In the twenty-first year of King Zhou's reign, on New Year's Day, the royal palace of Zhaoge followed century-old rites, presenting a solemn and magnificent scene.
In the outer court, civil and military officials, dressed in court robes, entered the hall in order to pay homage to King Zhou. Their cries of congratulations for the new year echoed through the palace.
Within Jiaofang Palace of the inner court, the titled noblewomen held their breath and came according to protocol to pay respects to the principal queen, Su Daji. Their jeweled ornaments chimed softly, yet every one of them watched her words and actions carefully, not daring to make the slightest mistake.
Lady Jia, the principal wife of King Wucheng Huang Feihu, was also among those offering court congratulations.
She wore a dignified noblewoman's ceremonial attire, her expression gentle and modest. Her visit to the palace was partly to observe the customary rites.
But it was also because she and Imperial Concubine Huang of the West Palace were sisters-in-law separated by palace walls all year long. Only during the New Year festival could they meet briefly, and she harbored a faint expectation in her heart.
The moment the eunuch announced Lady Jia's entrance, Su Daji, seated upon the phoenix throne, lifted her eyes toward the figure walking slowly inside.
Beneath her originally gentle brows, a bone-chilling flash of murderous intent swept past. In an instant, it was concealed beneath an overflowing, intimate smile, leaving no trace behind.
Hatred surged within her. At the Peony Banquet years ago, Huang Feihu had unleashed the Golden-Eyed Divine Eagle, whose claw had wounded the face of her Fox Demon true form. She had suffered greatly and nearly exposed her demonic identity.
She had endured this grudge for years and never forgotten it.
Now that Lady