For the first time, a slight change appeared on Concubine Zi's face.
The calm composure she had maintained until now flickered slightly.
A dazed, almost distant look entered her glowing amber eyes, as if the name had pulled something long buried up to the surface.
She slowly looked up toward the smoke-filled night sky.
"…We used to be good friends," she murmured softly.
Her voice carried a faint, nostalgic weight that had not been present before.
"When I first entered the palace, I was completely alone. My health was already poor, and many of the other concubines saw me as an easy target. I could barely protect myself back then."
A quiet pause followed.
"Concubine Zhao was the one who helped me. She spoke up for me more than once… shared her medicine when I was sick… and even sat with me during the nights when the pain made it difficult to sleep. She even helped me when I gave birth to Ziyan and nursed me back to health."
