The moon was overhead and the whole household asleep, but Jin qing woke up at a start.

Her throat suddenly tightened and weights rested on her chest, jolting her awake from her already light sleep.

She closed her eyes and tried to focus, grabbing the handkerchief next to her bed with pale and shaking hands and pressed her nose into the cloth, breathing in the sweet fragrance of blooming honeysuckle. She tried to relax her thumping heart by slowing down her breathing, though that did nothing for the weights on her chest.

Jin Qing knew she had to solve them one by one. So she waited for her heartbeat to slow to normal and then waited for throbbing in her temples to fade.

She looked up quickly to make sure her maids haven't woken up yet. They were sound asleep.

Jin qing tried to think about what would have caused what just happened.
She scanned her surroundings for anything that would have triggered it, but she saw nothing.

Its been happening more and more often lately... Jin qing thought to herself

The heaviness lifted from her chest and she was able to relax. The honeysuckle helped, but it was mostly up to her.

She laid back down, careful not to disturb her maids. They had enough on their plates already. They didn't need to know about this.

Jin qing closed her eyes and tried to fall back asleep.

Perhaps I'm just hungry. She thought.

<>

"Miss, miss wake up." Bai yan said.

Jin qing got up and rubbed her eyes. "Have they allowed you to leave the door yet?"

Bai yan nodded. "Yes. They have. Ye bing is going out to get some food."

Jin qing nodded, but Bai yan noticed the change in her miss' face color and the bags underneath her eyes.

"Miss. You need to stop worrying about the emperor. He's fine, and it's not your fault." she said. She looked around and noticed a distant look in her miss' eyes. "Cheer up miss! Word came from the palace. The emperor is out of danger!"

Jin qing looked up.  "Really? When did you hear of this news?" She asked. "Are you sure?"

"Yes! We've just received the news this morning, but he's still in a weakened state. But he is no longer in any danger of dying."

Jin qing breathed a sigh of relief. That's one of her worries being lifted from her chest.

"The first wife has organized a party for the rich nobles in celebration of the emperor's good health. Miss, are you going?"

"In such short notice? Goodness, she's too good at this kind of thing-- probably already had it planned but switched reasons this morning..." She let out a heavy sigh, standing up and gesturing for her maids to help her get ready. "It's not like I have a choice. Get my robes for me, will you?"

Taking her orders, her maids immediately set to work dressing their miss in a simple and light lavender robe that wouldn't burden her body with unnecessary weight. The jewelry was chosen with a similar purpose along with the extra intention of being simple enough to have their miss fade into the background.

It's not like it would have mattered anyway-- no one usually paid too much attention to her to care or even notice her fashion choices... and that was exactly how Jin qing wanted it to be.

<>

The rich noblemen and noblewomen came a little before noon for some socializing.

Jin qing didn't bother staying outside for too long. All she needed to do was show up and show her face for a few minutes before retreating to the study and read. It was public enough for people to walk in and find her, but private enough for her to spend some alone time.

The perfect place to relax and get away from all the gossiping noblewomen--

"Oh look at Huan le's clothes!" Someone said, stepping into the study.

Jin qing sighed. If she wasn't going to the gossiping, it seems like the gossiping will come to her. 

"I hate it when we come here. Why do we even try when all the men see is her?" another said.

"She's so arrogant. Acting all pretty and nice. What's so good about her?"

"But then there is her brother. All the men that aren't going for her are talking to Kai Feng. I bet their mother ordered this party just to show off her children even more and used the recovery of the emperor as an excuse"

Jin qing sipped on her tea, smirking. She was glad she was alone with her maids was in her room.
The tea's fabulous today. She smiled to herself. I wonder what my maids did to make this fabulous brew?

"The first miss is terrible! The entire main family is! So selfish."

"All except for Yi ping and Xue Hua-- the two elder children of the second and third wife. Now those two mothers knew how to raise good children."

"Yes. Yi ping is so modest and gentlemanly. Xue Hua is sweet and gentle. The arrogance of the eldest daughter can only be justified of the success of her oldest brother."

"Didn't advisor Li have another daughter?"

"Hm? You mean Xi yan?"

"No not that one. He had another one. Jin something. Something like that."

"Oh! That one! Her name is Jin qing. She hardly talks and dresses in such plain robes. Some say she's a mute!"

Jin qing had to stop herself from laughing. Not only were they talking about her, not knowing that she was in the room, but they were also unaware that Xue hua had snuck in sometime before they as well. The two sisters made eye contact from behind the bookshelves, and Jin qing pressed her finger against her lips to signal for her to be quiet.

But Xue Hua looked furious. She has only come to escape the gossip and pointless chatter outside, and come in here to find even more pointless gossip. But accusing her second sister as mute? That's taking it too far! How would they know how eloquent and intelligent her sister is if they have never even talked to her?

"She's a daughter of a concubine. Naturally, they don't want her disgracing the family. But I'll say let her! The Li family needs to learn some humility!"

"You are right. Say, let us go find her and force her into the spotlight. I want to hear her talk."

Xue Hua's face was hot. She was furious at them for plotting to use her elder sister to ruin the reputation of the family. She looked at Jin qing, who had an amused face and sipping tea. How can she be so calm?!

Jin qing can clearly see the expression on her sister's face and decided that trying to slander the family would be crossing the line.
Guess like she'll have to do something about it.

"Yes! Lets's go find her! Where do you think she'd be?"

Jin qing decided to finally speak and stood up, presenting herself to the ladies who were talking with the aura of elegance. "I heard the two misses is looking for me." she said.

The two ladies spun around and saw Jin qing and opened their mouths in shock.

"I don't think the Li family would tolerate slander about our own family members." Jin qing said, her eyes flickering between the two ladies. "If you were just accusing me of being plain and mute, it would have been alright. But against my elder siblings?"

"Oh!" The first woman laughed nervously. "You heard all that?"

"I would like to remind you that you are in the home of the Li family.  I suggest that if you will talk bad things about us, do it in a matter that cannot be heard." Jin qing warned them. "I have a good temper and will forget about this, but if anyone else from my family gets wind of this..." she smiled, curtsying a little. "I'll be leaving now. Have a lovely day."

Xue Hua beamed with pride as she watched her sister's figure disappear from sight, leaving two astonished women behind her. Oh, how she loved her sister's way with words! The two women soon scurried away, thoroughly terrified of the miss they were just talking about moments before, and Xue hua went to look for her sister.

<>

Jin qing wasn't upset at the rude comments that were being poked at her. She was used to it.

Her eldest brother was often kind to her- in a strict way. Only his sister Huan le is rude to her and the rest of the family because of her status.

Of course, not to mention the first wife. That was another woman who looked down upon her for more reasons than one.
Jin qing didn't despise her simply because of the fact that she treated her harshly... no. The first wife simply reminded her of someone she hated with every bone in her body... a little too much. In fact, Huan le and the first wife both did.

She sat on a stone bench with her second sister drinking tea, listening to the girl's fuss over Xue Hua's beauty and voice.

Much to her delight, Jin qing was completely ignored.

<>

"Mother- What do we do with Jin qing?" Huan le asked her mother.  She peered through the window and watched as her younger sisters get surrounded by ladies and some men.

"What do we do with her?" Qiu ye asked. "Why, child, are you worrying?"

"Yes, mother. I am."

"Why would you?"

Huan le turned around. "Did you see everyone's faces that day of the royal banquet? They were impressed! They looked for her when she left! All they would talk about was her!" Huan le mourned. "Mother- what do I do?"

"Nothing." Qiu ye said. "She hasn't done anything more. She was smart to not ruin the family figure. As long as she doesn't do anything rash, she can't hurt our positions."

"I don't understand why father brought her back from the countryside. She isn't even part of this family!"

"Shhhh." Her mother said in a soothing voice. "Don't worry. Mother has it covered. Have you talked with my distant relatives yet? If you can't gain a foothold in the Wei, you might as well transfer your sights elsewhere."

Huan le smiled. "Yes, I have. And they're willing to help me... for a smile price I'll be able to pay."

"That's perfect, now go out there. When all else fails..." She smiled, her eyes shining with fire as she patted her daughter's shoulder, gesturing to the people outside. "Sit and look beautiful."

And as soon as Huan le stepped out of her room, wearing a magnificent robe the shade of the shining sun, everyone got up and flocked toward her. After all, why would they want to stay in the shadows when there was the literal sun walking out from the horizon?

"Oh no... Huan Le is here..." Xue Hua groaned. "When she comes, everyone runs over to her like hungry chickens."

Jin qing forced down a laugh. "That's simply because she has more to offer. Besides, it's better to be alone."

"That's just you, sister."

Jin qing smiled. "Perhaps."

"Why do you like to sit alone so much?" Xue Hua leaned over on the stone table, resting her chin on her palm.

"It's so much quieter, don't you think?" Jin qing looked up at Huan le "It allows you to see so many things that are normally hidden to everyone. Be observant, be quiet, and surprise everyone."

<><><>

Back in the palace, the dying emperor thought about what he was going to do next.

He told the messenger to tell everyone he was well. He didn't need the Xue xian to worry any more than she did.

He knew he should have listened to her advice, but for the past few months, life has not been forgiving.

He has survived through many assassination attempts these past few years. Poison coursed through his body. Every day he felt like he was about to take his last breath.

He knew he had to tell Xi Jian about the Xue xian... but he knew about her wishes to keep her secret hidden. Xi jian is his own son, and he knew that prideful man would never heed their advice well.

The old emperor wanted to pass. The stress of the years had taken its toll.

He'll hold on for as long as possible- for her sake.