Ghost in the palace

The Imperial Palace was unusually peaceful that afternoon.

Golden sunlight filtered through the carved windows of Princess Zhi’s residence, illuminating the polished jade floor. Outside, servants carefully watered blooming peonies while birds chirped softly in the palace gardens.

Princess Zhi was reading a book when hurried footsteps echoed through the courtyard.

”Your Highness!”

Her personal maid entered with a bright smile.

”A carriage from your father’s residence has arrived.”

Princess Zhi looked up in surprise.

”My father’s?”

The maid nodded eagerly.

”He has sent several gift chests.”

Princess Zhi stood immediately.

”Bring them inside.”

Within moments, four palace servants carried beautifully carved sandalwood chests into the main hall. Each chest was sealed with the official crest of her natal family.

The lids were opened one by one.

Princess Zhi’s eyes widened.

Inside the first chest lay South Sea pearls, each one perfectly round, glowing softly under the afternoon light.

”They’re beautiful...” she whispered.

The second chest contained delicate jade ornaments, coral bracelets, and gold hairpins decorated with tiny pearls.

The third held silk fabrics imported from distant kingdoms, embroidered with silver thread.

The final chest was filled with rare gemstones and exquisite necklaces.

Even the maids gasped.

”I’ve never seen pearls this large.”

”They’re priceless.”

Princess Zhi smiled warmly.

”Father always sends too much.”

She gently lifted a pearl necklace.

”It must have taken him a long time to collect these.”

Her maid nodded.

”The General has always spoiled Your Highness.”

Princess Zhi laughed softly.

”He still treats me like a little girl.”

She looked at the jewelry thoughtfully.

”So many...”

”I could never wear all of them.”

Her maid asked,

”Will Your Highness keep them in the treasury?”

Princess Zhi remained silent for a moment.

Then she smiled.

”I should share them.”

The maid tilted her head.

”With whom?”

Princess Zhi answered naturally,

”Lady Chen.”

”And the Empress.”

The maid smiled.

”That would be a thoughtful gesture.”

Princess Zhi imagined the Empress wearing one of the elegant pearl hairpins.

Then she imagined Lady Chen choosing a jade bracelet.

She smiled.

”They would both appreciate them.”

But after a few moments, she slowly shook her head.

”...No.”

The maid looked confused.

”Your Highness?”

Princess Zhi carefully placed the necklace back into the box.

”If I give gifts to one and not the other...”

”...people will talk.”

”And if I give both the same gifts...”

”...others will still create rumors.”

The maid understood immediately.

Palace gossip never needed much encouragement.

Princess Zhi sighed.

”Sometimes even kindness becomes political.”

She closed the jewelry box gently.

”I’ll keep Father’s gifts safely.”

”Perhaps another occasion will be more suitable.”

Just then another thought crossed her mind.

Her eyes brightened.

”...Instead of gifts...”

”Why not tea?”

The maid smiled.

”An afternoon gathering?”

Princess Zhi nodded happily.

”Exactly.”

”It has been a long time since we simply sat together.”

She stood.

”It is lonely drinking tea alone every afternoon.”

Her maid chuckled.

”Who would Your Highness like to invite?”

Princess Zhi began counting on her fingers.

”The Empress.”

”Lady Chen.”

She paused.

Then added,

”...And Shin Gu.”

The maid looked slightly surprised but said nothing.

Princess Zhi smiled.

”The more people there are...”

”...the more lively it becomes.”

She laughed softly.

”I’ve spent enough afternoons alone.”

”I think good company is much better.”

The maid bowed.

”I’ll prepare invitation cards.”

Princess Zhi shook her head.

”No.”

”I’ll write them myself.”

She sat before a writing desk.

Grinding ink carefully, she picked up a fine brush.

Her handwriting flowed gracefully across the paper.

> To Her Majesty the Empress,

If Your Majesty is free tomorrow afternoon, I would be delighted if you would join me for tea and conversation. Your presence would bring warmth to my residence.

She smiled before writing another.

> To Lady Chen,

I have received wonderful gifts from my father and wish to share an afternoon of tea together. I sincerely hope you will honor me with your company.

Finally, she wrote the third invitation.

> To Lady Shin Gu,

Please join us tomorrow for afternoon tea. It would bring me great joy if we could spend some peaceful time together.

She rolled each letter carefully and tied them with pale blue silk ribbons.

The maid accepted them respectfully.

”I’ll deliver them immediately.”

Princess Zhi nodded.

”Please do.”

As the maid departed, Princess Zhi walked to the window.

The palace gardens stretched before her, peaceful beneath the afternoon sun.

A gentle smile appeared on her face.

She truly hoped they would all come.

Not as rivals.

Not as people divided by palace politics.

But simply...

As companions sharing a quiet cup of tea.

For even within the vast Imperial Palace—

No amount of luxury could replace the warmth of genuine company.

The imperial palace was wrapped in the gentle light of early morning.

A thin mist floated over the lotus pond, and the fragrance of blooming jasmine drifted through the palace gardens. Palace maids walked quietly along the stone paths carrying trays of tea and fresh flowers, careful not to disturb the peaceful atmosphere.

Today, Princess Zhi had invited both the Empress and Lady Chen to her courtyard to look through the wedding gifts she had collected for the upcoming celebrations.

---

Lian An walked along the garden path wearing a graceful pale jade hanfu embroidered with delicate white plum blossoms. Her long black hair was gathered into an elegant bun secured with a simple jade phoenix hairpin.

The morning breeze gently lifted the edge of her sleeves.

As she reached a marble bridge overlooking the lotus pond, she noticed another familiar figure approaching from the opposite direction.

Lady Chen.

Dressed in flowing lavender silk, she walked with the elegance expected of a noble lady.

The two women stopped a respectful distance apart.

Lady Chen bowed gracefully.

”Greetings, Your Majesty.”

Lian An returned the gesture with a gentle smile.

”Lady Chen.”

Neither woman showed hostility.

The atmosphere was calm.

Almost peaceful.

Lady Chen smiled politely.

”It seems we are both heading to Princess Zhi’s courtyard.”

Lian An nodded.

”She invited us yesterday.”

Lady Chen smiled.

”Then let us walk together.”

”Very well.”

The two women began walking side by side through the winding palace garden.

The silence between them wasn’t uncomfortable.

Birds chirped among the flowering trees while the soft sound of flowing water accompanied their steps.

After several moments Lady Chen spoke.

”I heard your health has recovered completely.”

Lian An smiled.

”Thanks to everyone’s care.”

Lady Chen nodded.

”That is good.”

Before another word could be exchanged, hurried footsteps approached.

One of Shin Gu’s personal maids appeared from another pathway.

She quickly bowed.

”Greetings, Your Majesty. Greetings, Lady Chen.”

Lady Chen recognized her immediately.

”Aren’t you Shin Gu’s maid?”

”Yes, my lady.”

Lady Chen asked gently,

”Is Shin Gu also coming to Princess Zhi’s gathering?”

The maid lowered her head respectfully.

”My mistress asked this servant to apologize.”

”She is still resting.”

”The physician advised her not to move around too much.”

”So she will not be attending today’s gathering.”

Lady Chen’s expression softened.

”I see.”

”I hope she recovers soon.”

The maid bowed.

”I will convey your concern.”

Lian An also nodded politely.

”Tell her to take good care of herself.”

”I will, Your Majesty.”

The maid bowed once more before quietly leaving.

Lady Chen watched her disappear before speaking softly.

”Shin Gu has been avoiding gatherings recently.”

Lian An replied calmly,

”She may truly be unwell.”

Lady Chen nodded.

”Perhaps.”

Neither of them suspected anything from the maid’s explanation.

Soon the grand entrance to Princess Zhi’s courtyard came into view.

Bright red lanterns hung beneath the eaves.

Fresh flowers decorated the entrance.

Several cheerful maids stood waiting outside.

The moment they saw the two noblewomen, they bowed deeply.

”Greetings, Your Majesty.”

”Greetings, Lady Chen.”

One maid hurried inside.

”Princess! Her Majesty and Lady Chen have arrived!”

Only seconds later—

Princess Zhi appeared almost running.

Her bright smile lit up the entire courtyard.

”Sister-in-law!”

She happily rushed toward Lian An before stopping herself at the last moment to perform a proper greeting.

Then she smiled warmly at Lady Chen.

”Lady Chen, welcome.”

Lady Chen returned the smile.

”Princess.”

Princess Zhi clasped her hands happily.

”I’m so glad both of you came.”

She looked around dramatically.

”I was worried I’d have to admire all these gifts alone.”

Lian An laughed softly.

”That would have been a shame.”

Princess Zhi linked arms with the Empress.

”Come quickly!”

”I’ve received so many beautiful things.”

”They’re all inside.”

Lady Chen chuckled.

”I’ve never seen Your Highness this excited.”

Princess Zhi grinned.

”I couldn’t sleep last night.”

The three women entered the main hall together.

The room was filled with beautifully arranged gift boxes.

Silk ribbons.

Fine brocade.

Jade ornaments.

Decorated wooden chests.

Pearl jewelry.

Embroidered fans.

Everything had been carefully displayed.

Princess Zhi clapped happily.

”Look!”

”My favorite part!”

She opened the first box.

Inside lay a magnificent jade bracelet carved with blooming peonies.

Lian An gently picked it up.

”The craftsmanship is excellent.”

Lady Chen nodded in agreement.

”The carving is very delicate.”

Princess Zhi immediately slipped it onto her wrist.

”Does it suit me?”

Lian An smiled.

”It does.”

Lady Chen added honestly,

”The color matches your complexion beautifully.”

Princess Zhi beamed.

”I knew choosing this one was the right decision.”

She hurried to another chest.

”This one has hairpins.”

She lifted a golden phoenix hairpin decorated with tiny pearls.

”It’s beautiful.”

Lian An admired it.

”The pearls are perfectly matched.”

Princess Zhi turned toward Lady Chen.

”Help me put it on.”

Lady Chen stepped behind her.

”Stand still.”

With practiced movements, she secured the hairpin into Princess Zhi’s hair.

Princess Zhi hurried toward a bronze mirror.

She examined herself from different angles.

”What do you think?”

Lian An laughed.

”You’ve looked at yourself five times already.”

Princess Zhi laughed as well.

”I want everything to be perfect.”

Lady Chen smiled gently.

”That one truly suits you.”

Princess Zhi clapped excitedly.

”I’m wearing it during the banquet.”

She moved toward another table covered with embroidered shawls.

”This blue one...”

She held it against herself.

”No...”

Then she picked a pale pink one.

”This?”

Lian An tilted her head thoughtfully.

”The pink softens your features.”

Lady Chen agreed.

”And it complements the jade bracelet.”

Princess Zhi nodded decisively.

”Pink it is.”

Soon all three women were laughing together as Princess Zhi tried on different earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and embroidered shawls.

The maids quietly watched the cheerful scene with smiles.

For that morning at least...

The palace felt peaceful.

No political disputes.

No hidden conspiracies.

Only three noblewomen sharing conversation, admiring beautiful gifts, and enjoying a rare moment of ordinary happiness.