23 years ago, Late summer, the night before the Annual Hunt.
"Your Highness, what would you like to wear to the Annual Hunt tomorrow?" Governess Hsu's younger self, Court Maid Hsu, asked the Empress enthusiastically as she flipped through the outfits that were laid out in the Empress's private chambers.
This was the young Court Maid Hsu's first time accompanying a member of the royal family to the Annual Hunt. That meant that she would finally be able to witness what went on in the actual hunt instead of just watching the opening ceremony like the rest of the public.
"It doesn't matter. He won't be there anyway." The Empress replied forlornly.
Sensing the Empress's turbulent emotions, Court Maid Hsu turned to the Empress in concern. "Who?"
The Empress' eyes turned melancholic as she stared out of the open window. "The headstrong man that I love.."
"His Imperial Majesty? But he's participating in the hunt, isn't he?" Court Maid Hsu was puzzled.
The Empress only smiled sadly without even glancing at Court Maid Hsu. She had dark circles under her eyes and her usually glowing complexion had turned sullen. Even though she was pregnant for approximately three months now, the Empress was looking thinner than ever.
Court Maid Hsu merely watched the Empress and sighed. "Why don't I prepare a bath for you, Your Highness? You can think about it after that."
"That's a great idea, Yi Ting." The Empress finally looked at the court maid to give her a weak smile.
The Empress's personal bath was almost as large and grand as the Empress's private chambers. Court Maid Hsu was scrubbing and massaging the Empress' hands while the Empress soaked in the enormous wooden bathtub. The Empress had her eyes closed and Court Maid Hsu couldn't help but noticed how exhausted she looked. The area beneath her eyes was sunken and her cheekbones were jutting out prominently which added to the gauntness that was perpetually on the Empress's face these days. The Empress was miles away from the lively person who had swooped in to introduce herself to Court Maid Hsu early that year.
"Yi Ting, could you ask the rest of them to leave us?" The Empress requested quietly as she fluttered her eyes open.
"Yes of course, Your Highness." Court Maid Hsu answered before ordering the other court maids to leave the bathhouse.
After a while, the Empress took a deep breath before she called out to Court Maid Hsu again. "Yi Ting.."
"Yes, Your Highness?"
Court Maid Hsu waited for the Empress to speak, but she only gave out a quiet sigh and the long bath eventually ended in silence. After she was dressed, the Empress asked Court Maid Hsu to accompany her to the Forbidden Garden.
"A-are you sure, Your Highness? I thought it is forbidden for servants to enter the garden? Even distant relatives of the imperial family are not allowed in the Forbidden Garden, isn't it?"
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THE NIGHT EMPEROR: 夜安王 【The Night Emperor Book 1】| ✔️
Historical Fiction☑ COMPLETED "There are enough bad things in life, hold on to whatever it is that gives you joy." For the past 22 years, the Empress Mother has held onto the Dragon Throne that was rightfully Ye An's. Now, Ye An has finally ascended to the throne. Bu...
