Morning sunlight spilled across the Empress's courtyard, turning the stone paths golden and making the dew on the flowers sparkle.
The palace had begun another busy day.
Servants moved quietly through the courtyard, carrying breakfast trays and fresh tea. Birds chirped from the trees, and somewhere beyond the walls, the sound of bells marked the beginning of the day's court.
Inside the Empress's chamber, however, peace had already been destroyed.
Not by assassins.
Not by dark magic.
Not even by palace intrigue.
But by three ghosts arguing loudly.
The Empress sat beside the window with a cup of tea in her hands, trying very hard not to laugh.
Across from her floated three familiar figures.
Wei Rong, the former general, stood with his arms crossed, his handsome ghostly face full of amusement.
Beside him sat Li Shen, the scholar, calmly drinking tea despite being a ghost who technically didn't need it.
