In the Star Luo Imperial City stood a rather secluded palace residence. Beside it was a small courtyard planted with a few trees and shrubs.
Autumn had long since arrived. Most of the foliage had withered and fallen, leaving only a few stubborn leaves clinging to the branches, trembling in the west wind and lending the place a bleak, desolate air.
The furnishings inside were neither lavish nor shabby, but the accommodations fell far short of those in the other palaces. Perhaps the only advantage it had over the maids' quarters was that its occupant could live alone.
At that moment, a middle-aged woman lay unconscious on a couch inside. Though her eyes were closed, her bearing and air made it clear that she was either wealthy or noble.
A maid stood beside the couch, tending to her.
The middle-aged woman lying there was none other than the Duchess.
As the distant sky gradually brightened, the unconscious Duchess furrowed her brow and opened her eyes. She had just begun to sit up when she heard the maid's surprised voice. "Madam, you're awake?"
Finding her surroundings unfamiliar, the Duchess tried to recall what had happened before she lost consciousness and asked, "Where am I?"
"Madam, this is Qinghe Palace. Your servant is called Ling'er. I'm responsible for attending to your daily needs," the maid Ling'er answered with a slight bow.
The Duchess froze at the name Qinghe Palace. Born into the Royal Family, she naturally knew what this place was. It was where the Star Luo Imperial Palace confined ministers and consorts who had committed grave offenses.
Panic seized her. She rose and shouted, "On what grounds? I've done nothing wrong! What right do you have to imprison me?"
"I want to see His Majesty!"
With that, she tried to force