1 Prologue

The lantern's fire flickers. The wind whispers a tune. The light sways, turns, and dance in respond. Like a puppet to its master. Or a snake to a flute. Fully immerse in its nature.

Two shadow overcast. One on the ground, kneeling like a hopeless cattle ready to be butchered. The other, looking down from way above, delighted of her now proud bearing.

"A poison in exchange for medicine." A melodious voice sounded in Xu Xiaoyao ears but it's sinister intent pierce her heart. "Death in exchange for life, quite fair if you ask me."

With heavy eyelids, Xu Xiaoyao struggled to take a look at her sister's face--- no, she's the emperor consort, fighting for her spot and status, that what she truly is.

Even animals ate their own kin for survival. It shouldn't be a surprise but alas, she's naive.

For years, she's grounded in her palace. Alone and with no one to meet, not even a glimpse of her son. As an empress, without the Phoenix seal nor any authority left, how is she not different from a lowly prisoner?

They were simply biding their time. Slow and careful. Giving her hope and then stepping on it under their foot. All for the best moment in which she is at her lowest. All so that they could laugh at her futile attempt on living.

"Think about the crown prince. This sister at least made sure it'll be painless for you, unlike your son, tortured by his sickness." A small 'tonk' sounded as the bottle touch the floor. But for her weakened body, every sound and movement are like loud shouts trashing and banging on her ears.

Finally, she was left alone. Just like how she always is, abandoned by everyone, even by the man who sworn to live the remaining of their lives in each other's embrace.

Her eye stares blankly on the white porcelain bottle. It was as if the clear surface was reflecting her whole life.

Xu Xiaoyao remembered her childhood when her mother is still alive, and then when her father turned his back on her. She remembered when that father married her off to an unfavored prince because he cannot let go of his precious daughter.

She remembered the decapitated prince manor, and then the bloody plains of the Wu province. The endless body that turned cold, the endless cries that brought her unending nightmares, and the soldiers who were buried in unknown lands; never to return home.

She remembered entering the palace, being crowned. The beautiful days that were viewed with tinted glass. She remembered the man whom she shares this all... he... he was so good... So good that all memories turn into sharp needles digging her heart...

...Death wasn't so bad as it seems.

Just a whole mouthful and everything will end.

The sweet poison of death. A bit bitter just exactly like the taste of love.

Warm tears track down her cold cheeks. In her mind, she saw her son struggling to live. The contrast pound in her heart.

'I'm sorry my child, your mother is weak. I couldn't even live for you. I'm sorry. Forgive me. It's all my fault. Sorry. Sorry..."

Darkness swallowed her whole being. It wasn't so scary at all. Xu Xiaoyao exhales deeply. It was a sighed of relief after meeting death.

Qiang Empire. The seventh year of Emperor Xiao Ling reign. Early winter. The whole kingdom mourns for the death of their Empress.

Inside the imperial palace, a heartfelt cry echo in every corner of Fengyi Palace. One, that would be heard for years to come.