Chapter 32: The Court of Veiled Shadows

A thin veil of mist clung to the palace moat as Li Xiao crossed the arched bridge toward the Secretariat. The morning air was cool, scented with wet stone and moss—an echo of the mountain springs she once knew. Lanterns from last night’s festivities hung unlit along the walkway, their paper shells dulled by dawn’s pale light. Li Xiao drew a steadying breath. Today, the court would address fresh rumors threatening the Isles’ alliance: whispers that the Western Isles were hoarding silk and tea, driving prices sky‑high among the common folk.

In the Hall of Scrolls, Li Xiao found Grand Advisor Jin Tao already at his desk, reviewing petitions stamped with anxious seals. His crimson eyes flicked up as she entered.

“Morning,” he greeted, voice low. “The towns near the western gates refuse Isles’ shipments. They accuse our partners of profiteering.”

Li Xiao bowed. “I have drafted a proposal for a public forum—an open council where merchants, villagers, and Isles’ envoys can speak freely. Transparency may quash these fears.”

He regarded her thoughtfully. “A wise approach. The court favors shows of unity. Present it to the emperor at once.”

Moments later, they stood before the emperor in the Audience Chamber. Courtiers lined the marble floor, their robes a muted mosaic of silk and brocade. The emperor, seated beneath the gilded canopy, regarded them with measured calm.

“Grand Advisor, Archivist Li Xiao,” he began, voice echoing in the vaulted hall. “These rumors disrupt peace. What do you propose?”

Li Xiao knelt and presented her memorandum. “Your Majesty, to address public unrest, we request permission to host a Forum of Lanterns in the western market square. Isles’ delegates and imperial ministers will join local merchants and villagers. Each may voice concerns under the safety of lantern‑lit oath—no retribution for truth spoken.” She paused, recalling the hush of The Tale of the Princess Kaguya’s moonlit glade, where secrets find gentle release. “In light, shadows vanish.”

The emperor studied her, then nodded. “So be it. Let the forum proceed at dusk.”

Jin Tao bowed. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Li Xiao exhaled, relief blooming in her chest.

By late afternoon, the western market square had transformed. Silk canopies in imperial crimson and Isles’ azure shaded wooden platforms. Lanterns—white with gold trim—hung overhead, each bearing the seal of the Lantern Council as a promise of safety. Villagers, merchants, and guards assembled in a loose circle. At the center stood Li Xiao, flanked by Isles’ Ambassador Eirian and Minister Gao of Commerce.

Li Xiao raised her voice, clear as a bell. “Welcome, friends. Tonight, we speak openly under these lanterns. Let truth guide us.” She offered the first lantern—inscribed with “Unity through understanding”—to Ambassador Eirian, who set it alight. Its flame caught the dusk breeze and danced like a living thing.

One by one, lanterns were lit: a local tea merchant, an Isles’ shipmaster, a weaver whose silks had doubled in price. Each spoke in turn:

“The Isles’ shipments arrived late,” the merchant said. “We feared scarcity.”
“We paid what we could,” the shipmaster replied. “But storms and bandits delayed us.”
“I trust my Isles’ friends,” the weaver added. “Let us work together, not accuse.”

When it came to Minister Gao’s turn, he cleared his throat. “I have inspected the ledgers. No hoarding occurred—only delays. I pledge to reduce tariffs for the next quarter, easing burdens for all.” He set his lantern alight, and its glow joined the circle of flames.

Finally, Li Xiao stepped forward. She lifted her lantern, its inscription reading “Compassion conquers fear.” She spoke softly: “Rumors spread like wildfire. Tonight, we douse them with understanding. Let these flames remind us that only by seeing each other’s faces—by hearing each other’s voices—can we banish shadows of doubt.”

A hush fell, then applause rippled through the crowd. Lanterns flickered brighter, as though in approval. Li Xiao’s heart soared—her words, forged in ink and empathy, had rekindled trust.

After the forum, Li Xiao lingered as the crowd dispersed. She walked among the lanterns, their reflections rippling in puddles from a midday shower. Each flame felt like a small victory against fear.

Jin Tao found her by a wooden stall where Isles’ tea was offered to guests. He held two porcelain cups. “Tea?” he offered.

She accepted, the warm liquid grounding her. “Thank you. The forum… it succeeded.”

He nodded, watching the last of the villagers depart. “Your courage spoke louder than any decree.”

She looked up at him, gratitude shining in her dark eyes. “I only did what you taught me: speak truth under the light.”

He smiled, the lantern glow reflecting in his crimson eyes. “Then speak truth always, Archivist Li Xiao.”

That evening, Li Xiao returned to the Lantern Council pavilion to find Master Shen waiting with a letter from the Isles’ cultural envoy, Lady Mira. The letter praised the forum and proposed a joint festival of poetry and dance in the spring—another step in their growing partnership.

Li Xiao’s fingers trembled as she read. She folded the letter and held it to her chest. “Another lantern to light,” she murmured.

Jin Tao entered, draping a cloak over her shoulders. “Your lanterns guide more than shadows.”

She leaned into him. “And yours protect them.”

He kissed her forehead, a quiet vow beneath the unlit lanterns.

Days later, as Li Xiao cataloged the forum’s transcripts in the Hall of Scrolls, she found a sealed petition from Lady Meng—returned early from her garrison service. The seal bore her personal cipher. Li Xiao’s pulse quickened as she broke it.

Archivist Li Xiao,

Your forum saved our alliance. I seek to learn from your methods. May I visit the Lantern Council to observe?

—Lady Meng, former Minister of Rites

Li Xiao’s lips curved in a gentle smile. Even former adversaries could embrace renewal. She affixed the emperor’s approval and dispatched the reply:

All are welcome under the lantern’s light.

As she sealed the scroll, Li Xiao felt the quiet thrill of a new chapter unfolding. The hidden flame of rumor had been quelled, but the light of understanding continued to grow—each forum, each festival, each lantern a testament to unity forged in empathy.

Outside, the palace walls stood sentinel under the rising moon. Within, Archivist and Grand Advisor—partners in policy and in heart—prepared the next lantern, ready to guide their empire through whatever shadows might yet come.