A noble lady who once sat beside the Emperor deserves nothing less than the highest honor," Consort Hua said as she stared at Empress Li Hua. "You should be buried alongside His Majesty. That would be most fitting for someone of your exalted status. I've returned the Emperor to you—now you won't be alone anymore. Surely His Majesty will be pleased to have you serving him in the afterlife."
"Consort Hua! You vile wretch! Heaven will surely punish a monster like you!" Empress Li Hua screamed in fury.
"A monster, am I?" Consort Hua sneered coldly. "Didn't you once intend to deal with me in exactly the same way? You and I are no different, Empress."
"Soon, my father will realize I'm missing. They'll come looking for me. When that happens, you won't get away with this!"
"Oh? That might not work out so well for you, Empress," Consort Hua said slyly.
"What do you mean?"
"Do you know which part of the phoenix embroidery you had Ah Zhi stitch that I liked the most?" Consort Hua asked with a malicious smile. "I especially adored the two rubies used for the phoenix's eyes. They must shine brilliantly in the sunlight."
Empress Li Hua gasped, realizing that her plan had been uncovered.
"And do you know where those rubies are now?" Consort Hua continued.
Empress Li Hua's eyes darted to the roof of the carriage. The truth began to dawn on her—the ruby-eyed phoenix flag's location had been revealed.
"Such a shame that Minister Zheng didn't come to rescue me," Consort Hua said mockingly, then shoved Empress Li Hua toward the carriage window. "I'm so jealous of you… having a father who rushes to your side in times of danger."
Empress Li Hua now understood what was about to happen. Her original plan had been to use the phoenix-embroidered flag with ruby eyes to signal the assassins from the Shadow Wolf. She had hidden that specific flag among many others to confuse Minister Zheng's men while ensuring Consort Hua would be marked for death.
But now... that very plan was being turned against her.