It's been a few days since Jaxon and I last talked. We were supposed to leave during this time, but I needed some space. I continued to do my chores and duties as an empress. He continued to aid the Emperor and run a few things.

We both wanted to go home. But due to the circumstances of our relationship, we chose to stay for a while. Besides, I wanted to stay a little longer. I should practice adjusting to my surroundings when I go back home, which is hard for me because I'm already comfortable here.

A year without the Internet, memes, and food that I couldn't have here was devastating to cope with. Now that I was used to it, I found myself thinking about how it would be like when I arrived back. They'll think I was a cavewoman or something. I've been so used to the mannerisms of a high-ranking woman that others would look at me funny. Even the clothes I will wear will feel peculiar to me.

I'll also have to deal with never coming back, and that'll hurt me the most.

I also might have to steal some of the silk bolts.

"What are you thinking about?" Hua Er seemed to have noticed how I looked. She craned her neck to the side to read me.

I had my head dipped to do a complicated embroidery. Dragon sleeping in the middle of the hall inspired me. I set my things down and looked up at Hua Er. I tried to hide what I was feeling, but she looked right through me. "I was just thinking about how sad I will be when I leave here."

"I see," Hua Er let out a shaky exhale. Her glossy eyes stood out, but I pretended I didn't notice. She sat down next to me. "I am going to miss you... I-I'll hate you if you never visit."

What Jaxon and I didn't know, was if we could even come back here. The recipe was to leave, not to arrive. We came here through an impactful collision. To be positive and think I'll ever come back was just too unrealistic. My expectations shouldn't be too high.

"I don't even know if I can, Hua Er," I looked away. Tears were already forming, rising above and this time, I let it go. I can be vulnerable. I needed to be vulnerable. Right now was the best chance because I repressed it all this time. "I wish I could... I really wish I could..."

Hua Er held my trembling chin and made me face her. Tears rolled down her cheeks, and oh how she looked so innocent. Both of us, we were already having our moment together. I wanted to pull away. I wanted to stop it because it was a waste of tears. When it is time for me to depart, we can have this moment.

I was about to stop this thing we had on, but Hua Yang already did it for me.

"Her Highness has arrived!" a eunuch from outside my palace yelled.

Hua Yang was already walking in. Hua Er quickly stood up and bowed. "Greetings to Your Highness."

"Happiness and peace to the Empress." Hua Yang quickly bowed.

"Rise..." I furrowed my eyebrows. She looked rushed and agitated.

She took a deep breath. "Thank you, Empress."

"What's going on?" I adjusted myself on the throne. Hua Er and I quickly wiped our remaining tears away and acted normal.

But in fact, we did not look normal.

Hua Yang must've not noticed due to her strange behaviour. She dipped her head. "Noble Consort Gao claims she is sick. I haven't checked her temperature yet, but she insisted that she has a fever... She said that it started happening after you gifted her the powder."

I stood up. Hua Er quickly helped me down and whispered in my ear, "That is Lady Fei Ruo, Empress."

She was smart. She was smart indeed. She was given a chance and she took it. I doubted her abilities and I soon would have to pay the price. But the Emperor has yet to find out and Hua Yang, was on my side.

Both of us knew that the powder was not harmful. Hua Yang especially. Fei Ruo was playing a very dangerous game.

"There was nothing wrong with the powder I've given her," I muttered under my breath.

Hua Yang nodded. "Yes. I figured what you were up to, Your Majesty... But I doubt that you wanted to harm her."

I tried to hide my smirk. "Alright, yes. I did provide her with sleeping powder, but I did try to make it as harmless as possible."

The breeze hit me when I stepped outside. It was a bit chilly today but the heavy brocade attire kept me warm.

When we stepped down, the sedan chairs awaited us.

"It is harmless," Hua Yang stood next to me as we tried to talk it out as much as possible. "The best I could do is convince her that it wasn't due to the perfume... But she demands that it was."

"Good," I nodded. "Then we shall see her."

Hua Er and I sat in silence. Although I was feeling anxious and uncertain about whether this situation can be resolved, I kept a calm demeanour. The last thing I want to do is panic over this. Fei Ruo was weak compared to me. This I know for certain. Secondly, the Emperor is already aware of the countless schemes against me. He'd believe me. I know he would.

I took deep breaths to calm myself down during the ride. It was hard to maintain a calm composure when I walked into the residence because I just wanted to strangle Fei Ruo.

The Empress should never dirty her hands.

As three of us walked in, Fei Ruo was comfortable under the blankets. She had her eyes closed while her maids surrounded her. They turned around and quickly kneeled. "Warm blessings to Your Majesty, greetings to Princess Hua Yang."

"You may all rise," I nodded curtly. They got up and thanked me. They stood in their place as if they weren't going to leave their mistress. I cleared my throat. "You may all be dismissed."

The maids hesitated to leave, but they ended up obliging my orders.

Fei Ruo fluttered her eyes and looked at me. She raised her upper body to face us. "Warm blessings to the Empress, greetings to Your Highness."

"How are you feeling?" I asked.

Hua Yang took a step back for me to walk closer. Fei Ruo quickly took the drink on the table and took slow gulps. She didn't look sick at all. She looked fine. The pitiful expression on her face was faked to show how miserable she was. There seemed to be no sniffles, no coughing, nor vomiting of any sort. Did she think we were stupid?

Fei Ruo finished. She was glowering at me now. "Empress, after the powder you sent me, I've been terribly ill! I will need to—"

"Your Majesty," Hua Yang smiled. "Fei Ruo says she has a high fever because her body is heating up."

I nodded once. Hua Yang dipped her head to bow and walked slowly over to Fei Ruo. I stayed silent while she had the back of her hand touching Fei Ruo's forehead. As I was busy seeing through the lies, Hua Er excused herself quietly. Her small footsteps were heard.

Fei Ruo's eyes were still trying to send me a message of some sort, with the way she kept looking at me. There was no way to even prove that it was me, so why was I feeling apprehensive right now?

Hua Yang turned around. She widened her eyes. "Empress... Her forehead is very hot. Her body heat is abnormally hot. I suppose she is suffering from a fever."

"We are approaching autumn," I kept my head high. "Many individuals' immune systems become vulnerable due to seasonal changes."

The princess opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by the irritable consort. Fei Ruo huffed. "Empress, I've been feeling worse by the second now! What did you put in that powder? I demand to speak to another physician, and then His Majesty!"

I was starting to lose my patience. Fei Ruo could get me in trouble if I don't stall. Haven't I been through enough disrespect already? Fei Ruo was staring at me like I was some sort of peasant. Hua Yang tried to cool things off, but she already saw the fire blazing in my eyes.

"How dare you speak to me like that?" I roared.

Fei Ruo leaned forwards. "I apologize, Your Majesty! But I cannot be able to be in a space with you because you tried to harm me! I have a fever, Empress. What more do you want me to say?"

"Explain this!" Hua Er exclaimed.

Hua Yang and I snapped our heads in her direction. Hua Er stood gracefully, but the anger on her face contrasted with her dainty figure. She kicked the bucket out of its hiding place. It slid in front of her. There was steam rising above the container. A white towel was floating on the surface of the water.

My patience was already being tested. I continued to breathe heavily, turning my head to wait for an explanation. Fei Ruo didn't talk. She sneaked a peek at Hua Yang and quickly looked away.

Again, I win.

"You lied. You tried to frame me. This is defamation," I angrily pointed at her. I was shaking under my attire. "This is the third strike! Do you understand? I'll speak to His Majesty and get rid of you myself!"

Hua Yang nodded. "She plotted against you. She also lied to me. That is harmful against an Imperial family member. She must be punished, Empress."

Fei Ruo continued to talk and justify her actions. Her inane words were going into one ear and leaving another.

"I-I... That bucket was just to clean me off! I promise," Fei Ruo stammered. She looked at me with pleading eyes. "Your Majesty, please pardon me. I wouldn't dare to—"

"Shut up!" I yelled.

The chaotic energy in the room quickly died. No movements, no sound. I watched her, glared at her, cursed her with my eyes, whatever I could to express how furious I was. I could've framed her and got rid of her way before.

What would've happened if Hua Er didn't find the bucket? What would've happened if the Emperor found out?

There was no chance for this plan to succeed. The Emperor believed me because this was again, another plan to harm me. Fei Ruo was hanging by a thread right now, and I was very close to cutting her off completely.

"By law, you should be executed." my breaths began to regulate. I felt calm knowing she'd be gone, away from my position.

"N-No! Your Majesty, I can't! I-I'm pregnant!" Fei Ruo cried.

"Let me check your pulse!" Hua Yang quickly took her wrist.

Checking her pulse wouldn't be enough. I didn't know what the hell these people did to ensure someone was pregnant but I couldn't risk it. I wished they had pregnancy tests here.

But Fei Ruo gave Hua Yang her wrist. It was easy to raise your heart rate and pretend you were pregnant. It was better to debunk the truth and embarrass her. One way or another, I will have her dead.

I beckoned Hua Er to come back to me. Then, I turned to Hua Yang. "Let it go. We'll have another physician to test whether she is pregnant or not."

Hua Yang raised both her eyebrows. "But, Your Majesty..."

"Let's leave." I turned around, heading out of the suffocating room. Hua Er and Hua Yang walked behind me.

Perhaps they both thought we were defeated.

The Emperor would have to see it to believe it. I believe sooner or later, the Emperor will be informed that Fei Ruo was bearing his child. I'd like to stay for nine months and see if it was true, but I couldn't. It was up for Hua Yang to have her eyes fixed on her.

As we walked down the corridor, Hua Yang turned to me. "Why did you excuse her?"

"Hua Yang, His Majesty will be likely to forgive her because she is 'bearing his child'," I smiled. "After a few months, I do want you to keep an eye on her. If she is caught lying, then she will suffer more consequences."

I was afraid she would try something again, knowing that I let her off the hook. But I already have many to watch my back. And soon, I'll have to make up with Jaxon.

She nodded, still uncertain about my decision. "Yes, Empress."

"There is no way Lady Fei Ruo is pregnant," Su Yin shook her head. Her baby was in her arms, surprisingly still and silent. "She slept with the Emperor twice, a month ago, and there is no baby bump or any symptoms of pregnancy!"

I gently put down my cup. "Not yet, at least. Soon, the Emperor will be elated and Fei—I mean, Noble Consort Gao will have to watch her back. I could poison her at any time."

It was hard to remember many names and refer to them as such. I think my maids knew how improper I was, but they were loyal enough to not call me out on it. Although it looks like I was terrible with remembering names, I still try my best to.

"I believe she's only saying this because she doesn't want to be punished." Su Yin continued to rock her baby before passing it onto the wet nurse.

"I agree with that too. The Emperor has slept with her, though."

Su Yin scoffed. "Empress, you truly let her off the hook so easily. I wonder what you have under your sleeve?"

Nothing. I was going to leave it to Hua Yang anyway. I mean, there was no harm. Fei Ruo couldn't possibly try anything if she was so-called pregnant. If she did, then she would suffer the consequences. I was already on high alert and if she did mess up, the Emperor would be even more pissed when the day comes.

I was leaving soon, anyway. I kept on telling myself that. Right after I feel like it is ready to leave, I will.

Looking at Su Yin, I realised that I'll have to break it to her. She could keep a secret, I was sure of it. Nobody else knew about Jaxon and me. Although this trip has given me major trust issues, I can always count on Su Yin.

I'm going to miss her snarky attitude.

"I-I guess I haven't figured it out yet but," I looked at her and reassuringly grinned. "I believe I have more things on my plate."

"You're strong," Su Yin agreed. "Noble Consort Gao doesn't stand a chance against you, Empress, and I'll keep an eye on her for you."

A small thud alarmed both of us. We looked behind our shoulders. The room divider was leaning against the wall. It was on the verge of slipping and falling on the floor.

There was a petite consort laying on the ground. She quickly kneeled. "A-ah! Joy and bliss to the Empress!"

Su Yin knitted her eyebrows. "What are you doing here, sister?"

"I-I heard what you two said.. about Lady Fei Ruo... I agree..." the consort, remaining on her knees, exclaimed in a sudden jittery manner.

I immediately stood up from the chair. The chair almost flew back, skyrocketing horizontally but one of my maids set it straight. The consort dipped her head to avoid my gaze.

Gripping on my maid's hand, I questioned, "Were you eavesdropping in our conversation?"

"I apologize, Your Majesty! I was wrong. Please pardon me," the consort immediately kowtowed. "I believe... it was true. It was my suspicions as well... I couldn't help but eavesdrop. I apologize a thousand times!"

I raised an eyebrow. "If you want to eavesdrop so badly, kneel in that corner for the duration of our conversation."

Swiftly, I pointed at the corner of the room. Su Yin widened her eyes at my sudden outburst but chose to stay silent. If I had said anything else, this consort could've had things to blackmail me with. Every single day, I keep getting disrespected.

And how clumsy was she?

After a few minutes, I realised I still had a thought in my head regarding Fei Ruo.

"How do you have suspicions if it wasn't announced yet?" I glared at the consort. She stayed quiet in the corner which was kind of funny to me.

The consort dipped her head in shame. "Empress, Lady Fei Ruo has declared pregnancy very recently. Just about two hours ago. His Majesty knows."

That was faster than I thought it would be. Fei Ruo's pregnancy had to be convincing enough for the other physicians to believe that she's carrying the Emperor's child.

Dinner had arrived. I let a maid usher the consort out and began to eat my meal. After my maids quickly tested the food for poison, we both ate together.

Su Yin paused. "Empress, you've become so..."

"So what?" I cocked an eyebrow.

"Don't take this as an offense, but you are quite hot-headed," Su Yin began. She waited for my reaction. "Yet... You're very... How do I say it? Virtuous?"

I chuckled. "You said it, like a true empress."