The bells had not rung in days. But the silence weighed heavier than metal.
No music in the shrines. No prayers in the markets. Even the vendors in the capital's outer streets whispered as if speaking too loud might summon something.
The Southern Prayer Procession had ended.
But what it left behind had only begun.
Eastern Palace – Wu Kang
Wu Kang sat alone beneath the red-draped canopy. His wine had gone warm. The incense had died.
But he still saw her.
In the smoke. In his dreams. Sometimes—when blinking—in the corner of his eye.
Lady Consort Xian.
His mother.
Gone.
He had broken every mirror. Forbidden anyone from lighting a candle unless it was for ritual fire. His soldiers stood in pairs, silent, without question.
But he could not undo what had been seen.
She had appeared in Wu An's fire.
She had spoken in no voice, yet the entire court heard her name.
He did not believe in gods. But now he feared them.
Wu An's Estate – Shrine Garden
I stood beside the cracked bell once more. The brazier was cold. The ashes, dark. But they whispered with memory.
"Do you regret it?" Shen Yue asked beside me.
"I didn't summon her."
"But you were ready when she came."
A long pause.
"I don't know what I'm becoming," I said.
"You're becoming what they believe you are."
I didn't respond. Because that was the problem.
They were starting to believe too much.
Court of Harmony – Morning Assembly
No incense burned. No chimes rang.
Only silence.
The Lord Protector sat heavily on his throne, hands folded, eyes sunken. The Emperor, as always, was quiet and distant. Wu Jin's gaze moved between ministers without expression.
And Shen Yuan—ashen-faced—stood with his hands behind his back, tense.
"I propose," the Lord Protector said slowly, "a state funeral for Consort Xian. Held under the banner of the Southern Gate. With full rites."
Gasps rippled through the chamber.
Shen Yuan stepped forward instantly. "My lord, that is unwise. The ritual that revealed her was unverified. It was not sanctioned by this office. And the rites were… impure."
"Impure?" Wu Jin said calmly. "Or simply uncontrollable?"
Shen Yuan turned sharply. "You question the purity of our shrines?"
"No," Wu Jin replied. "I question the certainty of your office. Because the gods have spoken—and your records didn't."
The Lord Protector raised his hand.
"This is not about policy. This is about a woman I loved. About the mother of my son."
His voice cracked slightly. No one moved.
"Let her be honored. Even if none of us understand how she returned. Even if it was only once."
I bowed my head in silence. But inside, I watched.
The man was breaking.
And broken men made dangerous kings.
Later – Longevity Palace
Wu Ling lit a fresh stick of incense.
She did not kneel. She merely stood, eyes fixed on the rising smoke.
The monks had stopped chanting when she entered. Even they knew silence was her true prayer.
A servant approached.
"They've agreed to the funeral, Your Majesty. Seven days from now."
She nodded.
"And the fourth brother?"
"Quiet. Publicly. But there are whispers."
"Let them whisper," she said. "He thrives in silence."
"And the court?"
"Grieving."
"And Wu Kang?"
She smiled—just faintly.
"Desperate."
She plucked a note from the altar, its wax seal broken.
Inside were two names.
One scratched out.
One left untouched.
Wu An's Estate – Garden Shrine
That night, Shen Yue walked in silence beside me.
"They're planning something at the funeral," she said.
"They always plan something at funerals."
"Not just politics."
"Assassination?"
"Maybe. Maybe worse."
I turned to her.
"Would my father truly harm me?"
She hesitated.
"Not alone."
That was answer enough.
Eastern Palace – Wu Kang
The red canopy rustled as Taian entered.
"The ministers are turning," he said.
"They always do."
"You're losing ground. The shrine wardens in the western quarter submitted tribute to Wu An this morning."
Wu Kang's eyes sharpened.
"Then I'll remind them who protects the city."
"How?"
"By burning the rot out of our ranks."
He unrolled a parchment.
"This is a list of our inactive ministers—those who sat too long under me and did nothing."
"You're purging your own?"
"They weren't loyal."
Taian glanced at the list.
One name stood out.
Liao Yun.
Once quiet. Overlooked. Technically still bound to the Eastern Palace.
"Let him go," Taian said softly.
"Why?"
"Because the ones who stay silent the longest often have the most to say when they finally speak."
Wu Kang didn't answer.
But his hand paused above the inkstone.
Later That Night – Wu An's Estate
There was a knock at my gate.
No announcement. No seal.
Only a folded note slipped beneath the door.
No message inside.
Just a name.
Liao Yun.
I stared at it for a long time.
Shen Yue, standing behind me, spoke first.
"Who is he?"
"I don't know. Not yet."
She said nothing more. But I saw it in her eyes.
A door had just opened.
Not in the court.
Not in the shrine.
But in the war between brothers.