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Ghost in the palace

Chapter 252: a gentle farewell · Nov 02, 2026

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Chapter List (462)

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251 Chapter 251: a game of mahjong 2026-11-02
252 Chapter 252: a gentle farewell 2026-11-02
253 Chapter 253: — Before Dawn, A Quiet Departure 2026-11-02
254 Chapter 254: Hidden Bonds and Quiet Changes 2026-11-02
255 Chapter 255: — A Heart That No Longer Runs Away 2026-11-02
256 Chapter 256: Threads of Joy and Hidden Worries 2026-11-02
257 Chapter 257: Whispers, Games, and Hidden Currents 2026-11-02
258 Chapter 258: Whispers After the Banquet 2026-11-02
259 Chapter 259: Shadows Beneath the Palace 2026-11-02
260 Chapter 260: Calm Before the Storm 2026-11-02
261 Chapter 261: Smiles Over Tea, Shadows Beneath Words 2026-11-02
262 Chapter 262: — A Day in the Market 2026-11-02
263 Chapter 263: Midnight Panic, Quiet Care 2026-11-02
264 Chapter 264: The Joy of Betrothal Preparations 2026-11-02
265 Chapter 265: The Day of Guo Da Li 2026-11-02
266 Chapter 266: The Bride Door Games 2026-11-02
267 Chapter 267: — A House Filled With New Bonds 2026-11-02
268 Chapter 268: The Morning After & The Final Celebration 2026-11-02
269 Chapter 269: Beneath the Lanterns, the Game Deepens 2026-11-02
270 Chapter 270: The Whisper Beyond Shadows 2026-11-02
271 Chapter 271: The Court of Power and the News of Death 2026-11-02
272 Chapter 272: The Same Words, Different Deaths 2026-11-02
273 Chapter 273: promises and silence 2026-11-02
274 Chapter 274: storm rising 2026-11-02
275 Chapter 275: The Price of Independence 2026-11-02
276 Chapter 276: Walking Away with Dignity 2026-11-02
277 Chapter 277: Chains Beneath Silence 2026-11-02
278 Chapter 278: Quiet Distance, Hidden Storm 2026-11-02
279 Chapter 279: A King Among Strangers 2026-11-02
280 Chapter 280: The Shrine of Unspoken Truths 2026-11-02
281 Chapter 281: Morning Warmth, Midday Quiet, and News from the Unseen 2026-11-02
282 Chapter 282: — The Silence That Should Not Exist 2026-11-02
283 Chapter 283: Words Left Unsaid 2026-11-02
284 Chapter 284: Whispers Beneath the Shrine 2026-11-02
285 Chapter 285: Whispers Before the Storm 2026-11-02
286 Chapter 286: Calm Above, Silence Below 2026-11-02
287 Chapter 287: A Stifling Calm 2026-11-02
288 Chapter 288: — A Flower and a Doubt 2026-11-02
289 Chapter 289: Shadows Behind Loyalty 2026-11-02
290 Chapter 290: When Questions Have No Answers 2026-11-02
291 Chapter 291: The Weight of Helplessness 2026-11-02
292 Chapter 292: Whispers in the Shrine 2026-11-02
293 Chapter 293: The Darkness That Swallowed Her 2026-11-02
294 Chapter 294: Voices Beyond the Darkness 2026-11-02
295 Chapter 295: The Darkness She Could Not Remember 2026-11-02
296 Chapter 296: Forgotten Memories 2026-11-02
297 Chapter 297: The Forgotten Empress at the Shrine 2026-11-02
298 Chapter 298: — A Heart That Refused to Let Go 2026-11-02
299 Chapter 299: Plans Beyond the Palace Walls 2026-11-02
300 Chapter 300: Whispers Beneath the Shrine Lanterns 2026-11-02

The laughter from the mahjong game slowly faded into soft murmurs.

The night had grown deep.

Lantern flames burned lower, their golden glow dimmer than before.

Even the lively Duke residence had begun to settle.

—

Servants moved more quietly now.

Footsteps softened.

Voices lowered.

—

Around the hall, everyone looked... tired.

But it was a good kind of tired.

The kind that comes after joy.

After warmth.

After moments shared without restraint.

—

Lian Hua stretched dramatically, leaning back against her chair.

”I can’t move anymore...”

”You didn’t do anything,” Lian Rou replied.

”I supported emotionally.”

”That’s not a thing.”

”It is.”

—

Chen Ruyi laughed softly, her eyes slightly tired but warm.

”You both never stop, do you?”

—

”Never,” Lian Hua said proudly.

—

At that moment—

The Aunt (Lian Rou’s mother) stepped forward.

Her gaze moved gently toward Chen Ruyi.

”It’s late.”

Her tone was soft but firm.

”Your parents will be worried.”

—

Chen Ruyi straightened slightly.

”Yes... I should return.”

—

Lian Hua immediately frowned.

”So soon?”

—

The Aunt smiled.

”She can come again tomorrow.”

—

Lian Hua thought for a moment.

”...That’s acceptable.”

—

Everyone chuckled lightly.

—

The Aunt turned to her son.

”Lian Rou.”

”Send her home.”

—

He nodded without hesitation.

”Yes, Mother.”

—

Chen Ruyi lowered her gaze slightly.

”...Thank you.”

—

The atmosphere shifted again.

Quieter.

Gentler.

—

Everyone began to move toward the entrance.

Not rushed.

But naturally.

As if unwilling to let the night end too quickly.

—

At the courtyard—

The carriage was already prepared.

Lanterns lit the path.

The soft sound of night insects filled the silence.

—

Chen Ruyi stood near the carriage, turning slightly toward the family.

Her eyes lingered—

On each of them.

—

The Duchess stepped forward first.

”Take care on the way.”

—

Chen Ruyi nodded.

”I will.”

—

The Duke added calmly,

”Send word when you arrive.”

—

”Yes.”

—

The Grandmother walked closer, her expression kind.

”Next time, stay longer.”

—

Chen Ruyi smiled softly.

”I would like that.”

—

Then—

Lian Hua rushed forward and hugged her.

”Come again tomorrow!”

—

Chen Ruyi laughed, slightly surprised but warm.

”I will.”

—

”Promise?”

—

”I promise.”

—

Lian Hua finally let go.

Satisfied.

—

Then—

Her gaze turned to Lian An.

—

For a moment—

They simply looked at each other.

—

Chen Ruyi stepped closer.

”...Thank you.”

—

”For today.”

”For everything.”

—

Lian An smiled gently.

”You’re family now.”

”No need to thank me.”

—

Chen Ruyi’s eyes softened.

”...Still.”

—

She bowed her head slightly.

—

Then—

Her gaze shifted.

Toward the Emperor.

—

The atmosphere stilled slightly.

—

Chen Ruyi bowed properly.

”Your Majesty.”

—

The Emperor nodded.

”...Be safe.”

—

Simple.

But sincere.

—

She straightened.

Then turned—

Toward Lian Rou.

—

The two stood facing each other.

Closer now.

Without the noise.

Without the others interrupting.

—

”...It was a good night,” she said softly.

—

He nodded.

”Yes.”

—

A brief pause.

Then—

”I’ll see you tomorrow.”

—

”...Yes.”

—

Their words were simple.

But the meaning—

Clear.

—

Lian Hua whispered loudly from behind,

”Say something more romantic!”

—

”Quiet,” Lian Rou snapped immediately.

—

Chen Ruyi laughed softly again.

—

Then—

She stepped into the carriage.

—

The door closed gently.

—

The driver took his position.

The horses shifted.

—

Before the carriage moved—

She lifted the curtain slightly.

Looking out once more.

—

At the family.

At Lian Hua waving energetically.

At Lian An standing calm and warm.

At the Duke and Duchess.

—

And—

At him.

—

Lian Rou stood still.

Watching.

—

Their eyes met for a brief moment.

—

Then—

The carriage began to move.

—

Slowly.

Steadily.

—

The sound of wheels against the ground echoed softly in the quiet night.

—

Everyone remained where they were.

Watching.

Until—

The carriage disappeared beyond the gates.

—

Silence returned.

—

Lian Hua sighed.

”She left...”

—

The Grandmother smiled.

”She’ll return.”

—

Lian Rou turned slightly.

”...Let’s go inside.”

—

The group slowly began to move back.

—

But the night felt different now.

—

Quieter.

Softer.

—

Because something had shifted.

—

A bond had deepened.

—

A relationship had taken another step forward.

—

And under the calm night sky—

The future quietly unfolded.

—

One moment at a time.

A Night That Changed Everything

The Duke residence had slowly quieted after Chen Ruyi’s departure.

The lively laughter had softened into calm conversations.

Lanterns flickered gently in the courtyard.

And one by one—

Everyone began preparing to rest.

—

But before dispersing—

All eyes turned toward one person.

—

The Emperor.

—

The Duke cleared his throat politely.

”Your Majesty... it is late.”

”Will you be returning to the palace tonight?”

—

A simple question.

But the entire courtyard stilled.

—

Even Lian Hua stopped mid-step.

Even the servants slowed.

—

Because the answer—

Would mean something.

—

The Emperor stood calmly.

His expression unreadable.

—

Then—

His gaze shifted.

Toward—

The Empress.

—

For a brief moment—

Their eyes met.

—

Then he spoke.

”...I will stay.”

—

Silence.

—

Complete silence.

—

Then—

Lian Hua gasped loudly.

”WHAT?!”

—

The Duchess blinked.

The Duke froze.

The Grandmother’s brows lifted slightly.

—

And the Empress—

Stood completely still.

—

”...Stay?” she repeated softly, as if unsure she heard correctly.

—

The Emperor didn’t look away.

”Yes.”

—

The meaning was clear.

He wasn’t staying as a guest.

—

He was staying—

With her.

—

The Duchess recovered first.

A soft smile appeared on her lips.

”Well... of course.”

—

She turned immediately.

”Prepare the Empress’s chamber.”

—

Then she looked at both of them.

”As husband and wife, it is natural.”

—

The Empress opened her mouth.

”I—”

—

”No need to say anything,” the Duchess interrupted gently.

”You both must be tired.”

—

The Grandmother nodded approvingly.

”Yes, yes. Enough talking.”

”Rest is more important.”

—

Lian Hua grinned mischievously.

”I won’t disturb.”

—

”Go away,” Lian Rou muttered.

—

Within moments—

Everyone began leaving.

Too quickly.

Too smoothly.

—

As if this had been planned.

—

”Wait—” the Empress tried again.

—

But no one listened.

—

The courtyard emptied.

—

And suddenly—

Only the two of them remained.

—

Silence fell.

—

Awkward.

Heavy.

Unfamiliar.

—

The Empress turned slowly.

Looking at him.

”...You didn’t have to stay.”

—

”I wanted to.”

—

Simple.

Direct.

—

Her heart skipped slightly.

—

She looked away.

”...Let’s go inside.”

—

They walked toward her chamber.

—

Inside—

The room was warm.

Softly lit.

Prepared.

—

The maids had already arranged everything.

Fresh clothes.

Warm water.

Incense.

—

Then—

The maids quietly left.

—

The door closed.

—

And once again—

They were alone.

—

The Empress stood near the bed.

Unsure.

Uncomfortable.

—

Her fingers tightened slightly around her sleeves.

—

”I’ll... freshen up first,” she said quickly.

—

The Emperor nodded.

”...Go ahead.”

—

She didn’t wait.

She moved quickly toward the bathing area.

—

Inside—

Warm steam filled the space.

—

She placed her hand on her chest.

Her heartbeat—

Faster than usual.

—

”...Why is he like this now...”

—

Her cheeks warmed slightly.

—

After some time—

She finished.

Changed into her night clothes.

—

She took a deep breath.

Then stepped out.

—

And froze.

—

The Emperor—

Was already there.

—

He had finished bathing.

—

His hair slightly damp.

Loose.

Less formal.

—

He looked... different.

—

Less like a ruler.

More like—

A man.

—

Her gaze dropped immediately.

—

”...You can sleep first,” she said quickly.

—

But he didn’t move.

—

Instead—

He walked toward her.

—

Step by step.

Slow.

Steady.

—

Her breath caught.

—

Her heart began racing.

—

”...What is he doing...”

—

She instinctively stepped back.

—

But stopped when she reached the bed.

—

Now—

He stood in front of her.

Close.

Too close.

—

Her hands tightened again.

—

”...Your Majesty—”

—

Before she could finish—

He raised his hand.

—

Her body stiffened.

—

But—

He didn’t grab her.

Didn’t pull her.

—

Instead—

His hand rested gently—

On her head.

—

Soft.

Careful.

—

She froze.

—

Then—

He leaned slightly forward.

—

And placed a soft kiss—

On her forehead.

—

Time stopped.

—

Her eyes widened.

—

Her breath stilled.

—

Her heart—

Skipped.

—

Then raced uncontrollably.

—

He pulled back slowly.

—

His voice was calm.

Gentle.

”...Sleep.”

—

She couldn’t speak.

—

”...I’ll wait.”

—

Her eyes lifted slightly.

Confused.

—

”For what...?” she whispered.

—

He looked at her.

Not intense.

Not forceful.

—

Just... steady.

—

”...For the day you trust me.”

—

Silence.

—

The words lingered in the air.

—

”I won’t force anything.”

—

”...Until then.”

—

Her cheeks turned red instantly.

—

Her gaze dropped again.

—

Her mind—

Empty.

Full.

Confused.

Warm.

—

She turned quickly.

”...I—I’ll sleep.”

—

Without waiting—

She climbed onto the bed.

Pulled the blanket.

Turned away.

—

Her heart still racing.

—

”...What is happening to him...”

”...What is happening to me...”

—

Behind her—

The Emperor remained where he was for a moment.

—

Then slowly moved.

—

He lay down on the other side.

Maintaining distance.

—

Respecting space.

—

The room fell silent.

—

Only the soft sound of breathing remained.

—

The Empress closed her eyes.

—

But sleep didn’t come immediately.

—

Because her mind—

Was filled with that moment.

—

That touch.

That kiss.

Those words.

—

”...I’ll wait...”

—

Her lips pressed slightly together.

—

A strange warmth spread in her chest.

—

Something she didn’t understand yet.

—

Beside her—

The Emperor lay awake.

—

Looking at the ceiling.

—

But his thoughts—

Were only of her.

—

And for the first time—

There was no rush.

No force.

No expectation.

—

Only—

Patience.

—

Outside—

The night deepened.

—

And inside—

Something quietly began to change.

—

Between two hearts—

Learning—

Slowly—

To come closer.

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