The morning sun filtered through the palace corridors, casting long beams of gold across the polished floors. Lin Yue walked beside Xiao An, her palms damp with nerves.
"Why does His Majesty want me to go outside?" she whispered.
Xiao An glanced around nervously. "He said it is time for the court to see you."
"That sounds… dangerous."
"It is," Xiao An admitted. "But refusing him is even more dangerous."
Lin Yue swallowed hard.
They reached the entrance of the Imperial Garden Pavilion, where the emperor often held informal morning discussions with ministers. Today, however, the atmosphere was different.
Guards lined the pathways.
Eunuchs whispered behind sleeves.
Concubines watched from balconies like silent predators.
And at the center of it all stood Emperor Jin Longwei.
He turned the moment she arrived.
His expression softened — just slightly — but enough for everyone to see.
"Come," he said.
Lin Yue stepped forward, feeling dozens of eyes pierce through her. She kept her gaze low, trying not to trip over her own feet.
The emperor offered his hand.
A collective gasp rippled through the garden.
Lin Yue froze. "Your Majesty… I—"
"Take it," he said quietly.
She hesitated only a moment before placing her hand in his. His grip was warm, steady, grounding.
The ministers exchanged alarmed glances.
The concubines stiffened.
Even the Empress Dowager, seated beneath a plum tree, narrowed her eyes.
The emperor led Lin Yue to stand beside him — not behind him, not at a distance, but at his side.
A position no woman had ever been given.
Minister Zhao, an elderly scholar, cleared his throat nervously. "Your Majesty… forgive my boldness, but… who is this young lady?"
The emperor's gaze sharpened. "Her name is Lin Yue."
"And her… position?" another minister asked cautiously.
The emperor didn't hesitate.
"She is under my personal protection."
The garden fell silent.
Lin Yue felt her heart pound painfully. She didn't want to be the center of attention — especially not like this.
The Empress Dowager finally spoke, her voice smooth. "Longwei, the court will demand clarity. A woman suddenly appearing at your side will cause… speculation."
"Let them speculate," the emperor said.
"Your Majesty," Minister Zhao pressed gently, "the harem—"
"The harem," the emperor interrupted coldly, "will remain silent."
A chill swept through the garden.
Lin Yue felt the weight of every gaze — curiosity, jealousy, suspicion, hatred. She wanted to shrink into the ground.
The emperor noticed.
He leaned slightly toward her, his voice low enough for only her to hear.
"Do not fear them," he murmured. "As long as you stand beside me, no one can touch you."
Her breath trembled.
But before she could respond, a sharp voice cut through the air.
"Your Majesty."
Everyone turned.
The Empress stepped forward, her crimson robes flowing like fire. She bowed gracefully, her expression serene — too serene.
"May I speak?"
The emperor's jaw tightened. "Speak."
The Empress lifted her gaze to Lin Yue, her eyes cold but polite.
"If this young woman is to stand beside Your Majesty," she said, "then surely she must be introduced properly."
Lin Yue's stomach dropped.
The Empress continued, "The court must know her background, her family, her origins. After all… no one enters the palace without a past."
A murmur spread through the ministers.
Lin Yue felt her throat tighten. She had no past here. No identity. No explanation.
The emperor stepped forward, placing himself slightly in front of her.
"Her past," he said, "is not your concern."
The Empress's smile didn't falter. "Then whose concern is it?"
"Mine."
The word echoed through the garden like a thunderclap.
The Empress lowered her gaze, hiding the flash of anger in her eyes. "As Your Majesty wishes."
She stepped back, but her voice carried a quiet warning.
"However… the palace remembers everything."
Lin Yue shivered.
The emperor took her hand again — openly, deliberately — and led her away from the gathering.
As they walked, he spoke softly.
"You did well."
"I didn't do anything," she whispered.
"You endured their stares," he said. "That is more than most can manage."
She looked up at him. "Why did you bring me there?"
His expression softened. "Because hiding you only makes them bolder. Letting them see you beside me makes them cautious."
"But it also makes me a target."
"You were already a target," he said. "Now you are a protected one."
Lin Yue didn't know whether to feel relieved or terrified.
But one thing was certain:
Her first public appearance had changed everything.
And the palace would never see her as invisible again.