Spring had fully arrived.
The palace gardens bloomed with red plum blossoms, pink peonies, and soft golden lilies. Everything smelled sweet, like a dream just before waking.
A new event was announced:
A flower-viewing banquet hosted by the emperor himself. Concubines were invited to make floral arrangements. The most beautiful ones would be honored. Some might even be invited to sit near the emperor.
I smiled when I heard it.
Perfect.
Chun'er looked nervous as she helped me sort through the flower baskets the morning of the event.
"There's something strange," she whispered, holding up a small white bloom. "This wasn't on the original list."
I took it from her hand.
It looked harmless. Small and delicate soft petals. But it wasn't what it seemed.
"Ignore it," I said calmly.
"You think someone…?"
"Yes."
At the banquet, we were each given a low table with a clean cloth, scissors, and a bowl of water.
The emperor sat at the far end, under a cherry tree, surrounded by his top consorts and ministers. He barely looked our way.
That was fine.
One of the concubines beside me, a cheerful girl named Xiaoyu, bent over her table with excitement.
She had used several of the same flowers that were in my basket.
Too many.
Then, halfway through her arrangement—she collapsed.
Gasps echoed across the garden.
"Someone call the physician!"
"Xiaoyu!"
Servants rushed forward. Her bowl tipped, spilling flowers across the mat.
And just like that—every eye turned to me.
"She used the same flowers…"
"She's from the Lotus Pavilion…"
"Is this a trick?"
I stayed quiet.
I lifted my own bowl and walked quietly to the officials' table.
"I used these," I said. "Would the imperial physician like to check them?"
Lady Bai leaned forward, curious.
The physician inspected each bloom carefully, then nodded.
"These are clean."
"Of course," I said softly. "I removed the ones that didn't belong."
Lady Bai smiled faintly. "How wise of you, Lady Yue."
I bowed and returned to my table.
Xiaoyu was carried off, still breathing, but pale.
The whispers faded.
The emperor said nothing. But he watched me.
That night, I opened the bottom drawer of my chest. Inside was a small silk pouch.
I placed the poisoned flower inside and tied it shut.
I still have no idea know who had sent it.
But I will find out.
Soon.