Hearing the first part of her maid's words, Empress Qing's face twisted in rage. The second part might as well have been the wind—it never reached her ears.
The jade cup nearest to her was hurled to the floor, shattering into pieces. Her eyes brimmed with madness as she abruptly stood up, the sudden movement sending the table crashing to the ground.
Her breath came fast and sharp as she stormed toward the bronze mirror. With a violent sweep of her arm, she sent her cosmetics scattering across the floor, rouge and powder staining the polished tiles like splattered blood.
It must be that fox woman who dared to seduce the Emperor and make him scold me—me, the Empress—in front of all those shameless concubines and snickering servants… she left me without a shred of dignity.
