Anchhi took her step out of the manor that's when she witnessed the mesmerizing four- wheeled carriage made up of highly-lacquered woods. Then one of the men servant came and opened the door for her. She stepped inside taking her luxury seat accompanied by Shoumen who sat next to her.
"Hey Shoumen! How big is the palace? The people who reside there must be a lucky one." queried Anchhi chuckling as she darted her eyes left and right.
"Young Miss! It's not that you are visiting the palace for the first time but you have to be extra careful on your every visit." Shoumen expressed who seemed slightly worried.
"I already forgot when was my last visit. Anyways you don't have to worry, Shoumen." Anchhi giggled squeezing Shoumen's cheeks. With Anchhi's gesture that made Shoumen awkward, she was unable to speak a word.
"For how many days will we be staying in the palace?" she further queried fixing her gaze at Shoumen, waiting for a reply.
"The Royal Consort wishes you to be there for a week, Young Miss!" Hearing Shoumen say so, Anchhi wondered, "During that time, I will make sure to explore each and every corner of the palace. It will be fun and adventurous."
On her way to the palace, From the crowded market to the land filled with green trees, she was able to witness all of them. As they were about to reach the palace, Anchhi took her head out from the small window which made her see the glimpses of the palace from afar.
She was overwhelmed with the thought that made her wonder of having a peaceful life in the palace. But, she was completely unaware of the disaster named Shuo Jin who was waiting for her.
The carriage finally came to a pause at the entrance of the palace. The door was opened for Anchhi where she stepped out following by Shoumen behind her. There she saw a woman in her early fifties patiently waiting for her arrival, who was the Court Lady Ming.
"Welcome to the Chang Yuan Palace, Young Miss!" said the court lady bowing before Anchhi. She too showed her courtesy nodding her head. Then, the court lady guided the path followed by Anchhi and Shoumen behind her.
As Anchhi was walking, she noticed many halls, pavilions, galleries, residences and she was amazed that all of these lied on this exquisite palace that stood intact and served as the imperial palace for the Gua emperors. Soon, they reached the royal consort's manor which was situated in the Palace Quadrangles on either side of the central axis of the Chang Yuan Palace.
When the red ornate door was opened by two of the men servants guarding outside of the door, Anchhi saw a woman covered up in blue long royal Quzu embroidered with dragons. Her hair tied up in a bun that was tucked back with a blooming phoenix dragon hairpin, she was doing some embroidery works. She was the Royal Consort, Yimu who was also one of the wives of The Emperor Gua Huang.
Seeing Anchhi standing at the entry of the door, the royal consort mustered a small smile gesturing them to come inside. Then, they entered and bowed the Royal Consort.
"Jia'er, you have grown up to be a very beautiful child." said the Royal Consort Yimu caressing Anchhi's cheeks. "I am glad seeing you safe and sound." she further added.
Holding the hand of Royal Consort that was caressing her cheeks, Anchhi consoled, "Royal Aunt, it is all your love and blessings that has made me return safely."
Suddenly, her gaze shifted on the needles and silk threads which was just only being played by Yimu. "What a beautiful flower!" exclaimed Anchhi as she leaned down.
"Do you like it?" Yimu flashed a subtle laugh across her lips where Anchhi replied nodding her head. "Come, take a sit over here. I will teach you." approached the Royal Consort as she sat on the stool and gestured Anchhi to sit next to her.
"See this is needle, this is thread and this is fabric. You have to bring your needle through the front of the fabric and take a stich to the right. Like this... it will form a base." with a soft voice, she was teaching her niece and in the same way, Anchhi was heeding attention.
"Do you want to try?" the royal consort asked Anchhi who was waiting patiently for her turn.
"I would love to..." she grinned taking the needle and threads. "Hmm.... like this... and this..." Anchhi mumbled as she was done with her embroidery.
"I see you are a quick learner." complimented the Royal Consort that made Anchhi smile broadly.
Seeing Fei Jia alive in front of her own eyes, it soothed Yimu's heart. She really wished her sister who was the mother of Fei Jia to be with them at that moment. Only if her sister was alive, she could really see the blooming youth of her daughter.
"Jia'er, you know you were dearly doted by your parents. Your sudden disappearance made it difficult for your mother to cope up with the situation. She was ill for the past few months at that time and your disappearance gave her another reason that made her close to death." Yimu lamentedupon her sister's death, further stroking Anchhi's head.
"Since I have returned, mother's soul must be resting in peace." hearing Anchhi say so, Yimu nodded her head.
As the memories of her sister occupied Yimu's mind, she seemed to have recalled of something important... very important.
"Jia'er, I forgot to tell you that your mother had left a letter for you."
"A letter?" intriguingly asked Anchhi.
Yumi stood up from the stool and moved to the royal casket. Opening it, she took out a scroll and returned back to her seat with that scroll on her hands.
"Jia'er, these are the last words of your mother which remained unsaid. She expressed them with the help of this letter." She handed it to Anchhi.
Anchhi then opened the scroll and scrutinized through it but what surprised her was not the heartwarming words of her mother but the revelations she had made in that letter.
"Jia'er, I am getting sicker day by day and by the time you receive this letter I might not be in this world. Mother is unfilial... she has failed to look after you. When you will return, your father may remain busy on his official works so he won't be able to give you enough time. It's better if you move to your aunt's place and start living with her in the palace.
The things we usually see from our eyes aren't always the one that appear to be. The same goes with the palace, it's not a place full of peace and tranquillity but it's a place where politics, scheming, conspiracies prevail the most. Here, the most trustworthy person ends up stabbing on the back. You should recognize who is your ally and who is your enemy. Therefore, I am urging you to live in the palace because I believe you will be the safest by your aunt's side. But never ever indulge yourself in the palace schemes.... Stay with your royal aunt. She will take care of you on my behalf. As your mother, this is the least I could do for you.
Your beloved mother"