The story continues...

Eight years later, The Empress Palace.

Su Liya leaned back gently and placed her hand on her side as she felt a sharp kick on her side. She rubbed her stomach a few times to calm the baby, she smiled as her eye locked with Zhu Fengyin's from across the room. She was hosting the ladies from the royal family in an informal lunch, she had begun the tradition two years ago. It was one of the best ways of building a favourable relationship with the ladies of the royal family. She had understood the importance of such a relationship after her daughter was born.

During these informal dinners, the women talked about beauty and books. She always stored the conversation away from state matters, after she had done that a few times the women quickly took the hint.