Chapter 88: Shot

Six months ago.

Tiny feet pitter-pattered upon the hallway floors, a woman in pink dashed through the corridors. Her maidservants attempted to catch up, but they were no match. 

With the wind caught in her lungs, the breeze against her hair, Lina raced through the beautiful palace that her mother resided in. She sprinted past the guards who were startled to see her. She fled from the people that tried to remind her of manners.

Lina threw the doors open, surprising the handmaidens waiting inside and outside of the palace. Her mother had just lifted a tea cup to her mouth when Lina trespassed.

"Mama!" Lina was exasperated, out of breath and frantic. "Did you hear? Did you hear?!"

"My dear Lina," the Second Concubine murmured, her voice soft and gentle. She placed the tea cup down, her gaze searching her daughter's face.