Gently, I cracked the door open and cautiously scanned the hallway before me. In the distance, a cacophony of shouts and clamor reached my ears, unsettling my already wavering resolve. Contemplating my next move, I deliberated whether to retrace my steps and seek refuge with the room that had offered me sanctuary. Doubt crept in, gnawing at my nerves, eroding my once unwavering courage. Was I still capable of facing the impending dangers? The weight of responsibility hung heavy on my shoulders. Should the unfortunate demise of another be attributed to my escape, could I truly absolve myself of culpability? No, it was the emperor who bore the blame, not I. Why should I endure suffering on his behalf?
Yet amidst the conflicting thoughts, a nagging conscience prevailed, reminding me that I couldn't bear the burden of knowing I had allowed such a tragedy to unfold. Letting out a heavy sigh, I silenced the internal debate and mustered the courage to venture into the hallway. The grand window at the end of the corridor revealed the impending arrival of dawn, a new day on the horizon. Fatigue consumed my weary bones, having been deprived of sleep since this harrowing ordeal began. I couldn't help but wonder if En Lai had retreated to the solace of his home, abandoning any concern for my safety. Perhaps, in light of my absence, he simply washed his hands of my predicament, feigning ignorance of my whereabouts.
Standing at the center of the opulent hall, uncertainty gripped me as I scanned my surroundings. The memory of my earlier escape attempt was hazy, leaving me disoriented and unsure of which path to take. I glanced left, then right, then back to the hall, the echoing sounds of activity emanating from every direction. With a deep breath, I resigned myself to the unknown and chose to turn right, my footsteps slow and heavy with trepidation.
As I walked, my feet dragging reluctantly, a sense of impending doom loomed over me. I couldn't shake the feeling that the malevolent king would return, and the thought sent shivers down my spine. The farther I ventured, the more my apprehension grew.
Finally, at the end of the hall, I was confronted with an imposing sight—a massive door adorned with intricate gold and black designs. Its centerpiece was a striking engraving of a green jade dragon, its eyes seemingly watching my every move. The door's presence commanded both awe and fear, leaving me to ponder what secrets lay beyond its formidable facade
I hesitated, contemplating whether to turn back and choose a different path. However, in the grand scheme of things, it seemed inconsequential. Soon enough, they would discover my presence and return me to that dreaded room. So, it hardly mattered which direction I took. Holding this thought firmly in my mind, I pressed both of my palms against the door and gently pushed it open.
Stepping inside, I found myself captivated by the sight before me. The room was adorned with an opulence that left me speechless. Brilliant hues of gold, red, and black painted the walls, infusing the space with an air of richness. The floor, a mesmerizing black marble, shimmered with an ethereal glow, allowing me to catch a glimpse of my own reflection beneath my feet. Dominating the room were two massive thrones, their intricate designs of gold and black showcasing elegantly carved dragons that wound their way along the base.
With my senses returning, I surveyed the grandeur of the room, only to realize that I was not alone. Two imposing guards stood on either side of me, positioned a short distance away. Their stern presence demanded answers. "Who are you, and what is your purpose here?" one of them demanded, breaking the silence that enveloped the magnificent space.
Words stumbled out of my mouth as I desperately tried to form a coherent response. However, my mind raced with conflicting thoughts. What did I truly want to say? I had been held captive by their ruthless emperor, managing to escape, only to foolishly return and subject myself to captivity once more. It seemed highly unlikely that they would believe such a peculiar tale. Just as I was about to make another attempt at explaining myself, the door behind me abruptly burst open.
As the commanding voice reverberated through the room, a chilling sensation gripped me, causing my body to freeze in place. I had not anticipated his presence so soon. I had hoped that he and my uncle had departed with the army after the confrontation with the guards. Panic surged within me as I realized the precariousness of my situation, and my trembling only intensified. However, to my surprise, he walked right past me, consumed by his own anger and preoccupied with addressing his generals. Seizing the opportunity, I attempted to make my escape while his attention was diverted. With each careful step, I moved closer to the exit, my heart pounding in my chest. He finally reached his throne, and the guards who had previously focused their attention on me now knelt before him. Taking advantage of their distraction, I gathered my courage and continued to inch my way towards freedom.
"Don't you move, Ling Er!" His thunderous voice echoed throughout the room, causing me to freeze in place. Despite his back being turned towards me, I realized that he had indeed noticed my attempt to escape. My heart sank as his command halted my progress towards the exit. "Everyone, out," he commanded, and one by one, the generals and guards hurriedly left the room, leaving only him and me behind.
As he took his seat on the imposing throne, his elbow rested on the armrest, and he propped his head up with his fist. His piercing gaze locked onto mine, and I felt a wave of unease wash over me. I dared not move, avoiding direct eye contact with him as I desperately searched for an escape from this tense situation. However, a mischievous smirk crept onto his face, hinting at a game he was about to play. After what seemed like an eternity, he finally broke the silence and spoke.
"Now, do you care to inform me where you flew off to, little bird?" he asked, his voice resonating with a deep, authoritative tone.
"Eek..." I squeaked, unable to summon any coherent words in response to his question. Fear gripped me tightly, paralyzing my ability to speak or move.
YOU ARE READING
宮殿 Gōngdiàn×The Palace
Romance當蔡仁遇見皇帝的時候，他永遠不會有新的東西。 The autumn leaves littered the dirt road of Fu Shang, the sun setting over the mountains as a young man said farewell to his village and mu quin. This was his destiny, for when the winter of his eighteenth year arrived, his in...
