Some time earlier.. Concubine Hana was walking towards the King's Chambers with a tray of calming tea and unsweetened rolls in her hand. She strode smiling to herself, as she rethinks of her plan of comforting the king and becoming his favorite cocubine and if she is lucky his new Empress.
As his personal guards were excused by him earlier, she easily entered his chambers. She was about to enter his private room with a rehearsed love and pity speech, when she hears the strangled voices of Chang plotting with his men to take Bella to a good place.
She didn't wait to hear the full details as she rushed out of his chambers, the tray almost falling from her hand. Good thing no one noticed her , she thought. She rushed to Mei's chambers and into her room to report to her in hopes of gaining her favor.
Concubine Hana burst into Empress Mei's chambers without warning, her face flushed and hair disheveled from running through the palace corridors.
"Your Highness! You must listen to me immediately!" she gasped between breaths, setting the abandoned tea tray on a nearby table with shaking hands.
Mei looked up from the mirror, which looked that splattered spider webs from venting her anger from Chang's decree, her expression turning more icy icy. "Hana? What in heaven's name has possessed you to interrupt my evening like this?"
"Forgive me, Your Majesty, but I overheard something terrifying!" Hana rushed to kneel before Mei's chair. "I went to bring His Majesty some calming tea, and his chamber doors were slightly ajar. I heard him talking with Minister Ren and Sergeant Hiroki!"
Mei's hands stilled in their work. "Talking about what? Speak clearly."
Hana's voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper, her eyes wide with excitement and fear. "They were discussing how to smuggle Lady Bella out of the palace! Your Majesty, Chang Hao intends to defy his own decree and save that murderer!"
She clasped her hands together fervently. "He mentioned faking a banishment but truly giving her a new identity and hiding her somewhere safe. They spoke of placing guards loyal to *him* along the escape route."
Mei's jaw clenched so tightly she could hear her teeth grinding together. The silk brush slipped from her fingers and clattered against the polished wood floor.
"That traitorous dog," she breathed, more angry than surprised. "He actually believes he can hide her away like some precious treasure while our citizens demand justice."
Standing abruptly, she began pacing her chambers like a caged animal.
Hana was complementing her self for reporting to her immediately. Patting herself across the shoulders for Mei to recognize her loyalty. But instead Mei backed at ." Shut up, get out and tell no one. "
Mei's sharp command cut through Hana's self-congratulatory patting. "Shut up, get out, and tell no one." Her tone brooked no argument, each word dripping with icy authority.
Hana froze mid-pat, her mouth agape as the reality of the Empress's dismissal sank in. "But Your Highness - my loyalty deserves reward! I brought you vital information that proves His Majesty's betrayal!"
The Empress turned slowly, her reflection in the mirror showing a face contorted with rage rather than gratitude. "Your 'loyalty' is nothing compared to the danger you've placed yourself in by eavesdropping on royal counsel."
Her voice lowered to a dangerous whisper. "Did you think for one second that Chang Hao wouldn't notice someone listening at his door? That his guards wouldn't search for intruders after discovering your absence?"
Mei advanced toward Hana menacingly.Hana backed away, realizing that she has made a mistake.
"I- I a-am s-sor-ry" she stuttered before rushing out of the room. Leaving a fuming Mei behind .
The sound of Hana's retreating footsteps echoed hollowly through the silent chambers, leaving Empress Mei alone with her fury. She stood rigid for a long moment, her knuckles white as she gripped the edge of her vanity table.
"Foolish girl," she muttered aloud, though whether directed at Hana or herself was unclear. "Thinking she could curry favor by bringing me such reckless news."
Her eyes fixed on her own reflection, seeing not the beautiful empress she is but a woman consumed by jealousy and obsession. The fine lines around her eyes seemed deeper in the candlelight.
"Chang Hao," she whispered venomously to herself. "You truly believe you can play games with me and expect to win? Sending your precious whore away while keeping her close enough to still obsess over?"
After thinking for a while, she sends her most trusted guard Gen to get her secret weapon. She waits in her room in anticipation awaiting it's arrival.