Chapter 425: The Actors Who Entered the Dawgress’s Courtyard

The next morning, the palace looked perfectly ordinary.

That was precisely what made the Emperor uneasy.

Servants carried trays through the corridors. Guards changed shifts. Court officials hurried toward the main hall. Palace maids whispered about dresses and wedding preparations.

Nothing appeared unusual.

Yet beneath that ordinary surface, the Emperor had already set a secret plan into motion.

He had decided that the Dawgress’s idea would be carried out.

But there was one problem.

He needed people who could act.

Not merely ordinary performers.

He needed people who could change their voices, expressions, movements, and mannerisms so convincingly that someone who believed in ghosts would hesitate before realizing the truth.

And he needed them immediately.

---

The Emperor’s Secret Order

The Emperor stood in his study, looking through several reports.

A hidden guard knelt before him.

"Your Majesty."

"Have you found them?"

"Yes."

The guard lowered his head.

"There is a theatre troupe performing in the western district. Their leader is known for training actors in disguise and supernatural stage performances."

The Emperor looked up.

"How many?"

"Several, Your Majesty."

"Bring the best."

The guard hesitated.

"All of them?"

The Emperor shook his head.

"No."

He thought for a moment.

"Bring enough to perform convincingly, but not enough to attract attention."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"And make sure they understand that this is a confidential imperial order."

"Of course."

The Emperor paused.

Then he added,

"Do not tell them the real purpose until they arrive."

The guard bowed.

"Understood."

He was about to leave when the Emperor called him back.

"One more thing."

"Your Majesty?"

"If anyone asks why these people are entering the palace..."

The Emperor’s expression remained calm.

"Tell them they are newly recruited palace maids and servants."

The guard blinked.

"Maids and servants?"

"Yes."

The Emperor’s eyes narrowed slightly.

"No one needs to know they are actors."

The guard immediately understood.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

He left.

The Emperor remained standing by the window.

His thoughts returned to the Empress.

She had nearly died.

She had been attacked.

Someone had tried to manipulate her.

And now dark magic was suspected of being involved.

He had no intention of allowing another incident to happen.

But he also knew that an enemy who lived inside the palace could not simply be confronted without evidence.

They needed Shin Gu to reveal herself.

And that required patience.

---

The General Receives the Order

Later that morning, the General was summoned.

He entered the study and bowed.

"Your Majesty."

The Emperor looked at him.

"I need you to do something."

The General straightened.

"What does Your Majesty require?"

"Go outside the palace."

The General waited.

"Find the theatre troupe currently performing in the western district."

The General’s eyebrows lifted slightly.

"Theatre performers?"

"Yes."

"How many?"

"Take several of their best performers."

The General stared at him for a moment.

There were countless military matters he could have expected.

This was not one of them.

Yet he knew better than to question an imperial order.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The Emperor continued,

"Bring them into the palace secretly."

The General nodded.

"Where should they be taken?"

"My mother’s courtyard."

The General’s expression became even more curious.

"The Dawgress?"

"Yes."

"Should I inform Her Highness?"

"No."

The General nodded.

"Understood."

The Emperor looked directly at him.

"And don’t tell anyone why you are bringing them."

The General bowed.

"I won’t."

He turned to leave.

But as soon as he stepped outside the study, his expression became thoughtful.

Theatre actors... to the Dawgress’s courtyard...

He had absolutely no idea what the Emperor was planning.

And for perhaps the first time in his military career—

He was going somewhere without understanding the mission.

---

The General Meets the Performers

By midday, the General had left the palace.

He arrived at a modest theatre in the western district.

The troupe’s manager nearly dropped his tea when imperial guards appeared.

"General!"

He hurried forward.

"Please, please come inside."

The General looked around.

"Where are your best performers?"

The manager swallowed.

"May I ask what for?"

"No."

The manager immediately closed his mouth.

The General looked toward the stage.

"I need several performers."

"For a private performance."

The manager’s eyes widened.

"At the palace?"

The General said nothing.

That was answer enough.

Within an hour, several performers had been selected.

Two women.

Three men.

One older performer who was particularly skilled at changing his voice.

Another young woman who specialized in ghostly movements.

And a tall young man known for his ability to imitate different people.

They were dressed in simple clothes and instructed to follow the General.

None of them knew what awaited them.

---

A Familiar Face

The General was leading them through a quieter street when he suddenly heard a familiar voice.

"General?"

He stopped.

His shoulders stiffened.

He slowly turned.

And there she was.

Lady Chen.

She had just stepped out of a shop with one of her maids.

The moment she saw him standing there with several unfamiliar young women and men, her eyebrows lifted.

"General."

The General’s face immediately changed.

His ears became slightly red.

He cleared his throat.

"Lady Chen."

She smiled.

She had noticed his reaction.

And because she knew how easily he became shy around her, amusement immediately appeared in her eyes.

"What are you doing here?"

The General opened his mouth.

Nothing came out.

Lady Chen tilted her head.

"General?"

He looked away.

"I have business."

"What kind of business?"

"Palace business."

"Oh?"

She stepped closer.

"Then why are you bringing so many young women?"

The General’s face became even redder.

"They are..."

He paused.

"...new maids."

Lady Chen looked at the performers.

Then back at him.

"New maids?"

"Yes."

"All of them?"

The General nodded.

"Yes."

Lady Chen smiled.

"Interesting."

The General immediately sensed trouble.

"Lady Chen, I have to go."

She stepped alongside him.

"I didn’t say you couldn’t."

He glanced at her.

She was walking beside him.

He slowed.

She slowed.

He sped up.

She sped up.

Finally, he stopped.

She stopped.

He looked at her helplessly.

"Why are you following me?"

She smiled innocently.

"I want to know where the new maids are going."

"They are going to the Dawgress."

"Then I’ll come too."

The General stared.

"You?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because I am curious."

The General had no answer.

Lady Chen smiled.

"You don’t have to worry. I won’t interfere."

He looked at her suspiciously.

"You promise?"

"I promise."

Then she added,

"Unless something interesting happens."

The General sighed.

He already knew this would not be a peaceful journey.

---

Arrival at the Palace

When they reached the palace, the General led everyone through a side entrance.

Several guards glanced at the group.

"Who are they?"

The General answered immediately.

"New palace servants."

The guards bowed and moved aside.

Lady Chen followed behind.

She noticed something strange.

The General seemed nervous.

The supposed maids seemed nervous.

But no one was speaking.

She wondered what exactly was happening.

Still, she said nothing.

---

The Dawgress’s Courtyard

Meanwhile, the Dawgress was waiting.

She had received only a short message.

They are coming.

Nothing more.

She had not been told exactly when.

So when footsteps finally sounded outside, she looked toward the entrance.

The doors opened.

The General entered.

Behind him came several young men and women.

Lady Chen followed.

The Dawgress’s eyebrows rose.

She immediately understood that something had gone slightly differently than planned.

She looked at the General.

Then at Lady Chen.

Then at the actors.

"Close the doors."

Everyone froze.

The General immediately ordered the guards,

"Close them."

The courtyard doors shut.

The Dawgress looked around.

"Nobody enters."

"Nobody leaves."

"Yes, Your Highness."

She turned toward the performers.

"You are actors?"

They bowed.

"Yes."

Lady Chen’s eyes widened.

"Actors?"

She looked at the General.

The General shrugged.

"I was not told either."

The Dawgress stared at him.

For a moment, she looked almost amused.

Then she turned toward the actors.

"Do you know how to perform as ghosts?"

The performers exchanged glances.

One of them stepped forward.

"We have performed many ghost plays."

"Good."

The Dawgress pointed toward the center of the courtyard.

"Then show me."

Lady Chen looked utterly confused.

"Your Highness..."

The Dawgress raised one finger.

"Watch."

Lady Chen slowly closed her mouth.

---

The Secret Performance

The courtyard was transformed within minutes.

Curtains were drawn.

Lanterns were lowered.

The performers changed their clothing.

Pale robes.

Loose hair.

White makeup.

Darkened eyes.

The young woman who specialized in ghost performances moved first.

She lowered her head.

Her arms hung loosely.

Then—

She began walking.

Slowly.

Silently.

Her feet barely seemed to touch the ground.

Lady Chen’s expression changed.

Even though she knew the woman was an actor—

The performance was unsettling.

Then the older actor spoke.

His voice changed completely.

"Who disturbed my sleep?"

The General blinked.

He hadn’t expected that.

Lady Chen looked at him.

The General shook his head.

I don’t know either.

Another actor appeared behind the curtain.

His face was hidden.

He whispered,

"Return what was stolen..."

The atmosphere became eerie.

The Dawgress watched carefully.

She wasn’t interested in the theatrical quality alone.

She was interested in whether the performance could convince someone frightened of supernatural forces.

The answer seemed to be yes.

The actors were extremely skilled.

One could imitate a man’s voice.

Another could imitate a woman’s voice.

One could move without making a sound.

Another knew how to manipulate shadows and lantern light.

And one actor could disguise his appearance so completely that even Lady Chen had difficulty recognizing him after the transformation.

---

Lady Chen’s Confusion

When the performance ended, Lady Chen stood frozen.

She looked at the actors.

Then at the Dawgress.

Then at the General.

"What exactly is happening?"

The General rubbed the back of his neck.

"I told you..."

"I don’t know."

Lady Chen stared at him.

"You really don’t know?"

"No."

She narrowed her eyes.

"You’re the General."

"Yes."

"How can you not know?"

He sighed.

"Because His Majesty gave me the order without explanation."

Lady Chen’s expression changed.

"The Emperor?"

The Dawgress immediately spoke.

"Yes."

Everyone became quiet.

The Dawgress looked at Lady Chen.

"His Majesty has reasons for keeping this secret."

Lady Chen nodded slowly.

"Then why bring me here?"

The Dawgress smiled.

"That wasn’t planned."

The General looked embarrassed.

Lady Chen immediately laughed.

"So you accidentally brought me?"

"I didn’t bring you."

"You didn’t stop me."

"..."

She laughed again.

The General had no response.