Deep in the underground prison of the Imperial Palace, there laid a dark chamber. The chamber constrained criminals who had committed the gravest of the offenses. Offenses that threatened the very foundation of Tian Ning.
These were the traitors, the rebels, and those who conspired to usurp the throne.
A small window, about the size of a palm, served as the only source of illumination. Moonlight projected through the opening and illuminated a slim, lonely figure in the darkness.
Jiang Miao's white robes were stained with filth, her long messy hair strayed freely and extended to her hips. Her appearance only held only but a glimmer of her past glamour of the Crown Princess Consort of the Tian Ning.
The Crown Princess, once rumored to be the most beautiful woman in the entire Tian Ning, was once just a shu daughter from Primer Minister Manor with bleak prospects for her future. With her status as a shu daughter, she could only enter the Crown prince harem as a concubine. Everyone thought she would only be forgotten. After all, in Crown Prince Xie Feiye's harem, there was no lack of women. Yet slowly and steadily she rose in ranks. She successfully gained Crown Prince's favor. She gained it as such that Crown Prince won't spare anyone else a glance. As such when the late Crown Princess passed away, she effortlessly took the position of the main wife and attained the Crown Princess title.
But now she stood alone, in this destitute state, in a prison from where no person could escape alive.
In the silence of the desolate prisons, quick steps thumped along the damp ground and made their way towards the innermost cell.
"Your Highness," It was Xiang Qiao, Jiang Miao's first-ranked maid, and her most loyal follower.
Xiang Qiao's heart dropped once taking in the appearance of her once high and lofty Crown Princess. She shivered as the biting cold of the underground damp prison crept across her limbs. Yet her lady didn't even have as much as a blanket to keep her warm.
This treatment was truly brutal.
She didn't know if they even served her with anything edible. She had heard the food in the innermost prison was worse than what they fed dogs. Thinking up to that, she took out a carefully concealed steamed bun from within her clothes. "The suffering won't last long, Your Highness. Please don't lose heart, this servant heard palace maids talking that Eight Prince has pleaded on your behalf. His Majesty would issue a decree tomorrow." Xiang Qiao's tears streamed down her fair cheeks as she stuffed a steamed bun in Jiang Miao's hands through the bars.
In a situation as such, it was only empty words that Xiang Qiao could exchange for her lady comfort. She had no power to do anything else.
Jiang Miao accepted the bun but she had no appetite.
"Your Highness?" Xiang Qiao noticed how her lady didn't brighten up on the mention of Eight Prince name.
"What happened to Da ge?"
"Your Highness, th-this servant... doesn't. I heard Eight Prince pleaded..."
"Xiang Qiao," Jiang Miao said calmly, "I have already heard of elder brother's beheading."
"Your Highness, this humble servant seeks forgiveness for not informing you."
"No need for you to be apologetic. I understand your intentions; you didn't want me to feel aggrieved." Jiang Miao smiled faintly. A mist of moist had gathered in her eyes yet there were no tears. Or rather, there were no tears left to cry. "Xiang Qiao, you do not need to take the risk by coming here. You have been loyal." Jiang Miao said with an unnerving calmness and shook her head. "But I'm afraid you chose the wrong Master. In the end, I have failed you."
"Your Highness!" Xiang Qiao jumped in shock. "Please don't lose heart. The Second Young Master and Crown Princess are different. Eighth Prince has pleaded on your behalf. His Majesty values Eight Prince greatly; he will definitely grant you amnesty." Xiang Qiao pressed her cheeks against the bars and lowered her voice. "Her Highness entered Crown Prince harem on Eight Prince directions. You helped him keep an eye and bring down Crown Prince. With the demise of Crown Prince, Eight Prince is the only candidate to inherit the Crown. Sooner or later he would be granted the title of Crown Prince. No one would ever forget the sacrifice you have given for his sake. Eight Prince would definitely value your intentions!"
"Xiang Qiao, have you ever seen Eight Prince valuing a chess piece that has no use?" Jiang Miao stated quietly.
Jiang Miao had held her hope for long enough. But it had already been a month. Not once was she visited by Xie Cheng. He didn't even as much as send a messenger.
Though Jiang Miao could console herself that it was for the reason not to get people suspicious, no matter who it was, under such circumstances, it was inevitable to lose some trust.
A melodious feminine laugh resounded behind Xiang Qiao.
"I thought we had killed all of your dogs. Who could have guessed there was still one remaining."
Glossary.
Crown Princess Consort: Title of the legal wife of the crown prince.
Shu daughter: The daughter of a concubine.
Di daughter: The daughter of the first wife. The first wife is usually called legal wise. The rest of the females in the harem are called concubines and such.
Tian Ning: Name of the country
Da ge: Means elder brother in Chinese.
Eight Prince, Second Young Master: Here 'Second' and 'Eight' refer to the number of the child. For example, Second young master means that he is second in rank in terms of age among his siblings.