Red leaves without flowers painted the maple forest brilliant, blazing like fire and burning the sky’s azure, leaving only dazzling red. Sunlight leaked through the maple leaves, tinted crimson, mingling with a warm breeze and woody fragrance. Backlit, the leaves seemed transparent, almost dripping blood, beautiful and vivid.
On this tranquil autumn morning, no birds chirped, and no insects buzzed. Sunlight on the ground was silent, wind brushes were quiet, and fallen leaves rustled soundlessly underfoot.
”Your Highness, the Empress has lost her pearl necklace and is searching the palace.” Cang Yue retreated.
Xu Qiu’er coldly laughed, “A pearl necklace? How could she think of that? Where is the person?”
Cang Yue assured, “Please be assured, Your Highness. The person is in a safe place, and we will find an opportunity to send her out of the palace.”
Kunning Palace –
”Useless, all useless.”
The Empress’s blue dragon cup shattered in her hand, and the palace maids rushed to stop the bleeding. Coldly, she looked at the kneeling person, demanding, “Find a way to locate her, or prepare to lose your head.”
The Empress’s mind raced as she questioned why the person had been taken and who opposed her. She feared the Emperor’s discovery would spell trouble for her.
“Who knows about this?” she asked.
“Only this servant and a small eunuch who delivers food, Your Highness.”
The Empress’s eyes flickered. “I believe you won’t betray me. Find a way to silence that little eunuch.”
“Yes.”
“No matter who you are, if you’ve chosen to oppose me, you’ll pay the price.”
In Ruo Qiu Hall, a palace maid interrupted, saying, “Pardon the interruption, Your Highness.” Xu Qiu’er smiled and replied, “Not at all, just following orders.” She called to Ning’er, “Let’s take a walk in the garden.” Ning’er assisted Xu Qiu’er as they walked.
“Do you think I’m a good person?” Xu Qiu’er asked.
Ning’er responded, “Your Highness is more than good. Who in the palace doesn’t know you have the heart of a bodhisattva, kind and soft-hearted?”
To this, Xiao Rong interjected, “This servant believes kindness is least appropriate in the inner palace.”
Xu Qiu’er raised an eyebrow, “What did the Empress lose that requires a thorough search?”
