The morning sun bathed the Imperial Palace in warm light, yet inside the Dowager Empress's private courtyard, the atmosphere was unusually solemn.
A maid finished pouring fragrant tea before quietly withdrawing.
Only two people remained.
The Dowager Empress.
And Lady Chen.
For several moments, neither of them spoke.
The silence was broken by Lady Chen.
"Your Majesty..."
"I heard Shin Gu has recovered."
The Dowager nodded slowly.
"So I heard."
"The Imperial Healer says she is no longer in danger."
Lady Chen sighed with relief.
"Fortunately, it was only because she inhaled some strange powder."
The words had barely left her lips when the Dowager's hand froze around her teacup.
"...Powder?"
Lady Chen nodded innocently.
"That is what the Imperial Healer concluded."
The Dowager's expression gradually changed.
Her gaze drifted toward the courtyard outside.
A memory surfaced.
Several days earlier...
An elderly monk had visited the palace.
