It was not often Huli was seen outside the imperial building, strolling around the palace for no reason in particular. The man did not indulge himself in pointless pleasures, especially with councilmen desperate for guidance. Thus, still in mourning of his mother, many people feared Huli’s wander. Among the worry was Meifan’s own concern; the higher servant role promised to her was taken with Qiaolian’s life. With no mistress to serve, she fell into redundancy. This left her to fear falling in ranks or forced to leave the imperial palace she had grown accustomed to. The only hope glimmered from Huli’s daily demands but even this, lessened over the days.

They continued to wander and came to a private shrine which sat in the corner of the imperial building near Lady Gaze. All beams and arches were bright red and the golden roof was slightly smaller than the first floor of the imperial building. Trees and an assortment of untrimmed plants added a sense of abandonment and concealed a hidden door.

“Get in,” Huli ordered, watching his usual servants remain metres away under his instruction.

Meifan walked through the plants and through the doorway. Walls, painted with soft swirls of pale blue and white, surrounded her and the burning incense lead her further down the short hallway. This opened into a small room on a higher level, with a bed and lanterns. Here, Qiaolian laid.

Old, soiled bandages were disposed in a ceramic bowl, leaving the woman’s disgusting wound visible. A deep cut split a portion of skin on the side of Qiaolian’s neck, the layers of muscles indistinguishable due to the blackness which contaminated the blood. Dark veins protruded around this wound, displaying the poison’s devastating effect. However, Meifan found her mistress’s rising and falling chest far more shocking than any injury.

Helpless to the relief of self-preservation, since her mistress lived, the maid ran over to the bed and grasped hold of Qiaolian’s hand. “I thought you were dead, Madam! We carried your coffin!”

“Nothing can kill Zhao Qiaolian,” Huli said proudly. “The Fox should fear the woman who can survive a slit throat and poison. He should fear the Zhao family.”

“The gods have blessed you, Madam and your majesty.”

“Recovery is slow, since the poison is rare, and that is why no one is to know my mother is alive. Except you. I have brought you here for a reason, Song Meifan. My mother requested it. For you to learn this secret means my mother holds great value to your name.”

“I am honoured, your majesty.” Meifan bowed but hesitated to let go of Qiaolian’s hand. She hoped her sincerity shone through this action.

“My mother has not spoken many words since the incident. I will speak in her pla—” Huli stopped his sentence and watched Qiaolian mov slightly; she wanted to talk.

The strain on Qialian’s vocal chords after days of silence caused her to sound semi- strangled. “I need your help, young girl. You shall be my eyes and ears.”

“Forgive me. I do not understand,” Meifan replied quietly.

“This Fa Huian is valuable to the Fox. Why else would he stop her execution? I have contemplated this over and over but cannot understand their connection. This is why I need you. From my understanding you had a bond with Fa Huian and I want you to earn it back. Gain her trust and report back to me. Do this and the royal family is in your favour. We can lift your position as a slave and educate you to become a proper lady. Continue to prove your loyalty and we can offer anything beyond your wildest dreams. The emperor’s concubine could be achievable, shall you accept.”

Meifan’s eyes shone and her heart grew giddy from its own rapid beating. Minutes ago she feared her dismissal and now, she was offered as a concubine. The reply couldn’t come fast enough. “I accept your proposal.”

After this, Huli dismissed Meifan with a tense expression settling on his face. “It’s disgusting and I don’t like it. You know I hate communicating with dirty servants.”

“The temptation of becoming an imperial concubine will make her do anything for us. We haven’t promised it to her, only put the idea in her head. Trust me, my son.” Qiaolian remained flat on the bed, unmoving except for her lips and eyes.

“I also disagree with announcing the marriage between Fa Huian and Ànshù. He is an unworthy general with no bounds. If anything, he saw it as his victory!” Huli seethed.

“You need Ànshù. He is a great weapon to have at your disposal.”

“But—”

“The larger the horse, the higher the fall. We gave Ànshù what he wanted and after we remove Wang Joaolong, he will loyally serve you. If your uncle does his role well, everything will be perfect and no one will dare defy or speak ill against you.”

“Too many already people defy me!” Huli roared, recalling recent news. “The Hirane training camp was destroyed because of the Fox! Mother, who cares for Wang Joaolong! He is nothing now! My troubles lie with assassins!”

“Which is why you need Ànshù!” Qiaolian tried to yell but choked on her words. “Trust me. We will prevail. Oh and bring your uncle next time, Huli. I need to speak to him too. There is much we must prepare for.”