Arena

"I do not lack money, nor do I lack status, but spending my time alone in a large mansion all day truly does not bring me joy!" Diana poured wine into Yang Ling's glass, and then into her own. She looked at him with such melancholy, Yang Ling wondered if she was testing him. 

Yang Ling could smell the faint fragrance of Diana's perfume. Observing her veiled form and fair skin, so close to his own, he knew that no matter how empty or lonely she felt, this mistress of the emperor would never confide her troubles to someone she had just met. The only explanation for this exchange was that she had an ulterior motive. 

Could this all be a ploy?

Yang Ling could tell that something was wrong, but couldn't quite determine her motives just yet. He remained expressionless, but wondered about her intentions in silence.