PETALS OF FIRE

       Lady Yang rushed across the Courtyard and finally made her way in front of the gates that marked the entrance to the gardens.

       There, she stood with Manyin and Xiaoyang beside her for sometime and the doors being opened, Shi Miyuan and Dong Hua appeared standing at the top of the staircase.

        "Ma'am." He said while bowing his head to her.

        "Pardon me but I wish to have a word with you." Yang Meizi replied and the young man looking at her he nodded his head with approval while she seemed to find him strangely calmer than usual.

          The two moved up to the small bridge that hang over the pond and Shi Miyuan walking behind Yang Meizi he halted in his footsteps while she realized too that he wasn't moving any closer.

         "Why?" He asked.

         "What do you not see?" Lady Yang replied.

         "All these months you were so far away and I could hardly have a glimpse of you, you deprived me of the right to behold your smile in the morning when the darkness scatters." Shi Miyuan replied.

         "Careful what you say." Yang Meizi replied.

         "I am well aware it could get me killed." He remarked.

          "Yet I am unwilling to die yet." She said to him turning around finally she fixed her gaze at him and he stared back the same way with concern after moments of pretending to be so strong he had eventually turned weak.

          "So you choose to return to the palace?" Shi Miyuan asked.

          "My presence should speak for itself and given your good eyesight you shouldn't doubt that which lies within your scope." Lady Yang replied as she walked closer, "but how often did you look and think so deeply about me? Where were you when I so much longed for your passion, care and protection, have you any single idea what it is that I have been through all this time?" She asked.

         "I admit that I failed you." Shi Miyuan confessed.

         "Then equally there's no reason for you to hold me most responsible because of all people therein in this small but vast world what I resent more than death is the possibility of me failing myself." She remarked.

          "So you choose to become an Imperial concubine?" Shi Miyuan asked.

          "And what's so wrong about that?" She asked while he kept quiet, "perhaps I would wait to fall into your harem yet I am curious as well, what is there in your hands that you could possibly offer to me as valuable?" She muttered.

          "You of all people understand the strife within these walls, that they cover your screams from the world and that they touch the sky not as a boundary that marks out the end of your most Serene paradise but the iron bars of the dungeons." Shi Miyuan said, "you are asking for too much more than your hands can possibly hold and the strain alone is sufficient to shatter you to smithereens you can not imagine." He cautioned.

         "I don't care if it breaks me and you have no right for concern or pity, I have held onto this ambition of mine for long every attempt to get me to forget the pain has made me nurse my feelings into nothing more than hatred I thirst for vengeance and insatiably I have swelled it however immense into an ocean of tribulation that I have laid ahead for my enemies and everyone that could possibly come between me and my objectives." Lady Yang spoke up.

         "You so choose that in this battle you'll stand against me?" Shi Miyuan asked.

         "There are things that are very painful for me to recall moreso tell you." Yang Meizi replied as she turned around and showed him her back, "time itself will tell I have not bound you to any chains yet you should trust that of all people you should be the last of men to reprimand you, because to weather the tempests I have weathered, be through what I have been through and perceived all I had beheld you would certainly know why." She replied.

         "One last chance, I ask you please, don't walk away from me." Shi Miyuan said as he moved up closer but sensing his presence she only moved further away until a distance between them was much wider.

          "It's already too late the very least you can do for yourself is move on, I am the Emperor's woman and I love him as my own with my whole heart to think that I would abandon him would be foolish of you and to touch me treason so forget that once I ever loved you as much as I have forgotten that once you ever loved me." She assured him.

         "Every step further away is sufficient to make us into the worst of enemies, my blood and your loyalties could be wide enough a wedge unrestrained between us." He continued to bluff.

          "I am prepared for the worst." She remarked turning to look at him again, "I care less about the possibility of an hour that shall set us at odds and where it must be that one of us must live instead of the other, it is ceaselessly that you should draw your sword as I won't hesitate to draw mine." She added and furiously marching away the latter was left to stare at his own reflection looking up at him from the water while Dong Hua got closer, he held him by the left shoulder.

         "Milord?" He called.

         "Is this what it all has come to?" He asked as he turned around and looked at her.

          "Her hatred is enough but could there possibly be an hour you'll point the edge of your sword at her?" He asked.

          "I am too weak to do that." Shi Miyuan replied.

          "But she was right Milord." Dong Hua muttered, "an Imperial Censor is less of a man compared to an Emperor and all strings of power emerge from the dragon and scatter across the World...." he Said.

           "The only way there could be is to have enough power." Shi Miyuan concluded.

          "Yes Milord." Dong Hua only encouraged him.

          "Let's see how much this hand of mine can give." He said as he stared at his palm.

          Lady Yang having moved away halfway towards her quarters she halted in her footsteps and her small retinue followed her example while her mind drifting away she would recall every promise fulfilled and unfulfilled that she had made to Shi Miyuan.

             "Ma'am?" Manyin called patting her shoulder while she returned to her senses immediately.

         "Are you alright?" Xiaoyang asked while she composed herself at once.

         "I'm fine." She said.

         "You looked absent minded for a while." Manyin said.

         "We've stalled too much time already." Yang Meizi replied while she turned and faced them, "I want to borrow your Innocence, Manyin." She added while the latter seemed puzzled.

          Court Lady Cao seated in her Court the doors were open and Linxiang walking in she bowed her head.

          "Did you keep a close eye out?" She asked.

          "Yes Ma'am." Manyin replied as she bowed her head and from her clothes she pulled out an envelope which she handed over to her mistress.

          "Her Highness the Retired Empress accepted and she said that they that are written on that paper you can cultivate into your most formidable allies." Linxiang added and the latter unsealing the envelope she opened it and pulled out the paper which she stared at intensely for a while before she smiled ghastly.

          "Good." She remarked.

          "Is there anything more that I can do for you Ma'am?" Linxiang inquired.

          "The Cao family are quite formidable and the second concubine is childless." Lady Cao replied.

          "Is it so?" Linxiang asked.

          "It doesn't really matter." Lady Cao remarked, "I just need to show a seed and water it into a tree." She added.

         "How so Milady, surely, there are eyes everywhere and furthermore, what's the guarantee that they shall be reliable?" Linxiang asked.

         "There's one way to settle this." Lady Cao replied.

         "How?" Linxiang asked.

         "You can arrange a meeting between me and the Minister Cao." Lady Cao replied.

         "I shall as soon as possible Ma'am." Linxiang responded.

         "I don't just want it as soon as possible, I want it tonight." Lady Cao assured her.

         "It shall be a little bit difficult for me Ma'am." Linxiang spoke up in her defence.

         "You have been in the palace for a long while and I am very sure you are as much familiar and affiliated with a number of people within it, furthermore, if I rose in rank one day you yourself would comand the six Matrons." Lady Cao promised joyfully.

            "I'll try my level best Ma'am." Linxiang replied.

         "I know that you won't let me down." Lady Cao replied.

         Master Bao opening the doors of his room he found Beiyuan standing outside.

         "You?" He said quite shocked while the fairly young man looked at him and bowed his head to show his respect.

         "You wished to talk to me." Master Bao said.

         "The Court looks more splendid than the Martial academy surely it wasn't so bad an idea." Beiyuan replied.

         "Sure your tongue is a very sweet one." Master Bao remarked.

          "However there's another issue which requires me to seek for your help." Beiyuan said.

          "It was already very clear that you weren't just here to appreciate the residence." The older claimed.

          "You know the Grand Empress Dowager well enough that I dare to ask if you could send me into the Palace." Beiyuan said and Master Bao stood at once while the younger halted beside him, he turned his eyes and studied him for a moment at the same time trying to process the words that had flown out of his mouth.

         "Excuse me?" He asked for clarification.

         "You heard me Sir." Beiyuan replied, "I wish to get into the Palace." He asserted and the old man only thinking about refusing he had to speak up in his defense.

         "Our Lady must be held within those walls, my sister Manyin is very young and naive her protection could be temporary yet even when she can be cunning I don't expect her to easily understand the state of affairs within the palace while Court Lady Xiaoyang only a bit older their influence in the harem is weak they are on their own." He said.

          "Must you all be inclined on this?" Master Bao asked.

          "None of those Eunuchs can be as trustworthy towards Our Lady and none of them could be good enough her hands and ears in those crimson walls, it's only better with me by her side, I can keep her safe for long enough as she embarks on her most troubling journey." Beiyuan said.

         "You'd sacrifice your Manhood?" Master Bao asked.

         "I'd agreed with Milady I can not let her down even if it meant that I had to die protecting that promise, the Grand Empress Dowager would acquiesce to get rid of all suspicion, it is better to have one real ally beside her than a thousand fake ones." Beiyuan replied.

          "Alright." Master Bao replied as she seemed to succumb to the request of the younger despite it being unwilling.

            Emperor Ningzong standing at the balcony and looking at the Moon the words that Shi Miyuan had mentioned to him earlier in the day came back to his mind.

         "I am aware that Your Majesty hates me, but you and I know what it's always been like in the harem, until now your affections Sire could stir nothing more than jealousy, the attention that you give is most beautiful now but later will evolve into a display of scenes and designs that are really fatal Your Majesty will regret, there's no need leading her to all those vixen only to abandon her without a dagger." He'd cautioned himself feeling uneasy he sighed.

         "Is there anything wrong Your Majesty." Eunuch Deng asked.

         "Which of the new concubines has been arranged for tonight?" He asked.

         "The Empress suggested that concubine Xie serves Your Majesty for tonight." Eunuch Deng replied, "it's just about time that she arrives at the Main Palace." He assured him.

          A fine young woman with fair skin and beautiful Brown eyes, her hair long and black fell free over her shoulders and her small pointed nose protruded from her face that was round ending in a chisel shaped chin while her small cherry lips added to her beauty.

          She was dressed in a fine white silk gown and looking at her the Empress smiled.

          "You are Lady Xie, I was informed." She remarked.

          "Yes Your Highness." The young woman replied.

          "That's impressive." The Empress muttered, "you are one of the youngest I heard compared to those older scoundrels and you have a charm that is attached to you very much." She complimented.

          "I am very grateful for Your Highness' kind remark." She confessed.

          "Oh and why shouldn't you be?" The Empress asked touching her cheek while Qing Yi stood beside the two holding in her hands a tray that had a bowl which happened to be filled with a dark substance.

         "What's this Your Highness?" Lady Xie inquired.

         "What was it that your parents told you to do?" Empress Han asked.

         "As long as I can cease to exist and act invisibly, then I can spare my clan." Lady Xie replied.

         "What you are seeing in front of you is a concoction that you'll later thank me so much for and that is simply because unlike everyone else around me, you should know that it can be very risky having way too many favours because there's hardly anyone you'll tell to be faithful." Empress Han remarked.

          "Enlighten me Your Highness." Lady Xie muttered.

          "There are too many people that climb up into the Emperor's bed each one of them expecting to get out with his seed but it's not once that we have heard about miscarriages within the harem and sadly enough even the Guifei of the Huang Clan of the Guangzong Emperor is another too recent example some things are better off avoided than cured." Empress Han said as she held the bowl with her own two hands and immediately, she lowered it into the young woman's hands.

          She looked at it hesitantly before giving the Empress another stare to which she responded with a ghastly smile before she sipped it all down her throat and emptied the bowl.

          "There you are my dear." Empress Han remarked, "if you can just satisfy His Majesty's appetites then you can rise in rank as well without having to sacrifice any of your children." She added.

          "I'll take your advice Your Highness." Lady Xie said as she stood up and bowed her head.

          "Take her to wash her mouth Qing Yi." Empress Han ordered and her humble servant complied as they vanished out of the room.

          Emperor Ningzong still seated in his room Eunuch Deng walked in.

          "Your Majesty." He greeted.

          "Is it ready?" He asked.

          "Lady Xie is here as promised." The latter replied and the Emperor quietly he gazed at the candle that was on his table.

          "Show her in." He ordered and the youthful man withdrawing he returned a short while later with the young woman who knelt down in front of the Emperor's table.

           "Your Majesty." She gracefully said bowing her head to him and Eunuch Deng looking at the Emperor he raised his hand and waved it signalling for him to leave them alone he moved closer and looked at the young woman that was waiting at his feet.

         Softly, he bent down and ceasing her arms he helped her up while he touched his face and inspected her eyes.

          "I heard that you are one of the fairest of the new girls." He muttered.

          "Your Majesty says so you wouldn't lie with those eyes of yours, surely I am very much flattered." She said sweetly.

           "Yet I heard as well that you happened to stop by the Central Palace and I am guessing that you must have had a word with the Empress." He continued.

           "Your Majesty is blessed that the Empress is very kind and understanding, she thinks so much of Your Majesty's welfare and orders your humble woman to serve you with my whole heart." Lady Xie uttered out to the young man.

            "Surely she does." The Emperor said and holding her by the waist he pulled her closer to his body while startled she froze and felt his intimidating gaze reading deeper into his emotions.

            "What about you?" He suddenly asked, "can you serve me diligently without Her Highness' order?" He added.

            "For me Your Majesty is a very great hero that I admire, to be here in your arms there's nothing more that I could ever ask for." Lady Xie replied and moving her arms around him she rested her head on his chest while he lifted his face up to the ceiling.

             "Then set me at ease." He muttered and pulling away from her she still smiled at him.

            "Whatever His Majesty says." She replied.

            "There's way too many memorials to review and your calligraphy isn't as bad either, since you are up for the night why don't you help me write what I am going to say and please be as fast as possible because I can't promise you that I am one to be very easy with lax people." He said holding out the red brush to the young woman who disappointed she tried hard enough and faked a smile while the Emperor only felt more excited as she took it.

            "Thank you." He Said.

             "It's nothing." Lady Xie muttered to herself while the Emperor smiled with contentment as he moved towards his chair and there he sat down gracefully.

              "Read the memorials for me." He demanded and nodding her head in approval, the very young girl opened the first one and complied with immediate effect.

            Lady Cao travelling at night while being escorted by Linxiang they both arrived at a small restaurant where they halted for a while.

          "Is this it?" She asked as she stared at the plaque that was hanging at the top.

          "The Miaoyin Teahouse is this one." Linxiang replied and at once without hesitation, the two looking around to see if they were being watched they mounted the stairs where they arrived at a counter where a young man was.

           "How is it that I may help you Ladies?" The man asked but Lady Cao quietly pulled from underneath a small golden token which the latter seemed to recognize immediately he stepped out from behind the counter.

           "This way." He muttered leading them so far away they mounted a couple of stairs and arrived at the second story and moving towards the fourth room on the right, the waiter stopped and bowed his head.

          "There's someone here to see you Milord." The young man said.

           "Let them in." A male voice from within muttered and the doors being slid open, Lady Cao gracefully walked in to find a man that appeared to be in his late fifties sitting down, he had a couple of strands of white hair and a fairly long beared with small eyes and a small nose ridge his temples were wide and there were some few wrinkles all over his forehead.

          "Milord." She said calmly.

          "Ma'am." The old man replied.

          "I am glad that I can now see you in person." She remarked.

          "Please have a seat first and we'll talk." He said signalling for her to settle at the stool in front of him which she did and folding her arms she brilliantly smiled at the older while he appeared more than intrigued by her presence.

           "You requested for a meeting and claimed that it was urgent hence I agreed, seeing you I must say that I know not who you are but I am convinced though that you posses something that I should know very well about." The man said and Lady Cao hastily she lowered the golden token on the table in front of them.

           "Perhaps you shall recognize that." She remarked and the latter seemed taken aback.

          "How come?" He asked, "where did you get it from?" He questioned.

          "Her Highness the Retired Empress resides in the cold Palace, you her bravest of men are fallen and left in hiding, with only titular roles but hardly any power at hand, I am sure you would be as pleased to hear what I have to say." Lady Cao replied.

           "What about the Empress?" The old man asked.

          "Minister Cao was once very loyal I was told and you were a part of the Grand Secretariat, Her Highness promises that it isn't too late and the Grand Empress Dowager herself is too old Han Touzhou's parasites that betrayed you risked the lives of your faithful allies they can not go unpunished." Lady Cao replied.

          "And you are here to tell me this?" Minister Cao asked.

          "To destroy the traitors and welcome the Return of the Retired Empress to the Central Palace." Lady Cao replied with a ghastly smile on her face.

          "Is it not your wishful thinking?" Minister Cao asked, "I don't mean to underestimate Her Highness' might and power however one thing if I may ask, Han Touzhou with all his might and a strong grip over the harem what could you possibly do?" He questioned.

           "You can leave the harem and everything to deal with the inner Palace to me, if there is something that you can do for Her Highness and for me then I am asking that you adopt me into the Cao family." Lady Cao responded.

           "Your out of your mind." Minister Cao assured her.

           "Regardless of the fact that it may sound too foolish of me I hardly mind what it is that the world has to say, by any chance you have the opportunity to be affiliated to the Imperial family and how would it sound for once in those ears of yours knowing that the Emperor of this land is your grandson?" Lady Cao asked.

          Looking more confused he widened his eyes while she seemed most confident in all her assumptions.

           "My wife is already old I don't wish her to attach herself to any burden, but at the very least you should know your actions in the palace can be implicated on my whole clan I wouldn't be willing to take a gamble and sacrifice them for a stranger just because the Retired Empress says so." Minister Cao said.

          "Are you that much afraid?" She asked.

          "Shouldn't I be concerned?" He replied.

          "You please tell me." She inquired as her eyes travelling around the room for a moment with a finger she ran it over the table and then looking at it confirmed the place to be a little bit too dusty as he kept quiet while she continued to look at that one finger keenly.

          "What do you understand by power?" She asked.

          "Well enough to tell you that you can't possibly boast about something you don't have as of yet." Minister Cao said.

         "It can be earned hardly and at the same time taken by someone more able easily, all in all it isn't eternal for those that don't fight to protect it by this I hope you understand what I am trying to say." She assured him.

         "An Imperial seed from your womb on that dragon throne, what would the Empress in her right mind be doing?" Minister Cao asked.

           "You please tell me as best as you can Milord." Lady Cao asked, "just make me a Concubine's daughter for the sake of your family's safety and let us test the possibility of the kind of powerful woman I could possibly become?" She added with a ghastly smile on her face.

          "You surely can't be that desperate?" Minister Cao asked.

          "Why don't you just give it a try?" Lady Cao pestered him as he fell silent his eyes studying the expression on her face.

           "What did he say?" Linxiang asked as the two of them stepped out of the building and Lady Cao silently she turned and stared at the window of the second story where she saw the old man gazing at her.

           "It's not so bad for a start." Lady Cao replied.

           "The Cao family are quite formidable in the Southern army and given their current position I am very sure that someone in the harem is the perfect aid that they could possibly require." Linxiang remarked.

           "Even so Her Highness can not take me too far at this point all I have is myself to get high enough." Lady Cao muttered as she halted for a while.

           "Is there anything wrong Ma'am?" Linxiang asked.

           "He'll regret not making me a legitimate issue soon enough." Lady Cao swore to herself rage burning through her eyes more than ever she had taken on a new likeness that was much unheard of before in her life.

           Opening the doors to the Grand Empress Dowager's Chambers, Wan Mei walked up and halted in front of the silk curtain that veiled her bed from sight.

           "It's already morning Your Highness." She said and hoping for a reaction from the latter she was only surprised to receive silence.

        "It's already morning Your Highness." She said yet again but at the time the silence persisting as well she quickly moved up to the Grand Empress Dowager's bedside and there she lifted her arm out of the covers she felt her pulse which seemed faint that her eyes travelled and she noticed a couple of smithereens of broken chinaware on the ground.

          She picked them up and noticed a thick black liquid on the white edges and her eyes studying part of the bedsheets they were stained with some blood.

          "Your Highness?" She screamed and the doors of the room being flung open Wan'er rushed in while she on the other hand stood up and threw away the silk curtain.

          "What is it?" She asked.

          "Her Highness refuses to wake up, call the Imperial physician immediately." Wan Mei demanded.

           "Yes." The other Ladies in waiting replied as they quickly set out of the room leaving the two young women with a couple of servants and Eunuchs.

           "Send someone over to the Main Palace and let them inform the Emperor at once." Wan Mei added and Wan'er nodding her head in approval she dashed out through the same doors that had seen her in.

            Lady Yang seated in her Chambers at once Manyin walked in and she bowed her head to her.

          "You called for me Ma'am?" She inquired.

          "There's something a little bit urgent that I wish you could do for me." Lady Yang replied.

          "Whatever it is Ma'am, I shall do it to my very best." Manyin replied.

          "I want you to get me aconite." Yang Meizi replied.

          "Yes Ma'am?" She inquired.

          "You heard me well enough I am so sure about that, whatever you do, go into the pharmacy and acquire for me aconite." Lady Yang replied and hesitantly the young woman bowed her head.

          "Yes Ma'am." She replied before she withdrew from the room leaving her smiling at herself only moments later, Xiaoyang made her way in.

           "I did as you instructed Ma'am, the Palace is already up in arms." She muttered.

           "Well done." Lady Yang remarked.

           "Yet I still don't understand why are you taking this risk Ma'am as it seems to me it won't be as easy to take down the Empress especially with this Storm." Xiaoyang said.

           "Who cares about the Empress?" Yang Meizi asked.

          "Isn't it the Empress that you're after?" Xiaoyang inquired.

           "It's only sad that you know too little of what I have conjured in this mind of mine but patience is itself a virtue I can't be too hasty when dealing with the Empress." Lady Yang replied and the young woman only appearing more confused she kept quiet while Yang Meizi seemed to understand her position she sighed lightly.

         "What is it that you do when you wish to kill an animal?" She asked.

         "You strike it when it's weak." Xiaoyang replied.

         "Yes." Yang Meizi replied, "the Empress might be hardly ambitious but she lacks in virtue and isn't as smart, quite too often her mind might seem versatile but in the very least as long as you give her she'll take." She added as she placed her arms at the table.

         "The best way to kill an animal is to tear off its legs and then pull out it's Jaws until it can not bite hence if I wish to take down the Empress firstly I must dismember her power from her." Lady Yang said as she proudly smiled at herself ghastly.

        Emperor Ningzong stood and looked at the young woman that had fallen asleep in front of the memorials.

         "So it really was Mercury?" He asked.

         "Yes." Eunuch Deng replied.

         "Did she dread the Empress that much?" Emperor Ningzong asked.

         "In her position anyone else would have done the same." Eunuch Deng replied.

         "You can't be too sure." The young Emperor remarked, "naturally the Empress Han would feel the position of her son threatened by a favourite she'd stoop this low after all aren't they all too ambitious?" He asked.

         "But why does Your Majesty tolerate them?" Eunuch Deng asked.

         "I ascended the throne partly inexperienced in the affairs of state I wouldn't have had the time to be serious with my studies striving so hard to be a free spirited Prince that was haunted by my inner family rivalries all historians will claim, but I have not the people the Grand Empress Dowager is too old I am as far from the power only with time when I am strong can I govern the state both like my grand father and great grandfather." Emperor Ningzong replied and in a moment of silence they both looked at the very young girl that was sleeping so peacefully.

         "Should I wake her up Your Majesty?" Eunuch Deng asked.

         "No, let her sleep a little while longer." The young Emperor replied and turning to get away the doors of the main room were flung open and a Eunuch quickly rushed in falling to his news which startled the two.

           "Your Majesty." He cried as he bowed his head.

          "How dare you budge in like that?" Eunuch Deng asked.

          "Pardon me Sire but I have been sent from the Cifu Palace here at once, the Grand Empress Dowager......." He halted half way.

          "What has happened to Her Highness?" He asked anxiously looking at the young man that seemed very much frightened and sweating profusely there was nothing clearer than that to show that whatever it was it wasn't good news.

          The Emperor had rushed far enough through the Courtyard of the palace still fully dressed in his night robes as he mounted the stairs that led to the Grand golden complex which marked out the Grand Empress Dowager's suite, bowing their heads and paving way the servants seemed to indirectly guide him to the large doors and while he pushed them open and charged through to the side, from a distance he saw Wan Mei and Wan'er along with the Imperial physician tending to the bedridden Grand Queen.

         "Your Majesty." They said in unison offering him their salutation which he ignored as he made his way to the bedside where he sat and took the arm of the old woman to feel her warmth.

         She already looked very pale and cold while his eyes had to move up to the Imperial physician who seemed puzzled as well.

          "How is Her Highness?" He asked.

          "Pardon me Your Majesty but there's something that I should confirm first." The old man said as he turned to Wan Mei, "first give me the bowl and let me inspect it." He added while the latter complied immediately and he seemed to study it so closely he dipped his finger onto the black fluid on the side and then licking it for a while he was immediately irritated he put it away.

          "What's that?" Emperor Ningzong asked.

          "Her Highness always sleeps with a concoction that has some mung bean soup." Wan Mei replied.

          "There's something wrong with the concoction." The Imperial physician confessed.

        "Impossible, she's been having it for a while now." Wan'er defended.

         "Yes Sir." Wan Mei added, "there could be something wrong with your assumption." She said.

          "None of you are as skilled as I am and all the years in the Palace that I have served I know a number of things Your Majesty, the concoction this time that the Empress took contains Mercury and mung bean soup with it combined one being an agent that builds the body's immunity against poison and the other poison itself, Her Highness couldn't withstand the reaction of the two she's now gone in a coma and given her old age her condition is close to critical, only a couple of more doses of mercury it could have been sufficient to kill Her." The Imperial physician said and at once the two seemed surprised while the Emperor took to fury.

         "You mean to say that someone wants the Grand Empress Dowager dead?" He asked.

         "So it must seem Your Majesty." The Imperial physician claimed so greatly the young man seemed very disappointed.

          "Even so." Wan Mei said, "how could we be so reckless?" She asked.

          "Someone in the harem is acting up maliciously against Her Highness." Wan'er said that an infuriated Emperor stood up.

          "Someone deliberately wishes to rebel in the Inner Court and they resort to killing the Grand Empress Dowager we can not let them go, for all we know someone to come as far into the bedroom or into the kitchen all the staff aren't to be trusted." Emperor Ningzong said.

          "It's going to be hard on us Your Majesty, what more could we possibly do to bring every culprit there is to light?" Wan Mei asked.

          "Summon the Ladies' Investigations Bureau of the Palace, I don't care even if you have to turn the whole Palace upside down but whatever it takes you must find out the Grand Empress Dowager's attempted murderer because an attack on her Highness is a direct attack on me." He ordered.

         "Yes Your Majesty the two replied as they withdrew from the room.

          Lady Cao seated in her quarters the doors were flung open and Linxiang hurrying in she bowed her head to her and then knelt down.

          "Big news Ma'am." She said.

          "What's with the too much excitement?" Lady Cao asked.

          "It's news from the Cifu Palace, someone allegedly poisoned the Grand Empress Dowager." Linxiang said.

          "What?" The latter yelled so shocked.

          "Yes Ma'am, as you so heard me well." Linxiang replied.

          "And who would be as brazen?" Lady Cao asked.

          "I don't know but rumour has it that the Grand Empress had Aconite added to her a soup and the Emperor has sent an order out to the Ladies'Investigations Bureau of the Palace to investigate the case." Linxiang replied.

          "It's not even yet three days and the situation is that dire it couldn't be so good." Lady Cao remarked.

          "I did however seem to see Manyin, Lady Yang's close lady in waiting sneaking into the Palace while holding something in the dead of night." Linxiang disclosed and immediately her mistress turning to her she looked down while the older seemed to notice something out of the blue.

          "Did you say you saw Lady Yang's close lady in waiting sneaking into the Palace while holding something in the dead of night?" She inquired yet again.

          "With my bare eyes yes Ma'am." Linxiang confirmed and the older maintaining silence for a while she processed the words that she'd heard before she ultimately exploded into laughter that was loud and devilish enough for Linxiang to wonder.

          "What's funny Ma'am?" She asked but the latter persisted until she felt tired falling silent all of a sudden her gaze and expression was more serious than ever Linxiang confused she broke the eyesight.

          "Are you that afraid of me?" Lady Cao asked.

          "Ma'am is acting a bit strange." Linxiang replied.

          "You still don't get it yet, do you?" Lady Cao asked.

          "Perhaps if only Milady would enlighten me I would be most obliged to comprehend what is going on." Linxiang replied.

          "One person alone could benefit from the death of the Grand Empress Dowager and that is the Empress who wouldn't have to worry about that old wench using her position to push Lady Yang into His Majesty's flavours." Lady Cao said.

          "I'm listening." Linxiang remarked.

          "However because everyone knows this they couldn't possibly see through this trap and neither could Her Highness the one person that could benefit truly if the Grand Empress Dowager is harmed is Lady Yang because should there be conclusive evidence to hold the Empress responsible whether refuted or not a seed of doubt sowed into the heart of the Emperor is enough to estrange the already strained and irreparable relationship between the two which perfect opportunity Lady Yang could use to rise through the ranks." Lady Cao muttered.

         "Then Ma'am, you mean to say that...." Linxiang whispered under the breath.

         "It's better to strike the deer when it can not move, prepare me to go and see the Empress." Lady Cao ordered.

         "Yes Ma'am." Linxiang muttered as she stood up to get other clothes ready her mistress still seated behind her table she smiled at herself. 

           "Let's see who'll have a taste of their own medicine." She spoke to herself as she smiled ghastly.

         One of tge Ladies in waiting rushing and coming from the Main Palace she negotiate a small corner and she made her way deeper into the department in charge of the laundry.

          A small narrow compound it was entirely filled with a very large number of Palace maids washing and as she continued she arrived at a small gate which she knocked on three times.    

           With a small window not so far from it a woman's face appeared as she stared outside.

          "Who is it?" She asked.

          "An order from His Majesty." The young woman replied and showing the latter a golden token that was in her hands at once the doors were opened by another pair of ladies while the younger mounted the stairs that led to the main Courtyard slowly until her path was blocked.

           "You can't just barge in like that even if you are sent by His Majesty, at this time the Head Lady Investigator must first listen and later ask for you.

          "His Majesty has asked me to be hasty." The young woman replied.

           "Is it something that I should know as well?" The Lady asked.

           "Not before I can talk to the Head Lady Investigator Zhang." The lady in waiting replied and one of the senior ladies dressed in a beautiful sky blue and white hanfu accompanied by a small retinue of four attendants passing by she halted into her footsteps.

           "What's going on here?" She suddenly asked and noticing her presence the ladies each bowed their heads to her.

          "Greetings Lady Miao." They said in unison and the latter giving an intimidating gaze it required the confidence of the first one that has appeared through the window to the young lady to speak up.

          "There's a messenger from the Main Palace that is demanding to have a word with Head Lady Investigator Zhang." She responded to the former's question when in their silence the doors of the room that was a couple of metres ahead was opened to them and emerging from behind was a fair woman who appeared to be in her mind forties, wrinkles all over her face she had a pair of tiny eyes while chubby in a appearance and quite far, she looked more intimidating and tough when compared to anyone else that was present in the yard.

         "What could it possibly be?" Investigator Zhang asked.

         "Her Highness the Grand Empress Dowager was poisoned with aconite and His Majesty is sure that there is a culprit within the palace." The Lady in waiting replied, "he only asked me to deliver this token to the Lady's Investigations Bureau of the Palace to take charge of the situation." The Lady in waiting replied as she knelt down and offered the scroll to the older woman who gracefully descended the stairs and keeping the distance between herself and the young girl, one of her attendants descended and taking the token from her hands she carried it to her mistress.

         "You said that someone tried to poison Her Highness the Grand Empress Dowager with aconite?" Lady Zhang asked.

         "Yes Milady." The young woman replied while Investigator Zhang looked around at all the others ladies within the courtyard.

          "Gather everyone else." She ordered, "let's head out to the Central Palace." She added and at once the rest of the ladies scattered leaving the other ten still standing in the same position.

             "What, poison?" Empress Han asked alarmed as she faced Qing Yi.

          "Yes Your Highness, I heard so with my two ears." Qing Yi replied when another lady in waiting made her way inside.

           "Your Highness, Lady Cao is requesting to have an audience with you." She said bowing her head.

          "Noble Lady Cao?" Empress Han asked.

           "Yes." The latter replied.

           "Now isn't time to worry about that bitch Your Highness." Qing Yi muttered.

           "I am busy at the moment." Empress Han confessed.

           "But she insists that she has an idea on what's going on in the Cifu Palace and moreso..." The girl halted looking around as she got a couple of steps closer, "the one who poisoned Her Highness the Grand Empress Dowager." She added that the Empress alarmed she stared at the young woman reluctantly.

          "What did you say?" Empress Han asked as the latter only kowtowed and maintained her silence for a while before acting up again.

          "You heard me well enough Your Highness." She replied while Qing Yi only seemed more suspicious of her.

          "Let her in." Empress Han said and the doors being opened Lady Cao walked into their midst with a smile on her face stopping in front of the Empress to whom she bowed with Linxiang.

          "I greet Your Highness." She said calmly.

          "I am hearing so many words flying about the Palace." Empress Han remarked, "and there was an interesting phrase that was linked to you Ma'am." She added.

           "Your Highness isn't mistaken, it so seems strange enough that the Grand Empress Dowager happened to be poisoned but of all hours it is this one hardly a week after the concubine selection I am worried for Your Highness I couldn't possibly share what I know." Lady Cao replied joyously.

           "Then please tell me what it is that you know." Empress Han said.

           "Her Highness nearly fell into a coma had it not been that the aconite was added to mung bean soup and no other concoction, but only a couple of hours ago in the dead of night my Lady here behind me happened to see the Lady in waiting Manyin of Lady Yang sneaking into the Palace and along with her I believe that she carried aconite." Lady Cao replied.

          "And what's there to be so sure about, had you seen her getting out?" Empress Han asked.

          "Only an hour from midnight away and in secrecy that could only be something illegal and Lady Yang knows as well as everyone else that even the servants can not leave the palace at their own will more so when it's so long past the curfew time one could only be up to no good." Lady Cao replied and the Empress reclining in her seat she seemed to notice how awkwardly the young woman stared at her.

          "The Grand Empress Dowager was Lady Yang's mentor if I recall well enough, what possible grudge would she have for the only person keeping her alive and safe within the palace?" She asked.

            "The mere fact that even Your Highness knows the same His Majesty wouldn't think twice hoping for her Innocence it only leaves me to question one thing and that is who else in the Palace his Majesty would consider to bear such heinous thoughts?" Lady Cao asked.

          A silence prevailed for a moment.

          "Surely no one would consider her victim." Qing Yi remarked.

         "And neither could it be the Empress Dowager." Linxiang muttered.

         "The only person that could be capable of acting up that much at least in the eyes of the Emperor and the world would be...." Qing Yi muttered but stopped halfway.

           "We can point fingers at each other but evidence which is concrete is needed, furthermore it was something that Linxiang here saw from a far but she didn't confirm, for Lady Yang in her lowly position she couldn't be one to challenge me unless one way or another the aconite ended up with me." Empress Han confessed.

         "And do you think that it is that hard for Her Your Highness?" Lady Cao asked, "Your Highness might forget that I grew up with her for long enough to know what she is thinking and she is as brazen and arrogant if she wills something she'll take a strike should it be a single one as well." She added.

          "So what is it that you suggest, you couldn't have bothered to approach me had you nothing in mind." Empress Han said.

           "Your Highness alone could understand this much better than anyone else." Lady Cao said, "I know but I'm deficient in power to contain her ambition while on the other hand she threatens Your Highness you certainly wouldn't let her have her way." She added.

          "Even so she was cunning it can't possibly be that easy." Empress Han said.

          "The Ladies' Investigations Bureau of the Palace is under Your Highness' direct control having been formed from your greatest effort, surely I believe Your Highness that even if she wanted there's no way she'd escape the trap I have set ahead for her." Lady Cao remarked as she smiled at herself ghastly.

           Lady Yang seated inside her room she waited silently until there were screams from outside and commotion beyond the thin walls of her chamber she remained unwavering even as the doors were pushed aside and through them Xiaoyang walked in.

           "Ma'am?" She cried.

           "It must be that hour." Yang Meizi replied.

           "The Lady Investigators have ceased Manyin and they have taken her for questioning." Xiaoyang replied in panic.

           "It's much sooner than I expected." Lady Yang remarked instead and wiping herself lightly she stood up from her seat and walked around the table while Xiaoyang moved to the side she halted in her footsteps right in front of the doorway.

          "Aren't you coming?" Lady Yang asked.

          "But Ma'am, what are we going to do?" Xiaoyang asked.

          "That's not what matters the most here." Lady Yang replied, "quite a number of people want me trapped within their jaws and others wish for me nothing more than death but how many of them do you think have succeeded?" She asked as she quickly sashayed out into the open while the latter followed.

          Making her way across the Courtyard through the very gates she was headed for the other ladies in waiting and Lady Investigators of the Palace turned up with Lady Zhang in the lead a silence prevailed for a while that forced the mood between the two parties into an uneasy concert.

          "Ma'am." They greeted her while she kowtowed to them equally as well.

          "I happened to be on my way to the Interrogation room." Lady Yang muttered.

          "Pardon us Ma'am we didn't mean to keep you waiting for long." Lady Zhang replied.

           "I have been reliably informed that in the ruckus a while ago, you took one of my ladies it got me a little bit too curious as to what she could have done wrong." Lady Yang remarked.

          "Milady may seem to have forgotten but earlier in the day the Grand Empress Dowager was poisoned and the prime suspect that has appeared predominantly was one of your staff that was spotted sneaking into the Palace past the curfew time moreover with illegals from outside." Lady Zhang replied.

             "You can not arrest Manyin." Lady Yang spoke up.

          "Ma'am?" Xiaoyang voiced her concern on the issue but seemed suddenly eclipsed by the outcome.

           "I said that you can not interrogate my ladies without my permission." Lady Yang replied.

          "I hope that having been in the Palace for a while Ma'am, you do understand what possible dire consequences could arise from your actions and how poisonous your words may be?" Lady Zhang inquired.

           "Is this the best that the Ladies' Investigations Bureau of the Palace can do?" She inquired.

          "An issue this Grand is meant to be dealt with and should it compromise the reputation of the Imperial family and the inner Court rumours outside the Palace walls can at times stir too much disorder which as the Lady Investigators we were invested to prevent." Lady Zhang replied, "however if my Ma'am insists that the young woman is innocent a culprit must be caught and serving under you my Ma'am understands better that we have no choice but to investigate you." She assured her.

          "But are you that desperate?" Lady Yang asked.

          "It is our duty so surely I suppose that if my Ma'am has nothing to hide you shouldn't be hesitant." She bluffed while Yang Meizi only appearing more patient she stepped to the side paving the way for them.

           "Do what you came to do." She uttered and at once the Ladies marching up towards her quarters she exchanged a poisonous glare with the fairly old woman standing in front of her and themselves rummaging through everything around and within the small structure.