Volume Three, Chapter Nine

On a night with neither moon nor stars, Zhu Bafu followed the little eunuch carrying a lantern toward the palace where His Majesty was staying. Palace attendants came and went through the courtyard and along the covered walkways. With His Majesty spending the night here, everyone was on alert, waiting for him to summon them.

As the little eunuch led the way, he chatted with her now and then.

Consort Qi was magnanimous indeed. Not only had she welcomed Miss Liu into the palace to ease His Majesty's longing, she had also settled her in the Waterside Pavilion, the most elegant spot in Bright Sun Hall. Built beside the lake, the pavilion had a lovely view and was the only place in Bright Sun Hall with rows of weeping willows. She hoped His Majesty would admire the willows, favor Miss Liu, and stay for a long time.

Zhu Bafu understood how desperately the women of the Inner Palace longed for a visit from His Majesty. One look at the willows by the lake told her they had only recently been planted. Consort Qi had gone to great lengths for His Majesty. Zhu Bafu only hoped the trees and Miss Liu would remain at his side. That way... the threat to her would be smaller...

"This way, Lord Zhu." The little eunuch raised his lantern to light the wooden walkway across the lake. "Once we cross, we'll reach Miss Liu's bedchambers. Please go ahead; I'll carry the lantern behind you."

"Sorry for the trouble." She lifted her scholar's robe and stepped onto the walkway first. After several winding turns, she was nearly past the middle of the lake when someone suddenly shoved her hard from behind. Her foot slipped. She lost her balance and pitched sideways without warning, and as though