The garden was quiet that afternoon. Xiao Zhi stood under a flowering tree, 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 from last night. The way Kabil collapsed helplessly onto the floor, and the way the night finally felt quiet and peaceful after that. 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 began in that little annoying voice, "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. Her princess consort status vanished overnight.
Recently, Kabil had given permission for his concubines to treat her as one of their maids. They assigned her tasks like washing their clothes, sweeping the hallway, and even scrubbing the floors of their courtyards.
"As a princess consort," the concubine went on, "you should dedicate yourself to Tughril, not slack off like this."
Xiao Zhi said nothing and let her continue whatever mockery she was trying to aim at her.
"I, myself, am on my way 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 ourselves," she continued in a flirting and shameless tone.
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 with a faint knowing smile. Just enough to make the concubine pause in disbelief. "He's there. Resting very peacefully."
The concubine's eyes narrowed. "…What?"
It took her a while before the concubine realized something. Every time Prince Kabil had come to the princess consort's chamber before, it had been to torment her, to humiliate her.
She tilted her head and let out a small chuckle. "Oh, you must be very tired now," she added lightly, "and in pain." The last one was supposed to serve as a quiet jab.
"Quite the contrary," Xiao Zhi continued, 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 Xiao Zhi's mind, and she had to suppress a smile.
The concubine stood there with her mouth slightly open. She tried to say something mean, but her brain couldn't keep up with what Xiao Zhi had just said. 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 her. She glanced back once over her shoulder. "Well, go on. Don't let my absence disrupt your schedule."
The concubine tried to open her mouth again 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 brought back the thought that she was still clever, still witty. She didn't have to 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 word 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. She kept her face blank and her movements steady.
Every time her back ached, she just thought of the bottle on her table and told herself,
Just wait. My turn is coming.
And as her hands worked, her thoughts sharpened.
Kabil doesn't come every night, she reminded herself. Which means I have windows, time to prepare.
By the time she was dismissed, the sun had dipped low. Her limbs ached, and 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 was where she always kept it, a source of relief and reassurance. She took off her outer robe and gently applied it to her bruises and sore muscles. 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 hadn't seen him for a while now. Usually, he was… around. Delivering tea, passing through corridors, he's just... there.
Now, there was nothing.
She frowned, shaking her head as if she could brush the thought away. It's not like I miss him, she told herself. I definitely don't.
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, as if it were waiting for her.
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, waiting for it to dissolve. She frowned slightly when nothing happened. After a moment, she retrieved it. This time, she crushed it into a fine powder and sprinkled it back into the water. It dissolved quickly, leaving no trace.
Her shoulders loosened. "Much better."
She stared at the cup, her fingers tracing the rim. A dark spark of joy flickered in her eyes.
Now I just need to be smarter.
She had to get the timing right. She had to figure out the best way to give it to him. And most importantly, she had to make sure Kabil never suspected a thing.
Watch me Lin Rui, I'm the one holding the pen now.
She corked the bottle again and hid it carefully, placing it where no one would think to look.
"Next time you come, Kabil," she whispered into the empty room, "I'll be ready."