Ming Zhu and The Pearl that Shines

Chapter Twenty-Two - The Lady in Green

It was around this time that stories started to emerge about a lady in green.

Maids would huddle together and whisper about sightings of this mysterious lady who was dressed in a green hanfu, gliding gracefully down corridors. But it was not the Ghost Month anymore.

"Ping from South Court says she saw the lady in green singing under a tree."

"Wei Wei from East Kitchen says a friend of hers saw the lady walking along the corridor right next to Lady Hui's sleeping chambers!"

"I have a better story and it is real, I promise. I saw her walking next to the Empress of the East's koi pond. She was in this jade-green hanfu... She looked straight at me and disappeared. So scary!"

All the while, Xiao Xiao could hear Ming Zhu's delighted giggling and knew who was behind the real source of the stories.

Is it necessary? Xiao Xiao asked quietly. Scaring people?

Ming Zhu's laughter was the only answer, echoing down as if she was in a large chamber and she was standing somewhere far away.

I am keeping an eye on things, Ming Zhu replied back and Xiao Xiao had the image of bubbles streaming underwater. There is trouble and I can smell it.

Xiao Xiao's hand clenched. She was in the middle of a boring lecture by Master Gao about classical Tang poetry. Suddenly she itched to grab her jian and protect Xiao Xin.

Bitterness has a smell to it, Ming Zhu continued. The person is bitter and hateful. She has been bitter and hateful for a long time.

Then Ming Zhu's presence vanished, only the throb of the green pearl's power signalled that the connection was still there.

"Pay attention, Lady Xiao Xiao!" Master Gao grumbled. He was a kindly old man and Xiao Xiao felt sorry for him.

She went back to Li Bai's poems, wondering silently about what Ming Zhu had revealed.

Was the Empress of the West going to get her comeuppance?