Ghost in the palace

The night Shin Gu died, the palace did not sleep.

It was not because the palace mourned her.

It was because nobody understood what had happened.

By sunrise, the story had already spread through the inner palace.

By noon, it had reached the servants’ quarters.

By evening, merchants outside the palace gates were whispering about it.

And by the following morning—

The entire capital had a story of its own.

Unfortunately, none of those stories were the truth.

---

The first rays of sunlight slipped through the curtains of the Empress’s chamber.

Lian An had barely opened her eyes when she heard hurried footsteps outside.

Several servants were whispering.

Their voices were low.

Their words indistinct.

But there was fear in them.

Lian An slowly sat up.

"What happened?"

The maid outside immediately fell silent.

A moment later, she entered and bowed.

"Your Majesty."

Lian An looked at her.

"Why is everyone whispering?"

The maid hesitated.

"There are rumors spreading throughout the palace."

"What rumors?"

The maid swallowed.

"They say... the black altar was found."

Lian An’s expression changed.

"The black altar?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Where?"

The maid lowered her voice.

"In... Shin Gu’s courtyard."

Lian An stared at her.

For several seconds, she said nothing.

Then she slowly exhaled.

"So they found it."

"Yes."

"Anything else?"

The maid’s face became uncomfortable.

"They also found several other things."

"What things?"

"Black candles. Strange powders. Charms. Pieces of cloth covered in symbols. Several jars containing things that the servants couldn’t identify."

Lian An’s fingers tightened around the blanket.

She already knew what those things meant.

Shin Gu had been practicing forbidden magic.

The woman who had nearly taken control of Lian An’s body had left behind evidence.

For a moment, relief entered Lian An’s heart.

At last.

There was proof.

Perhaps now everyone would understand.

Perhaps now the rumors would end.

But the maid wasn’t finished.

"There is another problem."

Lian An looked up.

"What?"

The maid lowered her head.

"Some people are saying those things were planted."

Lian An went still.

"Planted?"

"They say Shin Gu was killed because the royal family wanted to silence her."

Lian An stared at her.

The maid hurriedly continued.

"They say Shin Gu knew something about the Empress."

A bitter smile appeared on Lian An’s lips.

"So now I am responsible for her death?"

"No, Your Majesty!"

The maid immediately knelt.

"I don’t believe that!"

Lian An waved her hand.

"Get up."

The maid slowly rose.

Lian An looked toward the window.

Outside, the palace appeared peaceful.

Birds moved between the trees.

Servants walked through the courtyard.

Sunlight touched the roofs.

Everything looked normal.

But beneath that peaceful appearance—

The palace was boiling.

---

"She’s awake."

Fen Yu’s voice suddenly came from beside the window.

Lian An turned.

Fen Yu was sitting on the windowsill, swinging her legs.

Wei Rong stood beside her with his arms folded.

Li Shen was holding one of the books he had stolen from the palace library weeks ago.

Lian An looked at all three.

"You knew?"

Fen Yu nodded.

"Everyone knows."

Wei Rong snorted.

"Ghosts know faster than humans."

Li Shen calmly added,

"Rumors travel particularly quickly when fear is involved."

Lian An sighed.

"Wonderful."

Fen Yu floated closer.

"Don’t worry."

Lian An looked at her.

"Why shouldn’t I worry?"

"Because we know the truth."

Wei Rong nodded.

"Shin Gu was the one using the black magic."

Li Shen closed his book.

"And there is physical evidence."

Lian An looked at him.

"Evidence isn’t always enough."

Li Shen’s expression became thoughtful.

"Unfortunately, that is true."

Fen Yu frowned.

"But the altar was found in her courtyard!"

"Yes," Lian An said.

"And the charms?"

"Yes."

"The black candles?"

"Yes."

"The strange jars?"

"Yes."

Fen Yu spread her hands.

"Then why are humans still blaming you?"

Lian An smiled helplessly.

"Because people don’t always believe facts when the facts frighten them."

Wei Rong’s expression darkened.

"Humans are strange."

"You were human once," Li Shen reminded him.

"I know."

"Then perhaps you should remember."

Wei Rong glared.

"I remember perfectly."

Fen Yu interrupted.

"Stop arguing."

"We aren’t arguing."

"You are."

Li Shen sighed.

Lian An rubbed her forehead.

"Please don’t start."

The three ghosts immediately became quiet.

For approximately three seconds.

Then Fen Yu whispered,

"He’s still annoying."

"I heard that."

"You were supposed to."

Lian An couldn’t help laughing.

For a brief moment, the tension disappeared.

But only briefly.

Because outside the chamber—

A bell rang.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

Li Shen’s expression changed.

"Someone is coming."

The doors opened.

A palace guard entered.

He bowed deeply.

"Your Majesty, His Majesty requests your presence in the main hall."

Lian An’s smile disappeared.

"Now?"

"Yes."

She nodded.

"Tell His Majesty I will come."

The guard bowed and left.

Fen Yu immediately floated toward Lian An.

"Should we come?"

Lian An looked at her.

"Of course."

Wei Rong smiled.

"We’re not leaving you alone."

Li Shen nodded.

"Especially today."

---

The main palace hall was unusually crowded.

Officials stood on either side.

Several senior palace servants were present.

The Emperor sat at the head of the hall.

His expression was cold.

Not angry.

Something worse.

Controlled.

Lian An entered.

Everyone bowed.

"Your Majesty."

She walked forward.

The Emperor’s eyes immediately found hers.

For a moment, the coldness in his expression softened.

"Come here."

Lian An walked to him.

She stopped beside his throne.

The Emperor looked toward the officials.

"Report."

One of the senior ministers stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, investigators searched Shin Gu’s residence before dawn."

"And?"

"The evidence is extensive."

The minister opened a document.

"We found a black altar hidden beneath the floorboards."

Several officials exchanged glances.

"We found candles, ritual bowls, powders, talismans, written incantations, and several books concerning forbidden practices."

Lian An remained silent.

The minister continued.

"Several objects appear to have been used in rituals involving another person."

The hall became quiet.

The Emperor’s jaw tightened.

"Was there evidence identifying the intended target?"

The minister hesitated.

"Not conclusively."

Lian An understood immediately.

The truth was there.

But it wasn’t complete.

The minister continued.

"There were also pieces of cloth bearing the Empress’s palace insignia."

Several officials looked toward Lian An.

Whispers spread.

The Emperor’s eyes became colder.

"Explain."

"We cannot determine why those pieces were there."

One official suddenly stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, that is precisely the problem."

The Emperor looked at him.

"Speak carefully."

The official bowed.

"I only mean that the presence of the Empress’s insignia raises questions."

Lian An looked at him.

"What questions?"

The official hesitated.

"Whether Shin Gu was acting independently..."

He paused.

"Or whether someone was protecting her."

The hall became silent.

The implication was obvious.

The Emperor’s voice became icy.

"Are you suggesting the Empress protected Shin Gu?"

"No, Your Majesty."

"Then choose your words better."

The official bowed deeply.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Another minister stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, there is another matter."

"What?"

"The common people have already heard about Shin Gu’s death."

The Emperor’s eyes narrowed.

"How?"

"We are investigating."

"Investigate faster."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The minister continued.

"The rumor spreading outside the palace is that Shin Gu discovered forbidden magic connected to the Empress."

Lian An’s expression remained calm.

But her fingers tightened.

The Emperor noticed.

His hand moved slightly.

His fingers touched hers.

A silent reassurance.

She looked at him.

He said nothing.

But she understood.

I’m here.

---

Outside the palace—

The rumor had already become something much larger.

At the market—

Two merchants whispered.

"I heard Shin Gu was killed."

"I heard the royal family ordered it."

"Why?"

"Because she discovered something about the Empress."

Another merchant leaned closer.

"They say black magic was found in the Empress’s chamber."

"No."

"That’s what I heard."

"I heard Shin Gu was practicing it."

"Then why was she killed?"

Nobody had an answer.

But that did not stop them from talking.

A rumor did not need proof.

It only needed someone willing to repeat it.

---

Inside the palace—

Lian An returned to her chamber.

She sat silently beside the window.

Fen Yu floated nearby.

She looked unusually serious.

"I hate humans."

Wei Rong crossed his arms.

"They always make things complicated."

Li Shen shook his head.

"Rumors have always been complicated."

Lian An looked at him.

"Do you think the truth will come out?"

Li Shen considered the question.

"Eventually."

"Eventually isn’t always enough."

"No."

He looked toward the door.

"But we have something humans don’t."

Lian An raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

Fen Yu suddenly grinned.

"Ghosts."

Lian An stared at her.

Wei Rong nodded solemnly.

"Three ghosts."

Li Shen corrected him.

"There are considerably more than three ghosts in this palace."

Fen Yu immediately brightened.

"Exactly!"

Lian An sighed.

"I was afraid you would say that."

Fen Yu flew toward the ceiling.

"We should investigate!"

Wei Rong immediately followed.

"I’ll search Shin Gu’s courtyard."

Li Shen closed his book.

"I’ll inspect the documents."

Fen Yu raised her hand.

"I’ll investigate the ghosts."

Lian An stared.

"Why the ghosts?"

Fen Yu smiled proudly.

"Because ghosts gossip more than humans."

Wei Rong nodded.

"Unfortunately true."

Li Shen added,

"And palace ghosts have been here for decades."

Lian An slowly stood.

"Fine."

She looked at them.

"But don’t do anything reckless."

Three ghosts looked at one another.

Fen Yu smiled.

Wei Rong coughed.

Li Shen suddenly became very interested in his book.

Lian An narrowed her eyes.

"Why did all three of you suddenly become suspicious?"

"We didn’t."

"You did."

---

That afternoon—

The Empress’s courtyard became strangely quiet.

Lian An sat beneath a tree.

A cup of tea rested beside her.

She looked calm.

But her mind was racing.

The rumors bothered her.

Not because she feared them.

But because she understood how dangerous they could become.

If the people believed she practiced forbidden magic—

Even evidence proving Shin Gu’s guilt might not be enough.

The image of the Empress could become twisted into something frightening.

And someone wanted exactly that.

Lian An looked toward the palace walls.

"Who is spreading this?"

No one answered.

Then—

A tiny voice whispered from behind her.

"I know."

Lian An turned.

An unfamiliar female ghost stood near the flowers.

She looked young.

Her clothing belonged to an era long gone.

Lian An blinked.

"You know?"

The ghost nodded.

"I heard the servants talking."

"What did they say?"

"They said someone deliberately spread the rumor."

"Who?"

The ghost looked nervous.

"I don’t know."

Fen Yu floated through the wall.

"That’s not helpful!"

The ghost jumped.

"Ah!"

Fen Yu smiled.

"Sorry."

The ghost stared at her.

"You can see me?"

Fen Yu rolled her eyes.

"Of course."

Wei Rong appeared behind her.

"Tell us everything."

The ghost swallowed.

"There was a servant."

"What servant?"

"I don’t know his name."

"What did he look like?"

"Black robe. Palace servant’s belt. He spoke to several people."

Li Shen appeared.

"Where?"

"Near the western kitchen."

Li Shen immediately became thoughtful.

"Interesting."

Lian An stood.

"Let’s go."

Fen Yu smiled.

"Investigation begins."

---

Meanwhile—

In Shin Gu’s abandoned courtyard—

A team of palace investigators continued their search.

The place was dark even during the day.

The windows were covered.

The curtains were thick.

Several dead plants sat in broken pots.

The investigators searched every corner.

One guard lifted a wooden floorboard.

Underneath—

Another box.

He opened it.

Inside were dozens of small wooden tablets.

Each had a name written on it.

The investigator’s face changed.

"Call the commander."

Moments later, the Emperor’s chief investigator arrived.

"What is it?"

The guard handed him the box.

The commander examined the tablets.

Names.

Dates.

Symbols.

Some names belonged to servants.

Some belonged to palace officials.

Some belonged to people who had already died.

And one—

Belonged to Lian An.

The commander frowned.

"Take this directly to His Majesty."

---

When the Emperor received the box—

He immediately understood how serious it was.

He picked up Lian An’s tablet.

His expression darkened.

"Was this found in Shin Gu’s room?"

"Yes."

"Was it hidden?"

"Very carefully."

The Emperor stared at the name.

Then he looked toward his commander.

"Continue searching."

"Yes."

"I want every piece of evidence."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"And find the person spreading the rumors."

The commander bowed.

"We will."

The Emperor looked down at the tablet again.

His hand tightened around it.

Shin Gu had not merely practiced dark magic.

She had been preparing something.

Something involving Lian An.

And perhaps—

Someone else had known.

---

That evening—

The Empress sat beside the Emperor in their private chamber.

The box was between them.

She looked at the wooden tablet.

"My name."

"Yes."

"So she was planning something."

"Almost certainly."

Lian An touched the edge.

"But why would she leave this behind?"

The Emperor shook his head.

"We don’t know."

She looked at him.

"Do you think she expected to die?"

He became silent.

"Perhaps."

"Then someone may have helped her."

"Perhaps."

Lian An looked toward the window.

"And if the person helping her is still inside the palace?"

The Emperor’s expression became cold.

"Then we will find them."

She looked at him.

"And if they try to blame me?"

His eyes met hers.

"I won’t allow it."

Lian An smiled faintly.

"I know."

The Emperor reached for her hand.

She allowed him to take it.

For a moment—

Neither spoke.

Outside, the palace remained quiet.

But somewhere beyond the walls—

People were still whispering.

The Empress was a sorceress.

The Empress had killed Shin Gu.

The royal family was hiding the truth.

The black altar belonged to the Empress.

One lie became another.

Another became ten.

And soon—

The truth itself would become harder to recognize.

But the palace did not yet know something important.

The black altar was only the beginning.

Because Shin Gu had left behind more than objects.

She had left behind secrets.

And one of those secrets—

Was still alive.

Watching.

Waiting.

From somewhere inside the palace.

And while everyone looked toward the dead woman—

The real enemy quietly smiled.