The Emperor's Concubine

12: Serpent

"You best watch out for your mistress's safety" the timid girls says, hands quivering.

"What do you mean?"

"The palace is a dangerous place, beware of- " Even from the other side of the yard, Jingah can hear the ear-piercing scream of spiteful banshee demanding her maid's presence. She flinches, the newly made robes in her hands almost slipping out of her grasp and falling to the floor. The other maid scatters off hastily, words long forgotten as she goes about tending to her own mistress' needs. A eunuch walks past, stopping in front of her to help. After rearranging the robes neatly for her once again, he pauses, expression contemplative.

"Are you Lady Li Hua's maid?" he asks wearily. She nods cautiously, eyeing the man from head to toe.

"Yes," He hands her a golden envelope, sealed with the royal crest.

"Please give this to her" He says, bowing in acknowledgement before he walks off.

"Did you hear?"

"Of what?"

"Lady Leng Yue has already been gifted with her own chambers!"

"I wonder how many favours she must of done to be able to receive that?"

"Need we even ask?"

Ling Hua watches the chatter of the other concubines, eyes weary and tired as the she-devil enters the dining hall. All chatter immediately ceases, and she stares at the haughty girl rearranging her dress with a knowing smirk. Her group of followers surround her, babbling and congratulating animatedly about her promotion of ranks. Receiving your own chambers away from the concubine wing was indeed a feat most noteworthy. It was considered true recognition from The Emperor, and a rank above everyone else. She frowns, The Emperor's heart was not easy to follow. Of course she knew this already, but how was she to know that he were that frivolous in nature?

The invasion of northern border was taking an impact on the whole palace. Everyone had been on high alert while The Emperor himself had spent countless days and nights discussing battle strategies. Li Hua had not seen him ever since the day in the tent, and though she disliked to say it out loud, she had missed his company and cheeky ways. However, what was more scary may be that she missed his touch. Her dreams were often plagued with his teasing kisses, and she would often wake up hot and flustered. The Empress's health had suddenly also taken a turn for the worse, her coughing fits often ending in spots of blood on her silken handkerchief. Though she refused to tell The Emperor himself, Li Hua had witnessed the terrifying ordeal already, constantly worrying beside her the unexpectantly weakened woman.

"Don't," she would gasp breathlessly. "He has enough to worry about as it is,"

Sometimes, Li Hua would wonder how on earth such a warm-hearted woman could ever be mistaken for a cruel and cunning wrench. The time she had spent keeping The Empress company had been filled with hushed talks regarding the invasion, the possibility of a new war and era beginning, and the end of the one they now lived in. She had also rasied her own concerns about the nature of the attack, and how it would undoubtedly affect her and The Emperor's relationship, seeing as it had originated from her own country. The Empress had burshed them aside easily, laying all her trust in her father- The Northern King. Of course, after the tent incident, The Empress had also casually regarded her reckless choice of colours.

"It is dangerous to wear such colours, my dear"

"It was from The Emperor" she had replied solemnly. At first, Li Hua had expected the whole palace to be ablaze with the controversy, however with the prospect of war at hand, it had been dismissed without a second thought to spare. The Empress had looked astounded before laughing mirthlessly,