The Dowager Empress's courtyard was unusually quiet that afternoon.
The sunlight that usually made the courtyard feel warm seemed strangely pale beneath the heavy atmosphere hanging over the palace.
The Dowager Empress sat beneath the pavilion, a cup of untouched tea resting before her.
Across from her sat Lady Chen and Princess Zhi.
Neither woman had come for an ordinary conversation.
Their expressions were serious.
Lady Chen kept glancing toward the courtyard entrance, making certain that no unnecessary servant was nearby.
Princess Zhi noticed her nervousness.
"Grandmother," she finally said, lowering her voice, "we need to tell you something."
The Dowager Empress raised her eyes.
"What is it?"
Princess Zhi exchanged a look with Lady Chen.
Then she spoke.
"The Empress is not the culprit."
The Dowager Empress's fingers stopped moving.
For several seconds, she said nothing.
She had suspected something was wrong for a long time.
