A longer chapter for the long period of time you all had to wait.

—

"Greetings to Imperial Concubine Zhao" Linghua bows her head, hands clasped together in front of her with elbows pointing out. Her voice is deeper than when we first met, and if one didn't know her true identity, they would undoubtedly believe she is a man. Of course, she has also dressed the part. She is wearing a black robe with detailed gold and jaded patterns embroidered on the silk. A long beaded necklace hangs dangling around her neck, and a red conical hat rests on her head. Her dark hair is braided behind her like a man's as well. However, knowing what I know, I could notice a subtle touch of feminity in her voice.

"No need for formalities... Lord Liuyang," I reply, gesturing to the cushioned seat for her to sit. I decided not to address her as Linghua or make any mistake of revealing her identity as I doubt many people know her secret, and she would probably want to keep it that way. Furthermore, she came to me as Liuyang, not Linghua, for a reason.

"May I ask the reason for your visit?" I ask, genuinely puzzled.

Her expression remains stoic, and her lips pull into a tight purse, very unlike the bubbly and animated girl I met two weeks ago. "Her Highness Empress Dowager assigned me to Angelica Wisteria Palace as your personal guard for the remainder of the day," she replies, her tone detached.

"What for? Do the consorts have guards as well?" I question, discerning the primary reason for her visit as soon as the Empress Dowager was mentioned.

Confusion makes route to the outlines of her features, though it was gone the next second. She looks apprehensive as she resolves, "No... I am here in case of any... casualties amongst the harem", almost as if she was doubtful of revealing too much of her master's worries.

The Empress Dowager had precautions. She knew that the only harm that could possibly come to me would be from the consorts schemes. After all, where better to frame the Phoenix than the Empress Dowagers birthday gathering with high lords and nobles of the court as witnesses? It is slightly comforting to know that she holds skepticism against the consorts, Lord Liuyang's visit proves this. Her subtle actions give me protection, making it difficult for Imperial Noble Consort Li and Consort Qin to slander my name.

Even so, I am not immune. The Empress Dowagers protection only goes so far. I still have to rely on myself. My mother's warnings surface to the front of my mind. 'The palace is a dangerous place. Rely on no one but yourself.' Since I arrived in the palace, I have been trusting, yes, but I've also been cautious, I have never fully let my guard down.

"Lord Liuyang, I hope you do not mind that you are not the only visitor today. Noble Consort Hua plans to make her arrival soon," I inform her colloquially, not giving much thought to it.

Her eyes appear to widen a fraction as discomfort emerges in her features, and with it, nervousness? "Noble Consort Hua will be the coming here?" she questions.

"Yes, she-"

"Noble Consort Hua has arrived!" a servant announces outside before I can finish my reply.

As soon as her feminine figure draped in snow-white silk steps in the threshold, the lord and I step down from our seats to recite our respective greetings.

"Chenqie greets Noble Consort Hua," I curtsy with my hand raised, palm facing her in show of respect.

"This lord greets Noble Consort Hua, " Linghua bows as she did for me earlier.

"Please, rise."

I notice Noble Consort Hua's brow rise at the sight of Linghua.

"Lord Liuyang, we meet again. I did not expect to see you here," Noble Consort Hua says directly to the lord. I don't miss the subtle accusery in her tone.

I glance at Linghua for her reply. Nervousness seems to be etched into her features. Her lips are pressed into a thin line.

"Yes, we meet again," Linghua repeats, evidently at a loss for any other words.

Noble Consort Hua simply frowns at her, still wearing that condemning expression, if not harsher, expecting more from the sir than a repeat of her own words.

A few moments of nervous tension pass. An inner sigh exhales in my mind. I decide something must be said to replace the awkward tension between the two. "Lord Liuyang arrived just a few moments before. The Empress Dowager sent him to- er what was it?" I turn to Linghua.

"to protect Imperial Concubine Zhao in case of any casualties among the harem," Linghua closes, her tone all the while detached.

Noble Consort Hua was suspicious of something, for what reason, I have my own suspicions. Though, of course, Linghua nor I have done anything wrong, the lord remaining silent gives her a look of trepidation, making the situation all that more ambiguous. So Linghua had to say something, anything. And her finishing off for me makes my words more reliable as well.

Still, I dislike that I had to prove something, not having done anything wrong.

A smirk tugs at the corners of Noble Consort Hua's lips, and yet, she somehow maintains her innocent natural essence. Her doe eyes settle on Linghua. "In case of any casualties? You should know better than anyone Lord Liuyang-" - her voice tugs on the lord's name - "I would never take advantage of anyone." The consort's eyes twinkle in amusement.

Linghua coughs nervously, and I notice a blush blooming on her cheeks, quickly making it's way to the corners of her eyes. "Erm... in that case, I'll be taking my leave... I'll leave your highness to-"

"to undress," Noble Consort Hua bluntly asserts, her innocent persona abruptly dissipating at the finish of such vulgar words. I wonder if the consort knows that the lord before her is a woman. No matter either way... though, it would be dangerous in these palace walls, especially since she is a consort of the Emperor.

I almost snort at the nearly comedic tension between the two. Yet I want to hit the consort at the same time.

Lingua looks exceptionally uncomfortable, as she bows rather frigidly before making a swift exit, leaving a simple nod as a farewell.

As soon as the lord has departed, I turn to the consort, my eyebrows undoubtedly raised. I give her a pointed look.

"What?" She says as if she was accused of high crime. Well, she technically would be, in the regulations of the palace, at least. But I am rather indifferent in her romantic interests.

I shake my head and gesture to the cushioned seats. "Please, sit."

Huiqing leaves to prepare a fresh pot of tea.

"You have met the lord before?" I ask once situated.

She looks at me, uninterested. She's evidently displeased that we are still on this topic. "A year ago." Her reply was rather monosyllabic, giving less information than I asked for.

"Do you know him well?" I push.

She sighs as she lowers her teacup close to her lap. And stares at nothing particular in a dreamy daze. "I do not know him well; no. It was only a few days after I had entered the palace, one night he appeared in my bedroom, and I mistook him for the emperor."

I must have had a look of trepidation because she quickly shakes her head.

"No, nothing happened. Nothing like that. He quickly rejected my advances, drowning me into embarrassment until I finally realized that he was indefinitely, not the emperor."

I hold my breath in anticipation, could she know?

She chuckles. "I would later find out that the Emperor never visits the harem."

She's silent for a few seconds; her dazed eyes shone reminiscence. "He was a guard passing by, and just minutes before, I had... accidentally knocked over a vase. Hearing a commotion, he wandered in. And after I recovered from my mortification, we conversed for the remainder of the night."

Hearing their intimacy, I suddenly become aware of the servants around us. My eyes dart to each, at least, the ones near or in my line of sight. I had forgotten extra ears were listening in our conversation.

As if noticing my uneasiness, Noble Consort turns around to survey the now blushing servants, who, most, if not all, have their gazes trained on the ground, finding our attention on them to be entirely foreign.

She turns to face me and smiles. "Do you believe I fancy the lord, have feelings for him?" she edges me on, her tone leaked amusement as if she enjoys seeing everyone in the room uncomfortable.

My gaze, I hope, is still one of indifference. I keep silent, anyone and everyone could clearly tell that her question was practically a confirmation of her feelings for the man. I had done enough, coming to this point was my fault. I had forgotten how public my conversations were. An answer from me would continue her flow of confessions, and I don't want to be involved in creating this disposition as much as I already had. I hope she will not say more.

"Well I do, I do fancy him, like him," she states.

It was only theoretical until she stated these words, a direct confession. She is inviting trouble. The man in the garden said so himself, the emperor's temper would not tolerate his women having an affair.

I stop myself at this. She is an intelligent girl. She knows that others are listening in, and she has been here longer than me to realize that word travels fast. She wishes to lead a peaceful, happy life here; she wouldn't so stupidly put herself in danger.

She shakes her head and glances at the servants. "Let them hear; it's not a problem. Anyways, if the rumor of my shameful covet should reach the Emperor, he will not give a second thought to it. It is no danger. The emperor doesn't care for his women's pastimes." She chuckles. "I suppose we aren't really his women, letting us frolic about with other men."

"I see..." Though, the man before seemed fairly serious about the consort's loyalty to the emperor.

"It is a known thing, really; it isn't a secret, at least." She smiles and leans in slightly to whisper, "I am sure among the consorts, only Imperial Noble Consort Li's purity remains, she never stopped loving the emperor. They were childhood companions."

I remained silent. I do suppose I pity the Imperial Noble Consort, having to live out the rest of her life trapped in these palace walls, holding onto unrequited love to the very man she is bound to but cannot have?

Instead, I decide to return to the previous subject. "Since it is no concern with others overhearing, if I may overstep?"

She looks slightly cautious upon my asking. "You may..."

"You donned quite an accusatory expression when you first arrived. Did you believe that-"

She cut me off. "What woman wouldn't?" she said like it was common knowledge. "He practically barged into my room that night, and once his identity was found, of course, I suspected that he walked in on me with perhaps different intentions. Yet, he made no move to show affection in that sense. Naturally, I had a brief notion that he didn't reciprocate my feelings, and his heart had room for someone else." She huffs childishly.

I smile. "You should know that he likes you too."

She beams, her eyes glimmer with hope. "You really think so?"

I laugh. It amazes me how the consort lacked security in this area when she exerted confidence wherever she went. Feeling rather bold, I look at the servant in my direct line of vision. "Excuse me, you."

He looks up along with the other staff. Discerning that my attention is directed at him, he steps forward and nods in respect.

"What is your name?"

"Chao Erfeng, Niang Niang"

"Erfeng, what do you think?" I nod to the consort.

He blushes and looks down. Although it is quite amusing, I do feel slightly guilty for putting him in such an embarrassing position.

"They would have to be blind to not see the lords affection for your grace," he bashfully assures her.

She smiles at him kindly before turning back to me. "I do sure hope so. If he doesn't profess soon, I might have to set my sights somewhere else," she jokes, nodding to the servant, meaning to give a compliment of her own.

It was not taken this way.

The others laugh uncontrollably, unable to hold it in—the servant whom the laugher is directed to blushes profusely and shrinks back into the line of attendings. I see Ruyi in his place, children around her mocking the blue-eyed girl. I know that when we are out of their sights, they will do the same to him.

I started this.

"Alright enough." I scan through the staff. "You all should learn from him; a sweet tongue is a benefiting skill to have in these palace walls. Lacking self-control is not. Which one is more shameful at the end of the day, I am sure you all know."

Being scolded at, they all lower their heads.

"You may all leave."

When the staff has made their departure, Huiqing turns to me, her brows furrowed. "I am deeply sorry, Niang Niang, I had thought I trained them better. I will discipline them."

With a wave of my hand, I shake it off. "I am at fault as well. I shouldn't have singled the servant out. Please give Erfeng my apologies when you see him."

I don't think the staff meant any harm. On the surface, it does seem like harmless and lighthearted laughter, but they just don't know what it feels like being on the receiving end.

Noble Consort Hua laughs, having observed this whole ordeal. "I take it you had siblings growing up?"

"Three."

"Your staff are the nearest thing to family here. You're protective. But your also relatively reckless yourself, aren't you? Traits inherited from young, I presume?"

I think back to my childhood; I was never the wild one. I was stubborn, yes, and had quite an ill temper, I will admit. But I was level headed.

"On the contrary, it was my older sister Xixi who gave us all a headache day and night. My eldest sister was always the voice of reason; only she could coax Xixi out of her wild ideas. Once, Xixi announced at the dinner table that she wanted to fly. Just another one of her wild ideas that may or may not come to revelation, this one, as it seemed impossible, we thought would not. Though, she somehow constructed a wing-like mechanism that supposedly would allow her to 'fly,' and unknown to us, she was going to test it out at the cliffs bordering our town. Thank heavens Changying, my eldest sister found her and stopped her in time. Xixi was in a fit for the rest of the day, before swiftly moving on to her next idea.

The consort raises an eyebrow. "You did not partake in your sister's adventures?"

I smile, thinking about our shenanigans. "Adventures? No. At most, I joined her for harmless sisterly fun, like..."

"making a pastime of others embarrassing moments?" she finishes, a soft smile plastered on her lips, a virtuous manner, but she was given away by her dark eyes that gleamed with glee.

I think back to my amusement just seconds before the laughter.

"Well... yes."

I wouldn't give her the entire win. "But my fun always had a cause. I wouldn't pour excessive amounts of seasoning in the still boiling stew for the fun of it, in the end, no one, including me, is to benefit from the unpleasant taste and unessasary waste of food. That is reckless. When I told Erfeng to come forth, however, I asked him for his conclusion, as a second opinion, on your situation with the lord to further reassure you of the lord's affections."

She thinks about it for a moment. "Yes, I suppose I see. Recklessness is acting without a care of the consequences." She shakes her head at me. The smugness irritated me. "But you are, after all, still reckless—" she pretends to think for a moment "—add prideful to the list as well."

"But—"

"Defying Imperial Noble Consort Li's command at the dinner ceremony, dancing on the courtyard bridge of all places— tsk* tsk* very unladylike I must say—, sneaking out in the middle of the night, as well as during the daylight, spen—"

"How did you know th-

"interrupting the higher authority," she keeps going, though, unable to hide her amusement.

I give her an unimpressed look.

"The Emperor may turn a blind eye to rumors, but rumors still circulate, you know," she pointedly replies.

I was truly stuck in my own bubble. I have been used to existing in the background for so long that I had disregarded who I was, the Phoenix. An addition to the harem would create its own fuss, but the Phoenix? Of course, others would be watching me particularly closely.

"Alright, point taken, I am reckless. But how is anyone supposed to do anything then? Every action you make, results in a consequence, and it is impossible to plan ahead for every consequence."

"This, I do not have an answer." She sighs. "All this talking is rather dull...." The corners of her lips curl into a childish smile. She becomes enlivened at the thought of her most favorite hobby. " Let us pamper ourselves and get ready for tonight's party."