Jin qing stared down at the training army below the walls. 

Their efficiency amazed her, how in perfect synchronization they moved, how the roars of a thousand men of a section echoed in the field matched the beating of the drums. 
A system like this would be difficult to stop. A highly trained, disciplined army made of hundreds of groups like this would be a noteworthy opponent. 

Jin qing was starting to regret not paying the troops back in the Wei more attention. 
she told herself to put more faith into Kai Feng and Shang Ye, reassuring herself that they were capable generals and will do just fine without her help. 

The most she can do now is finish her job of sparking a rebellion in the Song that will catch aflame as soon as she leaves. 

She had no doubt that an army like this would have no problem stopping uprisings in the city or in the surrounding countrysides, but the damage done would hopefully hinder the Song's process- not to mention that stopping rebellions would stop these trained men from going into battle. 

Jin qing had to admit she was a little bit disappointed to learn that not all soldiers were like the ones that held her and Xue Hua. 

But every basket of grain has its share of rotten ones. I can't expect their army to be all like that when they've been doing so well in the war...

With Tian Xiang guarding the home front so well, this might prove to be a little more difficult than I thought. 

But that doesn't matter now. The two orphans will be of great help to me. They have seen firsthand how poorly the people of the city can be treated despite what they have lost. If I can convince them to tell me more... this could be my lucky break. 

Jin qing turned around and descended the steps back down to ground level, paying no attention to the guards around the area. 
With the emperor's permission, she was allowed to go almost anywhere she liked- a privilege she intended to use to its limits. 

The two orphans should be awake by now and wondering where I am. I promised the little boy that I'll get sweets for him. Perhaps I can drop by the kitchen and get some lunch for them while I'm at it. I don't need to hide them anymore, so I can freely request for three portions...

I wonder what children these days like? When I was their age, I would be happy to get a bit of steamed bread from Gui Fei. 

Jin qing headed toward the kitchens, turning her head when she heard someone call out. 

"Miss!" A guard ran hurriedly to her "We meet again!"

Jin qing recognized him as the guard she had asked for help find Yu Qi. She didn't expect him to remember her, which was going to be a little awkward explaining who she is...
"Oh!" She said cheerfully "It's you! Yes, we do meet again." 

"You're not wearing a serving girl's outfit?" He frowned from underneath his helmet, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion. "You're dressed like a fine lady."

Jin qing pressed her finger to her lips "shhh. Don't let anyone hear that! It's hard to walk around when a lady is dressed up. I asked a serving girl for her dress so I can walk around easier. Sorry for lying to you."

He laughed nervously "ha... that's true."

Jin Qing smiled "But don't let that affect you. I liked talking to you as if we are equal that day. I wasn't lying when I said I was new around and needed help finding my way around here."
She put up the sweetest facade she can muster, acting a little like a sweet and innocent maiden. 

The guard seemed to buy it. "Well, of course, if that's what you ask." He answered, "You never told me your name? Can I address you by your name?"

"Of course." She answered, "My name is Jin qing."

"Qiang an." He grinned "It's a pleasure to meet a nice lady like you who aren't afraid to talk to guards like me."

Jin qing frowned and tilted her head "How so? Are they rude to you?"

"Many are." Qiang An let out a heavy breath. "But I am a guard. I can't talk back to them. It's my duty to serve the emperor and treat his guests with the highest respect!"

"You're just like your name suggests." Jin qing teased him. "Qiang, strong. You have quite a strong will to treat them with respect even though they don't." she paused "but..."

"Yes?"

"Don't let them push you back too far." Jin qing answered with a firm voice "You are still a human being, one with life as valuable as any other. If they deny you your dignity and treat you like a dog, don't be afraid to bite them back like one."

Qiang An stared at her for a second and burst out laughing. "I thought you were just a shy little serving girl when I first met you. It seems like you have a bite too!"

Jin qing's eyes widened and covered her cheeks to hide a blush that wasn't even there. "Oh- I'm sorry. That slipped out unintentionally. I just hate to see others treated like they aren't worth the rice they eat-"

"It's alright." He placed his hand on her shoulder with a soft smile "I'll keep your words in mind. But the emperor treats us well. He gives us a proper wage, food to eat, and a roof over my friends and I's head. I don't think I'll bite back anytime soon."

Jin qing secretly admired Tian Xiang's strengths in governing. His people are all so loyal to him, so content with him despite the war they're fighting. Sheng Feng's campaign might be putting a strain on the military, but the people seemed to be unaffected thanks to Tian Xiang. 

But peace is such a fragile thing by nature. It's like a tower of blocks. No matter how much you try to reinforce it, those reinforcements will act against you if you pull one of them out. 
I wonder which one should I take first?

"So?" he asked "You were heading toward the kitchens. You're not taking food again to one of the head guards this time, are you?"

Jin qing shook her head "No. Not today. I needed an excuse to see her that day, so I decided to bring her lunch as an excuse."

"Ah, then are you getting lunch for yourself?" He asked "My shift is ending soon. Do you want to eat lunch together?"

Jin qing laughed, understanding what he was asking of her. "I'm sorry," she answered "I picked up two orphans from the street, and they're hungry. They would be scared if I left them alone."

"Then that doesn't matter." He said with a sly smirk "I think I know where your room is. I'll just go there after my shift is finished. Is that alright with you?"

Jin qing stared at him for a second, then smiled.
She liked him. 
"Of course I'm alright with that." She assured him "I'll be going now, I promised the orphans I'll get them something sweet."

He nodded and waved her goodbye "don't start eating until I get there!" he called out.

Jin qing turned back and smiled, waving before hurrying off into the kitchen. 

Ah... pleasant people like him are going to make me regret destroying the Song. He's terribly loyal, would he come with me when I escape? Not unless I give him a reason to, but by the time my plan comes to fruition... I would be long gone. 

Jin qing walked into the kitchen and grabbed a box, putting in a few bowls of rice and some meat and vegetable dishes inside. 

I hope he'll remember my words about biting back... I'm sorry Qiang An, but things will get very rough for you after I leave. 

she looked around for a second, ignoring the odd glances she was getting from the staff. 

Is there any sweets I can take back for the kids?

By the fire was a plate of fried sesame balls, and she swiped them from the table and put it in the box before anyone can see or say anything. Jin qing quickly walked out from the back door where it would be easier to get back. 

I hope Qiang An will survive long enough for me to come back and find him... Tian Xiang's policies are strong, but will it be able to withhold a revolt? From how happy his people are, I doubt he ever had to crush one before. Gui Fei might be able to help him on that area though... 

I wonder if my old talents will have to be used again? As much as I want Gui Fei dead, I'm afraid the time isn't right. 

Jin qing, lost in her own thoughts, almost didn't notice that she passed a familiar face until the person she crossed cleared their throat.

As soon as she got her attention, Jin qing rolled her eyes and kept walking.

"Liang Wu Xin!"


Jin qing froze, a thin smile spreading on her lips. "have you gotten so brave that you actually dare to use my full name?" She turned around "Li Huan le, what do you want?"

"Show the emperor's consort some respect."

Jin qing rolled her eyes "And like I will. I don't show genuine respect for anyone who didn't earn it."


Though... Huan le is Tian Xiang's consort? Since when? Didn't I just see her around a week ago? I wonder if she really is just another concubine, but likes to call herself a consort. 

Guess she hasn't been in idle either. Of course, she hasn't. She's just as crafty as Gui Fei, though I suspect she's getting too old for the schemes she used to be so famous for.

"Wu Xin, you have no idea about the amount of power I hold right now." Huan le smiled "You will show me some respect in the house of the Song."

"And I should have made you do the same when we were in the Wei." Jin qing commented with a grin as fake as her tone "As both the Xue Xian and as a former empress of the Liang. I suggest you watch your tone."

"The Liang fell when you abandoned them. You don't have the right to call yourself an empress."

"I was never technically overthrown, so by definition I still am." Jin qing answered "Besides, what are you going to do if I don't? Like I said last time, stay out of my way and I'll stay out of... whatever you're trying to do by becoming consort. I couldn't care less."

"And like I said last time," Huan le mimicked Jin qing's tone and expression "I'll stop you. I heard about the deal you made with the emperor. I know your style well enough that you're doing something behind that promise."

Jin qing faked shock "Oh my! How did you know?!"

"You-!"

Huan le raised a hand to try and slap her again, but Jin qing really didn't feel like getting hit today.

Jin qing didn't even try. She simply just pushed Huan le's hand away with a sigh "I don't want to cause a scene right now. Must you always try and seek out a fight with me? Can you not go to sleep at night without almost causing one?"

"I can't sleep at night knowing that you're trying to tear apart what I'm working for." Huan le answered, returning her hand back to her side. "You did that in the Wei, now you're doing it again."

"Well, it just so happened that our paths cross so many times." Jin qing smiled sarcastically "Don't take it to heart. I'm not purposely trying to ruin you. You always happen to get in my way, trying to stop me. So I might as well drag you down along with it."

Not intentionally anyway. Though I would love to see your head on a spike.

"Liang Wu Xin," Huan le said with a warning tone with a sense of anger and superiority "You may not be trying to destroy who I am what I worked for, but sleep tonight knowing that I'll be doing the same to you."

"Thats nothing I'm not used to." Jin qing smirked, turning around "And since you're Tian Xian's consort, keep him distracted enough at night for me to do my thing, yes?"
She didn't need to look at Huan le's face to know that she was turning red, and that satisfied her.

"Liang Wu Xin-!"

Jin qing bit back a remark, but she was already sick of hearing her old name being said by someone like her. "Guess like your paths and I will cross again since you're always so keen on bringing me down." She said out loud without looking back "I'll see you soon."