The Palace

A palace wall, strife within and without, the past and the present.

Surely choosing silence should be enough,

but who knew that every path we took was already laid down by fate?

This story was first published on Jinjiang, but I later deleted it from my column. After I reopened my column, a friend asked, “Why do I have to search outside your column to read your story?” I was at a loss for words...

So I'm bringing it back for everyone who still likes it :)

A few notes about The Palace:

1. Danxin did not die. Many readers thought that the Danxin at the end of Chapter 38 had died, but she was actually just seriously ill (though she didn't seem likely to live much longer). At least, she was still alive at the end of Chapter 38. That said, I definitely won't write a sequel, so if anyone thinks Danxin dies in the end, that's fine too. It's simply a matter of different interpretations of the ending.

2. I'm also rather puzzled as to why Yang Hao falls for Danxin. Perhaps he is a little confused about it himself. But it's certain that he treats Danxin differently, and is even attached to her. Maybe what he seeks in her is a sense of security, a feeling of being able to let his guard down and rest.

3. And one more thing: I really, really love the ending of Chapter 38!!! The most powerful man leaves the stage of history, leaving the awkward, aloof Yang Xu as a young ruler, while Yang Xian, whose nature is hard to judge as good or evil, acts as regent (I like Yang Xian a lot too. I'm really puzzled why some people don't like him. P.S. I also like Yibai, even though he doesn't appear much and isn't especially noticeable). The loyal, upright, guilt-ridden, and stubborn Liu Yi serves as his aide. Yang Yu, who once reveled in the world and had lofty ambitions, enters the monastic life; the woman who ultimately triumphs in the harem dies of illness; and Little Bamboo becomes the sole victim of that political coup (though many nameless soldiers also perished). As for our heroine, she discovers her true feelings after losing someone, but cannot wholeheartedly return Yang Hao's love, and is exhausted in both body and mind. This was the ending I had in mind from the very beginning, and it's the ending I love most!! Haha.

4. As for the extra chapter, it's meant to console those who like Little Bamboo and don't want him to die in battle. (I like him very much too, and feel that a glorious death in battle seems to fit his historic destiny, but clearly many readers find that hard to accept.)

5. The timeline markers in the appendix at the end aren't very obvious where they're woven into the story, so some readers may not understand them and find the timeline confusing. I've put it all in order here. If you have questions, you can refer to it as you read.

And lastly, special thanks to everyone who still likes this story, and to everyone who has supported it all along!

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