This man was an old smith whose shop was in the city square, he was being dragged out from his house and brought in an outer pavilion of the Palace where usually King used to sit with his advisory and talk about Kingdom issues.
She was looking from far away, the soldiers went inside the pavilion and after some time, they came back but this time the old man's body was swinging on the shoulder of one of the strong soldiers.
They walked toward a small forest at the outer edge of Royal State, they dug a hole and threw his body in there then covered the surface with soil, and she was dumb to see them happening. She came back with a hazy mind, she was not feeling well.
She woke up and went to meet Queen in the morning, "Henna Zhong pays respect to Queen," Queen also forward some greetings.
"I seek if Queen is well to visit with me the clothing shop in the city square?" though don't need to visit any clothing shop because Palace tailor was there to bring clothes for the needs but clothing for other than Queen came from the city square.
Since Henna wanted to visit the city square she requested Queen to accompany her, though it was just an excuse but a valid one.
Queen thought for a while, "It will be refreshing to stop over city square, just for a change," she chuckled.
In the afternoon royal carriage was prepared for Queen and Henna to bring toward the city square, a spoke man announced their visit in the city square, and many rush makers spaced out the city square.
Henna told Queen that she wanted to buy dresses for herself and her caretaker.
Henna looked out for other shops too, with the excuse that she wanted to buy some Jade clips for her hair.
A small shabby shop was closed in the city square, she asked the reason, why it was close? The neighbor shopkeeper told that this shop belonged to an old ironsmith and don't know why it did not open today?
But his family had emptied shop back house overnight and don't know the reason either too.
She saw last night this city square shop back, it was noticeable because all city square was lush with new shops, only this shop and its adjacent house were unchanging, she nodded and went to accompany Queen.
She bought exquisite Jade clips jewelry and Queen had already selected dresses for her and her caretaker, their carriages came back to Palace.
...
Queen had invited some noblewomen for evening tea; she dressed up herself very well.
She had informed Henna also about this occasion, although Henna don't want to attend she don't want to spoil the day of the Queen by her denial, so she also prepared for it.
West garden was selected and her maids had prepared the best arrangements, they decorated fresh flower pots on the tables and watered the plants to have the freshest air in the garden.
Just for time for guests to arrive, Queen hosted them in the garden.
Queen and Henna were having a good time with other noblewomen; King's favored concubine also joined them in the garden. Though she was not invited Queen did not mind her arrival but did not look at her as well.
She wore her silk gown which King gifted her, she was moving in the garden with conceited airs. Few women complimented her which ended her more proud.
"What do you think who is more beautiful, Queen or concubine?" two noblewomen who were in the garden started to gossip.
"Let's ask concubine this question?" a former woman proposed this inkling.
They walked to the concubine and started chattering and flattering, after all, a concubine could be beneficial as well in case they needed King's favor.
"Weather is getting better?" Queen looked above the sky which was filling with clouds and breezy air was getting pleasant too.
Henna was in good mood now or she was pretending good mood, their maids who were two noble girls were present in the garden as well to serve the guests.
"My pretty Queen you are lively today, your young countenance and your pleasant talk made us honor today," a woman who was from Queen's family spoke openly in front of everyone, many dipped their heads in approval but the concubine got burned black with this complement given to Queen.
She came swaying her slender young body and voiced, "Queen is too old to sustain such kind of complements now," she flicked the tip of her gown with her hand to show off her presence with visible mockery on her face.
"Complements are made to those who are esteemed and honored, not to those who are equal to that piece of cloth which is used to clean filthy shit," Henna was truly angry this time or she was already burning with anger.
Queen was discomfited by the words of the concubine and was unable to answer her mockery but Henna replied instead of her.
Many women were thinking about what Queen would reply but instead a girl not more than thirteen replied.
They were stunned to see her brazen courage and started to ask about her origins or status. Few who were familiar with Henna told that she was the daughter of famous General Zhong; they placed their hands on their mouths which were agape due to her reply so that's the reason for her fearless reply, they wiggled their heads unknowingly.
"You should not interfere in the matters of elders," the concubine tried to mend her insult by this small daring girl. "It is you who started interfering if I correctly relate the matter," this time Queen replied instead of Henna.
"You should remember concubines are not allowed to interfere in the matters of Queen in any way," Queen showed visible anger on her face.
"I will bring this matter to my King that you and your favored girl insulted me in front of noble women of Royal State," she walked out of the garden smashing her feet against the ground with anger. She knowingly attended the wedding of her young cousin of King back then, she was sure that when King would see her, he would immediately fall for her beauty.
She thought that Queen would be humiliated but this girl was a supporting pillar for Queen, and she had to tackle it if she wanted to replace Queen.
All noblewomen took permission from Queen and their carriages were ready too.
They bade farewell to each other.
"My Queen you should not bother her presence," Henna knew that concubine was like a disease, the more she was concerned about it, the more it would affect her health.
Queen watched at her with an earnest smile; Henna was grown big to understand such matters.