Ghost in the palace

The palace had not slept properly for several nights.

Ever since the strange black altar had been discovered inside the Empress’s chamber, whispers had spread through every corridor.

Some servants believed the Empress had been practicing forbidden magic.

Others whispered that the ghosts appearing throughout the palace were somehow connected to her.

Some even claimed that the Empress’s mysterious survival from death was proof that she possessed supernatural powers.

The truth, however, was very different.

And only a handful of people knew it.

Among them was a young maid named Mei Lan.

And that knowledge had turned every quiet moment of her life into terror.

---

The courtyard belonging to Shin Gu was unusually silent that morning.

There were only two maids assigned to the place.

One was Mei Lan.

The other was an older maid who rarely spoke and almost never left Shin Gu’s side.

No other servant was permitted to enter freely.

No one was allowed to wander around.

No one was allowed to ask unnecessary questions.

Shin Gu had always been extremely careful.

But Mei Lan had seen something she was never supposed to see.

And now—

She was terrified.

She sat outside the main chamber with her hands folded tightly in her lap.

Her fingers trembled.

Every few moments, her eyes moved toward the closed doors.

She could still remember that night.

The night she had forgotten the coins.

---

It had happened several days ago.

Mei Lan had been preparing to take medicine to the palace healer.

The physician had asked for several herbs, and Shin Gu had given her money to purchase them.

Mei Lan had hurried out.

But halfway across the corridor, she suddenly realized something.

The coins.

She had forgotten them.

She had no choice but to turn around.

When she returned to the courtyard, she noticed that the main doors were not completely closed.

A faint light flickered through the gap.

Mei Lan had initially thought Shin Gu was simply burning a lamp.

She had pushed the door slightly.

And then—

She saw it.

A black altar.

Black candles.

Strange symbols.

And Shin Gu standing before it.

Her hands were raised.

Her lips were moving.

The air itself had felt wrong.

Cold.

Heavy.

Mei Lan had immediately covered her mouth.

She hadn’t even dared to breathe.

Then she heard Shin Gu whisper something.

Mei Lan didn’t understand the words.

But she understood one thing.

Whatever Shin Gu was doing—

It wasn’t ordinary prayer.

It wasn’t medicine.

It wasn’t anything she had ever seen before.

She had quietly stepped backward.

Then she ran.

She didn’t stop until she reached the inner palace.

---

That memory still haunted her.

Mei Lan lowered her head.

She had thought about telling someone immediately.

But she hadn’t known whom she could trust.

Then fate had brought her before the Dowager.

The Dowager had been with Lady Chen and Princess Zhi when Mei Lan finally gathered enough courage to speak.

Her voice had trembled as she explained everything.

The black altar.

The candles.

Shin Gu.

The strange ritual.

The Dowager’s expression had changed.

Lady Chen had gone pale.

Princess Zhi had stared at Mei Lan in disbelief.

But the Dowager had immediately understood the danger.

She had told Mei Lan only one thing.

Keep quiet.

Not because the truth didn’t matter.

Because if Shin Gu discovered that Mei Lan had witnessed the ritual, Mei Lan might not survive long enough to testify.

So the Dowager had given her another order.

Behave normally.

Remain in Shin Gu’s courtyard.

Watch.

Listen.

Learn.

And wait.

---

Now Mei Lan sat beneath the morning sun, pretending everything was normal.

She heard footsteps.

Her entire body stiffened.

Shin Gu emerged from her chamber.

Mei Lan immediately stood.

"Lady Shin Gu."

Shin Gu glanced at her.

"You’re unusually quiet today."

Mei Lan forced herself to smile.

"I didn’t sleep well."

Shin Gu studied her for several seconds.

Mei Lan’s heart pounded.

Had she noticed?

Did she know?

Was this the moment Shin Gu would expose her?

But Shin Gu eventually looked away.

"Prepare tea."

"Yes, Lady Shin Gu."

Mei Lan bowed quickly.

She turned toward the kitchen.

Only after she had taken several steps did she allow herself to breathe.

---

Shin Gu watched her retreating back.

Something about the girl had changed.

Not enough to make Shin Gu suspicious.

But enough to be irritating.

Mei Lan had always been timid.

Now she seemed almost frightened of her shadow.

Shin Gu frowned.

"Perhaps she’s simply nervous because of all the palace rumors."

She dismissed the thought.

She had no reason to suspect Mei Lan.

After all—

No one knew.

The black altar had been carefully concealed.

The rituals had been performed in secrecy.

And the Empress had conveniently become the palace’s prime suspect after the discovery of the forbidden object in her chamber.

Everything was proceeding exactly as Shin Gu had expected.

---

Meanwhile, in the Empress’s palace—

The atmosphere remained tense.

The black altar discovered in the Empress’s chamber had created enormous suspicion.

The Emperor had ordered a complete investigation.

The Duke’s family was furious.

Princess Zhi refused to believe the Empress was responsible.

And yet—

The evidence appeared frightening.

The altar had been discovered in her private chamber.

Strange incidents had happened around her.

The Empress had nearly died.

The palace had experienced unexplained disturbances.

And ghosts had begun appearing.

Rumors had naturally connected everything.

But the Dowager knew better.

So did Princess Zhi.

And now—

Mei Lan knew too.

---

Back in Shin Gu’s courtyard, Mei Lan brought the tea.

Her hands were steady this time.

She placed the cup before Shin Gu.

"Your tea, Lady Shin Gu."

Shin Gu picked it up.

Then suddenly asked,

"Did you speak to anyone recently?"

Mei Lan’s heart nearly stopped.

She lowered her eyes.

"No."

"Anyone?"

"No, Lady."

Shin Gu stared at her.

Mei Lan forced herself not to tremble.

Finally, Shin Gu looked away.

"Good."

Mei Lan bowed.

But inside—

She was shaking.

---

Later that afternoon, the Dowager summoned Mei Lan secretly.

The maid entered through a side corridor.

When she saw the Dowager, Lady Chen, and Princess Zhi waiting together, she immediately bowed.

"Your Highness."

The Dowager raised her hand.

"Come closer."

Mei Lan obeyed.

The Dowager studied her carefully.

"Has Shin Gu suspected anything?"

Mei Lan shook her head.

"I don’t think so."

"Has she performed another ritual?"

Mei Lan hesitated.

"Not in front of me."

Princess Zhi frowned.

"So she has been careful."

"Yes."

Lady Chen spoke quietly.

"She knows she cannot allow anyone near her."

Mei Lan nodded.

"She barely allows me into her inner room."

The Dowager’s expression became thoughtful.

"That may be our advantage."

Mei Lan looked at her.

The Dowager continued,

"If Shin Gu trusts no one, she will eventually make a mistake."

"But you must not force anything."

"Do not investigate openly."

"Do not ask suspicious questions."

"And most importantly..."

Her voice became firm.

"Do not let her know you saw anything."

Mei Lan immediately bowed.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Princess Zhi stepped closer.

"You’re frightened."

Mei Lan’s eyes became moist.

"I am."

Princess Zhi gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

"You have every right to be."

"But you are helping protect the Empress."

Mei Lan swallowed.

"I only wish I had never seen it."

The Dowager sighed.

"So do I."

"But now that you have..."

"We must make sure your knowledge becomes evidence rather than a death sentence."

Mei Lan nodded.

---

That evening, Mei Lan returned to Shin Gu’s courtyard.

She walked through the gates with a carefully controlled expression.

Nothing had changed.

The same quiet walls.

The same closed doors.

The same unsettling silence.

But now—

She knew what was hidden inside.

She passed the room where the altar had been.

Her steps slowed.

Just for a moment.

Then she continued.

Behind the closed door—

Shin Gu stood motionless.

She had sensed someone outside.

Her eyes narrowed.

But she did not open the door.

She simply whispered,

"Everyone thinks they know what is happening."

A faint smile appeared.

"They know nothing."

---

Mei Lan stood outside, unaware that Shin Gu was listening.

She lowered her head.

Her hands tightened around the tray.

She had to survive.

She had to keep pretending.

Because the Dowager’s words remained in her mind.

Wait.

Watch.

Let Shin Gu make the mistake.

And somewhere beyond these walls—

The Empress was fighting to clear her name.

The palace believed the darkness belonged to her.

But Mei Lan knew the truth.

The darkness had never belonged to the Empress.

It had been hiding behind another woman’s door.

And sooner or later—

That door would open.

And when it did—

The entire palace would finally see what had been hiding in the shadows.

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