Dawa was pleased that the frigid winds of winter were slowly turning into the light breezes of spring. She was able to walk outside for longer periods which improved her mood drastically. She noted what she needed to prepare for next winter so she can keep her spirits up.

Zi Renshu visited her chambers a few days before which caused a very upset Imperial Concubine Lan to try to humiliate her during morning greetings once again. However, Empress Yi wasn’t having such nonsense and punished her by forcing her to kneel in front of Dawa’s palace for four hours.

Dawa could not care less about Imperial Concubine Lan’s antics in the harem but she was paying attention to the letters that she has been sending outside. It turns out that it was not only her that was suspicious of Imperial Concubine Lan.

“His Majesty comes!” Eunuch Lu announced Zi Renshu’s arrival.

Dawa hastily stood up to receive him; she wasn’t expecting his visit so soon after his previous one a few days prior.

“Concubine Li greets Your Majesty.” She bowed.

“At ease An’ning.” He assured her before indicating to all the servants to leave the room.

There were already tea and cakes on the table so the pair sat and got down to business.

“I heeded Your Majesty’s advice and managed to provoke Imperial Concubine Lan this morning. As expected, she tried to do the same trick from months before but Her Royal Highness wasn’t pleased and sent her to kneel in front of my palace for two shichen.” Dawa reported.

Zi Renshu drank his tea leisurely, “It seems that I was right that Imperial Concubine Lan is trying to bring attention to her haughty behaviour and away from her illicit activities at night.”

He smiled at Dawa who stared quietly at him, “At least you have resources to keep an eye on things. If Jinshu wasn’t already my only love, I would have made you Empress.”

Dawa blushed and fidgeted, “I-I could never replace Her Royal Highness. I –”

“Hahaha. No need to be flustered.” Zi Renshu chuckled, “I was initially afraid that the two of you wouldn’t get along but my fears were unfounded.”

“I am only thankful to Her Royal Highness for our close relationship,” Dawa whispered.

Zi Renshu nodded, “Continue to keep an eye on Imperial Concubine Lan. I’m glad I made the random decision to visit you at that time or I wouldn’t have had a loyal ally.”

Zi Renshu downed the last of his tea and stood up abruptly, “I must be leaving.” His intimidating persona slowly coming back to life.

He stared at Dawa whose face trembled a little at his sudden change. She couldn’t help but be frightened by the transformation from amiable man to ruthless Emperor.

“His Majesty is leaving!” Head Eunuch Lu announced. Dawa bowed to bid him goodbye.

Now alone in her room, Dawa called Bortu to have tea with her. Since their little talk, the two have become closer even though Bortu remained her servant and continued to prepare things for her.

“I can’t believe that Imperial Concubine Lan would think you have that kind of relationship with His Majesty.” Bortu harrumphed.

Bortu was now showing more of her emotions and Dawa found that they are kindred spirits in their playful and observant nature.

“It is expected when you are part of the harem but you are right that my relationship with His Majesty is merely platonic – almost like acquaintances.” Dawa sipped her tea, “However, it doesn’t stop the rumours from spreading.”

Dawa smiled genuinely, “But it is nice to see that there are sincere people within these walls.”

“Priestess, will you make a move against her?” Bortu asked.

At that question, Dawa smirked cheekily, “Where’s the fun in that?”

She held her teacup up as if she was looking at a hand mirror, “When the pieces have fallen into place, it only takes a little push to knock them all down one by one.”

A flapping sound broke the two out of their chatter – Gao had returned. Dawa placed her teacup back on the table, walked over and took the note from his leg:

‘Hope this note finds you well.

Alas, I am unable to come to your location at the planned time. The Bai family will be having a banquet and the Zi family is invited.

General Zi.’

“Is General Zi such a poetic man?” Bortu was looking over Dawa’s shoulder, “From the few times we’ve interacted with him, he doesn’t say much nor express himself. I doubt he ever smiles or laughs.”

Dawa remembered the time Zi Siwei caught her at the Restaurant Quarter, face stuffed with food. His laugher was bright yet gentle. She knew then, that he was not the stuffy man she travelled with from the Western Plains. He hadn’t expressed himself since but she knew that when he did, it was as if all her troubles were blown away.

Dawa smiled gently, “I wouldn’t say that.”

She wrote a quick reply and sent Gao out again, “Sometimes, the quietest of men have the loudest emotions.”

Zi Renshu was in his study when he sensed the spiritual bird leave the palace once again. He smiled internally so not as to attract attention from Head Eunuch Lu.

If I am not wrong, the Bai family should be having their banquet on the day An’ning and Second Brother was to meet. Jinshu’s retinue is skilled indeed, to be able to track their correspondence without them knowing. Minister Hao is also keeping an eye on my blood brothers in their investigation on the Zhao family.

Zi Renshu puts away one scroll and starts on another.

I wonder if I should warn Concubine Ru? No, there is no need. The Zhao family are personally loyal to me since I re-established their cultivation school. Take it as a test to see who they can trust, for the real battle is inevitable.

Zi Siwei and Bai Haoxia were in the Bai family courtyard waiting for Gao to deliver Dawa’s response. Once the golden eagle arrived, they removed the note from his leg and began to read:

‘Then, let me come to you.’

Bai Haoxia did a double-take, “Wait, is she serious?!”

“Quiet.” Zi Siwei warned.

Bai Haoxia immediately lowered his voice, “Concubines cannot leave the imperial palace no matter what. Does she think the Phoenix Palace has such incompetent guards that she can just sneak out?”

“We have to tell her not to do it.” Bai Haoxia insisted, “If she gets caught, it will not be over for just her but us as well.”

Zi Siwei initially agreed with Bai Haoxia but a thought came to mind.

“Is there a reason why she cannot move the day?” Zi Siwei mused.

“What do you mean?” Bai Haoxia was confused.

“Concubine Li was the one who asked us to help to investigate the Zhao family, not us. The information we have is not particularly urgent so we can wait a day or more. However, she decides to risk her life – and by extension, ours to come and meet us at the night of the banquet.”

Bai Haoxia finally understands, “You think she is pressed on time?”

“Hardly.” Zi Siwei answers, “Concubines don’t have much to do in the palace. She easily has time to spare. I think the palace politics have become dangerous so she can’t afford to delay any leads she has.”

“So, you’re saying that she’s surrounded by so many enemies that she has to confirm which ones are an immediate threat and which are not?” Bai Haoxia summarised.

Zi Siwei, “That is just a thought. It may not be the case.”

“Hmm…” Bai Haoxia put his hand under his chin in thought, “Even if that is true, there is no need to risk your life and sneak out of the palace.”

Zi Siwei recalled the time he and Dawa were chasing an assassin and noted her speed and her agility. If she wanted to sneak out, she has the skills to pull it off.

“I don’t think we have to be worried about Concubine Li.” Zi Siwei concluded after much thought.

Bai Haoxia was taken aback. Once again, his blood brother has done something that was unlike him. Usually, Zi Siwei would approve plans that had a little risk as possible. Approving of a plan like Concubine Li sneaking out of the Phoenix Palace was rare if not outright rejected.

“Err Second Brother ah.” Bai Haoxia nervously called Zi Siwei, “Are you feeling alright? You are starting to frighten me.”

Zi Siwei didn’t answer, only penning down his response to Dawa and sending Gao on his way. He then walked over to Bai Haoxia and patted him on the shoulder.

“I wonder.” He only replied.

That didn’t settle Bai Haoxia’s nerves and he continued to haggle Zi Siwei for answers late into the night.