The grand halls of the Imperial Palace loomed before Zhao Min and Liang Hua as they approached the massive golden doors. The summons had come at dawn—urgent, undeniable.
Zhao Min adjusted his robe, his expression unreadable. Beside him, Liang Hua kept her posture firm, though her mind raced. The Imperial Jade Seal was still missing. If the Emperor suspected them, their lives were at stake.
The guards pushed open the doors, revealing the vast throne room. At the far end, the Emperor sat atop his dragon-carved throne, his piercing gaze locked onto them. A sea of ministers, generals, and scholars lined the chamber, their murmurs ceasing as the two approached.
A voice rang out. "Zhao Min. Liang Hua. Step forward."
They obeyed, dropping to one knee, heads bowed low.
The Emperor's fingers drummed against the armrest. "The Imperial Jade Seal has been lost," he said, his voice calm—but filled with unmistakable danger. "And you were present when it disappeared."
A murmur spread through the court like wildfire. Zhao Min remained silent, his mind calculating. Liang Hua, however, lifted her chin slightly, knowing hesitation would be seen as guilt.
"My Emperor," she said, "the thief was captured but managed to—"
The Emperor's hand rose, silencing her. "Where is the seal now?"
Liang Hua hesitated. She had no answer. The river had swallowed it whole.
The silence stretched unbearably.
Then, a figure stepped forward—Prince Rui, the Emperor's favored son. His silk robes shimmered under the lanterns, his smirk barely concealed.
"Your Majesty," Prince Rui said, his voice smooth like poisoned honey, "is it not suspicious that these two, of all people, were present during such a crucial moment?"
Zhao Min's jaw tightened. Prince Rui had long sought to disgrace him, and now he had the perfect chance.
The Emperor's eyes narrowed. "Indeed. Perhaps they have more to explain."
The air was thick with accusation. One wrong word, and they could be executed.
Zhao Min exhaled slowly, forcing himself to remain composed. "If we are guilty, then allow us to prove our innocence. Grant us time to recover the seal."
A bold move—but their only chance.
The Emperor leaned forward, his expression unreadable. Then, after what felt like an eternity, he spoke.
"You have seven days."
Liang Hua's breath caught. Seven days? The river was vast, the enemies unseen. This was nearly impossible.
Prince Rui's smirk deepened. He was hoping they would fail.
Zhao Min bowed deeply. "We will not fail, Your Majesty."
The Emperor nodded. "Then go. But remember—if the seal is not found, your heads will roll."
The Shadow of Betrayal
As they left the hall, the weight of their mission settled in. Seven days to retrieve the most valuable treasure of the empire—or die as traitors.
"Prince Rui orchestrated this," Liang Hua murmured as they walked through the palace corridors. "I know it. He wants you out of the way."
Zhao Min nodded. "It's possible. But we need proof. Without it, we'll be dead before we can name him."
As they spoke, a shadow slipped into step beside them. A hooded figure—one of Zhao Min's informants. He handed Zhao Min a small scroll before vanishing into the crowd.
Zhao Min unrolled it discreetly.
Watch the Eastern Trading Post. The seal was never meant to be lost.
He exchanged a glance with Liang Hua. If the seal was meant to be lost, then someone was manipulating the chaos for their own gain.
"Looks like our search starts in the Eastern Trading Post," Zhao Min said.
Liang Hua tightened her grip on her sword. "Then let's not waste time."
A Blade in the Dark
That night, they moved through the labyrinthine alleys of the Eastern Trading Post. Smugglers, mercenaries, and spies prowled the shadows, but Zhao Min and Liang Hua walked undeterred.
A lead had brought them to a discreet teahouse at the district's edge, where a merchant known for dealing in stolen artifacts was rumored to frequent.
They stepped inside. The dimly lit room smelled of spiced tea and damp wood. Eyes flickered toward them, assessing, wary. At a table in the corner, a man sat alone, sipping from a jade cup.
Zhao Min approached first, his steps deliberate. "We hear you trade in rare artifacts."
The merchant barely glanced at him. "I trade in many things."
Liang Hua set a single gold coin on the table. "We're looking for something lost in the river. Perhaps it found its way to the right hands."
The merchant paused, then smirked. "Perhaps. But information isn't free."
Zhao Min exhaled. They didn't have time for games. In a flash, he grabbed the man's wrist and twisted it just enough to make him wince.
"Start talking. Now."
The merchant gritted his teeth but finally relented. "Rumor has it the seal was never lost. A deal was made before it even touched the water. It was taken before the Emperor even realized it was gone."
Liang Hua's heart pounded. "Taken by whom?"
The merchant hesitated—then suddenly, his eyes widened. A second later, a dagger plunged into his back.
Zhao Min cursed as the man slumped forward, blood pooling around him. Across the room, a cloaked figure darted toward the exit.
"Get them!" Liang Hua shouted.
They tore through the teahouse after the assassin, weaving through the chaotic crowd. The figure moved fast, but Zhao Min and Liang Hua were faster.
Zhao Min leaped forward, tackling the assassin to the ground. They rolled across the stone pavement, blades flashing.
Liang Hua reached them just as the assassin wrenched free, throwing a smoke bomb to the ground. The thick fog burned their eyes, forcing them to recoil.
When the smoke cleared, the assassin was gone.
Zhao Min exhaled sharply, frustration flashing across his face. "They're covering their tracks."
Liang Hua touched her blade, her expression grim. "We're running out of time."
They exchanged a look of understanding.
The Imperial Jade Seal wasn't just missing—it had been stolen for a purpose. And they had only seven days to find out why.
Failure was not an option.