A woman sat on the empress’ seat in the Phoenix Palace, which was located in the imperial palace and was the home of the empress. The woman wore red robes embroidered with gold phoenixes as she lounged elegantly on the couch made of rosewood and silk cushions. Her makeup was done in a way to conceal as many wrinkles as possible, making her nearly- forty-year-old face appear ten years younger. A palace maid knelt in front of the empress, giving a report.

“The girl the emperor has given the choice of who becomes crown prince to is sixteen. She plays the guzheng with considerable skill, but doesn’t seem to have any other feminine skills,” the maid was explaining. “She claims to have assisted her father in politics, but what man would put so much faith in a girl?” The maid’s expression was filled with disdain. “Except for a black jade bracelet given to her by His Highness the third prince she hasn’t received any gifts since the ones granted to her by His Majesty and it is difficult to determine what the miss likes.”

The empress opened light gray eyes and frowned at the maid. “This one’s son must become the crown prince,” she insisted. “Remind him that women love beautiful things and he should put more effort into doting on that upstart miss.” Her nostrils flared and her eyes hardened. “Who knows what that girl’s true background is. She appeared out of nowhere and fooled His Majesty into believing what she wanted. This one does not believe she is truly the daughter of a prime minister. More likely she was a musician or a courtesan that Lord Long found to pass off as some noble miss to solidify his position in the court.”

The palace maid bowed her head and listened as the empress spoke, choosing to remain quiet. Before she could say anything more a eunuch came into the palace and announced the arrival of the first prince, Xiong Guangfai.

The empress immediately adjusted herself in her seat and put on a pleased smile as she watched her son enter the room. “Guangfai! Come and sit with Mother. Tell me, how are you doing with convincing that Miss Long to choose you?”

Guangfai moved up to the empress’ seat and bowed over her hand before sitting down beside her. “Empress Mother. This son is doing his best, but not being allowed to meet with Miss Long for two more weeks makes it somewhat difficult,” he explained.

“Nonsense!” The empress let out a delicate snort. “Just because you cannot see her does not mean you cannot work to win her affection. What gifts will you send her? You should make your move as quickly as possible.”

The prince let out a mournful sigh. “Son is unskilled in the art of wooing women,” he confessed. “So I came to Imperial Mother hoping for some guidance in this matter.”

“All women love beautiful things,” the empress assured her son. “Have a set of accessories made for her out of the finest materials and send it to her. Do not make her think that just because you cannot see her you are not thinking of her. That nuisance Guangfeng is skilled in wooing women and hasn’t been barred from seeing her. And Guangzhu has used that Liling to get closer to Miss Long as well.” The empress’ hands clenched into fists and a vicious light appeared in her eyes. “If you do nothing until you are allowed to see her again, they will have the advantage. As soon as you are allowed to see her again invite her to go with you for a meal and take her shopping. Spend money on her. The more you spend the more pleased she will be.”

“Son understands,” Guangfai acknowledged. “I will have suitable accessories made for her and have them sent to her residence. Sapphires seem like suitable stones. What does Empress Mother think?”

The empress nodded her head in approval and patted her son’s cheek, smiling. “Good. Remember, you must become the crown prince. If this young miss seems to be leaning toward one of your brothers inform Mother immediately. Mother will take care of her for you. Now go. Making accessories takes time and you must choose the stones yourself.”

Guangfai stood and bowed to his mother before heading out of the Phoenix Palace.

Once her son had left the room, the empress lifted a hand and bit on the nail of her thumb. Her eyes narrowed as she thought silently. A maid brought over a plate of peeled and seeded grapes and started feeding them to the empress, who opened her mouth and ate them absently. After several minutes, the empress finally came out of her thoughts. “Have Yun Cai investigate Miss Long thoroughly. We must have as much information as possible to make her submit to us. If we can prove she is not who she says she is then perhaps we can have her tried for the crime of deceiving the emperor. I will not allow my son to degrade himself by marrying some slut who just wants to climb the social ladder and reach the pinnacle! He needs an outstanding woman to be his empress!”

A eunuch standing nearby saluted and quickly left. Five minutes after the eunuch had left another eunuch arrived, saluted the empress, and opened his mouth to speak. “Your Highness Empress Lin, His Majesty the Emperor commanded me to inform you that he will be visiting your palace tonight. He hopes that Your Highness will have dinner prepared for him.”

The empress’ lips curved in a smile. “This one understands. Please inform His Majesty that I will be waiting for his arrival with eagerness.”

The eunuch bowed again and left the Phoenix Palace as the Empress relaxed into her seat and started to lounge again.

“Excellent...I must bend his majesty’s ear and encourage him to show Guangfai more favor…Perhaps I may even be able to get him to doubt that Miss Long’s suitability to become the wife of any of the princes…” Empress Lin got to her feet and summoned a maid to inform her kitchen staff that the emperor would be arriving in a few hours for a meal before heading toward her room to bathe and make sure she was fully prepared to please the emperor and bend his ear.