The palace had not slept.

Not a single corner of it.

Not after what happened to Lady Chen.

Lanterns still burned through the night, servants moved in hushed voices, and fear lingered silently in every corridor.

Inside the Emperor’s chamber—

The atmosphere was suffocating.

Heavy with incense, medicine, and despair.

—

On the bed, Lady Chen lay motionless.

Her face had become even paler than before.

The faint traces of blood near her lips had been cleaned away, but her breathing remained weak.

Too weak.

Every breath looked painful.

—

Beside her, the healer continued trying everything.

Acupuncture.

Medicinal herbs.

Ancient breathing techniques.

Nothing worked.

Sweat dripped down his forehead despite the cold night air.

His hands trembled slightly.

Because he knew—

This was beyond medicine.

—

The Emperor stood nearby.

Silent.

Watching.

—

His eyes had not left her for hours.

Not once.

—

"...Your Majesty."

The healer finally lowered his head.

"...I have tried everything I can."

—

Silence.

—

The Emperor’s jaw tightened.

"...Then try again."

—

The healer froze.

"...Your Majesty—"

—

"I said try again."

His voice was low.

Not loud.

But filled with restrained pain.

—

The healer immediately bowed deeper.

"Yes."

—

Once again, he turned back toward Lady Chen.

Desperate.

Searching for anything.

Any sign.

Any hope.

—

The Emperor slowly sat down beside the bed.

His gaze resting on Lady Chen’s pale face.

—

And memories surfaced.

Uninvited.

Relentless.

—

A little girl laughing in the palace gardens.

Sharing sweets with him during lessons.

Running through the halls despite the servants scolding them.

Arguing over food.

Complaining about tutors.

—

Lady Chen.

—

His childhood friend.

—

Someone who had always been there.

—

"...How did it become like this..."

—

His fingers tightened slowly.

—

First the Empress.

Then strange incidents.

Then nobles falling ill.

Now her.

—

Everyone around him—

Suffering.

—

And he—

The Emperor.

—

Could do nothing.

—

A bitter laugh almost escaped him.

"...An Emperor who cannot protect his own people..."

—

The thought hurt more than anger.

—

The Dowager Empress sat nearby in silence.

Even she looked exhausted now.

Older somehow.

Heavier.

—

"This palace..." she said quietly.

"...has changed."

—

The Emperor did not answer.

Because he knew she was right.

—

Fear had entered the palace.

Invisible.

Unseen.

And now—

No one felt safe anymore.

—

Meanwhile—

Far away from the palace, inside the Duke residence—

News had already spread.

—

Chen Ruyi Learns the Truth

Inside her chamber, Chen Ruyi stood frozen after hearing the report.

"...My sister?"

Her face turned pale instantly.

"...Critical?"

—

The servant lowered her head.

"The healer says... only fate can decide now."

—

Chen Ruyi’s hands trembled slightly.

"No..."

—

Behind her, Lian Rou immediately stepped forward.

"We’re going to the palace."

—

Chen Ruyi looked at him, eyes filled with shock and fear.

"...Now?"

—

"Yes."

His voice was firm.

"You should be with your family."

—

Without another word, preparations were made.

The carriage was brought immediately.

And before long—

The two of them left for the palace.

—

Return to the Palace

The journey felt unbearably long.

Chen Ruyi sat quietly inside the carriage.

Her hands clenched tightly together.

Her thoughts chaotic.

—

Just yesterday—

Everything had felt normal.

Warm.

Happy.

Now—

This.

—

Lian Rou sat beside her silently.

Then after a moment, he reached forward quietly and covered her trembling hands with his own.

"...She’ll survive."

—

Chen Ruyi looked at him.

She wanted to believe him.

She truly did.

—

But fear still gripped her heart.

—

Soon—

The palace gates appeared.

Cold.

Towering.

Heavy.

—

The moment they entered, Chen Ruyi felt it immediately.

The atmosphere.

The fear.

The tension.

—

Servants moved quickly but silently.

No one spoke loudly.

Even breathing felt restrained.

—

She hurried toward the Emperor’s chamber.

And the moment she entered—

She froze.

—

Her mother sat beside the bed crying silently.

Her father stood nearby like a man who had aged years overnight.

And on the bed—

Her sister.

—

So still.

Too still.

—

"...Jiejie..."

Chen Ruyi’s voice broke instantly.

—

She walked closer slowly.

Her eyes filling with tears.

"...How did this happen..."

—

Madam Zhao Lifen immediately stood and hugged her tightly.

The moment she saw her younger daughter—

The strength she had been holding shattered again.

—

"Ruyi..."

She cried softly against her shoulder.

—

Chen Ruyi held her mother tightly.

"It’s alright..."

"We’re here..."

—

But even she could barely keep herself steady.

—

After a while, Madam Zhao finally whispered shakily,

"The healer said..."

"...Only Heaven can save her now..."

—

Chen Ruyi’s heart tightened painfully.

"No..."

—

She looked toward her sister again.

Then quietly said,

"We’ll pray."

—

"If Heaven saved the Empress..."

"...then maybe..."

Her voice trembled slightly.

"...maybe it will save Jiejie too."

—

Madam Zhao nodded weakly.

Holding onto those words like the last thread of hope.

—

After some time, Chen Ruyi finally asked softly,

"...Did anyone from the Chen residence come?"

—

Silence.

—

Madam Zhao’s expression dimmed immediately.

Then she slowly shook her head.

"...No."

—

Chen Ruyi froze.

"...No one?"

—

Her mother smiled bitterly.

"Since the marriage arrangement..."

"...they stopped speaking to us."

—

"Not one person came."

—

The words hurt more than anger.

Because they were quiet.

Tired.

Broken.

—

Chen Ruyi lowered her gaze.

Her chest tightened.

—

Just because of her engagement—

Their own relatives abandoned them.

—

Then she slowly took her mother’s hand.

"...Don’t worry."

—

Her voice softened.

"If they don’t come..."

"...then let them be."

—

She looked at her unconscious sister.

Then at her exhausted parents.

—

"We still have each other."

—

Madam Zhao’s eyes filled again.

But this time—

Not only with sorrow.

—

But comfort.

—

Because even as fear consumed the palace—

At least some bonds still remained unbroken.

A Decision Hidden in the Shrine

The palace had begun to change.

Not openly.

Not loudly.

But slowly—

Like darkness spreading through water.

—

Servants whispered in corners.

Maids lowered their voices when walking through corridors.

Even guards standing at their posts looked uneasy now.

Because one incident could be dismissed.

Two incidents could be called coincidence.

But now—

Three.

—

And fear had finally settled inside the palace walls.

—

Rumors of a Cursed Palace

Near the servant quarters, several palace maids gathered quietly while preparing medicine trays.

"...Did you hear?"

—

"The physicians still can’t wake Lady Chen."

—

Another maid lowered her voice immediately.

"Don’t speak too loudly..."

—

But even she looked frightened.

"...Something is wrong in this palace."

—

A third servant whispered nervously,

"First Princess Zhi lost her child..."

—

"Then the Empress nearly drowned..."

—

"And now Lady Chen..."

—

She shivered visibly.

"...Who will be next?"

—

No one answered.

Because no one wanted to say the thought aloud.

—

But everyone was thinking it.

—

"...The palace is cursed."

—

The words spread silently.

From servant to servant.

From corridor to corridor.

Like poison.

—

Lian Rou’s Thoughts

Inside the Emperor’s chamber—

The atmosphere remained tense.

The healer continued treatment.

Madam Zhao sat beside Lady Chen crying quietly.

The Emperor had still not left.

Not even once.

—

Lian Rou stood near the back silently observing everything.

His eyes moved toward the bed.

Toward Lady Chen.

Then—

Toward the Emperor.

—

The Emperor sat beside her personally.

Wiping sweat from her forehead with his own hands.

Watching over her.

Waiting.

—

Lian Rou’s expression slowly changed.

Because he remembered.

—

When his younger sister had fallen ill—

The Emperor had allowed her to remain in her own chamber.

He visited only after court sessions.

Only occasionally.

—

But now—

Lady Chen lay in the Emperor’s chamber itself.

And the Emperor had not moved from her side once.

—

"...So this is the difference..."

—

The thought came quietly.

Not angry.

Just... clear.

—

His gaze darkened slightly.

Then he turned and left the chamber silently.

—

Because suddenly—

He wanted to see his sister.

—

The Shrine

The shrine remained calm compared to the chaos inside the palace.

Incense smoke drifted gently upward.

Soft chanting echoed faintly from distant monks.

—

Inside—

The Empress sat quietly near the window.

A scroll rested in her hands.

Though her eyes were on the page—

Her thoughts were far away.

—

Then—

Footsteps.

—

She looked up.

And immediately froze slightly.

"...Brother?"

—

Lian Rou stood at the entrance.

His expression softened the moment he saw her.

Alive.

Safe.

—

Without hesitation, the Empress stood quickly and walked toward him.

Then hugged him tightly.

—

Lian Rou blinked in surprise.

Then slowly smiled.

"You missed me that much?"

—

"Yes."

Her voice came softly.

And honestly.

—

After everything happening lately—

Seeing family felt precious.

—

They sat together afterward.

The younger sister, Lian ann, quickly brought tea before sitting nearby too.

—

Lian Rou looked around the shrine quietly.

Then sighed softly.

"Everyone at the Duke residence has been worried about you."

—

The Empress lowered her gaze slightly.

"...I know."

—

"The punishment..."

He paused.

"...was unfair."

—

Silence lingered briefly.

Then—

The Empress smiled faintly.

"...Don’t worry anymore."

—

Lian Rou frowned slightly.

"What do you mean?"

—

The Empress looked outside quietly.

Toward the distant palace walls.

—

"...I’m fine here."

—

Then slowly—

She said the words she had been holding inside her heart.

—

"...And I’ve decided."

—

Lian Rou looked at her carefully.

"...Decided what?"

—

The Empress’s voice remained calm.

Too calm.

—

"I want a divorce."

—

Silence.

—

Complete silence.

—

Even Lian Hua froze.

"...ann"

—

Lian Rou stared at her.

Shocked.

Because no matter how difficult palace life became—

No one expected those words.

—

"...You..."

He stopped himself.

Then spoke more carefully.

"...Are you serious?"

—

The Empress nodded slowly.

"Yes."

—

Her fingers tightened around the teacup slightly.

—

"I can’t continue like this."

—

"Every punishment."

"Every accusation."

"Every humiliation."

—

She smiled bitterly.

"...Without reason."

—

"I’m tired."

—

Lian Rou looked at her quietly.

And slowly—

The shock faded.

Because deep down—

He understood.

—

Palace life was cruel.

Especially for women.

Especially for someone without unconditional support.

—

He looked at his younger sister.

At the shrine.

At the loneliness surrounding her.

—

Then softly asked,

"...Have you truly thought this through?"

—

"Yes."

Her answer came immediately.

—

"I don’t hate him."

She admitted quietly.

"But..."

—

"...I don’t want this life anymore."

—

Lian Rou leaned back slowly.

Silent for a long moment.

Then finally—

He nodded.

"...Alright."

—

The Empress blinked slightly.

"...You agree?"

—

He gave a small tired smile.

"...You’re my sister."

—

"If this palace can’t give you peace..."

"...then come home."

—

Lian Hua’s eyes instantly turned red.

"Brother..."

—

Lian Rou continued calmly,

"I’ll support you."

—

The Empress looked at him quietly.

Warmth spreading slowly in her chest.

Because she knew—

No matter what happened—

Her family would stand behind her.

—

Then she said softly,

"...Don’t tell anyone yet."

—

Lian Rou nodded.

"I won’t."

—

The conversation shifted after that.

Lighter.

Gentler.

They talked about the Duke residence.

The wedding preparations.

Their grandmother’s endless instructions.

Lian Hua’s chaos.

—

And for a brief moment—

The shrine felt warm again.

Like home.

—

Return to the Palace Chamber

Later that evening—

Lian Rou returned to the Emperor’s chamber.

—

The atmosphere remained the same.

Heavy.

Silent.

—

Lady Chen still hadn’t awakened.

—

And the Emperor—

Still sat beside her.

Carefully wiping away the sweat forming on her forehead.

Checking her breathing.

Watching over her personally.

—

Lian Rou stood there quietly.

Observing.

—

And suddenly—

His thoughts became clear.

—

The Emperor truly cared for Lady Chen.

Maybe more than anyone realized.

—

And strangely—

That realization brought him relief instead of anger.

—

Because if his sister divorced—

Then perhaps...

She would finally be free.

—

Free to find someone who truly cherished her completely.

Someone who would choose her first.

Without hesitation.

Without comparison.

—

Lian Rou looked once more at the silent Emperor beside Lady Chen.

Then quietly lowered his gaze.

—

"...Maybe this is for the best."

—

Outside—

The palace lanterns flickered under the night wind.

And somewhere within those endless halls—

Fate had already begun shifting once again.