Morning sunlight shimmered on the jade floor tiles of the Emerald Pavilion, where the Queen 顾昭瑶 (Gù Zhāoyáo), held court.
Porcelain teacups gleamed. Incense curled lazily upward.
And at the far end, 林树敏 (Lín Shùmǐn)
also known as Concubine Wen -- stood stiffly, clutching her skirts like a schoolgirl on her first day of class.
'Okay, deep breaths..'
she told herself.
'Just be respectful. Don't fangirl. '
Definitely don't call her "my Queen" out loud again.
A soft voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Concubine Wen."
Shumin looked up and nearly forgot to breathe.
顾昭瑶 (Gù Zhāoyáo) was radiant. Graceful. Every bit the heroine Shumin remembered from her favorite story.
If elegance were a weapon, this woman could start wars.
"Your Majesty," Shumin said, bowing quickly. "It's an honor to meet you. A huge..uh..honor. I'm a big… admirer."
The Queen's smile didn't reach her eyes. "An admirer?"
"Yes! Of… your virtues."
Zhaoyao tilted her head. "I see."
Her tone said I don't.
Shumin sat when gestured to.
The tea before her shimmered pale green. She tried to hold it like an elegant lady but nearly spilled it twice.
The Queen spoke again, voice smooth as silk.
"I heard you've been… busy lately. Organizing dinners. Falling into ponds....."
Shumin coughed into her cup. "Ahaha...!.news travels fast here."
"It does," Zhaoyao said softly. "Faster than one might expect."
'我的天哪!(Oh my god), she definitely thinks I'm a palace climber..'
Shumin panicked internally.
Out loud, she blurted,
"It's not what it looked like! The pond wasn't for seduction ..it was for, uh, royal couple bonding!"
Zhaoyao's brows lifted slightly.
"Royal couple… bonding."
"Yes! Because Your Majesty and His Majesty..well, you're clearly meant to be together. The perfect pair! A..uh..match made by Heaven!"
Zhaoyao set her cup down carefully.
"You think so?"
Shumin nodded earnestly.
"Of course! You're beautiful, brilliant, kind honestly, if he doesn't fall for you, he needs an eye checkup!"
The Queen blinked, clearly not expecting… that.
Even the attendant behind her almost choked holding back a laugh.
Zhaoyao composed herself, voice steady. "You speak boldly, Concubine Wen. Not many would dare mention His Majesty so freely."
Shumin tilted her head.
"Well, someone has to say what everyone's thinking."
"Indeed," the Queen murmured, half amused, half wary.
"Tell me, then why help me? What do you gain?"
Shumin froze.
"Me? Nothing! I just want to… see the happy ending."
Zhaoyao frowned slightly. "Happy ending?"
"Oh! I mean, peaceful palace life! You know
less drama, more harmony, no murders, that sort of thing."
The Queen's eyes lingered on her face for a long moment. Then she smiled faintly.
"You speak strangely, Concubine Wen. But I find you… interesting."
Shumin brightened. "Really?!"
"Perhaps too interesting," Zhaoyao added. "Be careful, or His Majesty may think you plot something."
Shumin laughed nervously.
"Me? Plotting? I can barely plan breakfast!"
Zhaoyao's lips curved, just slightly.
"Then let us hope you remain harmless, Concubine Wen."
She rose gracefully, and attendants followed.
As she left, her gaze flicked back once sharp, thoughtful.
'That woman… doesn't fit anywhere in this palace.'
---
Later .. Back in the Cold Palace--
Shumin burst into her room, slamming the door behind her.
"Shu Yan! She talked to me again!"
Shu Yan peeked from behind the curtain. "And you're still alive?"
"Not just alive..she smiled at me! Sort of! Maybe it was hunger, but I'll take it!"
Shu Yan sighed. "So… the Queen trusts you now?"
Shumin twirled dramatically. "Not yet..but she doesn't hate me! That's phase one complete!"
"Phase one of what?"
"My Queen-Emperor reconciliation mission!"
"..Oh Heaven."
Shumin plopped onto her bed, hugging a pillow.
"The Queen's so elegant, though. And when she looks at you..it's like she already knows your next three mistakes."
"Then stop making them," Shu Yan said flatly.
"Impossible," Shumin said cheerfully. "It's part of my charm."
---
Meanwhile --In the Emperor's Hall
Li Zhan stood by the window, the soft glow of lanterns casting shadows on his face.
"She met the Queen today," his guard reported quietly.
Li Zhan's fingers stilled over a scroll. "And?"
"No conflict, Your Majesty. They conversed for nearly an hour. The Queen seemed… curious."
Li Zhan's jaw tightened.
'Curious, or suspicious?'
"Keep watching her," he ordered softly.
He turned toward the window
the rain had stopped, but the night wind carried a faint, haunting chime.
'That woman speaks like she knows more than she should… but her eyes are too clear to lie.'
He shut the window, frowning.
'What are you really, Concubine Wen?'
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