In the Summer heat, I tasked my servants to head to Dong Gong. It was the only place that could keep both Yi Liang and me safe from rumours.
Even without Zheng in, the thought that no woman would be insane enough to commit infidelity in the house her husband sleeps in was enough.
After all, the Commander of the Royal Guards was someone the Palace servants took note of very much.
Whispers about whether Yi Liang was married would occasionally reach my ears, especially whenever I was passing by young servant girls.
We entered the Eastern Palace's gardens, and Su helped me onto the bench that had been fixed under the shady tree that Zheng had climbed.
The servants from Dong Gong all milled about, curious but not stupid enough to stay in places I knew they could hide in to eavesdrop.
Yi Liang only stood before me, a look of pain crossing his face - as though there was something he needed to say, but he was battling within himself.
