The secret imperial vault lay hidden behind the grand court pavilion, bathed in moonlight tinged with gray.
Inside, all was silent —
save for Xianlan's quiet breathing and the wavering glow of the lantern in her hand.
Feng Yuhan did not follow her.
He had simply handed her the jade access plaque,
leaving her to confront the truths of the past alone.
She took a deep breath…
Her slender fingers pushed open the heavy wooden door.
Inside stood rows of scrolls, imperial seals, expenditure reports, and confidential records — untouched and unrevealed for years.
She searched for the section labeled Consort Yu's Residence.
Year 13, Ninth Month —
The day of the fire…
The day she became an orphan.
Her eyes scanned the lines —
until they froze at one entry.
"Order to replace the head eunuch of Consort Yu's residence — enacted two days before the fire."
"Unusually large allocation of a new flammable essential oil in the final three days."
"Command to withdraw weapons and relieve the night guard one day before the incident."
She stopped breathing.
"This… this was all… premeditated…"
Her voice trembled.
The hand that had been steady now began to shake.
This wasn't an accidental fire.
It was an orchestrated execution.
And the power required to engineer it…
could only belong to someone high within the Inner Palace.
⸻
At the Imperial Study
Emperor Li Sichen set down his brush.
Several documents lay before him, his face more somber than usual.
"Eunuch Liu."
"Your Majesty?"
"I want a full list of all eunuchs and attendants once assigned to Consort Yu's residence ten years ago…
Those still alive — summon them."
"At once, Your Majesty."
He was quiet for a moment, then added—
"And include those I dismissed right before the fire…
If any still breathe, bring them to me."
⸻
At the Palace of Consort Su
"The Emperor has begun his inquiry."
The whisper came from Su Zhen's most trusted eunuch.
She froze. Her fingers tightened around her fan, knuckles white.
"He… he's tracing it back to me."
"No — he mustn't."
In the shadows, Su Mengyu's eyes remained calm,
but her lips were pressed tight — as if holding back a flood of unspoken truths.
She didn't want to know…
but the truth was hunting them regardless.
"If needed, we must divert His Majesty's attention again."
"Or… present someone new to capture his interest."
⸻
Late at Night, Fenghua Residence
Xianlan sat before a blank sheet of paper,
the copied records from the vault still in her hand.
Feng Yuhan appeared silently,
placing a cup of perfectly warm tea beside her without a word.
"I've discovered…"
"There were no guards stationed at my mother's palace on the night of the fire," Xianlan said quietly.
"Yet the entire residence was filled with a highly flammable oil — in quantities far above normal."
"It was all prearranged."
"Yes."
"And I believe I now know… who the hand behind it was."
Feng Yuhan showed no expression.
He merely replied—
"If you're not yet certain… don't reveal your hand."
Xianlan turned to meet his gaze.
"You don't trust me?"
He met her eyes evenly.
"I trust you…
But I don't trust whoever else might be listening."
She smiled.
"Since when did you become so cautious?"
"Since the day I realized… you were worth protecting."
That response silenced her.
Her heart thudded harder — unexpectedly.
⸻
Morning, at the Court Pavilion
"Urgent news from the border, Your Majesty!"
A eunuch delivered the scroll before the court.
Wen Yuchen unrolled it swiftly.
"The allied kingdom will send envoys — including a princess — to rekindle diplomatic ties."
"Left Court officials suggest hosting a modest welcome ceremony."
The Emperor nodded faintly,
his eyes drifting thoughtfully toward Wen Yuchen and Feng Yuhan.
"Have the princess stay in Hongyue Palace."
"Ensure she feels at home — let no misstep occur."
Feng Yuhan exchanged a glance with Wen Yuchen.
A faint smile curled on his lips.
"Seems it's time…
for the phoenix and the moon to meet."
✨ Thank you for reading this chapter of Rebirth of the Phoenix Empress!If you're enjoying Xianlan's journey, please add this story to your Library, leave a comment, or tap a heart 💖 — your support truly fuels the fire!