Sweeping through the hardwood floors in the white corridors with her ivory silk gown with rising herons from the hems that were embroidered with gold thread, she listened to the echo of her footsteps and paused in her strides. She cleared her throat and listened again to the echo that vibrated nicely in the empty corridor she was standing in. Looking around her to see that no one was around, she hummed quietly. Hearing her voice bouncing off the walls and returning to her made her smile.

Now’s not the time to fool around, Xiu Juan, she thought to herself.

She continued on and was stopped by seven women luxuriously dressed and heavily adorned with jewelry and hair ornaments. They were all pale skinned by white makeup powder and were rather attractive. Their makeup was perfectly done, giving them a remarkable look. They stared at her before giving a proper bow. They raised their heads again and the lady in the front who was cooling herself lightly with her fan examined Xiu Juan up and down from the side of her eyes. She was the most beautiful of them all.

“Greetings, dear Empress. We finally meet,” she spoke.

“Greetings,” Xiu Juan replied. “And you are?”

The exceptionally attractive lady turned her head and straightly faced Xiu Juan. She curved her lips into a smile and made her almond eyes appear joyful.

“Ngo Kwang, first-rank concubine of his majesty,” she lowered her head as she introduced herself.

The concubines! Xiu Juan’s eyes grew wider. “Oh,” Xiu Juan smiled at Ngo Kwang. She then raised her eyebrow lightly, “I’m sorry? First-rank?”

The girl with dark red lips to Ngo Kwang's left snarled quietly to her while stroking her own hair, “She doesn’t even know?”

Ngo Kwang nudged the girl with dark red lips to silence herself. She then poised herself, holding her head high. She curved her lips into a disingenuous smile.

“You were heading where, Empress?” She asked as she pasted her eyes onto Xiu Juan.

“I was just heading to the emperor,” Xiu Juan responded.

“Ah,” Ngo Kwang said as she lifted her chin upward. “Of course you were. Important engagement, is it?”

“Oh no,” Xiu Juan shook her head. “I…well…I just thought I would go… see him,” she flustered.

Great. How unintended. I made myself sound like a new wife charmed by some husband. Xiu Juan scorned at herself.

“Hmmm,” Ngo Kwang grinned, “Well, we were just on our way there also. Mind if we go together?”

Xiu Juan smiled uncomfortably. She didn’t really plan on going with a group of women. Women that were concubines of the emperor. How am I going to talk to him with all of them there? She thought to herself. “Sure. Of course,” Xiu Juan only politely agreed.

“After you,” Ngo Kwang raised her hand to let Xiu Juan lead the way.

Xiu Juan paused, “You lead. I might take us elsewhere.”

The concubines raised their brows.

“I’ve never been on that side of the palace before,” Xiu Juan confessed.

“What?” Ngo Kwang let out a laugh, raising her brow.

“What is it?” Xiu Juan wondered why they were snickering.

“You mean you did not spend your wedding night together?” Ngo Kwang asked.

Xiu Juan only stared at them, not saying a word.

“No…” Ngo Kwang obnoxiously and sarcastically sympathized as she turned to the other attractive concubines behind her.

Xiu Juan furrowed her brows at them and they quickly silenced themselves.

“Ah, pardon us, Empress. That was rude of us,” Ngo Kwang caught herself.

“You’re pardoned,” Xiu Juan said in monotone.

“Let’s go now, shall we? Follow me, Empress. I do have to tell you, though, to not be disappointed if he turns us away at the door,” Ngo Kwang said as she fanned herself and shuffled on. Xiu Juan walked next to her as the other concubines followed.