Zhen Huan: Break the Rules and Die? The System Calls in a Powerful Woman

At a quarter past ten, the candle flame in Shattered Jade Pavilion flickered right on time. Zhen Huan gripped the blood-soaked page of palace rules, her fingertips turning white.

“If a white plum appears in your hair in the mirror, shatter it at once. That isn’t you.”

The snow outside grew heavier. The palace lantern hanging from the eaves flickered, revealing a trail of deep purple footprints at the base of the wall, as if someone had dragged a streak of still-wet blood past. She dared not turn around. She could only stare at her reflection in the bronze mirror. Her hair was bare, yet the scent of plum blossoms unmistakably lingered beneath her nose, sweet as the pool of blood that slowly congealed when Liuzhu fell on the steps last year.

“Your Ladyship, it’s time to hold the lamp.” It was Huanbi’s voice, but Huanbi’s voice shouldn’t echo as if it were drifting up from the bottom of a deep well.

Zhen Huan tightened her grip on the last line of the palace rules: [After midnight, no matter who knocks, count the ice flowers on the window lattice first. If there are seven petals, do not open the door. If one is missing...]

At that very moment, a knock sounded from outside.