The candlelight flickered in the dimly lit chamber, elongating shadows that danced across the delicate silk drapes and carved wooden panels. The air was thick with the scent of incense, an overpowering floral fragrance that Song Rui was beginning to associate with Li Yue's life.
She sat rigidly on the edge of an ornate wooden bed, her fingers gripping the silk sheets beneath her. Her mind was in turmoil, the weight of her circumstances pressing down on her like an invisible force. It had been days since she woke up in this strange yet eerily familiar world. Li Yue's world.
Song Rui had experienced disbelief, fear, and frustration in those first few days. But now, as the realization cemented itself in her mind, she knew one thing for certain—she couldn't stay here. This palace, with its golden walls and endless corridors, was nothing more than a beautifully adorned cage.
And she needed to escape.
She had no idea where Li Yue was now. Was she trapped in her modern body, just as confused and lost as Song Rui felt here? Or was she still existing in some unreachable void, unable to communicate? The dream had been her only form of contact—an unsettling exchange that left more questions than answers.
What mattered now was survival. If she lingered too long in this body, she would be swallowed whole by the treacherous politics of the imperial court. And worse, from what little she had gathered, there were already forces moving against her.
Prince Jian.
That name alone sent a shiver down her spine. He was more than just an enemy—he was someone powerful, someone who had already set his sights on her. And in a world where she had no allies, no knowledge of the unspoken rules, being targeted by such a man was as good as a death sentence.
Song Rui exhaled slowly, forcing herself to think logically. Back in the modern world, she had trained her mind to dissect information, to analyze patterns and behaviors. She wasn't just some helpless woman thrown into the past—she was an investigator at heart.
She needed information.
Pushing herself off the bed, she moved toward the wooden table at the far end of the room. Scrolls and documents lay neatly arranged, untouched since she arrived. Before, she had been too overwhelmed to dig through them. Now, they might hold the answers she sought.
Her fingers brushed over the parchment, selecting a scroll with an intricate seal. As she unrolled it, her eyes darted over the inked lines. It was a map of the palace grounds.
A stroke of luck.
She traced the pathways, her mind working quickly. The palace was vast, its layout intricate and heavily fortified. The main gates were out of the question—too many guards, too many prying eyes. But the outer courtyards… they had potential.
Her gaze landed on a small, seemingly insignificant marking near the servant quarters. An underground passage, perhaps? A maintenance tunnel? If she could find a way to disguise herself, she might be able to slip out unnoticed.
A plan was beginning to take shape.
A sudden knock at the door made her heart jump.
She hastily rolled up the map and stuffed it beneath the folds of her robe before straightening. "Enter."
The door creaked open, and a young maid stepped in, carrying a small tray.
"My Lady, your evening tea," the girl announced softly.
Song Rui had seen her before—she was one of the quieter servants, always skittish, always watching her with an uncertain expression. Tonight, there was something different about her. Her fingers trembled as she set the tray down, her eyes flickering toward the door before finally meeting Song Rui's gaze.
She knows something.
The moment stretched between them, heavy with unspoken words.
Song Rui decided to push. "You seem troubled."
The maid hesitated, then lowered her voice. "My Lady, I shouldn't be saying this… but I heard something troubling today."
Song Rui's pulse quickened. "Go on."
The girl took a cautious step closer. "There are rumors that Prince Jian is planning something against you."
A cold sensation trickled down her spine. She had suspected it, but hearing it confirmed was different.
She kept her voice calm. "What kind of rumors?"
The maid shook her head, glancing toward the door again. "I do not know the details, only that he has been meeting with the Empress Dowager in secret. And that the palace guards have been watching your movements more closely."
So it wasn't just paranoia—she was being watched.
Song Rui felt a creeping sense of urgency. Whatever Prince Jian was planning, she couldn't afford to wait and find out.
She had to act now.
Song Rui reached for the tea but didn't drink it. Instead, she studied the maid carefully. Trust was a dangerous thing in a place like this, but she had no choice.
"Tell me," she said, voice firm. "Do you know a way out of the palace?"
The girl's eyes widened. "Leaving the palace without permission is forbidden, My Lady. If you're caught—"
"I won't be caught," Song Rui interrupted her confidence surprising even herself. "But I need a way out. And I need someone I can trust."
The maid hesitated, fear and indecision warring on her face. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she whispered, "There is a way. But it is dangerous."
Song Rui leaned forward. "Tell me everything."
The girl swallowed hard. "There is an old passage beneath the storage house near the servant quarters. It leads to a hidden exit outside the walls, but…"
"But?"
"It's been abandoned for years. No one knows if it's still safe. And more importantly, the guards patrol that area often. If you've seen…" She didn't need to finish the sentence.
Song Rui nodded, absorbing the information. It was risky, but it was the only chance she had.
She couldn't simply walk out of the palace dressed as Li Yue. The robes alone would give her away instantly.
Her mind raced through the possibilities.
"I need a servant's uniform," she murmured.
The maid's eyes widened in alarm. "My Lady—"
"Can you get one?"
There was hesitation. Then, slowly, the girl nodded. "I can."
"Good." Song Rui exhaled, her mind already moving to the next step. "I need to leave tomorrow night."
The maid paled. "So soon?"
"I don't have time to wait."
She could see the girl wanted to protest, but instead, she bowed her head. "I will bring you what you need."
Song Rui felt a surge of relief. Step one was in motion.
That night, she barely slept. The weight of her decision pressed down on her, but she knew there was no turning back.
The hours stretched painfully slow as she counted each chime of the palace bells. By the time dawn arrived, she was exhausted but resolute.
When the maid returned the following evening, she carried a small bundle wrapped in cloth. "Here," she whispered, handing it over. "A servant's uniform."
Song Rui accepted it, fingers trembling slightly. This was it. Her escape plan was no longer just an idea—it was real.
The next twenty-four hours would determine everything.
Would she make it out? Or would she be caught before she even reached the exit?
Song Rui tightened her grip on the fabric. No matter what, she would escape.
She had no choice.