Meanwhile, at the grand front gate of the Red Pavilion, beautiful courtesans stood in neat rows, welcoming guests as the Spring Festival celebration was about to begin.
Suddenly, four riders arrived together. Their horses were restless, their armor still dusted with the scent of blood and the distant frontiers.
They were the four great generals of the empire.
Jin Wenxiao of Jinqiu City, calm and elegant, his golden armor reflecting the warm lantern light.
Lian Yuerong of Lianzhou City, his white robes glowing beneath the silver moon like frost.
Lin Jinghan of Shuanglin City, silent as a winter mountain, his cold eyes unreadable.
And Fang Xunyang of Fanglan City, laughing freely as he reined in his black horse.
They greeted one another and entered the Red Pavilion, but the crowd still seemed to be waiting for someone else.
"The pride of Yancheng City has yet to arrive," someone whispered.
"General Han Ruozhi never attends royal banquets," another murmured.
"At least four of the five great generals are here," a third person said.
Far away from the lanterns and laughter, at the back wall of the Red Pavilion, a dark figure appeared.
A man dressed in black climbed over the very same wall Yuehuang had used to sneak out earlier. A mask covered his face as he moved silently, avoiding the guards, and made his way toward the front courtyard of the Third Palace.
A faint sound broke the silence the creak of a door opening.
The man paused, momentarily startled, but quickly regained his composure. He tightened his grip on his sword and followed the sound.
He stopped at an open doorway.
What he saw beyond it left him frozen.
A woman in flowing red silk sat at the edge of a vast lotus pond. A long crimson veil covered her face. When a soft night breeze passed by, it lifted the veil, revealing strands of silky hair that drifted gently in the moonlight.
She slowly loosened her outer robes and dipped her hands into the water, splashing her face.
Her skin was pale as pearl, glowing like jade beneath the moon. Her eyes were deep and sorrowful, as though filled with endless longing. Her lips were red as ripe goji berries.
She looked like a divine bloom beneath the moon,
as if the Moon Goddess Chang'e herself had descended into the mortal world.
Seduced by her beauty, the man found himself unconsciously stepping toward her. He had never seen anything so breathtaking. But at the last moment, he forced himself to stop and hid behind a wooden pillar.
He took a deep breath, yet he could not tear his eyes away from her.
Then fate intervened.
His foot brushed against a fallen leaf.
The faint sound was enough.
Without even turning her head, the woman's hand moved like lightning. A dagger flashed from her sleeve and pierced straight into the wooden pillar.
Carved into the blade were two words:
"Yuehua" Moon Flower.
In an instant, she gathered her outer robes around herself, concealing her form and face. With another dagger already in her hand, she walked calmly toward the pillar.
Before Yuehua could reach it, a sword suddenly shot toward her.
She blocked it with her dagger.
The clash of metal rang sharply through the night.
From behind the pillar stepped a man dressed entirely in black. His face was hidden, his movements silent and controlled. He pulled out the first dagger Yuehua had embedded in the wood and caught it cleanly in his hand.
In the next instant, he pushed off the ground and leapt into a nearby plum tree, landing lightly on one of its branches.
Yuehua followed without hesitation, her red robes fluttering as she jumped after him.
He moved again, springing toward a higher branch on another tree. Yuehua tried to pursue
Just then, the first firework exploded across the sky.
Its brilliant light flooded the garden, tearing through the darkness.
It was midnight, and the Spring Festival had already begun.
New year had arrived.
The sudden light and sounds filled the sky with colors. For a moment, Yuehua's focus broke. She missed her step and began to fall toward the pond below.
The Man in Black jumped after her. In midair, he caught her from behind, holding her close as they spun through the air, the moon shining brightly behind them.
Plum petals floated on the wind, and the fireworks made the night shimmer with light.
They spun slowly, then fell together into the pond. Cold water closed around them. Yuehua's eyes fluttered shut as she began to sink.
The Man in Black quickly reached her. He tore away the cloth that covered her face, revealing her pale features beneath the water. Then he pressed his lips to hers, sharing his breath with her.
Yuehua's eyes opened, realizing what had happened. She pushed him away with all her strength and thrust her dagger into his chest.
He did not fight back. He only looked at her once, a deep gaze before swimming toward the edge of the pond.
When Yuehua climbed out of the water, he was already gone. On the ground near the water lay her dagger, soaked in blood, but the other dagger was missing.
Yuehua put her fingers on her lips because her kiss had been stolen just like that. Her eyes were cold as ice.
She had no expression. Her body and clothes were wet because she had just come out of that pond.
She moved forward and took her dagger that was soaked in the blood of that mysterious man. She started to walk toward the back door of Yuexi Palace.
On the other hand, inside the main hall of the Red Pavilion, the celebration was at its peak. People were laughing and enjoying the banquet, but a certain presence was stealing all their attention.
A lady in a luxurious silk dress was performing a graceful dance and had become the center of attraction.
"Lady Lianyi's moves are divine," somebody said.
"You are right. No one can beat her in dancing," someone replied.
"Nothing less could be expected from the owner of the Fifth Palace in the Red Pavilion," another added.
"Yes, you are right. Lady Su is the pride of the Red Pavilion," someone agreed.
Upstairs on the second floor, the four generals from the main cities were sitting together, chatting quietly.
That was when Madam Yueqing arrived with Lady Wenrou. They both greeted the generals politely.
Everyone respected Madam Yueqing for her sharp mind and strategic thinking. The generals exchanged secret looks, signaling that they wished to speak in private.
Lady Wenrou led the way to a secluded room.
Once inside,
Madam Yueqing asked calmly, "Great Generals, what do you wish to discuss? What may this humble lady do to help you?"
"Madam Xie, don't be so polite. Today we are here to discuss an important matter of state," General Jin said.
"Xie Yueqing, you and we both know the truth of the uprising of seventeen years ago. We only want to bring that truth to light," General Lian Yuerong said.
"General Yuerong, digging up old graves will not bring anyone back to life. Let the past rest. We cannot change what happened," Madam Yueqing replied calmly.
"How can you say that, knowing how much the people are suffering under this tyrant king?" General Feng said.
"Since the death of our late king and queen, the Great Qing Dynasty has been losing its glory," he continued.
"We only want justice, and the time has come for it," General Jin said.
"What are your plans? And what do I have to do with this?" Madam Yueqing asked.
"Madam Xie, you are the key to this checkmate. With your help, we can overthrow the king and rule. It is time for another uprising," General Lin answered.
Lady Wenrou spoke quickly, her voice rising. "Are you out of your minds? You are thinking about rebellion?"
Suddenly, a voice echoed through the room.
"Since when did justice become rebellion, Lady Cheng?"
A mysterious silence fell over the room. Everyone kept their guard up, holding their swords tightly, as the sound of footsteps grew louder—
A powerful presence was approaching them.
TO BE CONTINUED....