Emperor's Cunning Wife

"Taoyi, you'll forgive me right?" Ning Lou suddenly turned around c.a.r.e.s.sing the little girl's face.

Startled, Taoyi stiffened and remained rooted.

Ning Lou smiled inspecting the face she was going to duplicate. Under the illumination of the candles' light, Ning Lou expression gave some foreboding delusion like a poison ivy luring its prey with its scent. She leaned near the little maid's ear whispering something only both of them could hear.

The wind blew and curtain swayed, two shadows intertwined. Strings of manipulation stretched its hands attaching themselves to the smaller silhouette. The bigger one opened its mouth wide and without the smaller one's struggle, it got devoured.

After the chants of deception were uttered, the victim let go of her possessions, before the bronze token landed made its way to the floor, a hand caught it. The scene reached to an ending, the curtain drew and the actor gave its audience a bow.

"Still not rusty, 15 seconds." Ning Lou clicked her tongue and waved her hand in front of the girl staring blankly at her.

After confirming that the hypnosis worked, Ning Lou didn't dally and went to prepare. Her hands made it magic, like a fairy godmother, both identities were switch.

She laid the still figure on the bed.

"Sleep." The whisper carried the command and the puppet closed its eyelids and obeyed.

.....

"Niang Niang, this servant will comply. Rest well."

The slippery silhouette closed the doors and proceeded to stare at the blurred interiors of the outside hall with her candle as the only source of light. The figure steered the path according to the stored instructions on its head. The candlelit swayed producing dancing shadows of the figure in the palace walls.

Two eunuchs met the figure dressed with the first rank palace maid uniform and opened the door; the figure secretly thrilled looking forward to freedom.

"Niang Niang had fallen asleep, she instructed this servant that no one is allowed to disturb her rest." The figure said.

"Don't worry Lady Taoyi. You can rest assure that we will do our duties, and make sure not even a fly could get in." Flattering smiles showered the figure, each with intention of currying favor.

"But…what if the one of the Empress Dowager's people or Tang mama ask for an audience?" One of the eunuchs asked for an advice recalling a thorny matter. Tang mama is a confidant of Empress Dowager, her visiting means there's something important to relay to the Empress, they're just two outer hall attendants, who could stop a big Buddha like Tang mama from getting in?

How is that my problem? I will be long gone by the time she comes!

"This…" The figure observed a moment of silence before thinking of a way to drive that big shot out if she ever comes.

"Niang Niang had implied earlier that she had trouble sleeping nowadays, in concern for her health I can only trouble big brothers to tell Tang mama that she was too tired and will definitely visit the Empress Dowager tomorrow. Don't worry big brothers, as I will tell all your good deeds to the Empress."

Who can refuse the temptations of rewards? These two eunuchs had a big smile on their face. Their brains kept producing images of promotion and getting cajoled by others, while their hands full of gifts of jades and gold. When the brain runs wild, their logics will be push back into the corner making them unable to think clearly. They didn't even question the loopholes or Taoyi's dereliction of duty and even bid her to rest well.

Ah! Ning Lou, how did you manage your people! They're lacking in the intellectual department!

Wait! Why am I insulting myself?!

.....

Ning Lou's footsteps echoed on the cold pavement. The candle in her hand was replaced by a lamp. The light from the lamp barely provided her a good vision; it was only thanks to the lamps hang and torches attached on the side of the narrow way that she was able to tell which was which.

Finally she reached the gate and noticed a group of guards checking each person that pass. She could simply tell just by a glance that this people were real deal unlike those two eunuchs.

When she was only a few feet away, she felt their imposing aura and prayed that this bunch of grown men would be too busy to notice her.

"Your Identity token?" The young handsome guard inquired and brought a lamp closer to inspect her face. Surprise flashed across his eyes when their eyes met.

F*ck this guy knows Taoyi!

Ning Lou showed no reaction and presented the bronze token she already prepared onto the vacant hand of the young guard.

Under the help of the light, Situ verified the authenticity while his thoughts gone awry from Ning Lou's disinterest. Maybe because his actions earlier were a little bold, and this Lady feigning indifference from embarrassment, he shook his head, smile gradually replacing his stern countenance.

"Where is Lady Taoyi heading at this hour?" Ning Lou skipped a beat at the mention of Taoyi's name. However, it was only for a split second because the casualness of the young guard eased her tension.

She adjusted her voice mimicking Taoyi's young and soft pitch.

"The Empress had assigned me with important matters. Gentleman…." Ning Lou stopped and sent a fleeting glance to him, when she confirm that the young guard didn't have any sort of expectation, she let out a sigh and continued, "please let this one pass, as the matter is urgent." Finished, she smiled, tension leaving her being.

It seemed that the two did not have any relationship, they must have coincidentally met. This time, it was her luck.