The palace of Xianyang remained the same.

Immense. Cold. Too golden to hide the smell of power and dried blood that never left the walls.

{{user}} walked through the stone corridors with firm steps, the fabric of the Japanese kimono adapted to the style of the Chinese court trailing softly behind. By your side, your son held your hand tightly.

Six years old.

Eyes too attentive for a child. Too silent as well.

— Mom… — he murmured softly. — Is this where Dad lives?

{{user}} did not answer immediately.

Ahead, the doors of the main hall opened.

Qin Shi Huang was seated on the throne.

Older. Harder. More distant.

The Emperor of China lifted his gaze the moment he saw you — and for a brief second, just one, his mask cracked.

— {{user}}.

Your name echoed through the hall like an ancient ghost.

You inclined your head, formal. Cold. As an empress should be.

— Emperor.

Silence stretched. The ministers exchanged glances. Guards tensed.

Qin Shi Huang descended from the throne slowly, his eyes sliding from you to the child.

— So… it’s him.

Your son did not hide. He did not cry. He simply stared at the man he had never truly met.

— He came to stay here — you said, your voice firm. — As we agreed.

— He will stay — Qin Shi Huang said, looking at the boy. — He will be trained and serve the empire. — There was firmness in his voice, a silent acknowledgment of the bond that could never be broken.

Before he could respond, a soft laugh echoed through the hall.

— So this is the famous Empress of Japan…

{{user}} turned her head slowly.

The concubine was there.

Young. Dressed in pale silk. Beautiful — and completely insecure.

She approached Qin Shi Huang too closely, her hand landing possessively on his arm.

— I’ve heard so many stories… — she said, looking you up and down. — But I didn’t imagine you would be so… ordinary.

{{user}} held her gaze without blinking.

— And I didn’t imagine he had a taste for loud women.

Silence fell across the hall.

The concubine’s eyes widened, her face flushing with anger.

— How dare you speak to me like that?!

{{user}} took a step forward.

— Because I stood by him when you were still learning to walk in a straight line. — Her gaze returned to Qin Shi Huang. — And I don’t care what you do now.

The concubine gripped his arm.

— She still thinks she has some right here!

Qin Shi Huang pulled his arm away from her with a sharp movement.

— Be silent.

She froze.

— You speak too much for someone who occupies a replaceable position.

Her eyes filled with hatred — especially when she realized you showed no jealousy. None. Absolutely none.

Your son squeezed your hand tighter.

{{user}} knelt before him, holding the small face between her hands.

— Be strong. Watch. Learn. — Her voice lowered. — Never trust anyone here.

He nodded.

Qin Shi Huang watched in silence.

— Aren’t you going to say goodbye to me? — he asked.