Chapter 22 — The Shadow Guardian
(After the leak in chapter 19)
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Moonless Night – Abandoned West Palace
Liyan advanced with a quick step, his cold hand grabbing Yuèyao's. Their silhouettes slipped between the disjointed cobblestones and tall grasses. The blue bottle on his neck jingled with each movement, light as a suspended threat.
— Did you take the antidote? He whispered.
"Enough for both of us," she replied, her eyes in the void. She scratched the palm of his hand nervously. We are far away now.
Liyan glanced back, as if the shadow itself could follow them.
- My brother... or the one who claims to be my father, the Emperor... will not let us leave easily.
Yuèyao stopped for a moment, hesitating.
— I'm worried about Ken. Without your presence... they could break it.
Liyan resumed his walk, faster.
— You're wrong. This boy will survive. He learned on his own to crawl, to listen, to be silent. He has become my best disciple.
He turned his head slightly towards her.
- And your most resistant guinea pig, right?
Yuèyao sighed, a sad smile on his lips.
— It's true.
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They did not know that twenty steps behind them, a figure was sliding without a sound. His breath was as light as the night fog.
Zǐcuì, or at least, the one we knew by this name.
His long purple mats, attached high on his head, disappeared under a modest capeline. His gloved hands squeezed a small leather notebook - the diary of ten years of silence.
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Flashback – Ten years earlier
Sealed room of the Palace of the Ancestors
The Emperor's gaze was neither paternal nor tender - it was sharp as an order.
- The one who is called my brother is my son.
— This truth belongs only to you.
The girl with purple hair did not move, frozen.
- Your sister Jinlian serves the throne with Xiyue. You will serve my blood.
— You'll follow him everywhere. He must never know that you exist. Even if he looks at you, he must not see you.
He had touched his forehead.
— You will be the shadow of the heir. Nothing else.
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Imperial Chamber — Nascent Aube
The tea vapour danced between Xiyue's trembling fingers. Kneeling, she held out the cup without daring to look up.
- Did your brother... give a sign of life?
The Emperor slowly turned a twin bracelet between his fingers, the onyx clicking against the gold.
— The rebellious children... always end up coming back.
He looked at the tea without drinking it.
— Isn't it, my flower?
Xiyue forced a smile.
- He's lucky... to have a brother like you.
She didn't know.
She did not know that this "brother" was her own son.
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Servants' Court – Grey Morning
Ken walked the wet slabs, his eyes blackened by impatience. He questioned the guards, the cooks, the groomsmen.
Each answer was the same:
No, we didn't see it.
No, we don't know.
He clenched his teeth, his fist against the stone wall.
"Where are you, Liyan?"
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End of Chapter 22