The Summer Palace is now beautifully restored and looks incredible. The lakes are full of blooming lotus flowers, and the pavilions shine with gold. It feels very peaceful here. However, in such a beautiful place, can danger really stay hidden for long?
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The grand gates of the Summer Palace opened wide, leaving Yue breathless.
Sunlight sparkled on a vast lake filled with lotus flowers, their pink and white petals swaying gently in the breeze.
Beyond the water stood elegant pavilions, their roofs curving gracefully upwards, casting soft shadows on winding stone paths. Misty mountains backed the picturesque scene.
Yue was uncomfortable in her simple carriage, the last one in the long line carrying the imperial household to their summer retreat.
Unlike the ornate carriages ahead, hers was plain and shared with three lower-ranked concubines who dozed through the journey.
The warm breeze through the window carried the sweet scent of lotus and jasmine.
The Emperor's yellow banners flew high on poles, marking each courtyard and garden.
"Move along! Quickly now!" a eunuch called as servants hurried like busy ants, carrying trunks and furniture.
Yue quietly observed the bustling scene. Maids rushed past with fresh linens, and guards in gleaming armor stood alert in the hot sun.
She spotted Consort Zhang being escorted to an elegant courtyard closer to the Emperor's residence.
When the carriage finally stopped, Yue stepped out, her legs stiff from the long ride.
The Summer Palace unfolded around her—beautiful, unfamiliar, and unsettling. It had only recently been renovated after years of disuse, and its reopening was celebrated as a symbol of the Emperor's flourishing reign.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" said a voice. Yue turned to see Noble Lady Bai, one of her companions from the carriage.
"Yes," Yue replied softly, "It's all new to me."
A servant guided them toward their quarters—small rooms by the outer pond.
The Imperial Palace back home had its secret paths and familiar dangers.
Here, Yue felt she was entering an unknown world.
In the central courtyard, Lady Lin, the Empress's head maid, unrolled a scroll and read aloud:
"The Empress will reside in the Moonlight Pavilion. Noble Consort Zhang in Plum Blossom Hall. Consort Shu in Jade Bamboo Court."
The higher-ranked women received elegant pavilions by the lake with private gardens.
Yue stood quietly, unsurprised when her assignment was announced last.
"Noble Lady Yue will occupy Pine Frost Wing."
Whispers spread. Pine Frost Wing was at the far edge—a clean but isolated courtyard near the outer pond.
Consort Zhang caught Yue's eye from across the courtyard and smirked.
Leaning towards her maid, she whispered something that made the servant stifle a laugh.
Without speaking, Yue turned away and followed the servants across narrow bridges and bamboo groves.
Yue quietly headed towards Pine Frost Wing, with her few servants following behind, carrying her simple belongings.
Upon arrival, she saw Huang, Consort Shu's trusted eunuch, waiting at the entrance.
"My lady sent these for your comfort," Huang informed her, offering a small decorated box.
Inside were several items meant to make her stay more pleasant: a sachet filled with dried lavender to freshen the air, a small jade paperweight carved to resemble a sleeping cat, and a jar of Shu's favorite honey balm, helpful for soothing dry lips.
"She is concerned the air might be damp near the water," Huang added.
"She also wanted you to know that sometimes being far away can be beneficial."
Yue felt a swell of unexpected emotion tighten her throat.
Despite her own delicate situation with a newborn son to protect, Consort Shu had considered Yue's comfort.
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In the late afternoon, everyone gathered at the Lotus Pavilion, a beautiful structure floating on the palace's largest pond.
The concubines and court ladies stood neatly according to rank, their summer silk dresses moving like flower petals in the gentle breeze.
The cool marble floor felt refreshing under their feet, a welcome break from the summer heat.
Yue stood with the other lower-ranked concubines at the back, so far behind she could barely see past the ornate headdresses in front of her.
Empress Wei was in the center, dazzling in her golden robes adorned with imperial phoenix designs.
Beside her stood Consort Zhang, occupying a prominent spot despite not traditionally being allowed there.
A distant horn blew, and the women straightened their bodies.
The sound of horse hooves grew louder from the eastern path. Emperor Li Zhao rode in on a majestic white horse, surrounded by his personal guards.
His attire was light summer armor meant for ceremony rather than battle, with jade-green plates contrasting against his black clothes.
A golden dragon clasp held his hair in a topknot, and his face showed no emotion as he looked over his harem.
His eyes passed over the women with little interest, giving a short nod to the Empress before moving on through the rows of bowing heads until—
His gaze stopped on Yue.
Their eyes met briefly, and something unspoken passed between them like lightning in a clear sky.
Yue felt a shiver from her head to her feet, even with the summer warmth surrounding her.
Consort Zhang saw this and visibly tensed, her shoulders rigid beneath her elaborate robes, her lips tight.
Nearby, Consort Shu looked down with a slight, knowing smile.
Yue quickly lowered her eyes to the marble floor, her heart beating fast.
She blamed the heat for the red on her cheeks and the dizziness that made it seem like the pavilion was moving beneath her.
When she looked up again, the Emperor had moved past her, talking to the court steward about plans for the days ahead.
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Yue settled into her new room as the sun set behind the mountains.
Pine Frost Wing was simple compared to the luxurious rooms of higher-ranking ladies, but it had a gentle beauty.
The windows overlooked a small pond where dragonflies danced in the golden light.
"The sheets feel a bit damp, my lady," said Hong, Yue's maid, as she shook out the sheets.
"The air near the water keeps things moist." Yue nodded, touching the plain wooden dressing table.
"Let's burn some incense tonight to help dry the air."
In silence, Yue and Hong arranged for Yue's simple belongings.
Unlike other ladies who came with many trunks of jewels and silk, Yue's possessions fit into just two medium chests.
Hong carefully hung her robes in the wardrobe while Yue placed her few books and writing materials on a small desk.
A soft knock interrupted them.
A young maid, about fifteen, stood at the door with a stack of fresh towels, her uniform showing her low rank in the palace.
"Fresh linens, Noble Lady," she said, bowing.
"Thank you," Yue replied, gesturing for her to enter.
"You can place them there."
The girl set the towels on a table, adjusting them carefully before pausing.
"Is there something else?" Yue asked.
The girl glanced at the window and then back at Yue.
"It's just... you're far from the main pavilions here, Noble Lady."
"I'm aware," Yue responded.
"The Summer Palace is not kind to the weak, perhaps even harsher than the Imperial City," the girl said softly.
Hong stopped unpacking and warned her,
"Watch your words."
But the girl continued, staring at the floor.
"Last time, a beautiful southern concubine swam in the lotus pond. They found her slippers but never her."
She looked directly at Yue.
"Some say the waters here are... hungry."
Yue nodded, dismissing the girl, but her warning lingered like smoke.
When the room was finished, Yue sent Hong for fresh water, needing time alone with her thoughts.
Yue opened the terrace doors and stepped outside into the evening air. Her simple blue robe caught the last light.
Below, the lotus lake looked like dark silk, with pale flowers floating in the growing darkness.
Lanterns began lighting up the Summer Palace.
First, the Emperor's pavilion glowed with bright lights reflected in the water like stars.
Then, the Empress's quarters and Noble Consort Zhang's residence lit up, each according to their rank.
Yue watched the palace change. Bridges and paths emerged with light, connecting the buildings and gardens.
Servants moved between them like shadows against paper screens.
A breeze brought the sweet scent of jasmine, making the lotus blossoms move gently. The petals seemed to whisper secrets to each other.
Music drifted from the Emperor's pavilion, the soft notes of a guqin.
The melody was beautiful but hinted at sadness, matching Yue's mood.
She leaned over, gazing at her reflection in the dark water.
At first, she saw her curious face clearly. Then, a ripple changed her image, making her look older and sharper as if transformed by something unknown.
All of a sudden—
A loud scream shattered the silence of the night.
The scream shattered the calm evening, silencing the night insects and creating ripples in the still water.
It had come from the northern side of the lotus lake, where the willow trees dipped their branches into the water like fingers.
In the dim moonlight, she noticed shadows moving between the trees and lanterns quickly being fired up.
"My lady!" Hong rushed onto the terrace, her face full of concern. "Did you hear that?"