There were no words to define the constant adrenaline rush I was experiencing. Every time I thought about my plan, I felt prompted to open my mouth and reveal everything without pausing. I was excited. Scared, but excited. Each time I thought about it, my body would shiver. I'd gush and snicker.

Maybe this is why the Empress enjoyed scheming against others. I can agree that it is entertaining. I find that she did have psychopathic tendencies, and doing all that she does brings joy. There was no moral conscience in her.

This was it. It was all in or nothing, and I was going all in.

I stepped inside Niu Lin's chamber, tilting my head slightly up to assert dominance. She greeted me. This time, with no malicious intentions.

"Will you be able to do one small favour?" I asked, walking forwards so all was in front of me, was her face.

She nodded. "Yes, Your Grace."

"I'll need you to convince the other women to admit to something... On the day that Su Yin was freezing—nearly to death—the Empress said that she prepared Dong Mei's medicine," I explained. "It seemed to me that they didn't want to say anything because the Empress threatened them."

I let out a wicked smile. "But because the Empress will be exposed soon, I want them to speak up and tell the truth."

Niu Lin's eyes studied my face. She listened intently and nodded throughout. When I finished, her body stiffened and she kept staring at me, barely blinking. "That's a risk... Your Grace, do you have enough to have Her Majesty in the middle of the hall in front of the Emperor?"

"You clearly don't know what I'm capable of," I replied grimly.

Doubt is a pet peeve of mine. You never doubt a person, especially not me. There was no arrogance to my tone because I knew what I can do. If you don't know me, then you're not allowed to talk about what I can or can't do. The Empress was powerful. But I felt as if I had the upper-hand.

"I'm helping you because you're doing me a favour as well," Niu Lin folded her arms. "If you don't succeed, then I won't either..."

Her eyes shifted to the ground. "I'll help you out, Your Grace, but if things come out bad, I'm not obliged to follow those orders. It's too risky."

"I agree." I nodded.

Princess Hua Yang was to arrive soon. I made my way back to my estate and did my daily paperwork before she came in. There were childish conflicts concubines had that I was to review. I shoved them aside to deal with them later.

"Her Highness has arrived!" a loud voice erupted outside of my estate.

My maids were dismissed after I came back, so I was the only one in the main room. The doors opened and I rushed down to greet her. "Greetings to Your Highness."

Hua Yang's face softened. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"

She wore a navy blue hanfu that framed her body. Hua Yang had a petite frame and I could tell as the belt accentuated her waist. The lower half of the hanfu flowed elegantly and dragged behind her. Beauty runs in the family.

"Indeed it has," I nodded. "Are you still practising medicine, Your Highness?"

"Yes, I have! I'm... quite glad you asked that," Hua Yang's eyes flickered. "Nobody asks me about what I do."

A woman practising medicine was something that can be considered taboo. There were women who practised medicine, but it was mainly to assist another male physician. Barely any women did practise, actually. Hua Yang was lucky enough to have permission to. Being one of the members of the Imperial family is a privilege.

She had royal power. The Emperor was her brother and I assume they had a close bond together... Hua Yang, I considered, was an acquaintance. She lived in the capital where she spent most of her time. Perhaps keeping her close was beneficial for me.

I don't think it was manipulative. If anything went wrong, Hua Yang could stick up for me. It was to my advantage, but I did acknowledge Hua Yang as a trusted friend. She could see through me if I ever wanted to control her.

Which I don't.

"How have you been holding up?" Hua Yang questioned me, her eyebrows slanted up doubtfully.

"I'm not doing so great," I chewed my bottom lip. "I lost my maid who I loved so dearly. Your Highness, she kept me sane. I still can't believe she hung herself... It was my fault for never checking up on her."

Hua Yang shook her head and pursed her lips in disappointment. "You don't deserve that. None of it. I heard about the rumours and I believe one of your maids betrayed you?"

"Yes, but—" I began but Hua Yang read my thoughts.

"Somebody is behind all of it," Hua Yang put up her index finger and nodded. "It's not believable for a maid to hang herself with silk."

I grabbed Hua Yang's hand quickly, almost alarming her. I craned my neck and frowned. "I was thinking that too! I thought I was crazy..."

You best believe I'm following Su Yin's advice.

"It is quite suspicious," Hua Yang thought carefully. A solemn expression was on her face, but she darted her chin up to look at me again. My eyes were watering. "Let's change the topic, I don't want to upset you."

My maids poured us tea and I was eager to get to know Hua Yang's character. If Hua Yang thinks that Guan Shu's suicide wasn't truly suicide, it confirms her intelligence. But for my own good, I didn't push her to say who she thought it was.

"I'm interested in the medical field as well. It'd be nice to watch how you work," I sipped on the freshly brewed tea placed in front of me. I acknowledged my maids before looking at Hua Yang. "Your Highness, I support you."

"I know you do. You always did from the first time we met." Hua Yang sighed.

I frowned. "You want to be a physician?"

Hua Yang's eyes darted to me, immediately after she put her cup down. Her eyes widened. "I-I... It'd be bold to say I do."

"But you do, don't you?" I tilted my head, leaning forwards.

She was clearly hesitant to admit that she did. I could read people very easily, anyone but the Emperor, of course. Hua Yang's eyes scanned around the room, then at me, then around the room again. A woman saying she'd like to be a physician would shock many. But it doesn't shock me.

"Yes, I do," Hua Yang cleared her throat. She gave me a defeated smile.

"Why not convince His Majesty?" I asked thoughtfully, pouring myself another cup of tea.

Hua Yang shook her head. "It doesn't work like that. Court officials influence the Emperor a lot because he's still young. My brother is under Mother's hold as well."

I rested my elbows on the table to rest my chin on my fists. It was easy to see that I wasn't very knowledgeable about what goes on during court. I've attended a few times but it was just court officials suggesting ideas. The Emperor had the final judgement but there were times where court officials did win.

The Empress Dowager was also a powerful figure because she controlled the Emperor's moves. After she dies, the Emperor was the highest authority. I wondered how he'd rule. Knowing that he was absolutely ruthless when it comes to corrupt people, I would dread causing a slight amount of anger in him.

Even though I did make him angry already, I only got sent to the Cold Palace. What luck.

I had a dying question to ask Hua Yang. It was hard to ease into it because like the Emperor, I was straightforward.

"I fear for His Majesty's safety," I sighed, moving my cup more towards myself. I looked up at her. "There hasn't been any recent assassinations at least."

Hua Yang bit her bottom lip, pausing for a moment. She then shook her head. "No, there hasn't been... But you walk around as if you're not at risk."

"I'm at risk?" I had a noticeable perplexed expression on my face because she leaned back, knitting her eyebrows.

"Yes, you are... Do you not know?"

"Know what, Your Highness?"

"You've made quite a name for yourself," Hua Yang began, then taking a moment to take a long sip of her tea.

Hua Yang placed her cup down, smiling. She continued, "The Emperor had to place even more guards whenever you attended the banquets. I wouldn't be surprised if the Emperor had the entire harem secured even more than before!"

"The assassins know about me," I leaned back. I pressed my back to the chair. "Of course. I'm their worst enemy right now, aren't I?"

"I still think His Majesty is their worst enemy," Hua Yang shook her head and let out a soft chuckle. "But you shouldn't be afraid. Although you do have a reputation now."

Hua Yang dramatically stretched her arms out, mocking the voice of a person in awe. "The fierce consort protects the Emperor with her love! She is devoted! She is resilient!"

I let out a small laugh, grinning at the sudden playfulness in the princess's tone.

All the events that had happened recently, have been so stressful that I forgot about the assassins. It seemed long ago when it happened. There were men waiting to murder me; any time now they could come and behead me with a sword. The thought of that was frightening.

It scared me even more that I wasn't as afraid as I should be. I've been through enough to realise that living here is as dangerous as it gets.

They hated me. They were also influenced by the Empress... It was still weird to me that she had ties with them.

I cleared my throat. "Do you know anything about the assassins? Any information?"

"I don't," Hua Yang pursed her lips. "But there is one the Emperor is waiting to question. I don't interfere with any of the state affairs, but Prince Jing told me that the Emperor is coming around to it."

It seems that Prince Jing is no longer 'Your Lordship' anymore. I'll have that noted for future references.

"Shouldn't His Majesty be eager to question him?"

Hua Yang fixed her headpiece. "That's what I thought as well. It can happen any time, but the Emperor continues to push it back."

"But why?" I crossed my arms, looking away to think.

"I wonder that too," Hua Yang rose from her chair. She grinned. "Let's go take a short walk, Ying Yue! We both need some fresh air after this serious talk."

I got up from my chair and tucked it in. Quickly, I threw my head back and downed my tea, which caused a few judgemental looks from my maids. I gave them a mischievous smile and followed the princess out.

The heat hit me right in the face when I walked out. My skin was immediately warmed up and preparing itself for the weather. It was a hybrid of spring and summer. It felt nice because I felt ethereal with my hanfu flowing majestically rather than all over the place. One thing that ticked me off was the blazing sun. My eyes were still adjusting to it.

Princess Hua Yang was fairly educated about what was going on, especially from being away from the capital. I feel that her relationship with the Emperor was very strong. Although I never saw them interacting with each other, she seemed to speak about him thoughtfully.

However, I was disappointed that I couldn't get any additional information about the assassins. It would be senseless to bring up the Empress's letters. Hua Yang, I assume, would immediately inform the Emperor. Laying low, for now, seems to be the best option.

As we resumed walking, I noticed the red, powerful hanfu wearer in front of us. The Empress was having a conversation with one of the Consorts. To my surprise, she was enjoying her company. She had her elbows rested on the table and was leaning forward like she was engaged in whatever the consort was saying. They laughed after. The Empress was in joy; she threw her head back, letting out joviality. The dangling jewels from her headpiece swung while she faced the consort again.

That was shocking.

"Greetings to Your Majesty." Hua Yang and I bowed in unison.

"Greetings to Your Highness, greetings to Your Grace." the consort got up and kneeled.

Hua Yang looked at the Consort. She nodded once and smiled. "You may get up."

The Empress lost her smile and sized us up. "You two are taking a stroll together?"

"Yes," Hua Yang replied, eyeing the Empress. "The weather is nice today... Warm and still has a slight breeze. Have you seen the beautiful flowers, Empress?"

I played tennis with my eyes, darting from the Empress to Hua Yang. They both looked very welcoming. But something about Hua Yang's attitude towards the Empress was far more different than her attitude towards me.

"No, I haven't," the Empress turned her head to the consort. "Do you think we shall? We've been sitting here for quite a long time."

"Your Majesty, I'd like that." she bowed, then getting up from the bench. She had a small birthmark at the top of her eyebrow.

The Empress rose up with the help of her maids and walked away from their seating area. She brought her hand over her forehead to shield her from the sunlight. With her hand still shielding, she looked at Hua Yang. "I assume you will drop off the weekly medicine?"

My eyes bored into the Empress's face. It took a lot of patience and self-control to not bash her head against the table. No matter how much she tries to act as if she didn't hate me, I still knew her intentions. This woman has terrorized me for months. God, do you know how hard it is to face your biggest enemy and not do anything about it?

It was killing me. I felt my entire body burn, not just from the sun.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Hua Yang exhaled sharply. "You'll get it soon. A container like last time again, right?"

"Good," the Empress gave her a small smile. "Yes, the container like last time."

Hua Yang nodded. "Anything else, Your Majesty?"

"No, that'll be it," the Empress looked at both of us and smiled. "See you two around. I love looking at the flowers. It's a favourite pastime of mine... Sometimes I'll plant them myself with the other palace maids!"

I kept my head down when the Empress excused herself. It was courtesy.

After the Empress was a bit far from us, I shifted my attention to Hua Yang while we were both settling down on the bench. "Why does Her Majesty need so much medicine?"

"It's the pregnancy medicine that is consumed by drinking," Hua Yang rested her chin on her fist. "It's for her and the other women who are pregnant. But, she did ask for the same amount before she became pregnant."

Something about that didn't sit well with me.

The same amount, even before the Empress's pregnancy?

I gave her a confused look. "Don't you find that a little bit strange, Your Highness?"

"I do, actually," Hua Yang stared off into the distance. "But it's the Empress. I can't question her, but I hope she does have good intentions."

Hua Yang didn't like the Empress. I knew by the way she talked about her. She gave off a weird vibe when it comes to the Empress. They both were respectful and held themselves together with manners, but they had tension between them.

I was afraid to bring up the Empress again. Asking Hua Yang if she liked the Empress would indicate that I didn't like her. I couldn't take my chances and risk it.

We talked about my time and the crazy things that have happened to me. Hua Yang was very interested in my stories about taking down the assassins. She even laughed when I told her about me being in the Empress Dowager's chamber. I remembered the time the Empress Dowager was nice enough to treat my cut and cover for me.

Hua Yang opened up to me and told me a story of her and the Emperor. When they were kids, the Emperor tried to steal one of her buns. She was fed up and she told one of the chefs to put bunched-up fabric inside one of the buns. When the Emperor went to eat it, he had a priceless expression on his face.

We spent time laughing at each other's stories. It ended when we were approached by Prince Jing.

"Greetings to Your Highness." I got up and bowed.

Prince Jing looked at me and nodded. He quickly turned his attention to Hua Yang. "Hua Yang, His Majesty said that it's time to go. Mother wants a family dinner."

How rude! The last time he saw me, he fully acknowledged me. I guess being a 'Lord' into a 'Prince' changes you. I find it rather stupid to be born a prince then want to be a lord, then want to go back to being a prince.

"Fine," Hua Yang let out an exasperated groan. She turned to me and beamed. "It was fun spending time with you, Ying Yue! I'd like to see you again next time."

I smiled and was about to speak before the Empress walked towards us and interrupted.

"Empress, forgive me for being here," Prince Jing bowed. "His Majesty told me to fetch Hua Yang. I hope you don't mind."

The Empress shook her head and beamed. "No, not at all! I do respect His Majesty's wishes. It's great to see you."

"It is great to see you too," Prince Jing nodded. "We shall take our leave."

"Of course." the Empress relaxed her shoulders.

"Have you heard?" Pink asked me while she did my hair.

"Heard what?" I admired myself in the mirror while I fanned myself.

Snoopy interjected. "A Consort committed suicide."

I immediately thought of the Consort the Empress was speaking to. I turned my head to face Pink and Fen Ai. "Did she have a birthmark at the top of her eyebrow?"

"No," Pink knitted her eyebrows. "She didn't. Why?"

"Ah... I saw the Empress talking to a Consort the other day..." I pressed my lips firmly against the lipstick paper.

Fen Ai took the lipstick paper away and folded it. She placed it in front of me and worked on my eyebrows. I told her to keep my eyebrows simple and not crazy. Some of the women will be doing the most.

"Her Majesty has one or two friends... Well, not friends, but girls to keep her company in the harem," Fen Ai said softly as she concentrated on my makeup. "She picks on the girls that won't hurt a fly."

"Hmm... I didn't know that." I whispered, thoughtfully.

So she does have people she can vent to that isn't just her maids. But there was a sort of distance between her and other people.

"Jia Xi is the Consort's name. She had a suicide letter that was cut in half," Pink paused. "The other half is missing."

I shifted my head a little. "Do you know what's on it?"

I looked at her through my peripheral vision. Pink shook her head and frowned. It was clear to see that Pink gossips frequently with the other palace maids. The suicide incident was definitely spread around.