Chapter 3: How it all began
Two days earlier, Western Liang, the tenth year of Emperor Changxi's reign.
It was almost midnight, the palace was eerily quiet as usual. It was time for the midnight switch for the palace guards and servants.
The previous servant standing guard at the Emperor's palace yawned as they were discharged from their post following the arrival of servants scheduled to take part in the next shift.
Following the usual procedures, the maids and eunuchs that were selected to take part in the next shift met with the present team for a quick transfer of duty.
However, they were delayed due to the absence of the most senior matron, Matron Ning. As the mar senior servant, Matron Ning oversaw the charge of shift.
Eunuch Zhang a short plump man in a dark green lunch unit frowned as he quickly scans through the group.
"Where is matron Ning?" His eyes were locked on the maid that was the matron's most trusted student.
The maid stiffened and bowed, she couldn't hold his gaze. Her hands shook as she struggled to form a quick response, she had no idea where her master had gone.
They had both left their quarters together but had been separated at some point, she glanced at another student under her master. Hoping to get a response but like her, the maid looked as worried as she was.
Seeing that she could not get any support from her, the maid just looked forward and swallowed. She press her nail into her palm and replied in a muffled tone,
"Matron Ning was delayed by one of the kitchen staff concerning the menu for tomorrow's event. She will be here as soon as she is done".
He watched the maid silently for a few seconds when he observed no shaky movement that could indicate dishonesty. He glanced at one of his students standing by his right,
"His Majesty is now asleep Since the Matron Ning is out. Keep watch and make sure that no one disturbs his Majesty's sleep. Be attentive, in case his Majesty calls for you", the last sentence was directed to the other palace servants.
"Yes", they all chorused. He gave them a cold nod and moved his white horsetail to his left shoulder left with his most trusted student, Eunuch Li. Eunuch Li walked a few steps ahead while holding up an old candle lamp.
He nodded at the head of the Imperial guard Shen Xiaoriu, whom he met just outside the Emperor's pavilion. The two of them never saw eye to eye on anything and hence were natural enemies.
Shen Xiaoriu was on his second patrol around the pavilion. He looked down his nose at the pretentious little eunuch and just gave the shorter man a cold nod before continuing on his way.
The pleasant smile on Eunuch Zhang's face disappeared as soon as Shen. Xiaoriu's back was facing them. "Low burn barbarian", Eunuch Zhang muttered glaring at the back of Shen Xiaoriu's head once he was above hearing distance.
His student sneered at the taller man, "Master, I fear that General Shen's presence this night might disrupt her majesty's plan".
Eunuch Zhang snorted, "you give this meathead too much credit, with his level of intelligence can he outsmart me?"
He flicked the back of his student's head and continued walking forward, "be mindful of your words, someone might hear you. We cannot delay any longer, I must report the current situation to her majesty before we lose this opportunity. The drugs I fed the Emperor is not exactly long-lasting".
"Sorry master, I almost got ahead of myself", he replied and ran forward to light up the pathways leading to the Empress Palace.
Just as Eunuch Zhang had predicted, Shen Xiaoriu didn't notice anything strange until he was surrounded by seven highly trained assassins.
Eunuch Zhang ran into the previously absent Matron Ning at the Empress's palace. he bowed as he met the Empress's gaze, "everything is set, Your Majesty."
Zhao Ronglei Picked up the pouch of silver coins and threw it at his feet, she glanced at her maid, Yi Qiu who stood just below her throne, "instruct the men to get moving, Xiang Ziwei must be gone before daybreak". She held Matron Ning's gaze, "you already know what to do, don't leave any loose ends".
"Yes"
"Yes"
Matron Ning and Yi Qiu both replied and quickly retreated. Eunuch Zhang bent over, picked up the pouch of silver and put it into his sleeve.
He smiled nervously as his eye met the Empress's eyes, he suddenly wished to be anywhere else than here. The Empress's temper wasn't the best and seemed to get worse when it came to anything that concerned the Emperor.
"Your Majesty, I will be taking my leave now. I need to be at the servant's quarters to avoid any suspicion", he slowly looked over his outstretched hands.
He left as soon as he received a nod from her, Zhao Ronglei dismissed her guard and instructed him to stand guard outside the door. She stood and walked to the open window on the right side of the hall, a cool spring breeze blew through the window.
The loose strands of her hair rose as the breeze blew through, she felt a sudden chill followed by a slight electric-like zap as her skin hair rose. She rubbed her hand through her hands hidden inside the thin silk loose long sleeves of her night dress.
As soon as she felt a hand on her shoulder, she jumped back and looked up. "My love", she smiled and stepped back into the embrace of Xiang Tingfeng.
"I didn't see you when I woke up", he wrapped his hand around her waist and pulled her close. He rested his head and her left shoulder and gave her a peck on the cheek.
"She smiled and pulled back a little, "I needed to make sure everything was set, in just a few hours Xiang Ziwei will seize to be Emperor. Father and General Nie already arranged everything".
Xiang Tingfeng smiled and placed his hands under her chin. He tipped her head back and kissed her softly, things quickly got heated and her hands moved up to cup his face. He pulled back minutes later, "the throne was never meant to be his, he stole it from me. It feels good to get back what is mine", his grip tightened around her waist.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone