Phoenix

Chapter 17

Can she do that? When the Emperor is sitting right beside her? I suppose it's true what Ciufan said, the Emperor really does not indulge himself with the harem. His mother is the real head, the one that makes all decisions relating to the harem. The Empress Dowagers power is beyond me. But the Emperor has given no rejection.

Nor has he given away any emotion.

My breath catches for a moment when his eyes pierce through me.

Gosh, why did I let curiosity get the best of me and looked to him for a reaction?

Remembering where I am, I bow down towards the Empress Dowager. "Nucai thanks Empress Dowager for her generosity. Nucai wishes Empress Dowager health and prosperity for many decades to come." I express my gratitude and politely exit center stage.

As I walk back to my table I almost miss Linghua's figure lurking in the shadows. She's practically swallowed by them, no one would notice her presence. I forgot she was to protect me.

I direct a small smile to her. There will be no fighting. The harems ploy was merely a defaced artwork — material value.

When I do sit down, how flustered I still am becomes apparent. I was so distracted by my surroundings that I didn't notice how fast my heart was beating. And now that the thought is coming to the front of my conscious, my heartbeats seem to be getting louder and louder in my head.

His eyes... so beautifully red, had punctured my soul then indulged. Through capture and seize it was taken against my will. But there will be no contesting, it is wholly his.

I have never met the man, nor seen his face, even less an expression, but his eyes told it all. My eternity — our eternity, I will never be alone. My soul will always long for his, breath for him, and even when he is no longer, it will hold a place for him.

It's strange, realizing that your life is indefinitely tied to someone else's. I never stopped to think about it. I'm not sure why I have come to this revelation now of all places.

Festivities continue late into the night, and I am, admittedly, absentminded for the majority of the time.

It isn't until I make it back to my residence that I reflect on today's events.

Sadly, their ploy forced me out of my act. I was supposed to be a brainless and ditzy country girl yet I forgot and acted with composure throughout today's events. Humph, no one is going to lower their guard now. They will only amplify their tactics. I escaped affliction today but this really does not help me in the future.

As festivities continue throughout the night and I am resigned to my resident on the premises of exhaustion, I think about the culprit. Who could've done it? I must be more careful in the future. I didn't pay much attention to the security of the painting and there were probably many instances where someone could have tampered with it. Sadly, because I overlooked it, I have no way of knowing.

Gossip circulated quite quickly to my residence as well. I learned that Zhong Ciufan was awarded the title of Imperial Concubine, as she comes from a very influential family. Her father is a prominent minister in the Emperor's court. She was also given her gold coin with an engraving of a sweet olive flower. Concubine Wu received hers as well; a lotus flower that compliments her auspicious nature.

A rumor was going around that supposedly, there will be three new additions to the harem, though they are not in attendance. The rumored are three girls from three of the most influential families; Lady Zhu, Princess Fei, and Lady Xue. Princess Fei was the talk of the party; well known for her unparalleled beauty. I heard many people referring to her as the Empires Lost Princess. I'll have to ask Noble Consort Hua about the princess's background later, she seems to know everything.