The night had become unusually quiet inside the imperial palace.
Moonlight rested upon the curved rooftops, silvering the tiles and turning the stone pathways almost white.
Most of the palace had already fallen asleep.
But in one secluded courtyard, sleep was the last thing on anyone's mind.
Shin Gu sat beneath the covered pavilion.
Across from her sat Mei Lan.
The two women appeared to be having an ordinary conversation.
At least—
That was what anyone passing outside would have thought.
There were no ritual objects.
No burning talismans.
No strange incense.
Only two cups of tea and a small empty table between them.
Shin Gu lifted her cup and looked toward the barren garden.
"Mei Lan."
"Yes, My Lady?"
"Do you think flowers would grow here?"
Mei Lan stared at the courtyard.
She almost laughed.
The entire courtyard was practically lifeless.
There wasn't a single flower.
Not even a healthy patch of grass.
