The sly flower and the bored butterfly

I am confused

My uneventful night soon came to an end as I reached the small narrow path. Like  before I reached the stables . The horse seemed to know that it had arrived at it's home. It gently stopped when it reached the stable. The other two horses grunted a response. The trapdoor was still the same. I tapped on it three times. Someone tapped back three times. The door slowly creaked open, I saw a faint silhouette. It was Head court lady An.
She gave me her hand and I went down.

　　' Are you harmed anywhere, mistress?' Head court lady An stared at me in the dark light of the tunnel .I shook my head and said, ' I am fine. Let's hurry back.' She turned around and we started crawling again. To my surprise she didn't ask any questions. Perhaps she truly believes that court ladies don't have eyes and ears. The smelly tunnel hadn't gotten any better. We didn't have torches this time due to my poor planning skills so it was even more disgusting. We hurried through the tunnel.

　　On the way, Head court lady An collected all the marks she had left to mark our way. The litter in the tunnel hadn't magically disappeared like I wished it would.We soon reached the other end of the trapdoors that opened in my study chamber. Head court lady An gave the door a slight push and we went out. A'xi noticed our presence and helped us out. I closed the trapdoor and it soon looked like my little adventure out there never happened. It was as if the trap door didn't exist anymore.

　　' Are you alright, your majesty? Did you encounter any difficulties?' A'xi asked me. I immediately started undressing. ' Later, I will fill you in later. Burn these clothes, which hour is this?' Head court lady An started helping me take off my clothes. A'xi informed me. ' It is near the end of tigers hour. The rabbits hour will start soon.'  I started estimating time in my heart. I don't know where will official Huan bring that girl. It will be time for the morning greetings.

　　At this moment, this palace is slowly waking up. Maids and court ladies will start working very soon. It isn't safe to wander around the palace at this hour. It will easily take me a lot of time to prepare for morning greetings. Though official Huan won't snitch about my little demonstration earlier, I shouldn't leave any loopholes by my sides. The only solution I have is to get ready and hope for the best. The chaos that will unfold in the morning will be hectic. I lost this time.

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　　The rabbits hour soon started. Like I predicted an eunuch from the central palace came to deliver a message. We went to the northern garden, a wonderful location because it was close to the princesses quarters. Imperial mother, his majesty, a handful of consorts related to the princess and I were seated at the northern garden. I noticed some old servants from princess palace. Official Huan was already there. He stated the reason for the early gathering. He briefly looked at my direction and began speaking.

　　' Recently, the palace was struck with an unfortunate incident. Her majesty investigated the assassination attempt against the seventh princess. This servant was instructed by his majesty to aid in the investigation. After her careful inquisition, she found out about the culprit.' Several eyes turned towards me. I kept my cool and pretended as if I knew what was happening.  A woman was brought in. Her hands were bound by iron chains, she was gruby and had dried blood on her clothes.

　　I saw some consorts exchange disgusted glances. I had never seen her before. An eunuch started questioning her, ' Do you know where you are right now?' She raised her head with contempt. Her eyes held an expression of mockery and disgust. She said,
' Why yes I know, I am in the filthy imperial palace.'
Before I could make sense of the situation, eunuch li bellowed, ' How dare you speak like that in front of their majesties?' No one here had witnessed such atrocity before. Everyone was stone faced.

　　The woman once again started laughing. She screeched, ' Everyone is so dirty here. All of you are monsters, low lives, filthy, stained parasites.' ...................

　　I was very, very appalled by what the woman did. Her foolishness astounded me. A loud bang brought me back to reality. Imperial mother had the most frightening look on her face. Eunuch li trembled a little before hushing some servants to drag the woman out. Everyone was silent and soon complaints rang out. ' How could she ? My heart leaped out, That vulgar wench, She soiled the atmosphere.' Official Huan quickly apologized for the disturbance and started again.

　　' The woman brought here was a rebel from the borders. She sneaked in the palace using a fake identity. She intended to harm the imperial family and injured the princess. Fortunately, she didn't manage to fatally injure the princess.' Official Huan spun a story. My sly husband immediately jumped in the play. He said, ' Zhen was generous and spared the rebels however they don't know how to be grateful. They dared to march up to the palace. Zhen won't be so benevolent this time.'

　　' These rebels are outrageous. They are openly mocking the imperial families generosity. Huang di, you have to restore our honor.' Imperial mother said. He acted along. The harem was dismissed because everyone was aghast at the series of events that took place. She was sentenced to death penalty. Her tongue was to be pulled out before hanging her. A General and a trusted courtier was dispatched to the border to quell the rebels.

　　Those officials who guarded the capital walls were demoted and penalized. Other officials replaced them. The court ladies and eunuchs too were replaced . In a day, there was a major shift in power in the capital. Outwardly, the princess was served justice and the despicable woman was rightfully punished. But I don't know her. She clearly isn't the one who injured the princess. What about the man and woman I injured in the perfume salon last night? Interestingly enough, I think I know what happened.

　　This ridiculous tale, people getting killed and changed and that ostentatious performance performed by official Huan, his majesty and I wonder how many other masterminds. All of it angers, horrifies and amazes me at the same time. Should I feel bad for myself for being used, or should I feel angry on behalf of the princess for getting used for a selfish move. Instead should I applaud his majesty for orchestrating this sweet performance?

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A/N: Guess who shamelessly came back after disappearing for a long ( very very long actually) time? Yep, it's me!!!!!

How are you guys doing? Are you guys getting enough serotonin regularly?

Don't mind me being awkward here. Enjoy the story~