She parted her lips and commanded, "Go and find out if the second son of the Xiu Mansion is truly ill."
The second son of the Xiu Mansion was her preferred candidate for Imperial Consort. He was highly respected in the court, a man of integrity with a noble and refined air.
Most importantly, he was exceedingly handsome, with brows as if painted with the finest pine-soot ink and eyes that seemed to hold both frost and moonlight. Having him in the palace would be a delight; a single glance was enough to soothe the soul.
Empress Chenzhao's heart fluttered at the very thought.
A shadow passed through Si Hai's eyes. He bowed. "Yes." And with that, he vanished from the hall.
As night fell, Empress Chenzhao appeared at the Hostage Mansion. A pair of gray-blue eyes stared at her from the darkness.
Her voice rang out, clear and crisp. "Hoping to accomplish something in the dark?"
