The afternoon sun had already begun to fade when the news finally reached Lady Chen's courtyard.
Unlike the rest of the palace, her residence was quiet and orderly. The servants moved carefully, their footsteps light against the polished stone floor. A faint fragrance of sandalwood incense lingered in the air.
Lady Chen sat near the open window, calmly embroidering a delicate silk sleeve. The thread between her fingers shimmered pale gold under the soft sunlight.
Her movements were graceful and precise.
Anyone who saw her would think she was completely at peace.
But her mind was not.
For several days the palace had been filled with rumors.
Whispers of the Empress drowning.
Whispers of death.
Whispers of mourning.
And although Lady Chen had kept her composure, a strange uneasiness had been quietly growing inside her chest.
The sound of hurried footsteps broke the silence.
A maid rushed into the room and immediately dropped to her knees.
"Lady Chen!"
