"Your Excellence." Zhang Qijie greeted.
Both Zhang Qijie and Tazuna felt their hearts beating uncontrollably. The Jiajing Emperor was a shortened fuse that had grown shorter over the last several years. Tea had been served, as usual. Yet Zhang Qijie refused to sit with her husband. She knew if she did so, her life would potentially be cut short. So, she opted to stand.
"Do you not want tea?" the Jiajing Emperor asked, his hand gestured to the freshly prepared tea.
Tazuna sensed an abnormality. He'd never known for the Jiajing Emperor to ever have a heart to a kind gesture. Even as far as having his cooks prepare tea for anyone asides from himself. He didn't even live in the palace, unlike others who came before him. Tazuna decided to hold his judgement for now.
"I do not." Zhang Qijie declined.
The Jiajing Emperor examined her. Words danced on his tongue, but he kept himself civilized.
"Very well.”