My Sin

A Needed Reunion

A week passed quietly.

The palace remained busy from dawn until night. The emperor scarcely had a moment to himself. Every day was spent in the Hall of Supreme Harmony discussing military strategy, inspecting provisions, meeting with generals, and personally reviewing troop rosters before the northern campaign.

He never once came to Phoenix Palace. Not because he did not want to.

The empress knew better than anyone that if the emperor came, he would find another excuse to stay, and with all those grand choices he'd been making, he himself was scared he'd go soft.

Instead, something arrived every morning.

One day it was fresh peonies from the imperial gardens because the flowers had just come into bloom. Another day it was a box of lychees sent as tribute from the south, packed carefully in ice so they would not spoil. Occasionally it was a newly carved jade ornament, warm medicinal soup, or a tray of pastries the empress had always preferred.

Nothing extravagant but always accompanied by a letter that let him know how much he was loved and wanted.

Only a small tag tied neatly to each box.

At Phoenix Palace.

By the fourth day, Li Dani no longer looked surprised whenever another eunuch appeared outside the gates carrying yet another lacquered box. He glanced at the contents before clicking his tongue.

"Another one." The young eunuch smiled awkwardly.

"His Majesty instructed this servant to make sure it was delivered while it was still warm."

Li Dani set the box down on the table before looking toward the empress.

"He's treating Phoenix Palace like another stop on his daily schedule." The empress continued reading without looking up.

"Tell him not to waste his time."

The young eunuch hesitated.

"This servant... has already relayed those words."

"And?"

"He said..." The eunuch lowered his head. "'Whether Your Majesty accepts it or throws it away is your decision. This one will continue sending it.'"

"..."

Li Dani couldn't help but laugh.

"The nerve."

The empress simply closed his book.

"That lunatic."

Even so, when the bird's nest soup had cooled enough to drink, he finished every last spoonful. Neither of them mentioned it again. The days passed peacefully until the seventh morning. The head eunuch entered Phoenix Palace with hurried steps before kneeling.

"Your Majesty."

The empress immediately looked up.

"What is it?"

"Hao Meng requests an audience."

The room fell quiet.

Even Li Dani's smile faded.

The empress stared at the steaming teacup in front of him for a moment before setting it aside.

"...Bring him in." It was time to put an end to this farce once and for all.

Elsewhere, inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony,

The emperor had been discussing troop formations with the Ministry of War when one of the Shadow Guards appeared soundlessly beside him.