What is going on?

The palace corridors echoed with the hurried footsteps of Gareth and Stephanie, their expressions a mixture of concern and bewilderment. The flickering torches cast dancing shadows on the walls as they approached the quarters of the palace maids. The two had come seeking information about an unsettling rumor circulating within the palace walls.

Gareth,, pushed open the door to the maids' shared living space. The room was filled with the soft murmur of gossip and laughter, momentarily silenced by the unexpected presence of their King's brother and his wife..

"Good evening, ladies," Gareth greeted, attempting to maintain a calm demeanor. "We were wondering if any of you had heard anything unusual lately. Something about Zhao and a woman he brought into the palace."

A hushed tension gripped the room as the maids exchanged furtive glances. Finally, a middle-aged maid with a kind face stepped forward, her eyes darting between Gareth and Stephanie. "Oh, you must be talking about Zhao's secr