The sun doesn't shine into the cold palace.

I stirred the spoiled food. The Empress was right. In this palace, people are skilled at flattering and belittling others.

Footsteps approached, and before even looking up, I spoke.

"Empress, you truly play a good game. If we talk about who is the best at acting in this palace, it must be you, Empress."

She chuckled lightly and sat across from me.

"I must thank you," she said.

"Empress, are you here to kill me?" I raised my head to look at her.

"Lan Fei, you are too clever and too beautiful. In the harem, I cannot trust you," she said coldly.

"I thought you were a good person," I said softly.

"A good person?" The Empress laughed, tears almost falling from her eyes. "Lan Fei, are you that naive? In this palace, there are no good people. Perhaps I used to be a good person, but now I am the Empress. I can only firmly secure my position by stepping on countless others' bodies."

I laughed along with her.

She looked puzzled. "What are you laughing at?"

"I laugh at the Empress's pitiful and tragic situation. In the end, the Empress is just a pitiful creature begging for the Emperor's love. You don't even have the courage to avenge your own child. You fear the Emperor will resent you for it. I don't think the dagger in the Crown Prince's body was wielded by the Crown Princess. She treasures that short blade dearly and never shows it easily. She wouldn't bring it into the bridal chamber. Firstly, she is certain the Crown Prince wouldn't dare touch her. Secondly, she feels the Crown Prince is unworthy to see it."

"You didn't need to kill the Crown Prince. After all, he was your aunt's only son. But in order to gain a bit of the Emperor's guilt and gratitude, you resorted to killing him. You disguised yourself as someone burdened by guilt towards your maternal family to alleviate the Emperor's worries. I'm sure the Empress will receive continuous favor in the future. But, Empress, you should know, the Emperor still doesn't love you."

Before she could respond, I was slapped.

"What do you know? The Emperor loves me. He only likes the appearances of you and the Crown Princess. I am the one destined for the Emperor. Look, now only I stand by his side. You will endure torment within these palace walls. But, considering you helped me before, I can grant you a swift death."

I sneered and mocked her, "Is the Empress so sure of her victory?"

She lifted my chin, "You are already at death's door. What else can you do?"

I smiled, "The Empress once said I have a good appearance. How about I give this face to you, Empress?"

Before she could react, I grabbed her neck and pushed her to the ground.

"How dare you... What are you going to do to me? Guards!" she screamed in fear.

I pulled out a hairpin from her hair and pressed it against her face, "Empress, you were too careless. Even a mourning dog has the ability to fight back. You shouldn't have come alone. Should I say you are cautious or foolish?"

She struggled, not caring even when her face was scratched by the hairpin.

Finally, she suppressed her crying and said, "If you release me, I will plead with the Emperor on your behalf. I can let you leave the palace, how about that?"

I smirked and slowly shook my head, "No."