What? What was he saying? The lady was completely dumbfounded. She was none other than the Empress of the nation. The Principal wife of the King. As they were both fighting for the majesty's favor in a certain way, their relationship cannot be all that harmonious, but they weren't particularly hostile either. But for him to come at her courtyard and act all smug about it wasn't something that was in the Empress's vision board. But she wasn't someone to fall behind.
"I heard Ryu-er fell into the pond. How is your health faring?" She asked with a very fake smile. Truth be told she didn't like him but if he was trying to act as if they were close, she couldn't just sit and watch. They may not have any bad blood, but she was well aware of his feelings towards the majesty. Some other concubines tried to pit them against each other which was the reason for their cold relation. She wasn't particularly fond of him.
Shin Ruyan only came to his senses after he went ahead and caused trouble. He knew better than to act like a jerk. "Old habits die hard" he mumbled to himself.
After that unexpected conversation there was an awkward silence filling the air. Shin Ruyan had to gather all the information he could about the king before he was to meet him in person. But he couldn't let the fact slip. Not when he hadn't even had a proper conversation with her yet. He abruptly looked at the empress and said with a face that looked that he had been holding poop for five days straight. "I have to go".
The empress was utterly shocked. She was expecting many things, but this was the least plausible thing she found. " Ah! I shall bid you farewell then". She bowed ever so slightly. And looked at him in daze. Shin Ruyan fled to his own courtyard sprinting for his life.
The Empress's name was Jiang Lin. She was from a prominent Jiang family. She had married the emperor at the age of eighteen. However, they were betrothed to each other at the mere age of fifteen when the Jiang family was in the peak of power. There were many concubines who wanted to overthrow her and establish themselves as concubine but her firm resolve and background allowed her to hold the ground.
***
On the other hand Shin Ruyan's information gathering plan was a complete fail because no matter how much reckless he maybe he was not dumb and couldn't let anything slip in front of her. He knew danger when he met one. And this danger was specially to his liking. He chuckled and then proceeded to gather some information from the maid servants of other palaces.
He fortunately did not encounter any other concubines. From what he came to know. There were five concubines in this palace including him and the empress. This was not constant as many even died because of the palace's schemes. The empress did hold the greatest favour but turns out that the king had another favorite and the newest concubine he had been doting now. He couldn't gather the name or anything particular. He was also certain that the king was someone who played favorites and showered with gifts to someone he liked and right now he was the unluckiest one. He was looked down upon and ridiculed by everyone.
"Whew!" Shin Ruyan sighed as all this pointed to just how unlucky he was but it was good in a way because he didn't have to flatter that dog sh*t emperor atleast.
With his thoughts gathered he called his servant who had been waiting for him and asked her to draw a bath. Luckily he was atleast given basic facilities. Thus he submerged himself in the bath and decided what to do tomorrow.