Dawa woke the next morning with the most excruciating headache. It was highly unusual for Bortu who was attending her, as the Priestess didn’t consume any alcohol the previous night.

The real reason was a lot more complicated than that. Dawa had secretly returned to her palace to find that she’d forgotten her dewdrop-shaped earrings. Women didn’t wear earrings in Li but she managed to hide their presence with her hair. If anyone found them…

Who knows what kind of story they would spin to get her removed from the palace!

Of course, that conclusion was a little ridiculous but Dawa was being unnecessarily careful. She once again secretly left her palace to return to the secret training spot. Upon entering the spot, she sensed another person’s spiritual energy surrounding the area: It was Zi Siwei’s. He had put his signature in the array which allowed anyone with cultivational background to recognise immediately.

Dawa was shocked, to say the least, but wasn’t surprised to see her earrings gone.

He wants to see me again…the fact that he left his signature proves that…

However, it would be incredibly risky. It was breaking the rules the Empress Dowager set up which disallowed concubines to meet outside men. The only virile male that the concubines can have relations with is the Emperor. Even if they wanted to see male friends, it was highly discouraged.

Well, ‘dangerous’ was a better word to describe it as women were stripped of their title or cast out of the palace if caught.

Dawa returned quietly to her palace for the second time and spent the rest of the evening figuring out what to do.

Is it worth risking my position for earrings?? I know Zi Siwei, he won’t do anything to sabotage my position…won’t he? Argh!! I don’t know…

She tossed and turned in her bed but came up with nothing but a sleepless night in the end.

Dawa cursed the early time that she had to get up in the morning to greet the Empress for the first time since she entered the palace.

She really wasn’t in the mood due to the headache caused by not sleeping properly. However, she pushed herself to get dressed and made her way to the Empress’ palace for greetings.

Dawa sat down in her usual position, trying her best not to grasp her head in an attempt to soothe her headache. She requested for herbal tea while she waited for the Empress like the rest of the women present.

A few moments passed by pleasantly with the women sitting patiently before it was broken by an exaggerated “oh”.

It was Imperial Concubine Lan who was looking at Dawa with a peculiar expression, “Concubine Li, is that herbal tea? Are you not well or something?”

Curses…I got careless.

“It is indeed, Imperial Concubine Lan. I felt like having something healthy for a change.” Dawa replied nonchalantly.

“Huh. But isn’t it weird that you’re drinking herbal tea of all things today? I don’t suppose that you are feeling a bit under the weather?” Imperial Concubine Lan intentionally increased the volume of her voice. The entire room was staring at Dawa, enticed by the Imperial Concubine’s voice.

Tch! Trying to seem like you care. We all know that you hate me.

“I am perfectly well, Imperial Concubine Lan. Thank you for asking.” Dawa replied with a plastered slight smile before turning around to face the front of the dais.

There was some chatter in the room after that conversation. It left a very sour taste in Dawa’s mouth because she knew that the concubines have new gossip at her expense.

Just then, Empress Yi entered the room and the chatter immediately died down. The morning greetings went on as usual.

After greeting the Empress, she returned to her palace. She didn’t lie down to soothe her headache, choosing to instead stand and bear the pain.

Imperial Concubine Lan may send one of her annoying palace maids to spy on her again. For the day, she had to pretend to be feeling alright. Hopefully, Imperial Concubine Lan will give up after two or three days.

Dawa left her palace again to get some fresh air. She hoped that the nice winter air would help a little.

“Bortu, dress me to go for a walk around the palace. I want to enjoy a nice morning.” Dawa instructed.

“Shi.” Bortu replied and prepared her winter coat and umbrella.

Dawa walked around the inner courtyard near the secret training area. She intended to soothe her headache so what a surprise it must have been for her to run into Zi Siwei!

Both of them stared at each other for a few seconds before Dawa bowed respectfully to him.

“General Zi, what a pleasant morning this is. After last night’s frigid weather, it is good to have a nice morning afterwards.”

Zi Siwei didn’t reply. He only kept his usual expressionless look.

After another few seconds of silence, Dawa awkwardly bowed again and began to walk past him.

“Last night was only frigid at zichen. Why was Concubine Li not asleep at that time?” Zi Siwei finally asked.

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Dawa stopped in her tracks.

He DOES know it was me. It’s not just the signature then…

“What does General Zi mean by this?” Dawa asked back calmly.

“I mean exactly what I said.” Zi Siwei simply replied.

“I don’t understand what General means I–”

“I knew you were there last night, Concubine Li. I also have what you’re looking for.” Zi Siwei interrupted. “Come by there again tonight if you understand what I’m saying.”

Zi Siwei bowed politely before walking away.

Dawa was stunned but managed to get the words out, “G-general is supposed to leave today. How will you get in?”

Zi Siwei only smiled at her in reply.

Dawa, feeling a little irritated told Bortu she wanted to head back to her palace. It almost looked like she was pouting and stomping off in anger.

Zi Siwei was heading back to his room to pack his overnight clothes before leaving the palace later that day.

His heart was pounding in his chest after meeting with Dawa. He actually didn’t know that it was colder in the late evening because he was passed out drunk for most of the day! How would he know that it became a lot colder that night?!

It was a gamble for sure, something that he wasn’t used to doing. But for some reason, he was so determined to meet Dawa again that he did it.

Luckily, he hit the bullseye and got Dawa off her guard for a short while.

He wanted to talk to her properly, without the pretence of courtesy or the harem rules in the way.

How fortunate that my earlier blunder has led me to my goal in the end. So, it really is the case of ‘failure is mother’s success’ indeed.

Dawa returned to her palace and requested for herbal tea to be set on her table, Imperial Concubine Lan be damned! She no longer cares about the stupid machinations of the harem. Let her say what she wants to say!

She sipped her tea and set it down on the table loudly. What was that conversation earlier??

That man! When did he become so sly? He was always just staring somewhere with that thick face whenever we would converse. Why did he suddenly become so happy like a little boy who managed to get out of trouble? I don’t understand him!

She sighed. Men were so troublesome. No…actually men in the Zi family were so troublesome.

The Emperor was watching me walk back to the palace angrily earlier. The last time he caught me angry, he came by and asked me if everything was alright with the most displeasing scowl I’ve ever seen! I hope he doesn’t come by this time. If he does, it will not be just the tea thing this morning.

Bortu came to Dawa’s side and whispered in her ear, “His Majesty is here.”

Ahh…What luck I have today.

Dawa stood up and bowed to His Majesty, greeting him politely as he entered her palace.

“Concubine Li greets His Majesty.”

Zi Renshu, the Emperor nodded before sitting at the couch. Dawa sat next to him and request for tea and snacks.

Once the refreshments had arrived, Zi Renshu took a sip of tea before asking Dawa, “I saw you walking back to your palace in anger.”

Dawa knew the question was coming, “I was feeling a bit unwell this morning so I was taking a walk. I probably looked a little uncomfortable then.”

Zi Renshu nodded, “Are you feeling alright now?”

“I am feeling better. Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern.” Dawa replied with a pleasant smile.

Zi Renshu nodded again, “I notice you’ve changed your behaviour towards the people in the palace and in the harem.”

Dawa was surprised. She didn’t expect him to ask this, “I am not understanding Your Majesty.”

Zi Renshu frowned deeply, “It is not good to hide one’s true self due to only one person’s advice. Only you can show what you want to show. As long as you can back it up with strength.”

Dawa looked confused. Did it seem like she was following Minister Hao’s advice too closely?

“It is good to have some allies in the palace. Only your true self can attract such people, not a protective barrier.”

“This one will consider Your Majesty’s advice,” Dawa replied meekly.

Zi Renshu looked around her receiving room and noticed a xiangqi set nearby.

“Do you play, Concubine Li?” He asked.

“Xiangqi? A little. I sometimes play with Bortu and the other staff.” Dawa replied.

Zi Renshu walked to the set and brought it over to their current sitting area, “Would you spare some time to play with me?”

Dawa was even more confused. The Emperor still had a massive scowl on his face when he asked that question. She was extremely frightened to play with him. She was a decent player but she wouldn’t consider herself skilled. If she won, would he fly into a rage like he almost did on the first day they met? Should she lose deliberately? However, if she did, he would probably be even angrier…

Dawa swallowed nervously, “I-It would be my pleasure, Your Majesty.”

In the past, Zi Renshu loved playing xiangqi with his two friends, Bai Haoxia and Zi Siwei. However, after ascending the throne, he couldn’t find the time to play. In addition, Bai Haoxia and Zi Siwei couldn’t enter the palace whenever they wanted. He could invite them but he felt odd doing so.

To Dawa’s surprise, the Emperor was a patient player despite his constant frown whenever she made a move. He didn’t burst out in anger or glare at her. He waited for her move then moved his pieces quietly.

By the time their game finished, two shichen had passed. Dawa had won the game but what surprised her was that the Emperor smiled at her. It was the first time she saw him smile and unbeknownst to her, she was smiling in response.

Before she could stop herself, she said happily, “I enjoyed the game very much, Your Majesty.”

Zi Renshu looked perplexed.

“A-aahh no! I mean I enjoyed playing with you, not because I won. I-I am glad I won of course, but—”

“An’ning.” Zi Renshu sternly said.

Dawa shut her mouth.

Zi Renshu stood up, his usual scowl back on his face, “I will come back soon. I would like to play again and beat you.”

Dawa hastily stood up to bid the Emperor goodbye, “Concubine Li looks forward to the match, Your Majesty. Have a safe trip.”

Zi Renshu looked a little confused.

My palace is not very far…what an unusual girl indeed.

When His Majesty left Dawa’s palace, she could only shake her head in utter confusion. Today was really a weird day! What will tonight bring, when she meets Zi Siwei in the secret training spot?

Zi Renshu, the Emperor was in his palace. Thoroughly pleased with the game he played with Dawa despite losing. He sifted through his documents with more vigour than usual.

He broke out into a rare smile as he stared at Dawa’s palace. She didn’t know that her activities were in full view of his study. He would watch Dawa get into little fights with her servants during the first few weeks she was in the palace. Then, all of a sudden, she started to become reserved and quiet. Empress Yi reported that someone might have given Dawa advice to surviving in the harem which she took it rather seriously.

He didn’t know how to approach her properly without causing chaos in the harem but as his father once said ‘one step, one footprint.’ If he didn’t start, no progress is made.

It was lucky that there was a xiangqi set in Dawa’s palace. It was little impulsive of him to reveal a little of his personality to his consorts but for some reason, Dawa didn’t seem like someone who would use his love for xiangqi to gain repute in the harem.

It was unlike him but he wasn’t bothered about it in the slightest. After nearly two years on the throne, he was beginning to lose his youth.

Zi Renshu smiled and continued to work while his eunuchs stood by, pleasantly surprised by their liege’s good mood.