Cheng sat at her vanity mirror brushing her hair with meticulous strokes, her demeanor transformed from last night's drunken abandon to the cold authority of an Empress.
The morning light streaming through her windows cast sharp shadows across her features as she spoke without looking at Gen.
"Last night never happened officially," she stated clearly, each word precise and commanding. "You were never in my chambers alone after midnight. Understand?"
Gen straightened his military tunic, adjusting the sword belt at his hip mechanically. His face showed no trace of the man who had worshipped her body hours earlier.
"Yes, Your Majesty," he replied formally. "My lips are sealed as always."
He paused by the doorframe where servants awaited outside with breakfast trays and fresh clothing for her day ahead.
"If questioned about your absence from guard duty," Cheng added casually while examining a strand of pearls around her neck," simply report that urgent matters required my personal consultation late into the evening.
"He replies her and bows. When he comes out of her chambers, the servants looked at him supeiciously but didn't say a word. His manacincing gaze was enough to silence any suspicion or future gossip.
Confident by their frightened looks , he smirks before walking past them.
Gen's smirk widened as he strode past the servant girls who quickly bowed their heads, averting their gazes.
Their nervous energy was palpable - whispers died instantly at his approach, hands trembling slightly as they resumed dusting furniture or arranging flowers.
One bold maid risked a quick glance at his retreating back before whispering to her colleague, "He looks... different this morning. More intense."
"Quiet!" the older servant hissed back sharply. "Haven't you learn't from what happened to poor Lady Bella? Best keep your mouth shut around important men like General Gen."
Meanwhile, inside Cheng's chambers, she continued her morning routine with practiced regal grace.
Her reflection in the mirror showed no signs of last night's indulgence apart from slightly darker circles under her eyes which she expertly concealed with makeup.
"The Emperor will be expecting me for breakfast shortly," she announced to Aiko who entered with other kitchen maids carrying a trays of food.
After she was done dressing up, she walks to Chang's chambers. His personal guards stops her. "Are you insane? I am the empress" she asks annoyed. "Sorry your highness, but his majesty asked to be alone" a guard at the door spoke.
"Have you forgotten who your empress is. Let me through this instance or I will fire you this instance" She threatened. The two men glanced at each before moving from the door to let her into Chang's chamber.
The Emperor's private chambers were dimly lit, curtains drawn against the morning sun. Inside, Lee Chang Hao sat hunched over a map table strewn with border reports and dispatches from provincial governors.
When Cheng stormed in unannounced, his head snapped up immediately, eyes narrowing at her intrusion. "What is the meaning of this?" he demanded sharply. "These are my private quarters!"
His guard commander stepped forward protectively. "Your Majesty, Empress Cheng insisted-"
"Silence!" Chang cut him off abruptly before turning back to his wife with undisguised irritation. "Since when do you burst into my chambers without invitation? Especially when I specifically ordered not to be disturbed."
He rose from the map table slowly, his tall frame radiating authority despite being clad only in simple indoor robes. The stress of recent days etched lines around his mouth as he studied Cheng's defiant stance near the doorway.
"Speak plainly then,""Leave us!" She commands the guard who looks to Chang for confirmation. After Chang gave a subtle nod, he bows and leaves , closing the door shut behind him. " Now tell me why you barged into my quarters early this morning" Chang commanded. Cheng only grinned .
"To show you this". She tosses a small parcel at him . "What's this?" he asks catching the parcel. "Open it and see"was all she said to the confused Chang. He carefully opens it and turns cold when he sees a piece bloodied simple cloth which he recognized the design as what Bella wore the morning of her banishment. " What is the meaning of this?" He growls at Cheng .
"What did you do?"