Golden tiles and vermilion walls, jade steps piled high, dragon-patterned carved pillars, phoenixes dancing on the eaves.
Imperial Palace, Cining Palace.
Inside the hall, a cloisonné enamel incense burner decorated with floral and avian patterns emitted a wisp of agarwood smoke, curling upward in thin threads.
Palace maids stepped lightly, bringing in tea like clouds.
The Empress Dowager, resplendent and noble, reclined gracefully, perhaps not having slept well the previous night, as she did not appear to be in good spirits.
"What brings you here?"
She motioned for the palace maid behind her to come and massage her head.
"You usually stay in your hall without stepping out."
Opposite her sat a woman in palace attire, simply dressed, her hair styled high, cold as frost.
"I dreamed last night that you died. I was worried and came to check on you."
Empress Dowager: ?!?
She looked over sharply.
"How presumptuous!"
