The afternoon sun had already begun to descend when the Dowager Empress left the Princess's courtyard.
Her conversation with Princess Zhi and Lady Chen had left her thoughtful.
She had listened carefully, smiled when appropriate, and offered the usual words of reassurance.
Yet something had remained unsettled in her heart.
Shin Gu.
For some reason, every time she thought about that woman, an uncomfortable feeling crept through her.
The Dowager Empress could not explain it.
Perhaps it was merely suspicion.
Perhaps it was because Shin Gu had been unusually quiet lately.
Or perhaps—
Her instincts were simply warning her.
She stopped beneath the covered corridor and looked toward one of the palace servants standing nearby.
"You."
The maid immediately stepped forward.
"Your Majesty."
"Go to Shin Gu's courtyard."
The maid bowed.
"Yes."
The Dowager Empress paused before continuing.
"Tell her I have selected a maid for her."
The servant looked slightly surprised.
