Duty

The white porcelain teacup with lovely rose petals smashed into smitterns as it hit the floor. There was nothing but silence and the ringing of the smash in the room. The maids all kneeled onto the floor, as the Empress Dowager smashed another teacup. Her face was red and an ugly look overshadowed her elegant features.

Yu Ling slowly lowered the arm that she used to protect herself from the pieces of broken porcelain. She waited till the the Empress Dowager took big breaths to calm herself down before speaking.

"Imperial Aunt, what do we do about Yan Lian?"

It wasn't till a long pause that the Empress Dowager could calm herself enough to even speak about the events that was reported to her.

"That damn Hu Feng is clearly using her as a warning to us! Nothing escapes him, not even the smallest branches of our support! We have to sacrifice the Yan family this time!"

Yu Ling couldn't help but agreed, "Even though she might be my cousin, it can't be help if we want Lang'er to sit on the throne. A little branch member should remember their place."

The Empress Dowager nodded in agreement before turning to the silent girl by her side. A malicious thought flashed through her eyes. Hu Feng wants her to give up her power in the palace, but they have to pry it from her cold dead hands. Using Yu Yue will create the best opportunity to send Mu Qing to death!

"Yue'er, this is the best opportunity to strike! Mu Qing's trust in you will leave the best opportunity to give her this," the Empress Dowager's wrinkled hand placed a small white bag by Yu Yue's teacup.

Yu Yue's eyes looked hard at that little bag. Complicated feelings arise from the deepest part of her fears and sprouted into towering trees. Mu Qing was her best friend, and while they haven't known each other for long, she felt a close connection to the Empress.

Seeing her unfilial daughter remained silent, Yu Ling spoke up, "Yue'er, do not drag the Yu and Fa family down to hell because you are selfish! Think of your brother!"

The Empress Dowager gave her one last push, "This is your duty."