Massive Bullies | 😼

The Great Empire of Capenti Xiniae stood as the jewel of the continent, a nation divided by invisible walls stronger than stone. Within the crimson walls of the Forbidden City, nobles draped in silk and gold played games of power, while beyond them, the Pleasure District glittered beneath lantern light, hiding poverty, crime, and desperation behind painted smiles.

At the center of it all sat the Emperor—a man whose name alone silenced rooms. Ruthless, ambitious, and terrifying, he expanded his influence through countless concubines and political marriages, binding powerful clans to the throne with invisible chains.

Among those clans, none were more feared than the La Clan.

The La Clan was renowned throughout the empire for producing brilliant strategists, master scholars, skilled warriors, and fiercely loyal family members. They controlled businesses, military positions, and political networks that stretched across the empire. Their influence rivaled the imperial family itself.

Its current head, La Yanxiang, was a man whose smile could either earn your trust or ruin your life.

Years ago, after the death of a distant relative, Yanxiang adopted a young boy named Weijie into the clan. The boy grew into a cunning and observant man, learning quickly that intelligence was worth far more than kindness in Capenti Xiniae.

Then there was you.

The clan's little secret.

The daughter born from one careless night between Yanxiang and a courtesan of the Pleasure District.

The moment you were born, Yanxiang paid the woman generously and left without a second glance. Yet despite your illegitimate birth, he did not abandon you entirely. You were raised within luxury few could dream of. Silk robes, expensive tutors, rare books, jewels, servants—anything you desired was placed in your hands.

Unfortunately for everyone around you, you learned quickly.

Far too quickly.

While others saw a spoiled young noblewoman, beneath your sweet smiles hid a mind sharp enough to carve apart entire reputations. You learned to lie beautifully, manipulate expertly, and smile while doing it.

Yanxiang noticed.

Instead of correcting the behavior, he nurtured it.

Weijie practically applauded it.

"That servant has been spreading rumors about you," Weijie had once informed casually.

"Oh?" you replied.

Three days later the servant was dismissed for theft.

A week later his family business mysteriously collapsed.

Weijie had laughed for nearly an hour.

"You'll surpass all of us one day."

Your favorite partner in crime, however, was none other than Prince Kaixiang—the Emperor's younger brother.

The two of you were a disaster.

A terrifying one.

A servant spilled tea on Kaixiang's sleeve?

Their entire household suddenly found themselves reassigned to border provinces.

A concubine insulted your dress?

Somehow evidence appeared connecting her family to smuggling.

Whether the victims deserved it was often irrelevant.

The empire learned quickly that crossing either of you was dangerous.

Crossing both was suicidal.

Rumors spread throughout the capital of the "Demon Pair"—the prince and the La daughter whose smiles often preceded someone's downfall.

To everyone's surprise, the two of you genuinely enjoyed each other's company.

Eventually, after years of friendship, scheming, and mutual chaos, the Emperor and Yanxiang arranged an engagement between you.

Neither of you objected.

In fact, Kaixiang laughed when informed.

"Finally. Now nobody can complain when we're seen together."

Currently, the two of you sat within a marble pavilion overlooking one of the palace courtyards.

Servants hurried below carrying trays, documents, and baskets while court ladies whispered amongst themselves.

You rested your chin on your palm.

Kaixiang lazily spun a jade cup between his fingers.

"See the one in blue?" he asked.

"The maid?"

"The one pretending not to eavesdrop."

You glanced briefly.

"She's been listening for ten minutes."

"Nine."

"Ten."

Kaixiang smirked.

"You think she works for a concubine?"

"Too obvious." You took a sip of tea. "A minister."

"Ah. You're probably right."

Behind you, your personal servant sighed softly.

"My lady, perhaps you should stop identifying spies for entertainment."

"You make it sound like a bad habit."

"It is a bad habit."

Kaixiang burst into laughter.

One of his own attendants rubbed his forehead.

"Your Highness, please do not encourage her."

"Impossible," Kaixiang replied. "She's already beyond saving."

The two guards stationed outside the pavilion remained perfectly still.

The Great Empire of Capenti Xiniae was a land divided by invisible walls stronger than iron.

Within the scarlet walls of the Forbidden City lived emperors, princes, nobles, and officials draped in silk and jade. Beyond those walls sprawled the bustling streets of the Pleasure District, where lanterns glowed through the night and fortunes could be made—or lost—in a single evening.

At the center of the empire sat the Emperor, a man feared by both friend and foe. Powerful, ambitious, and ruthless, he continuously expanded his influence by taking more concubines. Every new woman brought another clan into his web of alliances, strengthening the throne's control over the empire.

Among those clans, none were more influential than the La Clan.

The La Clan was famous for producing exceptional individuals. Brilliant scholars, gifted strategists, skilled warriors, and loyal family members seemed to emerge from every generation. Their intelligence was legendary, their connections endless, and their unity nearly impossible to break.

Many feared the Emperor.

Many feared the La Clan more.

Its current patriarch, La Yanxiang, was a man whose smile could calm a room or terrify it.

Years ago, after the death of a distant relative, Yanxiang adopted a young boy into the family. His name was Weijie. Though only a child, Weijie quickly proved himself clever, observant, and frighteningly capable.

Then there was you.

A child born from one of Yanxiang's rare mistakes.

A courtesan from the Pleasure District had caught his attention for a single night. Nine months later, you were born.

The woman was paid generously.

Yanxiang left without looking back.

Yet despite your illegitimate birth, he couldn't ignore what he saw.

You were different.

Even as an infant, your awareness seemed unnatural. You recognized faces after seeing them only once. You reacted to conversations you shouldn't have understood. By a few months old, you were already solving problems that left your caretakers speechless.

Yanxiang saw potential.

And Yanxiang never wasted potential.

So while your upbringing remained dangerous due to court politics and clan rivalries, it was also unbelievably luxurious. The finest tutors were already being selected for your future. Your nursery contained imported toys worth more than most families earned in years. Servants rushed to fulfill every tiny whim.

The Emperor himself became intrigued by the stories surrounding you.

At the time, his second son, Prince Kaixiang, was around five years old. Believing the friendship between the La Clan and the Imperial Family should begin early, he ordered Kaixiang to spend much of his time at your pavilion.

The friendship developed surprisingly fast.

At least on one side.

Because while Kaixiang adored you almost immediately, you mostly seemed interested in stealing his toys.

"You took it again," five-year-old Kaixiang complained.

You simply stared at him before shoving the wooden dragon into your mouth.

"...Father says that's not how dragons are used."

You babbled happily.

Kaixiang sighed dramatically.

"I think she's making fun of me."

Now, at a year and a half old, you sat comfortably in Yanxiang's lap within your private pavilion.

Golden sunlight streamed through silk curtains while servants quietly moved about their duties.

Kaixiang sat cross-legged on the floor before you, carefully pushing a carved wooden horse across the carpet.

"Look," he said proudly. "It's faster than the dragon."

You immediately reached forward and grabbed the horse.

Kaixiang gasped.

"Not again!"

Yanxiang chuckled into his tea.

Across the room, several servants gathered near the back wall while sorting linens.

Unfortunately, their whispers carried.

"She's still just a courtesan's daughter."

"Yet look how she's treated."

"More spoiled than actual noble children."

"I heard her mother still lives in the Pleasure District."

The women snickered quietly.

Kaixiang's little face immediately darkened.

Yanxiang's smile remained calm.

But the servants who knew him well suddenly felt cold.

The problem was simple.

If either Yanxiang or Kaixiang acted now, your attention would immediately shift to them. And judging by your increasingly fussy expression, neither wanted to deal with the resulting tantrum.

Yanxiang's gaze drifted toward the doorway.

"Call Weijie."

Moments later, an eight-year-old Weijie entered the pavilion.

Unlike most children, he immediately noticed the atmosphere.

"What happened?"

Yanxiang leaned down and whispered a few words into his ear.

Kaixiang added quietly, "The leeches near the back."

Weijie's eyes slid toward the gossiping servants.

Understanding dawned instantly.

A slow smile spread across his face.

The kind that usually preceded someone's terrible day.

"Understood."

The servants continued whispering, unaware as Weijie calmly walked toward them.

A few moments later, panicked stammering erupted from the back of the room.

Yanxiang simply took another sip of tea.

Kaixiang resumed playing.

And you, sitting comfortably in your father's lap, watched the chaos unfold with suspiciously delighted eyes.

Weijie paused and looked back at you.

"...She's smiling."

Yanxiang sighed.

"That's probably not a good sign."

"No," Weijie agreed. "I don't think it is."