The Inner palace of Wei, The Empress palace.
"Greetings, her majesty the Empress" the Imperial royal consorts and concubines all chorused as they made a slight bow to the Empress.
All members of the Imperial Haram paid their respects to the Empress three times in the week.
"You may rise"the Empress said from her seat at the front of the room.
"Many thanks to your marjesty"they chorused in reply and took their seats.
"You marjesty must be in high spirits with the crown Prince's upcoming wedding" Imperial Consort Su said from her seat.
Was she honestly implying that the Empress never regarded the crown Prince marriage to the crown Princess consort.
The Empress was honestly not surprised by her statement, the Imperial Haram was a battlefield of smokes and mirrors after all. She had long since expected this but she didn't expect it to be said by Imperial Consort Su.
She expected to come from Noble consort Gao who had always attacked her on way or the other. It would seem that Imperial Consort Su has decided to drop all her pretense.
"It's all everyone is talking about, Mei Mei had better coutail her movements, so as not to take a wrong step" Noble consort Gao said smiling sweetly.
'Ah finally she says something' the Empress thought
"Jei jei is right your marjesty, inviting her to the palace, I fear that your majesty isn't giving the prime Minister any face" Pure consort Shen said.
'as expected Pure consort Shen was Noble consort Gao's lackey after all. It wouldn't do if she didn't mirror the Noble consort's words' the Empress thought.
"Princess Xi'an is His marjesty choice of Consort for Huang'er, His marjesty feared that due to her mother's death Princess Xi'an may not be very prepared so asked me to lend a gentle hand.
The princess is my future daughter-in-law after all. mei mei are you questioning the Emperor authority by implying that the Emperor needed a permission from the Prime Minister to make a decision ? the Empress replied looking sharply.
"I wouldn't dare your majesty" Pure Consort shen. said quickly falling to her knees and kowtowing.
The Empress was one who always meant what she said. She may be under the Noble consort's protection but even she could not protect her from this offence.
"Stand up Mei Mei I am only kidding"the Empress said laughing softly "Have a seat, Mei Mei Xinyi just informed me that Xiaolian had just finished making some tea and snacks for our entertainment" the Empress continued signalling the servants to began serving the food.
Lu Xiaolian walked into the room and kneeling said "Xiaolian greets her marjesty the Empress"
"Xiaolian shouldn't stand on ceremony,Mei Mei this is Princess Xi'an of first rank" The Empress said.
"Xiaolian greets the Imperial Consorts" Lu Xiaolian said with a half bow.
"First rank Princess is quite a beauty the Emperor choose well" Consort su said.
"Your highness is flattering me everyone knows that the Emperor's Haram is said to be filled with many talents but Consort Su is the only Consort known for her beauty even though from a literal family only her highness beauty shines bright" Lu Xiaolian replied.
"Your majesty is very blessed to have gotten such a beautiful and caring daughter in law, if only my Cheng'er would follow in his highness examples" pure Consort Liu said
"Mei Mei shouldn't worry herself too much The sixth prince is still trying to make a place for himself" the Empress replied.
"Princess Xi'an is clearly a filial daughter in law, the dowager imperial Noble consort can now be at ease.
The dowager imperial Noble consort has been concerned about the crown Prince upcoming nuptials.
Her meeting Princess Xi'an will definitely put her at ease don't you think so mei mei" Noble consort Gao said before talking a sip of her tea.
"the tea is well brewed, princess Xi'an did a really great job. The dowager imperial Noble consort has always loved drinking tea, as her granddaughter in law it is only right that you brew her some tea every morning.
The dowager imperial Noble consort is getting older and now easily sucesible to cold. Don't you thing so, She is the Emperor's birth mother after all" Noble Consort Gao continued.
"jei jei make a solid point, it just that Xiaolian already serves the Empress dowager tea most morning and is also under going training as per the Emperor's request, how about this. Xiaolian will serve the dowager imperial Noble consort every three days what do you think" the Empress said.
"Who am I to question the Empress decision" Noble Consort Gao replied.
The Empress deliberately used the Emperor and Empress dowager to subdue her. She already knows that the Emperor never visits her. Empress dowager on the other hand wasn't fond of her or Dowager imperial Noble consort Xu for that matter.
"Good, since that is settled let enjoy the snacks" the Empress said.
* * * *
"Your highness slow down" Bie Liu said to her young miss as they ran to the Empress private garden.
"Bie Liu hush Xi Que said his highness paid a visit to the Empress after morning court and is now in the Empress garden" Lu Xiaolian said as they got into the garden. Lu Xiaolian quickly got sight of a tall figure dressed in black.
"Bie Liu quickly help me up" Lu Xiaolian said as she began climbing a tall tree.
"Your highness _! Bie Liu said stretching out her hands to help her mistress down.
"Oh hush Bie Liu, I just want to get a better view of the crown Prince, I am going to become his wife.its only right that I find out what he looks like" Lu Xiaolian said as she continued climbing the tree.
Before long Lu Xiaolian got to the top of the tree and resting on a branch looked down at the crown Prince.
Just then a Eunuch walked up to the crown Prince and with a bow relayed the a message from the Emperor that the Emperor would like to have a word with him. The Eunuch turned and walked away. Lu Xiaolian still hadn't gotten a better look at the crown Prince and began adjusting herself better on the branch to get a better look when the tree branch cut and she began falling face down to the ground.