'd looked at me. Like I mattered. Like I was someone worth knowing.
No one had looked at me that way since my father died.
And that made Emperor Zhao Yiren the most dangerous man in the world.
Would you like me to continue with Chapters 4 and 5 following this same romance-forward approach?