Ghost in the palace-Chapter 39: back to the palace

The gates of the imperial palace loomed like a shadow against the afternoon sun.

The moment the carriage rolled across the marble bridge, the guards straightened, trumpets blew once, and the bronze doors swung open — swallowing the convoy whole.

Servants lined the courtyard, heads bowed as the Emperor’s party returned.

The air smelled faintly of sandalwood and steel, as if the very stones remembered discipline.

When the carriage stopped, Ananya waited for him to move first.

But Zhao Rui was already gone.

He’d stepped out the instant the wheels halted — no glance back, no word spoken, just a curt nod to the captain before striding toward the main hall.

His black robes swept behind him like a tide, sharp and fast.

Ananya blinked, momentarily stunned. "That’s it?" she muttered under her breath. "Not even a ’You’re alive, good work’?"

Yao Qing peeked out of the carriage with her, whispering, "Maybe he’s shy?"

Ananya shot her a look. "He’s a grown man, not a maiden waiting for a confession."

Still, her voice was softer than her words. She had seen him fight, seen the calm steel in his eyes, and—though she’d never admit it—she’d felt safer for it.

Now, watching his retreating figure disappear beneath the golden eaves, she frowned, irritation tugging at her chest.

"So rude," she muttered again, stepping down.

No sooner had her feet touched the ground than the air around her shimmered.

Wei Rong appeared first, hovering upside down with an enormous grin. "Did you see his face when the bandits ran? Priceless!"

Fen Yu twirled beside him, laughing so hard she nearly dropped through the floor. "That man who tried to slap you—I pulled his hair three times! Three!"

Li Shen adjusted his ghostly sleeves, voice calm but proud. "It was effective. Fright spreads faster than death. You chose your allies well, my lady." 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Ananya sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Allies, yes. But next time, maybe pull less hair and throw fewer men into trees."

Wei Rong crossed his arms, pretending offense. "You’re no fun. We saved your royal hide!"

Fen Yu giggled. "And we had fun doing it!"

Ananya rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress a smile. "You three are impossible."

By the time she reached her chambers, the exhaustion she’d been ignoring crashed over her like a wave.

Her shoulders ached; her temples throbbed from holding composure for hours.

The maids rushed forward, fussing over her — removing her dusty robes, fetching warm towels, lighting fresh incense.

Ananya waved them away gently. "Enough, I just want to sleep."

The room filled with quiet — faint lantern light, a soft rustle of curtains, and the distant hum of cicadas.

Fen Yu floated near the ceiling, whispering dreamily. "You were amazing today, my lady."

Wei Rong yawned, stretching mid-air. "We should do that again. Bandits make good sport."

Li Shen gave them both a pointed look. "Let her rest. She’ll need her wits when dawn comes."

Ananya was already lying down, her hair loose against the pillow, eyes half-closed.

She murmured drowsily, "If dawn brings more trouble, at least I have you three idiots to make it worse."

Fen Yu giggled. "That’s the spirit."

Wei Rong saluted dramatically. "Sleep well, Commander of Ghosts."

Li Shen gave the faintest smile. "Sweet dreams, Empress who bites emperors."

Ananya’s lips curved faintly in her sleep. "I didn’t bite him that hard..."

The ghosts shared a quiet laugh as her breathing softened, the room wrapped in peace — fleeting but real.

Outside, the moon climbed high above the palace walls, casting silver light over the roofs where plots and whispers waited for the next dawn.