Long after the First Consort had stormed out of Yongle Palace, leaving behind an air of dissatisfaction and simmering rage, the Empress finally allowed a slow, knowing smile to cross her lips. She leaned back against her jade-inlaid seat, her manicured fingers idly tapping against the surface of the lacquered table beside her. The tension in her expression melted away, replaced with an amusement only she could understand.
With a flick of her fingers, a nearby maid bowed and swiftly cleared away the remnants of the First Consort's tea, ensuring that no trace of her presence lingered longer than necessary. The Empress rose with measured grace, the silk of her gown cascading around her feet like rippling water. She took a slow, deliberate step forward, her embroidered shoes barely making a sound against the polished floors of Yongle Palace.
