Ghost in the palace-Chapter 37: ghost in the picture

The forest rang with shouts and the hiss of arrows.

The ambush that was meant to kill had turned into a circus of chaos.

The Emperor’s guards braced around the half-stuck carriage, blades flashing in the morning haze. The Duke’s men fought like a wall — trained, strong, but outnumbered.

Then... the air shifted.

A cold gust swept through the branches, though no wind stirred the leaves.

Something unseen slithered between trunks, laughter hidden in the rustle of pine needles.

Wei Rong was the first to appear — if "appear" could describe the blur of translucent flame that slipped through a bandit’s shoulder.

He grinned, invisible to mortal eyes, voice a growl only Ananya could hear.

"They want a fight? Let’s give them a memory instead."

Before anyone could blink, the nearest attacker swung his sword—only to have his own wrist seized midair.

His arm jerked back violently.

"Who—who touched me!?" he shouted, spinning around.

Fen Yu giggled, her bell-like laugh floating on the wind.

She swooped low, snatched the man’s cap, and placed it backward on his head. Then she pulled his hair hard enough to make him yelp.

"Who’s there?! Show yourself!"

"Ghosts!" another screamed, eyes rolling. "It’s ghosts!"

Li Shen hovered above them, calm and faintly glowing. His long scholar’s robe moved like water, sleeves trailing mist.

He extended one elegant hand and whispered a short verse under his breath — the old language of balance.

Branches cracked. A fallen log rolled, tripping three men as though the forest itself had come alive.

Ananya leaned out of the carriage window, her face half-lit by sunlight filtering through the trees.

Her lips curved in satisfaction. "Serves them right," she murmured.

Yao Qing gasped as one of the men tripped over a root, only to find himself pushed headfirst into a mud puddle. His companion tried to help — and promptly got his ear flicked by invisible fingers.

Wei Rong roared with laughter. "Pathetic mortals! You thought you’d ambush an Empress?"

He grabbed a man’s collar and swung him into a tree trunk with a loud thud.

Fen Yu danced above him, gleeful. "You’re too rough, Wei Rong! Let me try!"

She floated toward another bandit — a burly brute pulling back his bowstring — and, with a wicked grin, she tugged the back of his trousers.

He squealed, the arrow flying into the sky.

Even the guards blinked in disbelief. The Emperor, watching from his horse nearby, frowned deeply — because his enemies were... running? From nothing?

As if to prove her point, Fen Yu twirled upside down in the air, sticking her tongue out at a fleeing bandit.

The man shrieked and dropped his sword.

Li Shen sighed, ever the calm teacher among fools. "You two have no discipline. Next time, aim for efficiency."

Wei Rong snorted. "Discipline doesn’t make men scream."

Fen Yu giggled so hard she nearly fell through a tree trunk. "Did you see his face when I pulled his hair?"

Ananya chuckled quietly, resting her chin on her hand. "I did. Remind me to reward you later."

Yao Qing stared at her, half in awe, half in disbelief. "You’re actually... enjoying this?"

Ananya smiled, a rare sparkle lighting her eyes. "For once, I don’t have to pretend to be scared."

Outside, chaos had reached its peak.

Men fled, tripping over each other, their cries echoing through the forest.

"Ghosts! The forest is cursed!"

"My sword—my sword is gone!"

"Something just slapped me—someone help!"

Fen Yu had grabbed one man’s hand and used it to slap another, cackling uncontrollably.

Wei Rong, not to be outdone, shoved a third bandit so hard that he flew into a patch of nettles.

Li Shen glided calmly between them, his voice cutting through their laughter.

"Enough. Leave a few alive to tell the tale. Fear spreads faster than corpses." 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

The others slowed, panting though they needed no breath.

Fen Yu floated back toward the carriage, her hair rippling like pale smoke.

She waved cheerfully. "All clear, my lady!"

The woods fell quiet again, save for the panting of horses and the creak of bowstrings being lowered.

Zhao Rui’s men stood in stunned silence, blades still drawn, eyes darting between the trees.

One of them whispered, "Did... anyone else see that?"

Another crossed himself. "Heaven protect us... the forest fought for Her Majesty."

Ananya finally stepped out of the carriage, skirts brushing the dirt, her expression composed — though a faint smile tugged at her lips.

She looked around the clearing at the scattered, moaning bandits, the guards too awed to speak, and the Emperor standing rigid on his horse.

"Is the danger over?" she asked, voice smooth as silk.

Zhao Rui met her gaze, still processing what he’d witnessed. "It seems... someone else decided to fight on your side."

She smiled faintly, brushing dust from her sleeve.

"Then it’s about time I had some loyal allies."

Wei Rong’s laugh echoed softly through the trees. "You already do, my lady. You just keep us well-fed on fun."

Fen Yu twirled above Ananya’s shoulder, invisible to all but her. "We should do this again!"

Ananya’s grin was small but genuine. "Next time, maybe in the palace gardens."