The sky had turned a deep, honey-colored gold by the time the sun began its slow descent behind the palace walls. Servants lit the lanterns one by one along the curved walkways, and the faint hum of cicadas carried through the still evening air.
Inside the Empress's quarters, the scent of jasmine tea drifted softly through the room, mingled with something less pleasant—raised voices.
"Fen Yu!" came Empress Lian An's sharp tone from within. "If I see one more hairpin missing, I will personally banish all three of you to the ancestral hall!"
From inside came the sound of things clattering and muffled whines. "We didn't steal, Mistress! We only borrowed!" cried the first ghost, her voice echoing faintly from the far wall.
"Borrowed? Borrowed from my jewelry box?" Lian An snapped, glaring toward the corner where a faint shimmer of light betrayed the presence of her mischievous companions.
