Chapter 2: Little Sister, I Have Come for You

At the gates of the imperial palace, the new Empress faces her first trial.

Feng Ruqing stepped out of the palanquin, her wedding boots embroidered with golden phoenixes landing firmly on the ground. However, she was not greeted by a smooth, red carpet, but rather one laid out crookedly, ending abruptly before the palace steps.

The bearers coughed awkwardly, while the surrounding maids and eunuchs stifled giggles, their eyes darting toward her as if waiting to witness a farce. Feng Ruqing remained composed, though a flash of cold light flickered in her eyes beneath the phoenix crown. She understood immediately: this was a deliberate attempt by the palace staff to humble the new Empress.

Taking a deep breath, she lifted her gown and stepped onto the uneven carpet, her gait steady and devoid of the slightest tremor.

As she ascended the steps, an elderly matron dressed in brown palace robes, her hair groomed with fastidious precision, approached her. A shrill voice pierced the air: "This servant, Matron Li, has been ordered to instruct the Empress in the rules of the palace." Matron Li surveyed Feng Ruqing from head to toe, her eyes brimming with undisguised disdain. "Accustomed as you are to the soldier’s life, I fear you are quite unsuited for these phoenix robes and ornaments, are you not?"

Feng Ruqing cast a faint glance at her, her tone calm. "Matron Li, you jest. Since I have entered the palace, I naturally know how to fulfill my duties as Empress."

"Your Majesty speaks lightly," Matron Li sneered. "The rules of this palace cannot be mastered in a single day. Look at your posture—is there any trace of imperial dignity? One might mistake you for some wild girl from the streets."

A chill rose in Feng Ruqing’s heart, but she did not let it show. Just as she was about to speak, Matron Li interrupted her sharply: "Your Majesty, this is not a marketplace. The ways you are used to will not work here!"

"Oh? Is that so?" A cold curve touched the corner of Feng Ruqing’s mouth. "Then I should like to see exactly whose rules carry more weight in this palace..."

She suddenly raised her voice, commanding with the crisp, resounding authority of a general drilling troops: "Matron Li! Stand straight! Head up! Chest out! Stomach in! Eyes forward!"

Startled by the sudden order, Matron Li reflexively obeyed, standing as rigid and upright as a disciplined soldier. The surrounding eunuchs and maids were stunned, covering their mouths and staring in disbelief. The eunuchs thought to themselves, *This new Empress truly has mettle; let us see how Matron Li dares to be arrogant now.*

"Matron Li," Feng Ruqing’s voice returned to a calm, yet unquestionable majesty, "I have spent many years in the military camps; what rules have I not seen? I will naturally learn the customs of this palace, but should anyone attempt to use these rules to make things difficult for me, I am not a person to be trifled with."

Matron Li’s face turned from pale to livid. She had intended to intimidate the new Empress, but had instead been outmaneuvered. She opened her mouth, but for a long time, no words came.

At that moment, a gaze drifted down from afar. Ji Ran stood on high, watching the scene from a distance. He had expected the new Empress to suffer in silence, not to be so formidable. He arched an eyebrow with interest, his gaze lingering on Feng Ruqing with a hint of intrigue.

Feng Ruqing sensed the attention and looked up, her eyes meeting Ji Ran’s in the air. For a fleeting second, she looked away, as if nothing had happened.

"Matron Li," Feng Ruqing withdrew her gaze, her tone indifferent. "Lead the way."

Matron Li took a deep breath, suppressing her fury, and bowed. "As you command, Your Majesty."

Feng Ruqing followed Matron Li through layers of palace gates toward the Fengyi Palace. The scenery within the palace was breathtakingly beautiful, yet it was permeated with a sense of stern oppression. Feng Ruqing observed everything without a word, silently memorizing the layout of the grounds.

Upon reaching the Fengyi Palace, Matron Li stopped, her tone laden with implication: "Your Majesty, everything in the Fengyi Palace shall be under your command from now on." She paused, then added, "Of course, that includes the rules of the palace as well."

Feng Ruqing smiled faintly. "Rules? I shall naturally abide by them. However..." She stopped, her gaze falling upon the trunks behind Matron Li. "It seems my dowry has yet to be inventoried, has it?"

Matron Li’s eyelids twitched. The dowry was a treasure trove; if only she could find something to exploit within it... She immediately donned a fawning smile. "Your Majesty is correct; the dowry must be inventoried. This servant will have people..."

"No need," Feng Ruqing interrupted, her tone frigid. "I shall do it myself." She walked to the trunks and opened one with her own hands. Inside were not gold or jewels, but stacks of neatly arranged books and scrolls. These items emanated a faint scent of ink, and the characters upon them seemed to hold the power of an entire army.

Matron Li was stunned. *Why is this new Empress not playing by the rules?* She leaned in and picked up a scroll, opening it in confusion. It was densely packed with writing and strange diagrams; she could not decipher a single word.

"What is this?" Matron Li asked, bewildered.

A meaningful smile tugged at the corners of Feng Ruqing’s lips. "A modest gift for His Majesty—strategies for strengthening the military. I trust he will find them most agreeable."

"St-strategies for strengthening the military?" Matron Li’s eyes widened. *This new Empress put such things in her dowry?* She was even more puzzled now. *Is this woman truly foolish, or is she merely pretending?*

Feng Ruqing did not explain. She opened another trunk, which contained strange-looking weapons and armor. These items shimmered with a cold, metallic luster under the sun, as if whispering of the bloody years of military life. Matron Li was dazed, even more lost than before.

"These are..."

"Common instruments used in the army; I thought the palace guards might find them useful," Feng Ruqing said lightly. "Consider it my contribution to the safety of the palace."

Matron Li was completely baffled. *What exactly does this new Empress want?* She wanted to say more, but saw that Feng Ruqing had already opened the final trunk. Inside lay a black dagger, its blade flickering with a cold, soul-piercing light that made one shudder.

Feng Ruqing picked up the dagger and gently stroked the blade, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. Matron Li instinctively took a step back, an inexplicable fear rising in her heart. She realized that this new Empress was not as simple as she appeared.

"This dagger..." Feng Ruqing said suddenly, her tone icy. "It is my personal possession. Whoever dares to touch it shall bear the consequences."

Matron Li’s face turned ghastly pale, and she dared not speak again. She finally understood that this new Empress was no soft target to be manipulated.

Feng Ruqing put the dagger away and turned to Matron Li, her tone returning to calm. "Matron Li, is the inventory complete?"

Matron Li nodded hurriedly. "Complete, it is complete."

"Good," Feng Ruqing smiled faintly. "Lead the way. I am tired."

Feng Ruqing walked toward the Fengyi Palace surrounded by the crowd. Matron Li followed behind, her face gloomy, her mind in turmoil. *Who is this new Empress? Is what she has brought a blessing or a curse?*

As night fell, the Fengyi Palace was brightly lit. Feng Ruqing stood alone by the window, gazing at the dark night sky, a look of resolve in her eyes. "Little sister, I have arrived..."

Led by Matron Li, Feng Ruqing passed through corridors to finally reach the Fengyi Palace. The vermilion doors and gilded rings all bespoke the nobility of an Empress, yet beneath this luxury lay endless schemes and calculations. As she stepped through the gate, a thick, heavy scent of perfume rushed to meet her, causing Feng Ruqing to frown slightly.

Inside the palace, dozens of maids and eunuchs stood with heads bowed. They appeared obedient, yet their eyes flickered with curiosity, scrutiny, and even a trace of hidden hostility.

"Welcome, Your Majesty!" they chorused, but their voices were uneven and ragged, clearly lacking proper training.

Feng Ruqing swept her gaze over them, a cold smile tugging at her lips. She thought to herself: *As I expected, the Fengyi Palace is not as peaceful as it appears.*

"Rise," Feng Ruqing said lightly, her tone carrying an undeniable majesty.

They stood, yet kept their heads lowered, not daring to look her in the eye. The servants whispered among themselves: *This new Empress is truly different; perhaps the tides of the Fengyi Palace are about to change.*

Matron Li stepped forward, her shrill voice echoing through the hall: "Your Majesty, these are the maids and eunuchs who serve you. If you have any commands, feel free to dispatch them."

Feng Ruqing did not answer. She walked straight to the phoenix throne in the center of the main hall and sat down slowly. She looked around, her eyes landing on the elaborate decorations of the hall, a flash of disgust in her gaze. To her, this magnificent palace was nothing more than a cage.

"Matron Li," Feng Ruqing spoke suddenly, "the layout of this Fengyi Palace seems somewhat complex."

Matron Li felt a jolt in her heart and hurriedly explained: "Your Majesty, the layout of the Fengyi Palace was established by the Empresses of old; this servant would not dare to change it at will."

"Is that so?" Feng Ruqing sneered. "I find this layout overly cumbersome and inefficient for management. Perhaps I shall rearrange it myself."

Matron Li’s expression changed. *This new Empress wants to change the layout of the Fengyi Palace the moment she arrives? This is something no previous Empress has ever done!*

"Your Majesty, this..." Matron Li wanted to protest, but was cut off by Feng Ruqing.

"What? Does Matron Li think I lack the authority to do so?" Feng Ruqing’s tone was cold, her eyes sharp.

Matron Li trembled all over and knelt down quickly. "This servant would not dare!"

"It is good that you do not," Feng Ruqing said calmly. "Then proceed according to my wishes."

Matron Li dared not argue further and took her leave. Feng Ruqing watched the matron’s retreating figure with a cold smile. She had arrived in the Fengyi Palace, and everything was about to change.

Deep in the night, the palace remained brightly lit. Feng Ruqing sat alone on the throne, holding a map of the palace and studying it carefully. Suddenly, a faint sound of footsteps reached her. Feng Ruqing looked up sharply, her eyes like torches, fixing on the entrance. A shadow flickered past and vanished into the night.

"Who goes there?" Feng Ruqing demanded coldly.

No one answered.

Feng Ruqing rose and walked to the entrance, scanning the surroundings, but found nothing. A sense of unease rose in her heart. This Fengyi Palace seemed even more dangerous than she had imagined...

"It seems tonight will not be a peaceful one..." Feng Ruqing murmured to herself, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.