Paper laced with poison

They rode through the misty borderlands of Yige, their horses' hooves echoing against the ancient cobblestones. The palace, surrounded by tall walls, loomed ahead. It was a testament to a bygone era when Yige and Zhen had no animosity. It had once been the home of a Zhen princess and a Yige prince after their wedding. They had built this home so they could be able to visit their families on either side. But five decades later it was now a home to the late disgraced Empress of Yige.

As they approached the gates, the courtyard came into view, filled with cherry blossom trees that stood bare, their blossoms yet to shine. The guards at the gate who had been vigilant and strict after the Zhen crown prince breached their gate, stepped forward to stop them from proceeding further. Han Zhan, with a swift and practised motion, produced the general's token. The guards immediately recognised it. They saluted before opening the gates for them.