Xia Yuqing's body froze.
Empress? Who was this woman? How did she know her identity?
The hurried footsteps outside the room faded into the distance, but Xia Yuqing remained tense, pressing herself against the wall. Her heart pounded as she focused on the silhouette in front of her. The woman who had pulled her in was eerily silent, her grip firm over Xia Yuqing's mouth.
For a moment, neither spoke. The silence stretched, thick with tension. Then, the soft voice came again, laced with disbelief. "It's really you..."
A cold shiver ran down Xia Yuqing's spine. Instinct took over. She shot out a hand, aiming to seize the woman and gain the upper hand. But before she could even graze her, the woman moved, stepping back effortlessly, as if she'd anticipated the attack.
Then, without a word, she flicked her wrist, and the lights came on. The sudden brightness made Xia Yuqing's pupils contract. She blinked, adjusting, and finally saw the woman clearly. Her breath hitched.
