“擅闯御花园？哪个不开眼的？”我spat out the stem, my eyes wide as saucers, staring at the flustered sycophant beside me. The courtyard was buzzing like a bee.

The sycophant, a eunuch with a face that had been painted far too white, scrambled to his feet. “Greatness! Your Imperial Majesty, the guards are here! They saw you speak out against the Chief Eunuch’s son! He said…” he trailed off, wringing his hands.

I crossed my arms. “And what did he say? Did he say I was brave? Did he say I stood up for what’s right?”

The sycophant nodded eagerly. “He said… he said you’re a troublemaker and should be slapped across the face!”

I scoffed. “Slapped? That’s all he’s got? A slap? He should be thrown into the dungeons! Or worse!”

Just then, a voice piped up from behind me. “Actually, your Majesty, I think the Chief Eunuch’s son was asking for it.”

I turned around, my eyes narrowing. Standing there was Ming Juan, my eight-parrot. It was perched on my shoulder, its beak twitching as it watched the sycophant with a look of utter disdain.