"Very good!"

The contrast that marked day from night was still unknown as Lingyi sat up from her bed. She had stared at the ceiling all through the night up until now, tossing with anxiety and impatience—more like too much patience, because she never opened the letter even though she was within the confines of her quarters but rather, she tried to guess what it's content might be and setting her heart right and ready to take whatever it reveals.

Her patience had worn out, she held up the letter as if trying to see its content right through the blank empty covering,her heart almost sank into her stomach while rustling her night garment in anxiety using the other hand... just a step above her knee.

She took in one last long breath, closing her eyes to gather courage and then exhaled opening her eyes as it fell on the letter again. Her both hands were now on this piece of paper, she undid the seal with her right hand, shifting closer to the flicking flames of the lamp on her side table which had waited to be put to this use from the time it was lit on. As if been beckoned by the dim light of the lamp, Lingyi inclined a bit closer with the letter already opened up as she could see the delicate strokes of Consort Shu's calligraphy.

She read; "Lingyi, I am sure you think no soul saw what you did that night at the feast. Well, must I take it to Consort Xian... you know better" she quickly slammed the letter against the woody table before her as though hiding it from the preying eyes of the walls and furnitures. Her anxiety skyrocketed, she stood up abruptly, pacing back and forth with her arms wrestling each other against her abdomen, not knowing what to do next.

But one thing was sure from the letter, she needed to pay Consider Shu a visit, and it must be done as quickly as possible before the brunt for neglecting the obvious comes hitting back. As if being controlled by a wind, Lingyi swirled around, she shot her gaze upon her cloth cabinet thinking about a disguise that would enable her get into Luyang palace without being noticed by anyone.

In attempt to get the perfect disguise, her raging gaze fell onto a black cloak, one suitable for the mission at hand. But then she paused, picking out the cloak as she scanned it from head to bottom. i've never seen this cloak here before, neither do I remember ever owning one. She turned it around to get a better look, maybe she could decipher the owner or how it got here. But then, she thought it must have been left behind by the formal occupant of the quarter. Obviously, she had no luxury to wait for a special investigation about a cloak as she flung it over her shoulders, swirling around as it covered her whole entity.

Lingyi quickly made her way to the door, the calm air of the night penetrating inside her quarters as she slowly opened the door, careful not to cause any sound. She stretched forth her head, peeping to make sure the coast was clear, she stepped out and made her way to Luyang palace as swiftly as she could.

Meanwhile, as Lingyi's measured steps brushed against the marble floors of Forbidden city, another person was planning a trip to Luyang palace as well, someone more superior to the maid Lingyi, and tonight this person has vowed to get a result for all her hard work.

Upon Lingyi's arrival at Luyang gate, same time... Concubine Hua had risen to make her trip to Luyang palace too. Tonight, Consort Shu must be ready to make a move...she thought, arising from her dressing chair as her maid assisted her outside. With just a lantern and cloak to shield the wind, Concubine set off to Luyang palace.

Back at Luyang palace, the doors to Consort Shu's palace swung open, revealing the regal figure of Consort Shu as she sat poised, her demeanor as calm as water. Lingyi walked in slowly, running her eyes at every corner in admiration of the exquisite decorations and collections. But her attention was brought back to the present by the ceramic sound of the tea cup Consort Shu dropped purposely on the side table beside her.

Realising where she was, lingyi quickly bowed low in greeting. "Greetings Shu Fei niang naing"

"Humm" Consort Shu let out a low sound in response, removing invisible dust from her nail guard, her reaction without much care.

A moment of silence endured as Lingyi stood still, not knowing whether to speak first, or wait to be spoken to. Meanwhile, Consort Shu kept her gaze fixated on lingyi as if preying into her deepest secret, searching for her past and even what the future holds for her. She was definitely trying to read the maid before her.

At last Consort Shu coughed, picking up her tea cup as she took a sip, as if lubricating in preparation for the conspiracy she was about to conive.

"Ru Lingyi-" Consort Shu called out and Lingyi immediately looked at her .

"To be here , you must have gotten my letter....and that means you know exactly why you are here" Consort Shu said.

"Niang naing, this servant has never crossed you..neither did my movement alter yours at the event that night" lingyi sharply replied without a stammer.

Consort Shu's eyes narrowed slightly but she quickly covered it up with a sly smile "Ohh?..quite the talkative "... Consort Shu huffed, handing the tea cup to Cai who had stationed herself like a statue anticipating patiently for Lingyi's submission..but is she ever going to have that?.

"Lingyi... Lingyi, you seem to forget where you are" Consort Shu began, stretching out the invisible rumbles on her garment. "This is the forbidden city, and here, one's mistake is the victory of another..and so did yours, become my benefit".

"My ....mistake?" Lingyi asked confused.

"Silly girl, do not dare play the ignorant card before me . You disguised as a kitchen maid, and lured Prince Lan of the first rank to a cottage, and only heaven knows what transpired between you both but I know, you knocked him out, giving him an injury " Consort Shu paused while Lingyi gasped in shock.

how did she find out I was out that night?Lingyi asked in her thoughts.

"Shu Fei naing naing, I don't know what you are talking about " lingyi shot back in denial

"Huh? , you think I do not know he almost defiled you within that quarters?" Shu said, leaning forward from her seat.

Lingyi opened her mouth to reply but words failed her. Her vocabulary was emptied by the shock running through her spine.

Consort Shu smiled delightfully, falling into her seat as she continued "as we speak now, Prince Lan is so close to finding the person that harmed him that night. And I am more than pleased to lend him a helping hand.... because the last thing he wishes for...is scandal".

"And what if I've already told him and I don't want to be part of this" lingyi asked in attempt to find an escape.

Consort Shu let out a mocking laugh ", well then, I will take it Xian Fei, and tell her all we talked about tonight. I know you are trying to win her trust again, but when I bring her this information...you will totally lose everything because , Xian never gives back her trust to betrayers, talk more of a low-life like you ." She concluded, sipping her tea again in style.

Lingyi's blood ran cold, she thought of what to do or say but nothing was coming to her rescue. Helplessly, she asked "so what do I need to do Naing Naing?"

"Very good!"... Consort Shu replied, her face brightening up in delight.