The palace had grown colder.
Not in temperature—
but in silence.
Whispers no longer hid themselves as carefully. Eyes lingered longer than they should. Conversations stopped when Li Xuan passed.
He was no longer invisible.
He was being watched.
A Summons
It came before noon.
A royal order.
Li Xuan stood in the inner chamber, facing one of the Emperor's most trusted attendants.
"The Emperor requests your presence," the man said.
Not asks.
Requests.
Which meant—
it was not optional.
The Chamber of Judgment
The Emperor's private hall was quieter than the court.
More dangerous.
No ministers.
No audience.
Only the Emperor…
and someone else.
Li Xuan stepped inside—
and his eyes flickered slightly.
The Crown Prince.
Standing beside the throne.
Watching.
The Accusation Begins
"You've been busy," the Emperor said calmly.
Li Xuan bowed.
"I'm not sure what you mean."
The Crown Prince stepped forward.
"Then allow me to clarify."
A gesture.
A servant entered—
carrying something.
A blade.
Dark.
Clean.
Familiar.
Li Xuan's gaze sharpened.
He recognized it instantly.
One of the assassin weapons from the courtyard.
The Trap Revealed
"This was recovered," the Crown Prince said, "near the residence of the murdered minister."
A pause.
Then—
"Along with witnesses… who claim they saw a man matching your description."
Silence filled the room.
Heavy.
Precise.
Constructed.
Li Xuan didn't react outwardly.
But inside—
he understood immediately.
This is planned.
A Perfect Setup
"You've always wandered freely," the Crown Prince continued smoothly.
"No guards. No record of your movements."
Another step closer.
"How convenient."
The Emperor's gaze remained fixed on Li Xuan.
"You will answer," he said.
Simple.
Absolute.
Li Xuan's Answer
Li Xuan lifted his head.
Calm.
Unshaken.
"I didn't kill him."
Truth.
But incomplete.
The Crown Prince smiled faintly.
"You expect us to believe that?"
"I expect nothing."
A pause.
Then Li Xuan added lightly:
"But if I were responsible… you wouldn't have found the weapon."
Silence.
Sharp.
Cutting.
Even the Crown Prince's expression flickered—
just slightly.
Dangerous Intelligence
The Emperor watched him for a long moment.
Then said:
"You speak with confidence."
"I speak with honesty."
"Those are not always the same."
Li Xuan didn't respond.
Because they both knew that was true.
The Decision
The Emperor finally leaned back.
"You will remain under observation."
Not imprisonment.
Not freedom.
Something worse.
Suspicion.
"You are not to leave the palace grounds."
A pause.
Then—
"Until this matter is resolved."
Aftermath
Li Xuan left the chamber without expression.
But the moment he stepped into the corridor—
his eyes darkened.
They moved faster than I expected.
This wasn't random.
This was strategy.
And someone—
was pushing him into a corner.
The Realization
There was only one problem.
Shen Lian.
If the investigation continued…
If the assassinations were traced…
It wouldn't stop at Li Xuan.
That Night – He Waits
The garden was empty.
No bells.
No silk.
No presence.
For the first time—
Shen Lian didn't come.
Silence Feels Different Now
Li Xuan stood there longer than usual.
Long enough to realize something unsettling.
It wasn't just absence.
It was distance.
Intentional.
Elsewhere…
Across the city—
far from the palace—
Shen Lian stood on a rooftop.
Watching.
The imperial palace glowed in the distance.
Untouchable.
Distant.
Dangerous.
"You shouldn't have gotten involved," he murmured softly.
The bells on his veil moved in the wind.
For once—
he didn't go to him.
The First Separation
Back in the palace—
Li Xuan finally turned away.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
But his expression—
was no longer calm.
It was colder.
Sharper.
More dangerous.
"They're targeting me," he said quietly.
Then after a pause—
"And you're staying away."
A faint smile touched his lips.
But it wasn't soft.
It was something else.
Something darker.
"Let's see how long that lasts."