Twenty years have passed since I entered the palace.
I accompanied my mistress as she rose from a deposed consort to the exalted position of Empress Dowager.
I, too, rose from an unnoticed little palace maid to Auntie Lian, a woman even His Majesty addressed with respect.
I have done many wicked things.
When Lady Wang became pregnant, I caused her to fall into the water and lose her child.
When the Noble Consort refused to follow the late emperor into death, I strangled her with my own hands.
Only as I lay dying did I let out a quiet sigh.
“In the end, good is rewarded with good, and evil with evil.”