Some time later, I was lurking around Cheng's wing in hope of sighting him. Then , I hear her laughing with her closest cocumbines in her tea room. I sneak closer and realize they were being scornful at my predicament.
The sound of laughter drifted from the Empress's private tea room, sharp and mocking. Through a slightly ajar window shutter, Bella could see Empress Cheng Mei seated comfortably with several younger concubines gathered around her.
"Oh, poor thing," one of the concubines giggled, sipping from a porcelain cup. "Walking around like a lost puppy. Did you see how dirty her clothes were today? She probably rolled in the mud on purpose."
Another added with fake sympathy, "She keeps asking about His Majesty. Can you imagine? After nearly killing him with her own hands?" The group erupted into renewed laughter at Bella's expense.
Inside the tea room, Empress Cheng Mei listened with amusement while fanning herself delicately. "Let her wander," she said dismissively between bites of sweet cake. "It's better than having her near my husband's recovery. Besides, He woke up this earlier this evening." The cocumbines sighs in relief. Bella couldn't help from gasping in hurtful relief.
The tea room fell silent as Empress Cheng Mei noticed Bella lingering outside the window. Her smile vanished, replaced by a cold glare.
"Well, well. Look who decided to join our little gathering," she called out sharply, setting her fan aside. "What do you want, concubine? Come to spy on us?"
The younger concubines turned to stare at Bella, their expressions ranging from curiosity to outright hostility. One of them whispered loudly enough for Bella to hear, "Maybe she wants to check if His Majesty is still breathing."
Empress Cheng Mei rose gracefully from her seat and approached the window, pulling back the shutter wider. "Go away. This wing is for Imperial Family members only - which does not include traitors who attempt suicide in front of their Emperor."
Despite her harsh words, concern flickered across her features as she glanced toward the inner chambers where Lee Chang Hao lay recovering.
The empress ignores me and said loudly. He didn't even ask about her. All he said was that he hoped the witch was gone far away from here, so she won't hurt or burden him or my baby anymore. She paused, letting it sink in. I clench my fist. It's a lie , he won't say such a thing I protested my voice shaking .
Empress Cheng Mei's lips curled into a triumphant smirk at Bella's protest, her voice dripping with false sympathy. "Oh dear, how tragic. Still clinging to delusions even after hearing it directly from His Majesty's mouth?"
She leaned closer to the window, her silk gown rustling softly. "The physicians were quite clear - he was disoriented upon waking, but his first coherent words were about protecting me and our unborn child from further distress. He specifically asked if that 'wild animal' had been removed from the palace grounds."
Behind her, one of the younger concubines chimed in eagerly. "Yes! Lady Hanako was there when he woke up properly this morning. He told her he felt safer knowing certain individuals were no longer under this roof."
Cheng Mei nodded approvingly at the concubine's confirmation before turning back to Bella with cold finality.
It's a lie. You caused this. I point at her. If uyouhadn't lied to me you were carrying.... I point her belly , unable to complete the sentence. He wouldn't have gotten hurt. I know he wont say such thing. I won't allow my self to me swayed by you.
Empress Cheng Mei's perfectly arched eyebrows rose in mock surprise, her delicate fan fluttering faster as she approached the window separating them. "Allow yourself to be swayed? Oh my dear, how dramatic. You sound like a child throwing a tantrum because she didn't get her way."
She leaned against the frame, her silk gown rustling softly. "His Majesty is awake and recovering thanks to my constant vigilance. While you've been wallowing in self-pity and causing scenes throughout the palace, I've been by his side every moment."
The other concubines in the tea room murmured in agreement, their faces a mixture of pity and disgust for Bella's outburst.
"Perhaps if you hadn't attempted suicide in front of him, he wouldn't have risked his life to save yours," Cheng Mei continued sharply. "But then again, maybe that's exactly what you wanted - to make him suffer along with you."
Empress Cheng Mei's perfectly arched eyebrows rose in mock surprise, her delicate fan fluttering faster as she approached the window separating them. "Allow yourself to be swayed? Oh my dear, how dramatic. You sound like a child throwing a tantrum because she didn't get her way."
She leaned against the frame, her silk gown rustling softly. "His Majesty is awake and recovering thanks to my constant vigilance. While you've been wallowing in self-pity and causing scenes throughout the palace, I've been by his side every moment."
The other concubines in the tea room murmured in agreement, their faces a mixture of pity and disgust for Bella's outburst.
"Perhaps if you hadn't attempted suicide in front of him, he wouldn't have risked his life to save yours," Cheng Mei continued sharply. "But then again, maybe that's exactly what you wanted - to make him suffer along with you."
I will never do that to him. I countered.
Empress Cheng Mei's perfectly sculpted eyebrows arched in disbelief, her fan snapping shut with a sharp crack. "Oh really? Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you've been doing nothing but cause him pain since the day you arrived."
She gestured dismissively toward the shattered windows of Bella's chambers visible from her tea room. "Look at that mess - your little temper tantrums have cost the imperial treasury a small fortune in repairs. And now His Majesty lies in bed because he threw himself in front of falling debris to save your life."
The younger concubines in the room nodded eagerly, their voices rising in pitch. "She's right! Remember when you broke all those vases in the ceramics gallery last month? The Emperor had to personally apologize to the artisans."
Cheng Mei stepped closer to the window, her silk slippers making no sound on the polished floor.
I lowered my head, I didn't mean for him to get hurt. I didn't. I look down at my hands, the image of his blood staining my palms . The image of him going limb while calming me down hunted me.
Empress Cheng Mei watched Bella's shoulders slump in defeat, a satisfied smile spreading across her lips. "Of course you didn't mean it," she purred condescendingly. "That's what makes you so dangerous - your inability to control these fits of jealousy and rage."
She motioned for one of the servants to refill her tea cup. "His Majesty is a merciful man, bless his soul. Even after everything you've put him through, he still worries about your well-being."
The servant bowed deeply before retreating quietly, leaving the Empress and her entourage to continue their leisurely afternoon tea.
"You know," Cheng Mei continued casually stirring sugar into her drink, "Lady Sakamoto suggested we move you to the Nortern wing - farther away from His Majesty's recovery chambers. For his peace of mind, naturally."
The mention of the Northern wing sent a fresh wave of despair through Bella. That section of the palace was reserved for concubines who had fallen out of favor, either due to age or scandal. Being sent there would be a public declaration that she was no longer considered part of Emperor Chang Hao's inner circle.
"Northern wing?" Bella repeated hollowly, her voice barely a whisper. "You're sending me to the retirement home for discarded concubines?"
Empress Cheng Mei's smile widened at the sight of Bella's crestfallen expression. "It's for the best, darling. His Majesty needs peace and quiet to fully recover. Having you so close by would only cause him unnecessary stress."
She took a delicate sip of tea, savoring the moment. "Besides, it gives you time to reflect on your actions. Perhaps isolation will finally teach you some humility."
I couldn't stay and listen to them anymore. Without another word, I walk away.
Empress Cheng Mei watched Bella's retreating figure with a satisfied smirk, setting her teacup down with a soft clink. "Good riddance," she murmured to the other concubines. "Let her wallow in her own misery for a while. It's better than having her poisoning His Majesty's recovery with her pathetic pleas."
The younger concubines nodded in agreement, their voices rising as they discussed Bella's departure. "She looked so defeated," one commented with a hint of pity. "Almost like she actually cared about him."
Cheng Mei's expression hardened at the mention of care. "Caring is what got him nearly killed! If she truly loved him, she wouldn't have tried to take her own life in front of him." She rose from her seat gracefully. "I should check on His Majesty again. The physicians said he might be awake for longer periods this evening."