A Mysterious Lady has shown itself

That night Jin layed in his sister's bed that he now calls his own, eyes staring blankly at the ceiling while his mind wondered to the previous events. Starting with the rumors about the Empress and the Emperor, it might seem that it's quite true because they carry the same last name along with the few similar facial features. Then there's an obvious fact that the Empress and the Emperor aren't really on good terms with how the Empress warned him to be cautious around the Emperor for God knows what reason. And lastly, what was the thing in the Emperor's finger?

Jin frowned, remembering how Xian acted as if he was scared and anxious that someone might hear. He wondered for a moment, trying to come up with ideas in his mind on what may it be. It was glinting or shining, it looked somehow gold and it was something small. Perhaps a ring? Now that's just suspicious, he knew full well that he didn't see any ring on the Empress's finger. But maybe, it's just an accessory, if that's the case he still can't pinpoint why the Emperor acted that way. He couldn't think too deep about it before sleep finally overcome his exhausted mind and body.

Morning came, the bright warm rays of the sun seeping through the curtains. Birds sang upon the nearby trees and the scent of food wafted in the air as servants started their work for the day.

Jin was awoken when a servant came strolling in his quarters, knocking lightly on the door while he tried to blink away the grogginess he felt.

"It's morning my Lady" the servant stated, tapping at the door again.

"I'm coming in a minute" he spoke to the servant, his usual high voice sounding a little tired after feeling a bit of sleep inertia from waking up. He heard the servant's footsteps going away before he slowly stood up, going infront of the mirror to check himself. He grimaced as he saw a bit of lipstick smearing on the corners of his mouth, the eyeliner also smudging the underside of his eyes.

'Honestly, how can woman put this in their face?' Jin questioned himself, picking up a small jade comb to brush his long messy hair due to him moving a lot around his sleep. He stared once more in his reflection in the mirror, wiping the smudge make up in his face. He suddenly noticed that the more he stared in the mirror, the more he see how much similarities he and his beloved sister have, not just on the facial features but also on the body.

Jin's body wasn't that masculine, he barely have any muscles at all, his body was lean and slender, built for speed and agility. Though the only difference they have is what's down their and Jin doesn't have a pair of large breasts meant to overfill ones palm.

He inhaled deeply, putting the comb down and throwing his current thoughts out the window, replacing them with his plans. So far, he hasn't really started anything yet, it seems it might take a little while before his plans came to actions so the thing that he can do right now is wait for the right time and maybe gather some info here and there.

Jin walked towards his wardrobe, picking up something a little casual for today. His sight landed upon a short, yellow sleeveless dress. He remembered his sister wearing this dress whenever she tended to their garden and the temperature is hot. He decided to wear it for the day and try to redo the make up in his face.

Exiting his quarters, Jin was met with a servant standing still a few inches away from the door. Upon seeing him, the servant bowed and pointed her finger towards the living room.

"Someone wants to speak to you my Lady" the servant spoke softly, her head still bowed. Jin smiled, waving the servant off and walked towards the living room where a woman sat, legs crossed and a mug of tea in her hand, staring at the garden with a calm face, a face Jin doesn't seem to recognize. As he step foot in the living room, the woman must have sensed his presence though it remained still, sight not leaving the garden.

'Now that's just rude' Jin scowled, taking a sit on the opposite side, not too far from the woman. The woman continued to stare at the garden, though it might seem that she wasn't really looking at it, more like she's thinking deeply. It was a little awkward and unnerving for Jin as he shifts uncomfortable from his seat, clearing his throat softly.

"Is there something I can help you with?" Jin politely asked even though the woman was clearly being a little rude from how she sits there, ignoring his presence like it's her own manor.

"Quite a lovely garden you have" the woman spoked, without paying him any attention and ignoring his question. Jin felt a vein in his forehead pop while he remained smiling politely.

"I'm glad you liked it—"

"I didn't mention I did" Jin was surprised and pissed at the same time when the woman interrupted him but this time she finally faced him, a disapproving look on its pretty face that made Jin scowl.

"Excuse me?" The woman only chuckled, a deep seductive voice rumbling while Jin stared at the woman like she's nuts. She placed the mug down, her vibrant oceanic blue eyes drifting to meet Jin's warm brown ones.

"You heard me well, I don't like it" the woman stated, a sly smirk plastered onto its lips. Jin swallowed, counting one to ten inside his head to cool down his rising temper. He debated whether to kick the woman out of his manor or just forcefully wipe that smirk off of its face; both choices appealing greatly to Jin but he stayed calm and collected.

"I'm sorry to hear that then" He answered calmly, hiding the slight anger from his voice. The woman seemed to smirk wider and Jin was very tempted to slap that smirk away yet he need to remain calm at all cost.

Who does she think she is barging into someone's home, making herself feel at home without the owners permission and start giving sarcastic insults while you try to be kind. Talk about completely rude.

Jin's train of thoughts were filled with different scenes of him making rude comebacks, or even physically hitting the woman but those scenes will stay in his head, deep inside his train of never ending thoughts unless the woman did anything physical then he would have an excuse to do it as self defense.

The woman slowly stood up from her seat, Jin's eyes following her every move as she stopped infront of the large windows overlooking the garden. For some unknown reason, Jin was starting to fill a little anxious, like something was wrong with this woman. He nervously interwined his fingers behind his back as he stared at the woman, swallowing thickly when the woman started to speak.

"Noble Consort Li?" the woman started, pausing her sentence as she moved her full attention towards him while Jin faced her stoically, humming questionably in response.

"Tell me what's so special about such a lowly woman as you that Xian won't stop pursuing you?" the woman mused, her tone filled with venom while Jin's face scrunched up in confusion about the situation but also aggravated when the woman referred to his beloved sister as something lowly.

Who was this woman?