"Open the gates." Wan'er ordered and two Eunuchs standing at the crimson and golden doors they pulled the dragon knobs and outside, dressed in a navy blue and green hanfu and young woman in the company of six palace maids lighting the ground for her she walked in while maids holding lanterns flocked either side of the walkway to illuminate the way.
She gracefully walked with every step, her head held high, still quite distant her face was hard to recognize in the flashing lightning she eventually halted at the foot of the stairs.
"Come closer?" Empress Dowager Xie ordered and the latter complied raising her every step gently while he fellows watched, Court Lady Cao seemed to find the figure familiar by the time she was about five metres away, she knelt down and the lightning striking again reflected her face the Empress and Court Lady shrieked as though in fear the husky in her possession was loosened it fell down to the ground.
"Greetings Your Highness the Grand Empress Dowager, Your Highness the Empress Dowager and Your Highness the Empress." She spoke in the most familiar tone with a smile on her face as she bowed her head and raised it again her adversaries confused with all the new young women and Court Ladies seemingly surprised she'd had the most remarkable re-entry into the palace.
For Court Lady Cao looking into her eyes, the Empress seemed short of words as the heavens loudly roared and protested, the wind howled about harder than before and a remarkably frightening atmosphere had set in within those cruel crimson walls.
The Empress stood up to walk away while Yang Meizi and all the others watched but still processing everything that had happened, she stumbled a little bit while Qing Yi held her up.
"Your Highness." She called.
"Are you alright Empress?" Grand Empress Dowager Wu suddenly asked and the young woman turning around she looked at her.
"Quite well Your Highness, it's the weather." She concluded.
"It appears that it's going to rain anytime." Grand Empress Dowager Wu said.
"I couldn't agree more with you Your Highness." Empress Dowager Xie said and standing up from where she was seated she too bowed her head to her Senior.
"Take the girls to their rooms." Grand Empress Dowager Wu said and Wan'er kowtowing with compliance she turned around to the young beautiful ladies including Yang Meizi.
"Please follow me." She demanded and they all complied walking away into a different direction while Court Lady Cao and the Empress watched Yang Meizi hardly believing their eyes.
"It really is her Milady." Linxiang said.
"I know I have eyes too." Court Lady Cao replied looking very angry and distraught.
"What do we do?" Linxiang asked.
"I'll have a word with her." Court Lady Cao replied and Linxiang responded by widening her eyes with surprise.
"You couldn't possibly do that." She remarked.
"There's only one reason that she could have returned to the Palace." Court Lady Cao muttered.
Yang Meizi was led into her chamber and along with her a young woman walked in into the rather small room she looked around and smiled seeing a table on the ground she moved around it and then sat on the stool that was behind it.
Slowly she ran her hand across and looking at her fingers they were still dustless.
"It is clean." She said, "Court Lady Cao must be having a good time running the Inner Palace." She remarked with a smirk on her face.
"You are right Ma'am." The young woman replied.
"Beiyuan said that you of all people can be trusted, it's good that you look as naive but are you willing to dip your hands in blood for me?" Yang Meizi asked.
"Ma'am might not know but Beiyuan is my older brother." The young woman replied.
"Beiyuan, Manyin?" She asked.
"Yes the young woman replied.
"Then surely don't let your brother down." Yang Meizi said, "I hope that you could be on very good terms with Xiaoyang." She added.
"You can rest assured Ma'am." Manyin replied while she smiled at her and the rain outside pouring heavier at the moment there was a shadow outside.
"Ma'am, Court Lady Cao is here requesting to have an audience with you." Xiaoyang said and Yang Meizi smiling she prepared herself.
"Much later than I expected much as she doesn't disappoint." She whispered to Manyin while the latter smiled finding it funny, "Let her in." She ordered and the doors being opened Manyin withdrew to the side while Court Lady Cao walked right in front of the table she stood and looked at her former mistress seated down in front of her.
"You wish to see me?" Yang Meizi asked.
"Leave us." Court Lady Cao ordered and Manyin looking at her mistress, the latter nodded in approval both the servants in the room walked out and left the two women all alone closing the doors behind them while Court Lady Cao stared at the smile of her adversary.
"You can't possibly tell how happy I am to see you Noble Court Lady Cao, in the very least aren't you as happy to see me?" Yang Meizi asked.
"What are you doing here?" She responded furiously.
"There's no need to be so harsh, I found this place clean I can take it that you were being hospitable." Yang Meizi remarked.
"You haven't answered my question." Court Lady Cao reminded her that sooner, Yang Meizi's patience appeared to wane instantly while she retained the smile on her face.
"What am I doing here?" She asked while the latter remained silent she sighed.
"You tell me this yourself Nuwa, sorry, Court Lady Cao, I'm sure that more than anything else you expect my carcass to be rotting somewhere in a gorge or a valley but what more could I do, killing me isn't so fun you know even I too seem to realise that it feels like I am so used to cheating death so often I can't help it that my stars are much luckier than yours." Yang Meizi replied hearing this Court Lady Cao went onto her knees and bowed her head before her.
"What's this?" Yang Meizi asked.
"Pardon me Ma'am but if it is revenge that you want you can kill me I won't resent you, all I ask is that you stay out of the Palace, that way I can trust His Majesty will be safe." Court Lady Cao replied.
"Since when did you care that much about your Emperor?" Yang Meizi asked.
"I am begging you." Court Lady Cao replied.
"You really think it's that easy?" Yang Meizi asked as she laughed out loud and Court Lady Cao raising her head she studied her expression that seemed to rather abnormal.
"Ma'am." She went ahead to plead Yang Meizi stopped and looked at her evilly.
"Stay out of the Palace you lecture me to protect His Majesty, grief can consume me while my enemies live lavishly and happily?" She asked as Court Lady Cao stood up and cleaned herself.
"I can't promise you that I'll be any softer." She cautioned.
"A second you grovel the other you bluff if you really are that confident then bring it on at once." Yang Meizi said, "which man doesn't want to be alive I can as well urge you to bury whatsoever memory of fond sisterhood we had in the past, take your sword as brazen as you were and draw it against me very much in fulfilment of the warrior oath that we took as children in the fraternity I welcome your earnest efforts to repress me, welcome annihilation and charge towards your death henceforth I have taken a gamble, yes the biggest gamble setting foot in this Palace again aware that I could leave it dead but does that scare me?" She asked.
"Is it therefore the path you choose to hold onto?" Court Lady Cao asked.
"If it wasn't I wouldn't be here but just so that you asked I don't expect to live a long life Milady that's why even if to my very last breath I am willing to fight this world." She replied as she stood up from where she was seated and walked up closer to Court Lady Cao, "last time I so much hoped that with the Retired Empress out of the Palace sanity would return to the Palace but realized barely that Han Touzhou was the biggest flaw this government has I must clear it with every one of his cohorts and my adversaries, by that I mean you as well." She whispered to Court Lady Cao who turned to face her ear.
"It won't be that easy Ma'am." She remarked.
"Yet I recall you had one short to deal with me and you misfired prepare to weather the tempests because I promise you I'll deal with you accordingly." Yang Meizi said as she withdrew a couple of steps away and looked at Nuwa that she smiled and bowed her head.
"I'll look forward to it." The latter replied as she turned around and ceasing the door knobs, she pushed them open and walked out in the hallway furious leaving behind a rather satisfied Yang Meizi as Manyin and Xiaoyang rushed in.
"Are you alright Ma'am?" They asked.
"Don't worry." Yang Meizi replied, "that bitch must be running mad right now." She replied as she smiled at herself ghastly.
Exploding through her Chambers doors, she charged furiously at the table in the centre where she smacked her fist and then she sat down.
"Appease your anger Milady." Linxiang said.
"She'll deal with me accordingly, she really is much of a pain in the neck." Court Lady Cao replied.
"There must be surely something that we can do." Linxiang said.
"There certainly is but I have been with her long enough to understand in depth her behavior, therefore, if there is someone I should dread more than anything in this Palace, that person is surely her." Court Lady Cao replied.
"You wouldn't dread her as much Milady." Linxiang said.
"You don't realise what I am going through, this time she returns to the palace as the Emperor's woman my limelight will slowly die out." Court Lady Cao remarked.
"Shouldn't the Empress be most worried?" Linxiang asked.
"Even if she is, you don't notice, if she could aim as high then probably I can too." Court Lady Cao professed.
"I don't understand Milady, you are already the highest of Court Ladies so what more could you want?" Linxiang asked.
"As much power to protect his Majesty but if being the Highest of the six matrons was all I wanted it wouldn't have crossed my mind." Court Lady Cao replied.
"Please enlighten me Milady." Linxiang requested.
"Someone as lowly as her would have never returned had it not been for someone else who is very powerful behind her but in the country where a lowly woman can become a Concubine, which law in the Great Song Dynasty forbids another Court Lady from becoming the Emperor's woman as well?" Court Lady Cao asked the latter widened her eyes.
"Milady, it's already enough to have her for an enemy but you do realise that the Empress is jealous and her sister Consort Han overbearing, to have them two against you won't it be a rather large fight?" Linxiang asked.
"It's the only choice that I have left, to survive." Court Lady Cao replied.
"Suppose you did, we can't be too sure of His Majesty's affections, even so, how could we find someone in the Imperial Court to adopt you as a part of their family?" Linxiang asked.
"The Retired Empress had supporters of her own, I am very sure the Cao clan discontent with Han Touzhou and spiteful there must be one family among them that is as desperate." Lady Cao replied as she smiled at herself ghastly.
Emperor Ningzong seated in his room and reviewing the memorials Eunuch Deng walked in, the storm still raging outside the man halted in front of his master and bowed his head.
"How was the Concubine selection?" Emperor Ningzong asked.
"The candidates are here about a hundred and one in number, but the palace is still open for two more days until the selection is finalized." Eunuch Deng replied.
"I see." Emperor Ningzong muttered as he rested his brush down and standing down he walked around the table and moved up to the window where he leaned against one of the pillars and he gazed out at the roofs in a distance.
"It's been a while." He muttered, "yet I still can't seem to forget about her." He added.
"Don't silk over anything Your Majesty, tomorrow you'll see the new concubines." Eunuch Deng said.
"Are you sure?" Emperor Ningzong asked.
"To some you must personally give the flowers, the other's sachets." Eunuch Deng replied.
"The Empress shall find it unbearable, I must make fun of her." Emperor Ningzong said as he smiled at himself lightly and Eunuch Deng smiled alike.
"She has every right to feel threatened." He muttered.
Empress Han seated in front of her dressing mirror she recalled the words that Yang Meizi had said to her, her entry replaying over and over again at the back of her mind she sighed while Qing Yi walked in to her side and bowed her head.
"Your Highness?" She called out to her.
"Who sent her to the palace as a part of the concubine selection?" Empress Han asked.
"I just learnt that it was the Left Chancellor Zhao Ruyu." Qing Yi replied.
"Certainly the Grand Empress Dowager's dog." Empress Han remarked, "no wonder that old bitch felt a bit too confident at the sight while we seemed shocked, it must have been what they whispered to her." She added.
"I couldn't agree more with Your Highness, but now that she's in the Palace what could have possibly brought her here?" Qing Yi asked.
"Maybe she's aware that we were the ones that wished to get rid of her." Empress Han replied.
"Even I thought so in the beginning but I have confirmed with all the men that we sent, she couldn't have recognized any moreso if she'd suspect it wouldn't be Your Highness." Qing Yi replied.
"You are saying she knows nothing?" Empress Han asked.
"And I couldn't be wrong, if it's to have a clue at the very least....." Qing Yi replying the Empress interfered.
"...she suspects that there's someone in the Palace that was responsible." She concluded.
"Yes." Qing Yi replied.
"But who could it possibly be?" Empress Han asked while she seemed to immediately recall the conversation that she had had with Court Lady Cao she immediately gulped.
"Could it be?" She asked.
"What is it Your Highness?" Qing Yi inquired.
"Can't you think about it, remember that Court Lady Cao had mentioned this to us earlier, could it be that she failed her attempt to kill her?" Empress Han asked and Qing Yi realising the feasibility she widened her eyes.
"Then she's here to get rid of Court Lady Cao?" She said.
"She was carrying the Emperor's seed which Court Lady Cao succeeded in ridding us of, the blame returns to her but Yang Meizi must have realised that sooner or later she just couldn't hold out her grief she is using the Concubine selection as her tool to get into the harem but relying on the support of Zhao Ruyu who resents us as much we can't be too lax otherwise it threatens our position." Empress Han muttered.
"What could we possibly do, it's not like we can kick her out now and tomorrow at the Emperor's ceremony to choose the concubines, she's very likely to make it through moreso with the Grand Empress Dowager's support." Qing Yi said.
"Her position is backed by immense power if so we wish to deal with the situation once it's still manageable the first thing that we must do is to get rid of the Left Chancellor." Empress Han said.
"What?" Qing Yi asked.
"I am sure that Wang Liuan's words are to be heeded in this Palace there are things that can't be defined by positions alone, like a lion defends his pride, all threats however big or small I'll deal with immediately." Empress Han swore confidently.
It was very early in the morning and Emperor Ningzong walked up to the Cifu Palace where negotiating one of the alleys that led to it's crimson gates he heard the sound of the guqin and the music coming from the inside forced him to halt in his footsteps it was itself a tune that he found to be so familiar.
"What's the matter Your Majesty?" Eunuch Deng asked concerned about the young man's Palace.
"And what is going on inside?" Emperor Ningzong asked.
"The ladies are practicing their dance, they must first be tested in the liberal arts and those that pass this level can proceed to the presentation to Your Majesty." Eunuch Deng replied.
"Forget it." Emperor Ningzong said trying to make his way towards the small gate but Eunuch Deng rushing in front of him he stopped him from going further.
"What's wrong with you?" Emperor Ningzong asked.
"Nothing?" Eunuch Deng replied, "it's just that I can't let your Majesty see as this is the Inner Court and the harem and here the Grand Empress Dowager is in charge." He added.
"I need to see if any of those girls can dance so we'll, I don't want one with a very hard waist and immovable joints because that way how shall I be entertained when I am very bored?" Emperor Ningzong asked.
"But Your Majesty?" Eunuch Deng tried while the young man making his way past he pushed the crimson gates open and walked in at once seeing in front of him a young woman that was dressed in scarlet and gold turning around her hair free and her scarfs about the place, her back facing him had those most familiar movements and her feet themselves lightly dashed about the place, twisting her arms gracefully she took another turn to face the gates and with a smile on her face it was so swift that the young Emperor realised that he was neither mistaken nor was he dreaming.
"Mei'er?" He said and the dance instructors and all the other women seeing the Emperor went down onto their knees and bowed to him while Yang Meizi realising that his expression was still and he looked greatly shocked she followed their example and knelt on the concrete ground while the Emperor only took a couple of steps closer.
"Look at me." He Said.
"Your Majesty....." Still speaking up he interrupted.
"It's an Imperial command." He said and softly and compliantly, the young woman raised her head and stared him in the eye while he seemed startled he stumbled backwards but was held onto his feet by Eunuch Deng.
The doors of the main Court being opened Grand Empress Dowager Wu appeared at the top of the staircase on their right.
"Your Majesty." She said kowtowing to him but he cared goo little about her words he dominantly had his attention fixed in the young woman in front of her.
"Is it?" He asked.
"The former Court Lady Yang." She replied.
"At your service." Yang Meizi replied.
"It's alright." Emperor Ningzong replied as he looked away from her and turned to the Grand Empress Dowager.
"I was here for the selection, it seems that I was a little bit too early." He Said.
"It was just about to start, I was merely hoping that the Empress and the Empress Dowager do not contain us too long." Grand Empress Dowager Wu muttered with a smile on her face as she moved to the side.
"Then I shall wait in the Grand Hall." Emperor Ningzong said as he looked at Yang Meizi one last time before he turned around and he walked past his great grand mother going deeper within while she turned to look at Yang Meizi who offered her salutation from a distance.
"What?" Empress Han asked as she smacked the table in front of her.
"You heard me Your Highness, the Emperor found her dancing the fair goddess of the ninth heaven, itself bewitchingly, he was rather startled by her presence for a while he went speechless." Qing Yi replied.
"How's that even possible?" Empress Han asked.
"This coincidence, she's certainly used to her advantage and the Grand Empress Dowager was hoping that you grace the event as well as the head of His Majesty's harem." Qing Yi replied.
"To rub it into my face the situation only seems to have become more dire." Empress Han said.
"We can't delay and show them our defeat." Qing Yi replied.
"This war has just begun so how would you say that we are already defeated, if Her Highness wishes to play along then I shall react accordingly." Empress Han said.
Pulling out the hairpins and removing the earrings Manyin and Xiaoyang moved to the side to pick another set of clothes for Yang Meizi.
"You should have seen the look on His Majesty's face." Manyin muttered.
"He must have fallen for you Ma'am once again you were in deed right to choose this song and the timing itself worked out as planned." Xiaoyang replied.
"It's nearly time for the ultimate selection and news travels around the palace so fast in the past years I have been here I seemed to notice it to be so, both the Empress and Court Lady Cao must soon be running mad." Yang Meizi muttered as she smiled at herself ghastly.
"THE FAIR GODDESS OF THE NINTH HEAVEN?" Nuwa asked.
"Yes Milady." Linxiang replied.
"Known as the conquerer of the hearts of men it is a dance that requires every degree of softness, beauty and vulnerability, grace and poise it is so an old time favourite the Emperor loved it the most ever since the first time that he saw her dancing it." Court Lady Cao said.
"Rumour has it that His Majesty was in deed startled and speechless and all the six palaces are aware of this much more than anything else yet the selection is about to start, a large number of the Noble ladies seemed to have withered from her competition, surely, she's going to receive a sachet." Linxiang said.
"First loves surely are unforgettable and the Grand Empress Dowager was so fond of her to begin with, the more that I think about it, now more than ever she'd show her support." Court Lady Cao said a look of fury over her eyes.
It was already coming to noon and the Emperor, Grand Empress Dowager, Empress Dowager Xie and Empress Han along with Court Lady Cao were gathered in the innermost room and the ladies appeared in lines of three three standing outside while Eunuch Deng read their names.
"Lan Yue daughter of the governor of Sichuan, Guo Renshou, daughter of Marquis Guo of Wei and Lady Fou Liangzhi daughter of Minister Fou of Trade." He started off the ceremony with the three and examining them the Emperor nodded his head displeased.
"Take down their tags and grant them the flowers." Eunuch Deng ordered and withdrawing towards the tray with the flowers, they ceased them and quickly moved away while the next group was announced and the Empress once in a while looking at the Grand Empress Dowager, she smiled at her for a reassurance the latter only appeared to be more infuriated she smiled painfully.
Eventually the Yang Meizi was announced along with two other girls, Xiu Ying and Wu Ruyu who both moved forward with her and their steps graceful they knelt down before the Emperor.
"Greetings Your Highnesses, Long Live the Emperor." They chanted in unison and the Emperor Ningzong seemed to gain some degree of interest he pointed at Yang Meizi whom Eunuch Deng called out.
"Yang Meizi, reporting to Your Majesty." She said bowing her head to him.
"Tell me." Emperor Ningzong said, "which of these women is your favourite?" He muttered.
"Your servant is listening." She replied.
"Yang Guifei, Wu Hou, Empress Zhangsun, Empress Cao?" He asked and Yang Meizi standing up she smiled.
"Yang Guifei I can look up to her beauty, Wu Hou, I hardly admire her grace, the Empress Zhangsun was supportive of the Taizong Emperor and cherished her Han people and the Empress Cao was virtuous and upright." She replied.
"You haven't placed a choice." Emperor Ningzong asked.
"I'd pick a leaf from each one of them and hope to live a good life for His Majesty." She replied.
"Present the flower." Emperor Ningzong responded and each one of the people that were present in the hall seemed shocked about his reaction.
"Your Majesty..." Grand Empress Dowager Wu seemed to intervene.
"I said present the flower." Emperor Ningzong ordered and at once Eunuch Gong carrying the tray closer to the side of Yang Meizi she looked at it and from the middle she picked out one flower which she looked at.
"Everything that His Majesty gives is out of his great benevolence, I receive it all as good with a thankful heart." Yang Meizi replied as she bowed her head and she withdrew from the room while the Empress Han stealing a glimpse she looked at the Grand Empress Dowager and Court Lady Cao looking at them she smiled ghastly.
"Hahahaha." Court Lady Cao laughed as she made an entry into her Chambers while she sat down with Linxiang.
"How unlucky this time I have the Emperor to thank, just yesterday she had her head high thinking that His Majesty would surely bow his heart to her." Court Lady Cao remarked.
"Congratulations Milady." Linxiang said.
"She has surely made it this time round and I can't be more pleased with myself." Court Lady Cao said, "now she couldn't possibly stay in the Palace any longer because after all, was it not His Majesty's order that sent her out?" She said seemingly recalling something she too was surprised that she ceased laughing and her expression turned bitter.
Linxiang seemed to notice the strange change in her mistress' behavior that she drew closer to her side.
"What's wrong Milady?" Linxiang asked.
"How is it so that I forgot something like this?" Court Lady Cao replied.
"What?" Linxiang seemed confused.
"His Majesty sent her out on his order so she defied it which could only mean that she disrespected an Imperial decree." Court Lady Cao said.
"Then what shall we do?" Linxiang asked.
"Not we." Court Lady Cao replied, "thinking about what that man said can I not use this opportunity to get to the top?" Court Lady Cao asked.
"You mean?" Linxiang asked.
"The Empress is the master in the harem." Court Lady Cao said as she smiled ghastly.
Empress Han and her sister Consort Han in her Chambers Qing Yi walked in and bowed her head.
"Court Lady Cao is requesting an audience with Your Highness." She said.
"I heard that she should be the one more threatened by the return of Court Lady Yang." Consort Han said.
"She surely is the type sister." Empress Han said.
"How was it that the two close allies turned into bitter enemies?" Consort Han asked.
"One seems to be too devoted to His Majesty but the other's presence would cost her His affections, she tried to kill her fellow perhaps and the latter survived yet I think the Imperial seed perished so surely, could that not poison the hearts of such pure friends?" Empress Han replied.
"You are smart sister." Consort Han said.
"Because I have you." Empress Han said.
"Haven't we stalled her too much?" Consort Han asked.
"Let her in." Empress Han said and Qing Yi withdrawing a couple of minutes later Court Lady Cao presented herself in front of the two sisters.
"Your Highness the Empress, Your Highness the Virtuous Consort." She greeted the two.
"I heard that you wished to see me." Empress Han said.
"Lady Yang was presented with the flower and I couldn't help but recall that she had been ousted from the Palace by Imperial decree of His Majesty, surely he is a man of his word and Your Highness wouldn't be bothered to punish her for her wrong as this is a Palace rule which she breached." Court Lady Cao said.
"Are you too sure?" Empress Han asked.
"How dare I lie to Your Highness?" Court Lady Cao replied.
"Yet you witnessed something as big which I didn't out of your own understanding we can both come into concession with one another and I can grant you the power to deal with this after all as the head of the six Matrons it surely is another one of your duties to obey me and moreso His Majesty." Empress Han said.
"But Your Highness...." Court Lady Cao said.
"There surely isn't a better way to settle this." Consort Han said.
"Yes." Empress Han replied.
"If Your Highness says so, your humble servant shall heed your command." Court Lady Cao said and the two women smiling at her waited while she turned and looked at Qing Yi who gave her an equally provocative smile.
"What?" Manyin said.
"His Majesty did give you a flower?" Xiaoyang added.
"I found it as strange that he rejected me but there's something that doesn't add up." Yang Meizi replied as she seemed to be thinking about everything deeply.
"What could it possibly be Ma'am, his Majesty gifting you the flower openly rejected you, what other meaning could be behind this gesture as it is well known in the rules of the harem that it could only be this?" Manyin asked.
"His Majesty can make and break the rules alike and strangely I was supposed to have been sent out of the palace by now along with all those other girls that received the flowers, if we are not careful we might even be under someone's gaze right now the more that I think about it, it's not as easy as it seems." Yang Meizi said.
"But what matters is to think that soon you'll be sent out of the Palace which is the purpose for the selection and everyone that interprets Your Majesty's question says that you were wrong choosing none of the answers that were given others overheard him saying that you disgraced him by saying that you yourself should have been included in the choices that he made." Xiaoyang remarked.
"The same words can be heard by many people but they are interpreted differently and His Majesty is one of those that you can count to be cunning and mature, what I mean to say is that we can't entirely rely on his words we must find our on way to stay in the Palace and for me especially in the harem." Yang Meizi replied.
"Does Ma'am have anything in mind?" Manyin asked.
"Time holds no keeper the best thing that we can do is to use these few remaining hours to our own advantage." Yang Meizi replied.
"How?" Xiaoyang asked.
"I am going to need you to deliver a message for me in secret." Yang Meizi replied as she smiled at herself ghastly.
"They presented her with a flower?" Zhao Ruyu asked.
"Yes." His retainer replied.
"You told me yourself that she could go as high Yulin." Zhao Ruyu remarked.
"And there's nothing we can do." Yulin replied.
"I agree." Zhao Ruyu said, "but it won't be the end of her." He added.
"Does Milord have that much faith in her?" Yulin asked.
"Up until now the receipients of the flowers still reside within the palace which is itself strange we can only count down the hours left until they are chased out but suppose she does avert this crisis....?" Zhao Ruyu asked.
"You wish to see if she really is a worthy of our support and alliance?" Yulin asked.
"The Grand Empress Dowager is worried that she is too old, I recall she was responsible for the defeat of the Retired Empress and indirectly, it was her efforts that made His Majesty the dragon that he is." Zhao Ruyu remarked, "surely the Empress will not rest but if the one advantage that Han Touzhou has against me is the ruler of the harem, that young woman made me realize that I need someone in the harem to contend with his might inside there." He added.
"Quite right Your Excellency." Yulin said.
"It's either the Emperor's word or her brain that can save her at the moment but all in all it won't hurt us to test her lucky stars." Zhao Ruyu remarked as he smiled at himself.
Emperor Ningzong seated in his Chambers he seemed to be waiting earnestly for some news when the doors of the room were opened and Lan He walked in.
"Any news?" He asked.
"There's nothing at all." Lan He replied and shortly after Eunuch Deng walked in he bowed his head to the young man.
"How's the harem?" Emperor Ningzong asked.
"In tact, the ladies are confined to their Chambers and none have left the Palace while the Empress seems to have ignored the situation." Eunuch Deng replied.
"Have we not learnt from the recent months that the Hans aren't the type of people to reveal their true colors?" Emperor Ningzong asked.
"I still don't understand Your Majesty well enough." Lan He replied.
"What Han Touzhou and the Empress want are captives in the Palace, I should even be wary of ambition or vengeance around me, you might not realise my thoughts soon but who is afraid and who isn't, who is faithful and who isn't, who is vengeful and who is calm and free spirited, these are all people that I wish to root out." Emperor Ningzong said.
"How so Your Majesty?" Eunuch Deng asked.
"I am one of few Song Dynasty Emperor's with a concubine selection it couldn't be just that, also happening much sooner than I had expected it is a weapon and political tool to many." Emperor Ningzong replied.
Yang Meizi seated in her room the doors were opened and Court Lady Cao walking through them she halted in front of her and behind her there was Linxiang who was carrying a tray with a find silk fabric and on her right another girl carrying one with a bowl that was filled with poison.
"Greetings Ma'am." Court Lady Cao said.
"You are here to see me?" Yang Meizi asked.
"Such unfortunate luck you have." Court Lady Cao said, "were you not so confident to me just yesterday and here you are now, with the Emperor's flower it could only mean one thing for you." She added.
"You must be happy." Yang Meizi said.
"And you were so brave that I underestimated you, knowing well enough you took a gamble to return to the Palace and without the Emperor's permission you chose to violate an Imperial command." Court Lady Cao replied.
"Suppose I did?" Yang Meizi asked.
"I couldn't kill you but the Empress could." Court Lady Cao replied and Yang Meizi looking at her she smiled.
"I'd expect you to be pleading to the Emperor for my life but it hasn't yet even been a day since I entered the Palace and here you are providing for me the silk and the poison, do you really want me dead that much?" Yang Meizi asked.
"You should have that answer by now." Court Lady Cao replied.
"Then this can stay between us for your own good, His Majesty more than anything would be sure enough to remember the promise that he made if I dared to return now but he responds with silence from the selection and all those that received the flowers remain here with me and they aren't the ones with the most grotesque faces and neither are they all too proud, they exhibit the greatest degree of softness can you tell me that you are sure what his thoughts are?" Yang Meizi asked while Court Lady Cao kept quiet.
"Just as I thought." She went ahead to say but Nuwa looking at the two women they each laid the trays in front of her while Yang Meizi looked up to her.
"Suppose it was, His Majesty by now must have heard that the Empress sent me here with the bowl of poison and the silk to punish you for the crime." Court Lady Cao said as she sat down and she faced Yang Meizi, "but I won't force the poison down your throat because it isn't my intention and additionally, I am not here for you to commit suicide." She added.
"Then why are you here?" Yang Meizi asked.
"Don't you wonder what His Majesty will see the moment that he walks in here?" Court Lady Cao asked, "after all to him in his eyes we are the best of friends so I shall only need to let him see it that way." She added.
The sound of footsteps heading their way Court Lady Cao picked up the bowl of poison.
"Milady?" Everyone cried and the doors being flung open she had put it on her lips smiling at Yang Meizi whose eyes widened she'd sipped to little.
"Put it away." Emperor Ningzong said and the women grabbing it from her they poured it onto the ground while the young man moved closer.
"Forgive me Ma'am, I'd rather die on your behalf than watch you perish before these very eyes of mine." Court Lady Cao said as she held onto her neck and started coughing out some blood while Yang Meizi stood up from the stool where she was seated and moving around the table she stood in front of her while the Emperor held her in his hands.
"Court Lady Cao?" He cried, "someone get the Imperial physician." He instantly demanded while Court Lady Cao looking at Yang Meizi while the Emperor raised his head away she smiled at her.
"What?" Qing Yi said as she turned to a young girl who had brought her the news.
"Court Lady Cao drank the poison that she had carried to Lady Yang's room." The young girl replied while Qing Yi hearing this she felt startled.
"That conniving bitch." She muttered.
"What should we do Milady?" The young girl asked her.
"Her Highness will be furious once she wakes up to this news, what's even worse is that His Majesty was there." Qing Yi replied.
The sun had risen in the sky and Emperor Ningzong was watching by the small bedside Court Lady Cao while she lay there unconscious when Eunuch Deng arrived by his side.
"Your Majesty." He greeted.
"I wanted to be alone." Emperor Ningzong said.
"Lady Yang was requesting if she could at least see Court Lady Cao." Eunuch Deng said the Emperor falling into silence for a while he stared at her.
"Let her in." Emperor Ningzong said and the Eunuch withdrawing, shortly after Yang Meizi walked in on the two and arriving at the opposite end of the bed she bowed her head to him.
"Your Majesty." She greeted.
"She would even take a bowl of poison for you, looking at her every time considering how close you two girls grew she did take after you so much she reminded me of you." Emperor Ningzong said.
"Even I was as surprised Your Majesty but considering all these months away not once did she even forget to think of me as her own I consider myself too lucky to have someone like her for a sister I could never have." Yang Meizi muttered.
"You were recommended and came under the guardianship of the Left Chancellor Zhao Ruyu I understand that, you even recall our promise and what I told you yet you still took that gamble and returned to the Palace aware what dire consequences there would be, why?" Emperor Ningzong asked.
"Does Your Majesty really wish to know?" Yang Meizi asked.
"You made it known to me how much you hated me with all your heart, how you could never bring yourself to loving me, you slapped me and cursed me saying that I would burn in the heat of a lover's curse, made me the Emperor that I eventually had to follow the example of my father and grandfather to have an estranged relationship with the very man who bore me, had the Grand Empress Dowager pushed to the Cold Palace, aren't there way too many doubts in my mind that you could be willing to forget that hate and open your heart to me to become my woman?" Emperor Ningzong replied.
"Yet Your Serene Majesty have gotten over me with ease you offered the flower for everything that you have mentioned I couldn't be grateful after all it was you that taught me hate as well was a form of concern could I not have embraced it and the second time gone out of the palace this time for good?" Yang Meizi said.
"But you haven't answered my question, why did you return?" Emperor Ningzong asked.
"Would Your Majesty believe me if I told you the answer to that?" Yang Meizi asked and he only kept quiet while she smiled and looked at Court Lady Cao.
"Nuwa since young was adorable and the only true friend I ever had in life, Shi Miyuan the first person that I loved with all my heart, Your Majesty the first man that ever loved me dearly and took the grief I gave him to embrace me, exiled me from the Palace still not out of hate but you merely feared that I would always be hurt and I would hate you so much more than life itself or was it the pain I would feel seeing the Eldest Princess with Shi Miyuan." Yang Meizi spoke under her breath as she held her hand.
"So you choose to believe you understand my thoughts?" Emperor Ningzong asked.
"I hurt for you more than anything else and whatever anger and hatred I felt that bitterness turned to guilt and concern for your well-being I eventually reached a point where I could only think about you I ran mad but one thing I knew was that I didn't hate it Your Majesty." Yang Meizi said as she looked at him, "I don't hate you, I realised that all those years in the Palace were too lonely but more than anything was the pain that you were going through much harder things I could comprehend then and only then, the only thing that could turn a cage however big into a Palace is love." She assured him as she stood up and bowed her head to him.
"Is this what you really feel towards me?" Emperor Ningzong asked.
"I can lay down everything even my own life to prove it." Yang Meizi replied.
"Then do it." Emperor Ningzong ordered, "lay down your life for me." He said and Yang Meizi turning around she withdrew from the room and walked out leaving the Emperor alone.
"How come I am only learning about this now?" Empress Han said as she slapped Qing Yi and kicked her she rolled down the stairs from her seat and fell down onto the ground.
"Pardon me Your Highness." Qing Yi said, "I was negligent." She added.
"The Emperor will surely think the order was mine and will know that I intended for that Lady Yang wench to die, I put the dagger in Court Lady Cao's hand not expecting that instead of killing her with it, she would use it against herself." Empress Han said.
"A lot is going on currently Milady but it seems that these two women shall each be a pain in the neck and to get rid of only one will do us no good as long as the other is around, I fear that this will surely not be as easy as we thought it would be." Qing Yi muttered.
"You think I don't know now, we can't even trust the Emperor's intuition now." Empress Han said.
"Then His Majesty must make his final decision on the ladies that will fit in his harem." Qing Yi said, "it's nearly the morning assembly so the Courtiers must make him conclude once and for all." She added while the Empress Han thinking about it she smiled at herself ghastly.
"He must certainly conclude this selection once and for all." Empress Han agreed with her.
Emperor Ningzong still watching Court Lady Cao she gained consciousness and opening her eyes, he looked at her from the side while she noticed his presence.
"Your Majesty." She said while trying to sit up.
"Don't you bother." He said to her.
"I can't just lie around, I have things to do, did they give you your morning meal, did they clean your quarters, I can't be too lax." She mumbled.
"Can't you settle down for a moment, you aren't in a very good condition." Emperor Ningzong Said, "the Imperial physician said that you need to recuperate and you were lucky that we not only got you in time but you had sipped too little of the poison to kill you." He added.
"I'm so sorry Your Majesty." Court Lady Cao said.
"It is my fault that I couldn't protect you." Emperor Ningzong Said.
"Even if you didn't do so Your Majesty, I would have still done the same." Court Lady Cao confessed.
"Because of Yang Meizi?" Emperor Ningzong asked while she kept quiet and softly she looked at her palms, "or the Empress forced you and it was merely your duty she didn't wish to get her hands dirty." He assumed.
"Her Highness is the prestige of the Harem and the Inner Court, you can't reprimand her or Your Majesty would be a joke to the people and all the other ladies in the Palace would look down on her." Court Lady Cao said.
"But have you thought about me, what would happen to me if you died?" Emperor Ningzong asked.
"I'm so sorry Your Majesty." Court Lady Cao replied.
"Do you dread the Empress that much as well?" He asked.
"All my life to live or die is for you Your Majesty I would defy her even if for your sake, Yang Meizi is however a sister to me whom your heart cherishes so tenderly and dearly should she perish I won't forgive myself because you won't forgive yourself either." Court Lady Cao replied.
"I am so sorry that you have to go through all this." Emperor Ningzong said.
"Your Majesty shouldn't be sorry, it is because it is my duty as a Court Lady, I couldn't be more because I am not as Noble and as privileged, it's the highest I could go, it's also the most that I can use to protect Your Majesty, aside from that, I am merely a shadow in the Palace the Empress will never fear, a shadow in the Palace that can never protect my dearest sister, yet even with that I am content to use my life if it calls for it." Court Lady Cao said.
"Such untold devotion." Emperor Ningzong said when budging through the doors Lan He quickly rushed in.
"Your Majesty." He said falling onto his knees that the Emperor turning his attention from Court Lady Cao he quickly faced him.
"What's the matter now?" Emperor Ningzong asked.
"The Concubines' Pavilion, I have just received news." He replied.
"What's with it?" Emperor Ningzong asked, "can't you see that I am busy?" He added.
"Lady Yang Meizi." Lan He replied and the Emperor at once concerned he seemed to question what was probably wrong.
"What about her?" He asked.
"She's just taken poison." Lan He replied and the Emperor surprised to here this he quickly stood up.
"What?" He asked.
"Lady Yang is unconscious from poisoning." Lan He replied and at once the Emperor recalled the words that she'd just mentioned to him a while ago.
"I can lay down everything even my own life to prove it." She'd sworn to him and he'd taken her departure lightly he turned to Court Lady Cao who was still taken aback and wondered what was going on before he looked back at Lan He.
"Where is she?" He asked.
"She's still at her room with the Imperial physician but it's also almost time for the daily assembly." Lan He replied.
"Take me to the Concubines' Pavilion at once." Emperor Ningzong ordered.
"But Sire?" Lan He appeared objective.
"Which part of my words was not clear?" Emperor Ningzong asked and the latter bowing his head, he moved to the side while the Emperor bypassed him he turned around to look at Court Lady Cao who seemed calm over their reaction and Linxiang rushed into the room closing the door behind them.
"Are you alright Milady?" She asked.
"That bitch." Court Lady Cao furiously protested in response.