Morning arrived quietly at the imperial palace.
The first rays of sunlight slipped through the carved windows of the Dowager Empress's chamber, touching the polished floor with a pale golden glow.
Yet the Dowager Empress had barely slept.
The information she had received during the night continued to trouble her.
Shin Gu.
The mysterious hooded man.
The secret meeting.
The planned movement of a maid.
And, most importantly, the strange incidents that had surrounded the Empress.
Too many things had happened.
Too many coincidences.
The Dowager Empress had once believed the Empress's troubles were merely the result of palace conflicts and unfortunate circumstances.
She no longer believed that.
Someone was hiding something.
And she intended to find out who.
She turned toward the trusted general standing quietly near the door.
"Have you confirmed that Shin Gu remains in the palace?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"And her maid?"
"She has not left the courtyard."
