Even though the concubines were gone, Samaya still gestured for the maids to bring a table and set out proper snacks and tea. She was sure the Empress wouldn’t even touch them. But she had to … ah, “maintain etiquette”. As petty as the Attendant Li was and as absent-minded as Samaya pretended to be in her “etiquette lessons”, she did catch the things she tried to teach her. She just couldn’t be bothered to pretend to be cowed by her pitiful attempts at intimidating her. It was that that got her into punishments, not her own etiquette. No, those were flawless once she attempted them.

The silence between them was uncomfortable and almost overbearing, only sounds of utensils clinking on the table as the maids set it filling the room.

Once they were done, they bowed. Samaya did neither said anything nor moved to gesture. The Empress was here, she outranked him. It would be seen as an insult to her authority if she ordered servants without her leave. Even if the servants were her own. Especially since she was just a “Lady”. Consorts were afforded more leeway.

Samaya saw the corner of the woman’s lips curl softly. “The maids may leave.” She said, clearly giving her permission to order.

She nodded at the maids and they bowed, stepping back. The Empress gestured at her own maids to leave. Soon, they were left alone.

“I am impressed at how fast you have learned Harem etiquette, Lady Qing.”

Samaya tilted her head, keeping her expressions carefully blank.

“However, I am far more impressed at how you quickly and effectively you seem to have ensnared His Majesty.”

The only movement Samaya allowed was the raising of an eyebrow, clearly asking for an explanation. It was a bit rude, but Samaya would rather not beat around the bush.

“Still unable to grow out of your … upbringing, I see.” Samaya resisted the urge to bristle at her taunt. She was not going to let this woman get the upper hand by allowing her emotions to come forth. This woman was a damned Viper and would go for any weakness she managed to glean from her. She still kept the same expression on her face.

“There are … curious rumours in the wind,” she said cryptically. “They speak of an Emperor galloping through the Capital on his horse. They speak of him going to a certain chamber. They speak of him staying there for the better part of an hour. They speak of him holding the concubine like a beloved lover as her wounds got treated, soothing her with his words.”

Oh fuck.

Word of it had gotten around already?

Wait… the Emperor galloped through the Capital to get to her?

No… that couldn’t be it. He was just worried for Manu. Yes, that was it.

She kept her face blank as she spoke. “Is it unusual to be worried for one’s own son?”

The Empress allowed herself a smile but it did not quite reach her eyes.

“No.” She shook her head slightly, small bells dangling from her hairpins swaying prettily. “It is, however, unusual for the Emperor - this Emperor, in particular - to be so invested in one concubine. You see, I am his Empress, the daughter of the family who supported his fight for the throne. The Imperial Consort is also the daughter of one of the most powerful nobles in the Empire. He must show us favor - in a balanced way, of course - to keep both the inner and outer courts stable. The same goes for Consorts who are from other powerful families or are somehow of use to him. Then he shows the occasional favor to the lower concubines so that they do not become mutinous. Throw them some crumbs and they will dream of climbing the ranks and that dream will keep them in their places.”

To say that Samaya was nonplussed was an understatement. She was familiar with that way of thinking, where love and affection were merely tools to manipulate and move pawns at your own will. She did not quite like it but she understood the necessity. She had done it before and done so without hesitance.

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“Why are you telling me this?” She asked.

“Because the Emperor rarely does anything without some sort of reason or calculation behind it. If he does, it is for those he considers dear. His mother, his children … his brother, once upon a time.” The Empress leaned forward, staring at her across the table. “But I have never seen him so worked up over a mere concubine. Not even a noble one, but a peasant he picked up from the street because he had once drunkenly put his seed into her which later bore fruit. Not enough to gallop across the Capital amongst commoners and certainly not enough to hold her in his arms as she is treated.”

Samaya could only think of one person who could get that information out. Lian knew not to speak of her private affairs. The Emperor and Han Qin surely wouldn’t. That left the physician who treated her. Damned man was probably loose lipped in his excitement to tell tales of the Emperor’s love for the commoner concubine. The Empress probably didn’t even have to work for that information; it practically fell into her lap. She hoped the Emperor found and put a swift end to it. She did not need an even bigger target on her back for “winning the Emperor’s favor.” She did not want the thrice-damned favor.

She sighed. “As I said, he was worried about his son. He came here for him. I was badly injured. I know not why he stayed, but if I had to guess, it was probably the guilt of leaving me and my son defenceless against the assailants.” They were both aware of where the few remaining Shadow Guards were directed. She wasn’t blaming her, but she needed something to divert her attention.

“Guilt does not make you embrace and soothe someone,” the Empress said coldly, apparently having lost her patience for nonsense.

“I had wooden shards embedded into my body,” she deadpanned. “He was concerned for the mother of his child who was suffering.” She rattled off the reason that she told herself over and over again. “Emperor he may be, but he does not have a heart of stone. People tend to pity someone pitiful, Your Majesty. I assure you, the situation was the exception rather than the rule.”

The Empress stared t her unerringly for a long moment.

She then sighed and leaned back. “For your sake, I hope you are right.”

Samaya did too. She did not need what happened today to become the rule.

She exhaled softly and looked at the other woman. “Was the purpose of this visit mere interrogation, Your Majesty? If it was, I beg your forgiveness and ask you to let me rest.”

The woman snorted. “So eager to be rid of me, are you?”

Samaya bowed her head. “Apologies, Your Majesty. But I am positively exhausted. Being attacked and almost killed does that to people, apparently.”

A soft chuckle left the woman. It was the first she heard. It was melodic, and beautiful, echoing in the space around them.

“Very well. I shall not burden you with my presence any longer. I have actually come to see you. Contrary to what many believe, I do care when someone in my harem gets attacked. It is my duty.” She then hesitated. Samaya blinked. Another first. The Empress did not seem like someone who would hesitate. “And I have come to extend an invitation.”

Oh it was a day of getting blindsided, was it?

“An invitation, Your Majesty?”

The Empress nodded. “Yes, to have tea at my parlor.”

This time, both her eyebrows were raised. To be called to the Empress’s parlour for personal tea time was a great honour. It also might mean that the Empress was willing to lend her protection. But why? What did she want from her?

“I am grateful for the honor,” Samaya started carefully, “But I am quite unsure what I have done to earn it.”

“That is something for me to know and for you to find out,” she said sternly. “I shall not blame you, if you refuse, however.”

She should refuse. There was no need to go into the Lioness’s den where she might as well have set a trap and would be waiting with a gaping jaw to swallow her whole.

Was she going to?

No way in hell.

She was curious. And if the Empress had ill intent… well, she did like a challenge.

One might say, curiosity killed the cat. But that was not the whole saying.

Curiosity killed the cat, and satisfaction brought it back.

She was looking forward to what awaited her at the end of this.

Death or satisfaction?

She couldn’t wait to see.

“I accept, Your Majesty.”