EARLY the next morning at the Empress' quarters in Fenghua Palace, Murong Xue was surrounded by a number of palace maids. They carefully combed her long black hair and arranged it beautifully atop her head. Then they helped her get into a luxurious red robe with a golden phoenix embroidery. Based on the slight smile on her face, it was quite obvious that the Empress was in a very good mood.
"Was it done?" Murong Xue asked one of the older palace maids after she was done getting dressed.
The palace maid she asked was one of the two who brought Aurum to the fifth prince's palace. "Yes, Your Majesty."
"There weren't any problems?"
"No, Your Majesty. We stayed at the door of the prince's room and no one went out until sunrise. We also heard the sound of love making."
The Empress smiled, clearly satisfied by what she heard. "Good. This Empress feels like visiting the fifth prince. Let us go to his palace."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
