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Ghost in the palace

Chapter 41: helping princess · 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 morning air in the Phoenix Garden was light and scented with magnolia.

After leaving the Dowager’s pavilion, Ananya walked along the shaded path toward her own quarters.

For once, her heart was steady. The Dowager had not dismissed her harshly — she had even finished the tonic. That small victory lingered like warmth in her chest.

A gentle wind brushed her sleeves. She slowed, eyes half-lidded in quiet thought, when a faint sound broke through the still air—

A stifled gasp, followed by a soft cry.

Ananya turned sharply toward the willow grove beside the lotus pond.

There, near the curved stone railing, stood a young woman dressed in pale lilac silk — the wife of the Emperor’s younger brother, seven months pregnant.

Her round belly strained against her sash as she gripped the railing, panting, color drained from her face.

”Princess Zhi!” Ananya called softly, hurrying over. ”Why are you walking here alone? You should be resting.”

The younger woman’s head snapped up.

Her eyes widened — not in recognition, but in alarm.

For a moment, she looked as if she might flee.

Her lips parted, as though she wanted to speak — but no words came.

She merely shook her head weakly, taking a step back.

Ananya slowed her pace, keeping her tone calm. ”You’re pale. Sit down before you fall.”

The princess hesitated. Her throat bobbed.

Her husband’s warning echoed in her mind:

Do not speak to the Queen Consort. She brings ruin to all who show her favor.

But her body was trembling, her stomach heavy, and her knees weak.

She sank onto the bench with a small, breathless sound.

”Good,” Ananya said softly. ”Stay still.”

She turned to her maid. ”Go to my quarters. Bring the tonic I made for the Dowager and some cool water. Quickly.”

The maid hesitated. ”Your Majesty... it may not be appropriate—”

”Go,” Ananya interrupted, her voice gentle but firm.

The maid bowed and ran.

Ananya knelt beside the princess, supporting her back. ”You should have called for help. Walking alone in this condition is dangerous.”

The princess averted her gaze, her lashes trembling. ”I didn’t want to trouble anyone.”

Her tone was formal, almost rehearsed. She didn’t meet Ananya’s eyes — afraid, perhaps, of the rumors that clung to her like a shadow.

Ananya didn’t press her. She simply said, ”If you fall, the entire palace will be troubled. So you might as well trouble someone kind.”

The younger woman blinked, caught between surprise and guilt.

When the maid returned, Ananya carefully poured a small bowl of the warm lotus tonic.

The fragrant steam curled upward, soft and sweet, carrying the faint scent of ginseng and honey.

”Drink this,” she said. ”Slowly.”

The princess hesitated, staring at the bowl.

Her appetite had been gone for weeks — every meal had ended in nausea.

Even the smell of food had made her ill.

But the scent that rose from this bowl was different — soothing instead of sharp.

She took a small sip.

Warmth spread down her throat, settling gently in her stomach.

Her hands trembled slightly as she took another.

And another.

For the first time in months, the food did not rise back up.

Ananya smiled faintly, watching her expression change. ”Better?”

The princess blinked back sudden tears. ”It’s... the first thing I’ve kept down in weeks.”

”Then have a little more,” Ananya said, refilling her cup.

The princess obeyed without protest this time, her face softening with relief.

When the bowl was empty, she sat quietly, staring at her hands.

A thousand thoughts tangled in her chest — fear of her husband’s anger, confusion at Ananya’s kindness, shame for believing the palace whispers.

Ananya stood, smoothing her sleeves. ”You’ll feel tired now. That means it’s working. Go back to your quarters and rest.”

The princess looked up at her, still speechless.

Ananya smiled gently. ”You don’t owe me thanks. But take care of yourself. The child listens to its mother’s heart — not her fear.”

With that, she turned and walked away, her robe sweeping softly across the stone path.

Behind her, the young princess pressed a trembling hand to her stomach, tears filling her eyes as she whispered under her breath,

”She’s nothing like they said she was...”

And for the first time in many months, she felt peace settle like a quiet heartbeat beneath her hand.

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