Love In The Palace

Chaos

First, omg... This story hit 2k votes! Thanks all of you! How can I ever express my happiness?

And second/last, this story hit a highest of #6 in Historical Fiction! OMG! THANKS A LOT REALLY.

Anyway, This is chapter 25, so, enjoy! :)

---

Do it. They both remember very clearly, very vividly, how the order escaped her lips and traveled into their ears, carved deeply into their brains and minds. They are hesitating, they are scared to carry out that sin. But they are even more scared to receive the news about the dangers that may befall their families. Thus, they have to overcome their fear, and do it, after a long session of discussion and self-persuasion.

They, biting back the guilt in them, stare at each other in fear. She digs into her sleeves and comes out a small brown bag of red-coloured powder. Disgust fills her mind as she touches the bag, but she has to, no matter what. She pours all the content of the bag into the brewing pot and stirs up the content. A beautifully-created porcelain bowl has been prepared beside. Then, they both grips their own hands for a few more moments before taking the pot from the fire and carefully pouring the dark brown liquid, tonic soup, into the bowl. The darkness of the liquid swallows and hides the colour of the powder, completely, so much that as it dissolves it becomes unnoticed. The day has finally arrived. Today is it.

"Physician Sen, is Concubine Leanne's tonic soup done?" A servant asks from outside the kitchen.

"Y-yes!" He stutters. He stares at the midwife, quickly rushing her to leave the room. She picks up the tray with the soup and leaves immediately, both acting as though they know nothing, as though they are innocent. However, everyone in that palace knows that no one is innocent, because they all have received the very same order, from the very same person, to achieve the very same goal. He eyes the bag of the powder, and ushers for a servant cowering in fear in the corner to approach him. As she does, he, with trembling hands, picks up the bag and gives it to her, who in turn receives it, almost crying.

"Go. Do not be found out."

---

Author's POV:

The last time he has ever run so quickly was because he was rushing for the last time to Consort Para's palace. Now, he is again taking a thousand quick steps towards another concubine's palace, as he has just received news of her sudden demise not too long ago. Honestly maybe he feels no romantic affection towards that woman who is actually young enough to be his daughter. He only wants what she can give him-that is children. But, even before she can do so, news of her death has spread wide enough till they reach his ears.

When he has reached the palace, he stops for a mere second, his eyes darting around at servants who are curtsying in his directions, greeting.

"Rise." He never bat anymore eyelashes at them and instantly picks up his speed and barges into the palace, finding Physician Sen and a woman he recognised to be Empress' personal midwife, the most-trusted midwife in the Empire, both dropping to their knees as he comes into sight.

"No need for formalities. Tell me what happened." His words stop what they were about to say, probably greetings, Your Majesty. Their throats feel dry as cold sweat starts to break out, but they have to reply immediately, they have to mask the fear and guilt they carry and answer without hesitation, to show their innocence, to ensure the Emperor's of their feigned innocence.

"We have found traces of poison in Concubine Leanne's tonic soup."

"Poison?"

"Y-yes." No one dares to look up at the Emperor anymore, only Eunuch Fan who secretly raises his eyes to the Emperor, finding his expression darkens towards the deadly state. Those eyes of his are as though they could kill with just a mere stare which carries his wrath.