"An Imperial Edict means a matter of supreme national importance. The entire household must be present."

Five minutes later, the Lin family stood in a rigid, perfect line in the center of the massive, torch-lit main courtyard.

The night air was cool, but the atmosphere was suffocatingly tense.

The heavy iron gates of the estate groaned open, admitting a procession that practically screamed imperial wealth.

A dozen palace guards clad in gleaming gold armor marched in perfect synchronization.

Behind them came an ornate, open-air palanquin carried by eight servants.

And stepping down from the palanquin was the Chief Imperial Eunuch, a tall, gaunt man wearing bright crimson robes, holding a glowing, cylindrical scroll case forged from pure gold.

The Eunuch didn’t walk; he glided across the cobblestones, stopping ten paces from General Lin.

"The Emperor’s words arrive like the dawn! Kneel and receive the mandate of the Heavens!" the Eunuch announced, his voice magically amplified to echo off the walls of the estate.

General Lin immediately dropped to one knee, bowing his head.

The sisters fluttered to the ground, pressing their foreheads to the cobblestones, while Xuan scrambled to obey.

Ji’an didn’t need to kneel because of her special position, though she was a bit uncomfortable with this situation.

The Eunuch unrolled the Golden Edict.

The scroll itself radiated an oppressive Qi that pressed down on everyone in the courtyard.

"By the decree of His Divine Majesty," the Eunuch read, his voice ringing with absolute, theatrical triumph. "Let it be known across the Azure Empire and beyond! The northern campaign has concluded in absolute victory!"

General Lin’s head snapped up, his silver-flecked eyes widening.

"Vanguard Commander Lin Feng," the Eunuch announced, a massive, uncharacteristic smile breaking across his gaunt face, "has executed a masterful, decisive strike against the barbarian hordes of the Northern Barrens! The enemy coalition is shattered! Their warlords have been captured! The borders are secured from now on!"

A collective gasp rippled through the courtyard.

The estate guards surrounding the perimeter broke protocol, letting out a synchronized, thunderous cheer that shook the very foundations of the manor.

"My son," General Lin whispered, his voice cracking with a mixture of overwhelming pride and relief.

"Commander Lin Feng and the triumphant Vanguard troop are currently marching south!" the Eunuch continued, raising the scroll higher. "They will arrive at the capital gates within three days!"

Ji’an, standing upright, couldn’t help but smile.

Her big brother was coming home.

He wasn’t a phantom anymore; he was a conquering hero returning in glory. Her father’s wish had been granted by the universe in record time.

’This is awesome,’ Ji’an thought, genuinely thrilled. ’A family reunion! Feng is going to love the double-boiled chicken soup. I’ll start prepping the duck right away. This is the perfect staycation!’

But the Eunuch was not finished.

He cleared his throat, his face adopting a mask of extreme formality.

"To honor the unparalleled bravery of the Vanguard Commander, and to celebrate this historic victory that secures the peace of our realm," the Eunuch boomed, his eyes locking directly onto General Lin.

"His Majesty the Emperor hereby decrees that a Grand Royal Banquet shall be hosted within the Imperial Palace Gardens upon Commander Lin Feng’s arrival."

The Eunuch rolled the scroll closed with a snapping sound.

"The presence of General Lin Tianzong and the entirety of the noble Lin household is strictly mandatory. You are the guests of honor. The Emperor anticipates your arrival with great joy."

The Eunuch stepped forward, offering the heavy, glowing scroll to General Lin with both hands. "Congratulations, General. Your house has brought supreme glory to the Empire once again."

General Lin stood, accepting the edict with a deep bow. "The Lin house serves the Emperor, now and forever. We shall attend with absolute honor."

The procession turned, marching back out of the gates with the same imposing grace with which they had arrived.

The heavy iron gates slammed shut, leaving the courtyard in a state of euphoric, buzzing celebration.

The sisters were crying and hugging each other, while Xuan was jumping up and down in excitement.

General Lin was staring at the golden scroll in his hands, with a smile so wide it made him look twenty years younger, stretching across his face.

Lin Ji’an was the only one not celebrating.

The smile had entirely vanished from her face.

Her dark eyes were wide, completely paralyzed by an existential terror that transcended the fear of any physical threat.

The words of the Imperial Edict echoed in her mind, repeating on an inescapable loop.

’A Grand Royal Banquet.’

’Hosted within the Imperial Palace.’

’Strictly, unconditionally mandatory.’

The world seemed to be spinning slightly off its axis.

A Royal Banquet was not just a dinner party.

It was a massive event attended by every single noble house, powerful cultivators, and influential figures in the entire Azure Empire.

And, more importantly, it was hosted by the Royal Family.

The Imperial Palace was not neutral ground; it was the undisputed home turf of the sociopathic spider who had just spent the last three weeks trying to trap her.

"Xiao Yichen, that guy," Ji’an whispered into the night air, her voice trembling with dread.

Xiao Yichen was going to be there.

Not the travel-weary, cross-dressing Prince who was forced to ride in a carriage. This would be Xiao Yichen in his absolute element.

Draped in imperial silks, surrounded by servants and confidants, wielding the power of his royal bloodline.

And she, as the guest of honor’s brother, would be seated front and center.

She would be completely exposed, entirely unable to escape, trapped in a room with a man who had literally slaughtered an entire mercenary camp because he had developed a twisted, possessive obsession with her.

’He probably knew,’ Ji’an realized, a cold sweat breaking out across her forehead as she recalled his parting words at the carriage.

"I shall leave my Royal Uncle to your care. But be assured... I will return."

He hadn’t been making an empty threat.