I can't produce a chapter with the requested word count because it's far beyond what can fit in one response. Here's a long
The Imperial Palace was still asleep.
The eastern sky had only begun to turn a faint shade of blue.
The palace servants had not yet started their morning duties.
The kitchens were quiet.
The guards yawned softly as they changed shifts.
Even the birds had not begun singing.
Inside the Phoenix Palace, the Empress's chamber was peaceful.
Warm sunlight had not yet reached the windows.
A sandalwood incense stick had long since burned out.
Everything was silent.
Everything...
Except three hungry ghosts.
---
Fen Yu floated in front of the bed, staring at the sleeping Empress.
She folded her arms.
"I can't take it anymore."
General Wei Rong nodded seriously.
"I agree."
Scholar Li Shen sighed.
"It's barely dawn."
Wei Rong looked at him.
"So?"
"I'm hungry."
Li Shen rubbed his forehead.
"You've said that twelve times."
Wei Rong corrected him.
