'I really like my master.'

Even her name sounds so warm and kind; Bai Suxin, Bai-means 'white, pure'; Sù meaning 'simple' and Xin meaning 'heart'. The lady was the eldest legitimate daughter of the Left Prime Minister.

"Jin'er, I'm worried about the lady. Will she be okay?"

These past few weeks, some bad things happened to the lady. The distraught Madam and the angry Lord put the whole manor on high alert.

"Since we saved her from drowning, she never stop crying. She's only twelve. How can she cry like that as if she lost her soul?"

"The physician said she'll be fine if we serve the lady well."

"Mingle, where is the lady?"

"W-what?"

"The lady! Where is she?"

"She.. she was just right here."

When the Madam found out that the lady was missing again, she fainted in the arms of the Lord. Lu Kai was tasked to immediately gathered all the guards. "Spread out! Find the lady!"

Thirty minutes later, a scream originated from one of the east courtyard was heard.

"My lady!!!"

A fallen chair; feet off the floor; hanging from the ceiling beam, the long white silk cloth was choking the delicate neck of that familiar small girl. The lady was suspending in the middle. Wheezing, gasping and silently struggling.

"My lady!!!"

In flash, two silver blades flew straight towards the ceiling, sharply cutting the long cloth with accuracy. With a creak, Lu Kai rushed to her side, securely caught the lady's cold body.

"M-my lady, why? Why are you doing this?"

"I.. want to go home." Her voice hoarse.

Noticing the red bruise that was starting to appear around her fine neck, I couldn't helped but cry. This was the third suicide attempt of the lady.

"Mom.. M-mom is waiting for me."

"I want to go home. She needs me."

The new monarch ascended the throne.

Lady Bai Suxin was seventeen years old when she left the world. I spent these three years mourning from the loss of my good master. I promised the lady that I will lived well, that I must forget everything.

But I'm worried since Lu Kai's last letter stated that he's close in finding his twin brother, Lu Yi. It only meant two things: danger and death. However, three months ago, Lu Kai's letter had stopped coming. Something must have happened.

Rubbing my eyes inside my black meimào (*veil hat), I angrily crumpled up the paper and threw it away. I guessed right, my wanted portraits were scattered all over the capital and nearby provinces.

Even if the soldiers arrest me, I'm not afraid of being punish and be put to death. It's just that.. I don't want to disappoint the lady. I want to keep my promise.

I remember the night that my lady died. It took place at Yongshou Palace in spring. With her last breath, she asked me to lived well; and with a broken figure, as my lady last wish, I immediately fled from the palace.

At that time, the emperor was called His Highness Nan King.

He successfully put down the large rebellion headed by the Duke of Hebei and Prime Minister Bai Muro. Soon afterwards, Emperor Li Hai died due to his long-term illness. Then, His Highness Nan King steadily sat on the dragon throne.

The Li Empire underwent a quite dramatic changes.

The soil was fertile so the agricultural industry have improved greatly, the construction of new roads and canals and even advanced architectural designs were built all over the empire; the import trade of silk and many more were the rush and heat of achievements of the current emperor. These past three years, His Majesty also focused on expanding our territories.

Still, the citizens of the empire was dissatisfied of His Majesty for he was known as the 'Bloody Monarch.'

Whatever goals he sets, the emperor would accomplish it one way or another. His Majesty can sacrificed hundreds of his troops and thousands of citizens in the name of his great ambition.

He only not executed his other royal brothers but also the entire Left Prime Minister House with the other imperial ministers who dares to mention the Bai family.

People were curious and surprised when Lady Chu became the 'Assistant Grand Secretary ' instead of empress.

There was rumor that the emperor's harem was empty because he's impotent; and another rumor stated that, the emperor eventually went mad.

Spring is supposed to be the season of new beginnings. The season of love and happiness. The time where the vibrant colors of flowers blossoms and covers the land. Azaleas, peonies and my master's favorite flower– the plum blossoms. It is when people will enjoy the enchanting beauty of nature.

However, His Majesty issued a decree, when spring comes, the empire must be in mourning. Festivals or any kind of celebrations were banned. People who dare ignore and defy the imperial decree will immediately be condemned to death and executed.

I didn't know what the current emperor was thinking. I frowned, remembering: 'Spring season was my lady's favorite.'

I walked back in the familiar alley. I'm too worried for Lu Kai that's why I went down from the mountain to search for him. Considering Lu Kai and I were the sole survivors from the Prime Minister House, I must find him.

When I reached an intersection, suddenly something was placed over my nose and mouth and after a silent struggle; my vision blackened.

When I woke up, I heard footsteps in the darkness. Clothed in yellow dragon robe and wearing an expression that screamed slaughter and massacre; I watched his tall figure move majestically with bunch of guards and eunuchs behind him.

"Named Huang Jin, you are that.. her personal maid. You made me look for you for three years. Huh. Your life alone is not enough to calm my anger."

A table with ink, brush and paper in front of me. I was sitting in the middle of I thought one of the prison cell in the smelly dungeon. My feet were tied in the chair but my hands were unbound.

"Confess." His voice was controlled and impatient.