The garden was quiet that afternoon.
Xiao Zhi stood under a flowering tree, hands folded, staring ahead as petals landed on the stone path. From the outside, she appeared idle. Another disgraced consort with nothing to do.
But her mind was restless.
She replayed the scene again and again, Kabil collapsing helplessly onto the floor, the night growing quiet and peaceful. She was determined to go through with her plan now. This should work, she thought.
Footsteps approached, pulling her from her thoughts.
She straightened instinctively just as one of the concubines passed by. The woman slowed as she passed, eyes flicking over Xiao Zhi from head to toe, a smile curling with obvious contempt.
"Princess Consort Lian Zhi," she said lightly, "standing around again? If you have so much free time, you should come to my quarters. We have plenty of work that needs doing. You can't be lazy just because you were once favored. "
Once favored.
The words landed exactly where they were meant to.
"As a princess consort," the concubine went on, voice sharpening, "you should dedicate yourself to Tughril. Not slack off like this."
"I, Myself is on my way too to do my duty, attending Prince Kabil", she paused as if she had said something meaningful, "to have fun and make sure we are both enjoying ourself." she continued in a flirting and shameless tone.
For a brief moment, Xiao Zhi said nothing.
Xiao Zhi tilted her head, her lips curling into a small, controlled smile. "Oh? You might want to come to my chamber for that," she said proudly, voice carrying just enough to make the concubine pause in disbelief. "He's there. Resting very peacefully."
The concubine's eyes narrowed. "…What?"
Then she let out a small chuckle, tilting her head as she remembered. Every time Prince Kabil had come to the princess consort's chamber before, it had been to torment her. To test her. To humiliate her. The concubine couldn't help the smile tugging at her lips. "Oh, you must be very tired now," she added lightly. "And in pain." The last one was supposed to serve as quiet jab.
"Quite the contrary," Xiao Zhi continued, her tone deliberately casual, almost teasing. "I slept very soundly last night." She paused, just long enough to let the words sink in.
"…And so did Prince Kabil."
The image of Kabil sprawled unconscious on the floor flickered through her mind, and she had to suppress a smile.
The concubine blinked, confused. Her jaw dropped slightly, brows furrowing, as the realization hit her as to what Xiao Zhi could be implying. Her lips pursed into a pout, clearly trying to mask disbelief and irritation.
Xiao Zhi gave a faint smirk, tipped her head once, and began to waltz past. She glanced back once over her shoulder. "Don't let my absence disrupt your schedule."
The concubine opened her mouth, as if to argue, but Xiao Zhi had already disappeared around the corner.
Xiao Zhi's lips curved into a triumphant smile once she was alone. Every step reinforced the thought: she was still clever, still witty. She could endure. She could survive. And she could even have a little fun with those who underestimated her.
She turned back toward the palace corridors. Duties awaited, and the concubine's sharp orders had reminded her that she had work to do.
The work was as expected.
Scrubbing floors. Carrying water. Folding garments she would never wear. The servants watched closely, waiting for hesitation, for complaint. Xiao Zhi gave them none. Her movements were efficient, her expression calm.
As her hands worked, her thoughts sharpened.
Kabil doesn't come every night, she reminded herself. Which means I have windows, time to prepare.
Control didn't come from strength. It came from preparation.
By the time she was dismissed, the sun had dipped low. Her limbs ached. Her shoulders burned with exhaustion. She returned to her chamber quietly, shutting the door behind her before leaning against it for a brief moment.
She closed her eyes and breathed.
Then she reached for the ointment. The one Ruhan gave her.
The jar sat where she always kept it, familiar and comforting. She loosened her robe and applied it carefully, wincing as her fingers brushed over bruised skin and sore muscles. The salve was cool, soothing. It dulled the ache just enough to let her breathe easier.
The ointment was always a breath of comfort after a long day of torture. And she had Ruhan to thank.
Speaking of Ruhan. Where was he?
She hadnt seen her for a while now.
The realization surfaced unexpectedly, stirring a faint unease. Usually, he was… around. Not intrusive. Not obvious. Just present. Delivering tea. Passing through corridors. Existing in the background like a steady constant.
Now, there was nothing.
She frowned slightly, dismissing the thought.
Not that I miss him, she told herself firmly. Definitely not.
Still, the absence lingered.
She finished applying the ointment and reached for her robe. That was when her eyes drifted to the second bottle on the table.
The porcelain bottle sat there, quiet and unassuming.
She picked it up, rolling it gently between her fingers. The pills inside rattled softly. She opened the lid and tipped one into her palm, studying it.
"Scentless," she murmured. "Good."
She dropped the pill into a cup of water.
Nothing happened.
She frowned slightly as she found it sitting stubbornly at the bottom. After a moment, she retrieved it, crushed it carefully into fine powder, and sprinkled it back into the water. This time, it dissolved quickly, leaving no trace.
Her shoulders loosened.
"Much better."
She stared at the cup, satisfaction blooming quietly in her chest.
Now I just need to be smarter.
Smarter about timing.
Smarter about delivery.
Smarter about ensuring Kabil never noticed.
She corked the bottle again and hid it carefully, placing it where no one would think to look. Then she set the cup aside, eyes thoughtful.
Her lips curved into a faint, resolute smile.
"Next time you come, Kabil," she whispered into the empty room, "I'll be ready."
For the first time, the waiting no longer felt helpless.
It felt strategic.