Night had already fallen over the imperial palace.
The once-bright halls now rested beneath silence, broken only by the faint sound of temple bells echoing from distant courtyards.
Inside the Dowager Empress's chamber, the atmosphere was dim and solemn.
Golden incense smoke curled slowly upward before a large Buddha statue.
The scent of sandalwood filled the room.
Soft chanting echoed quietly.
—
The Dowager Empress knelt before the altar.
Her fingers moved slowly across the prayer beads in her hand.
Her lips murmured ancient Buddhist scriptures under her breath.
Steady.
Repetitive.
As if trying to calm a storm inside her heart.
—
Since the death of the late Emperor—
This had become her routine.
Prayer.
Silence.
Isolation.
—
She had once ruled the inner palace beside the most powerful man in the empire.
Now—
Only memories remained.
—
The candlelight flickered softly across her face.
Age had not taken away her beauty completely.
But grief had changed her.
