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Ghost in the palace

Chapter 273: promises and silence · 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

Chapter — The Dead Who Returned

The palace court had rarely seen such tension.

Morning sunlight filtered through the tall pillars, but instead of bringing warmth—

It revealed unease.

Whispers.

Fear.

—

News had spread through the kingdom overnight.

Fast.

Uncontrolled.

Unstoppable.

—

Five people.

Dead.

Rotten.

Their bodies discovered in a condition no one could explain.

—

And worse—

All five had one thing in common.

—

They were said to have died before.

—

And returned.

—

The Court Assembles

The grand court was filled.

Officials lined both sides.

Ministers stood in silence.

Even the guards seemed more alert than usual.

—

At the center—

Kneeling—

Was a merchant family.

Clothes neat.

But faces pale.

Eyes red from crying.

—

The Emperor entered.

—

”Your Majesty!”

—

Everyone bowed.

—

He took his seat slowly.

But his expression—

Cold.

Sharp.

Focused.

—

”Begin.”

—

The chief minister stepped forward.

”Your Majesty... the matter concerns five deaths reported across the capital.”

—

The Emperor nodded.

”I am aware.”

—

His gaze shifted to the kneeling family.

”...Speak.”

—

The merchant father trembled slightly.

But forced himself to speak.

—

”Your Majesty...”

”My son...”

”...died twice.”

—

A ripple moved through the court.

—

The Emperor didn’t react.

”...Explain clearly.”

—

The man swallowed.

—

”My son went to the northern region...”

”For wool trade.”

—

”Two months later...”

”We received news—”

”...that he had died.”

—

His voice broke slightly.

—

”My family went there...”

”To retrieve his body.”

—

The court remained silent.

—

”They gave us a corpse.”

—

”...We couldn’t recognize his face.”

—

Gasps.

—

”His body...”

”...was decomposed.”

—

”...We only knew it was him—”

”...because of his clothes...”

”...and jewelry.”

—

The Emperor’s eyes narrowed slightly.

—

”We brought him back...”

”And buried him.”

—

A pause.

—

The man’s hands shook.

—

”But...”

—

”Days ago...”

—

”...he returned.”

—

Shock rippled through the court.

—

”What?”

”That’s impossible—”

—

The Emperor raised his hand.

Silence returned instantly.

—

”...Continue.”

—

The man’s voice dropped.

—

”He came home...”

”Alive.”

—

”But...”

—

”...something was wrong.”

—

His wife began crying softly beside him.

—

”He didn’t speak properly...”

”He didn’t recognize us clearly...”

—

”He stared...”

”...like he wasn’t there.”

—

The court grew colder.

—

”And then—”

—

”...he died again.”

—

This time—

The silence was suffocating.

—

”...And this time—”

”...we saw his face clearly.”

—

”It was him.”

—

The Emperor leaned slightly forward.

—

”...Then whose body did you bury before?”

—

No one had an answer.

—

The Court Reacts

Murmurs broke out.

—

”This is unnatural...”

”Impossible...”

”Witchcraft—?”

—

The ministers looked uneasy.

Even the older officials—

Who had seen war, famine, rebellion—

Looked shaken.

—

One minister stepped forward.

”Your Majesty...”

”This could be a coincidence—”

—

The Emperor’s gaze cut through him.

”...Five coincidences?”

—

The minister fell silent.

—

Another spoke,

”If the body was decomposed...”

”...identification could be mistaken.”

—

The Emperor didn’t respond immediately.

—

Instead—

He asked,

”...And the other four?”

—

The chief minister stepped forward.

”They show similar patterns, Your Majesty.”

—

”All declared dead previously.”

—

”All returned briefly.”

—

”And all—”

”...died again.”

—

A chill passed through the court.

—

The Unspoken Fear

No one dared say it aloud.

—

But everyone thought the same thing.

—

This wasn’t normal.

—

This wasn’t human.

—

This was something else.

—

Something dark.

—

The Emperor’s fingers tapped lightly on the armrest.

A slow rhythm.

—

His mind moved rapidly.

—

Ghost breeding.

Strange energy.

The lake.

The ambush.

—

Now—

This.

—

”...They were not suicides.”

—

His voice cut through the court.

Firm.

Certain.

—

”They were killed.”

—

A heavy silence followed.

—

The merchant father looked up suddenly.

”Yes, Your Majesty!”

—

”My son was fine before leaving!”

—

”He had no illness!”

”No reason to die!”

—

The Emperor nodded slightly.

—

Then—

”...When he returned...”

”...did you notice anything unusual?”

—

The man hesitated.

—

”...He avoided sunlight.”

—

”He didn’t eat properly.”

—

”And...”

—

”He whispered sometimes.”

—

”...To himself.”

—

The Emperor’s eyes darkened.

—

”What did he say?”

—

The man shook his head.

”I couldn’t understand...”

—

”But...”

—

”...he kept saying one thing.”

—

The entire court leaned forward.

—

”...North.”

—

Silence.

—

The Realization

The Emperor slowly stood.

—

His voice lowered.

—

”...All of them...”

”...went north.”

—

The chief minister nodded.

”Yes.”

—

A pattern.

—

Clear.

—

Deliberate.

—

The Emperor’s gaze turned cold.

—

”...Something is happening in the northern region.”

—

A minister stepped forward.

”Your Majesty, should we investigate immediately?”

—

”Yes.”

—

Without hesitation.

—

”I will send a special unit.”

—

”Gather information.”

”Trace every case.”

—

”Find out—”

—

”...what brought them back.”

—

”And what killed them.”

—

The court remained silent.

—

Because now—

This was no longer rumor.

—

It was real.

—

The Hidden Truth

But inside—

The Emperor knew something more.

—

This wasn’t just death.

—

This was connected.

—

To something he hadn’t revealed.

—

Ghost breeding.

—

His jaw tightened.

—

”...If this is related...”

”...then the kingdom is already in danger.”

—

But he didn’t say it aloud.

—

Not yet.

—

The End of Court

The Emperor raised his hand.

—

”This matter is now under imperial investigation.”

—

”No one is to spread rumors.”

—

”Anyone interfering—will be punished.”

—

The ministers bowed.

”Yes, Your Majesty.”

—

The merchant family broke down.

Tears.

Relief.

Fear.

—

At least—

Someone believed them.

—

The Emperor turned to leave.

—

But before stepping out—

He paused.

—

His gaze distant.

—

”...The dead...”

”...should not return.”

—

”And if they do—”

—

”...something is terribly wrong.”

—

Outside the Court

As the Emperor walked out—

The palace felt heavier.

—

The air—

Colder.

—

Unseen—

Unspoken—

—

A storm was forming.

—

And somewhere—

Far in the north—

—

Something was waking.

—

Not fully alive.

—

Not fully dead.

—

But waiting.

—

For its next step.

—

And this time—

The entire kingdom would feel it.

Promises and Silence

The morning sun filtered softly into the Duke residence, painting the courtyard in warm light.

Inside her chamber—

The Empress sat quietly.

Dressed.

Ready.

—

Her hair was neatly tied.

Her clothes carefully chosen.

Everything prepared.

—

Because today—

She was supposed to return.

—

”...He said he would come,” she murmured softly.

—

Near her—

The three ghosts hovered restlessly.

Fen Yu crossed her arms.

”That dog emperor.”

—

”He made a promise,” the scholar ghost added.

”And didn’t keep it.”

—

The general ghost snorted.

”Typical.”

—

The Empress didn’t reply.

Her gaze remained on the door.

—

Waiting.

—

But hours passed.

—

Then a day.

—

Then—

Two.

—

Still—

No sign of him.

—

The excitement of the wedding preparation faded slightly for her.

Though she smiled for her family—

Though she stayed present—

—

Inside—

A small disappointment grew.

—

”He said he would come...” Fen Yu muttered again.

—

”Forget him,” the general ghost said.

”We should have thrown him in the lake.”

—

The scholar ghost nodded.

”Agreed.”

—

The Empress sighed softly.

”...Maybe he’s busy.”

—

”Busy forgetting you,” Fen Yu snapped.

—

But even she fell silent after seeing the Empress’s expression.

—

On the third day—

The Empress finally stood.

”...I’ll go back.”

—

The ghosts immediately reacted.

”Finally!”

—

”Let’s leave this place.”

—

The Empress turned to her maid.

”Prepare the carriage.”

—

She didn’t say anything more.

Didn’t complain.

Didn’t question.

—

But her silence—

Spoke enough.

—

Return to the Palace

The journey back felt quieter.

—

Less lively.

—

The Empress looked outside the carriage.

Lost in thought.

—

”...He must be busy with court...”

”...And the recent matters...”

—

She tried to justify.

—

But the feeling—

Remained.

—

When she reached the palace—

Everything looked the same.

—

Unchanged.

—

Her courtyard welcomed her back.

Familiar.

Still.

—

She stepped inside.

Paused.

—

Then—

”...I should greet him.”

—

Her tone was calm.

As if nothing was wrong.

—

A Quiet Gesture

Before going—

She went to the kitchen.

—

Cooked.

—

Simple dishes.

But warm.

Carefully prepared.

—

The ghosts watched.

Silent this time.

—

”...You still care,” Fen Yu said softly.

—

The Empress didn’t answer.

—

Once done—

She carried the tray.

—

And walked—

Toward the Emperor’s courtyard.

—

What She Saw

The guards didn’t stop her.

—

She entered.

—

And then—

She stopped.

—

Inside—

The Emperor sat.

—

With Lady Chen.

—

They were close.

Talking.

Laughing.

—

Relaxed.

—

The same way he had been—

With her family.

—

The tray in her hand—

Felt heavier.

—

Her steps halted.

—

”...I see.”

—

The words didn’t leave her lips.

But they formed in her mind.

—

No one noticed her.

—

No one looked up.

—

So quietly—

She turned.

—

And walked away.

—

Back to Her Courtyard

The food remained untouched.

—

She placed it on the table.

Sat down slowly.

—

The ghosts appeared immediately.

—

Fen Yu’s face darkened.

”I knew it.”

—

”That dog emperor,” the general ghost growled.

—

The scholar ghost shook his head.

”...Unreliable.”

—

The Empress smiled faintly.

—

But it didn’t reach her eyes.

—

”I was foolish.”

—

Silence.

—

”He doesn’t love me.”

—

Her voice was calm.

Almost detached.

—

”He loves Lady Chen.”

—

The memory of his words echoed faintly—

”I’ll come for you.”

—

She let out a small breath.

—

”...He just didn’t like that I stopped caring.”

—

”So he tried to pull me back.”

—

Fen Yu stepped closer.

”You’re not foolish.”

—

”Yes, I am.”

—

She looked at the food.

—

”...I believed him.”

—

The room grew quiet.

—

Then the general ghost spoke bluntly,

”Forget him.”

—

Fen Yu nodded.

”Yes.”

—

The scholar ghost added calmly,

”...He doesn’t deserve you.”

—

The Empress stayed silent for a moment.

—

Then—

She picked up a dish.

—

”...Let’s eat.”

—

The ghosts blinked.

—

”That’s it?” Fen Yu asked.

—

”Yes.”

—

She took a bite.

—

”...Food shouldn’t go to waste.”

—

The ghosts slowly smiled.

—

”Right,” Fen Yu said.

—

”Let’s eat everything,” the general ghost added.

—

”Especially his share,” the scholar ghost said.

—

A faint smile finally appeared on the Empress’s face.

—

Small.

But real.

—

Outside—

The palace remained unchanged.

—

But inside her—

Something shifted again.

—

Not heartbreak.

—

Not anger.

—

But clarity.

—

And this time—

She wouldn’t expect anything.

—

From him.

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