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Ghost in the palace

Chapter 39: back to the palace · Nov 02, 2026

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Chapter List (462)

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1 Chapter 1: Waking in silk 2026-11-02
2 Chapter 2: Morning greetings 2026-11-02
3 Chapter 3: Whisper in silk 2026-11-02
4 Chapter 4: Fire and smoke 2026-11-02
5 Chapter 5: Taste of home 2026-11-02
6 Chapter 6: Confiscated 2026-11-02
7 Chapter 7: Plan 2026-11-02
8 Chapter 8: Whisper in dark 2026-11-02
9 Chapter 9: Night before the fire 2026-11-02
10 Chapter 10: the rite of smoke and water 2026-11-02
11 Chapter 11: heaven judgement 2026-11-02
12 Chapter 12: shadow behind the lie 2026-11-02
13 Chapter 13: restored white 2026-11-02
14 Chapter 14: lady’s chen 2026-11-02
15 Chapter 15: collision 2026-11-02
16 Chapter 16: waiting 2026-11-02
17 Chapter 17: dawager measure 2026-11-02
18 Chapter 18: homecoming under watch 2026-11-02
19 Chapter 19: the secret visit 2026-11-02
20 Chapter 20: the night of promise 2026-11-02
21 Chapter 21: the dawn escape 2026-11-02
22 Chapter 22: buns and new path 2026-11-02
23 Chapter 23: purchase 2026-11-02
24 Chapter 24: purchasing 2026-11-02
25 Chapter 25: the small beginning 2026-11-02
26 Chapter 26: a place to stay 2026-11-02
27 Chapter 27: ghostly chaos 2026-11-02
28 Chapter 28: the ledger 2026-11-02
29 Chapter 29: emperor unease 2026-11-02
30 Chapter 30: before the dawn 2026-11-02
31 Chapter 31: return before dawn 2026-11-02
32 Chapter 32: the emperor arrived 2026-11-02
33 Chapter 33: fire beneath politeness 2026-11-02
34 Chapter 34: the breakfast with the duke family 2026-11-02
35 Chapter 35: shadow and silk 2026-11-02
36 Chapter 36: tooth 2026-11-02
37 Chapter 37: ghost in the picture 2026-11-02
38 Chapter 38: arrows 2026-11-02
39 Chapter 39: back to the palace 2026-11-02
40 Chapter 40: a bowl 2026-11-02
41 Chapter 41: helping princess 2026-11-02
42 Chapter 42: the smile that’s cut 2026-11-02
43 Chapter 43: a silly afternoon 2026-11-02
44 Chapter 44: promise over wine 2026-11-02
45 Chapter 45: shadows between brother 2026-11-02
46 Chapter 46: smoke on the border 2026-11-02
47 Chapter 47: bread of hunger 2026-11-02
48 Chapter 48: midnight order 2026-11-02
49 Chapter 49: fire in the grain yard 2026-11-02
50 Chapter 50: price of loyalty 2026-11-02

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.”

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.

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