Four Months Ago (Part 1)

(Still) Four Months ago….

In Cheng Yue Palace.

Xiao Yiu was leisurely weeding the garden in her backyard. Cheng Yue Palace was a big residence. With the maids only coming to clean once per week, Xiao Yiu had to make an effort herself; otherwise the place would quickly become filthy and inhabitable. Not that Xiao Yiu minded. Maintaining such a beautiful place like Cheng Yue Palace became a good pastime for her. At least she had something to do. These days she didn't expect anyone to come looking for her. Xiao Yiu had tried to make an effort to get along with the other consorts, but none of them reciprocated her efforts. She had also given up hope in winning the prince's favour. Instead, Xiao Yiu felt content that she could secretly watch him from a distance and know he was doing fine.

"I don't mind that he treats me like a stranger," she voiced aloud her thoughts. [As long as he doesn't hate me, I'm fine] Xiao Yiu reaffirmed. [After all, our marriage was so sudden and we barely know each other. It's natural to be distant]. Closing her eyes, a mental image of Prince Ping's face appeared. "As long as you're happy, I'm fine," her lips naturally curled into a smile. [He's always got a stern face but it's very handsome....] she dreamily mused.

Xiao Yiu wiped some sweat off her forehead. Having decided she had worked enough for the day, she went to wash her hands and face. "Ah, it's about time," she said, merrily making her way to the main hall area. As usual, a servant had delivered her meal in a basket and left it by the door.

Xiao Yiu picked up the basket and went to sit by the table. Opening the lid, she smiled. It was still the same two dishes and a bowl of rice. Nevertheless, she was grateful for the food. Feeling hungry she began to heartily eat her meal. Xiao Yiu had only taken a few bites into her food when her eyelids grew heavy. She tried to focus her vision, [eh... why... how come I feel so... sleepy....]

Concurrently, arriving outside of Cheng Yue Palace was Yunyun. She stood, staring at the palace's doors for a while. "Yunyun, you're already here so just go in," she told herself. "I'm just here to clean. It's part of my duties as a palace maid." She nodded as though to give herself approval. [This doesn't mean I'm befriending Consort Liu or anything. I shouldn't get into trouble with Madam Xiong for this].

CLINK! A sharp sound of something breaking could be patently heard from within Cheng Yue Palace. Worried about the source of the sound, Yunyun rushed inside. She headed towards the main hall.

"Consort Liu," Yunyun cried out as soon as she set eyes on her.

Xiao Yiu's head was rested on her right arm upon the table, whilst her left hand dangled to the side. Under her left hand, there was a smashed bowl of rice.

[This doesn't look right] Yunyun ran towards the consort. She lay down her basket of cleaning equipment. "Consort Liu, Consort Liu," Yunyun called a few times. She began to gently shake Xiao Yiu. There was no response. "Consort Liu, can you hear me?" Yunyun questioned worriedly. She observed the consort for a few seconds. Natural breathing. No signs of any wounds. No indication there was any pain. "Is she just sleeping?" Yunyun sceptically concluded. She glanced at the smashed bowl of rice on the floor. [No. Something's wrong here. I need to get help].

Yunyun turned around. The moment her eyes set sight on the person behind her, she screamed. At the exact same moment, a searing pain teared down her body. Her head felt as though it had physically cracked opened. Crimson liquid streamed down her face. Yunyun dropped to the ground, her hand clutching her bloody head.

"Consort...." Yunyun uttered in fear, before her eyes closed shut.

Yunyun's attacker wasted no time and landed another blow on her head. Now standing still, the attacker simply observed as Yunyun's bloody hands moved to clutch onto the unconscious Consort Liu's sleeve.

"Still alive?" the attacker spoke coldly, raising the weapon in the air.

The attacker didn't need to do anything though. Yunyun's hand let go. Yunyun no longer moved.

"Why is a maid here? I thought no one comes to Cheng Yue Palace anymore," an angry voice questioned. It was a familiar voice.

"I checked the servants' rota. There shouldn't have been any servants on duty here today," the attacker responded.

"Then why is this maid here?" the angry voice continued to complain. "This was supposed to be a simple task. All we had to do was place a doll here."

The attacker dropped the weapon onto the floor and let out a deep sigh. "This maid wasn't a part of our plans. What to do with her?"

"What else can we do with her? We make sure she will never be able to reveal the truth," that same, angry yet chilling voice commanded.

Unknown to the attacker and their accomplice, Yunyun was barely conscious. She had heard them. [Please... Consort Liu...run....] Yunyun thought before truly losing all consciousness.