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Sorry for the bridge in updating guys , as this is my first story here, and I will make sure to update you all from now .
Below is a glossary for the meaning of some titles both in Chinese mandarin and English
Niang niang -- Your Highness
Huanghuo -- Empress ( ruler of the harem)
Guifei -- Noble Consort (3nd rank below empress)
Fei --- Consort (4th rank below empress)
Pin-- imperial concubine ( 5th rank below empress)
Quiren-- Noble lady ( 6th rank below empress)
Chang Zai --- 2nd class female attendant (7th rank)
Jiejie --- older sister
Meimei --- younger sister
Taiyi -- imperial physician
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"Greetings Xian fei niang niang " ..Her highness immediately saluted as she lowered her height while raising her right hand above her head in respect...more like she was afraid of Consort Xian. Meanwhile, Consort Xian stood still, smiling as she was supported by her lady in waiting.
" Hua pin, stand up... Quickly", consort Xian said as she gastured using her hand and then, the mystery highness to lingyi who is known as concubine Hua stood back straight.
"Xian fe-"
"Hua pin mei mei, what is the problem?" ; Consort Xian immediately interrupted Concubine Hua, stepping forward.
"Hua pin ...you shouldn't put your precious health at risk because of some lowly servant, why not I take her, i need more hands to care for my back garden"... Consort Xian said as she gently tapped concubine Hua's Shoulder.
"Me?,Lowly servant!!???"... Lingyi couldn't help but lift her head in awe," are they referring to me?....No!!!
I can't be a servant in this unknown world of fantasy because of all things I've dreamt to be , being a servant is not in that list"
"Hiao!!! ..Xi..an fei; Concubine Hua stuttered, "this servant is so slow, just look at her thin stature , she can't even get any work done"
"mei mei!.. Don't worry, I have the perfect job for her, or(she paused) ...are you not willing to spare me just one servant?"
Consort Xian has always been the most eloquent in the imperial harem, no one does it like her in an argument or battle of words. And this situation,left with no other choice... Concubine Hua agreed.
"Hey!!..get up and pay respect to your new Mistress" A'rou, concubine Hua's hand maid shouted at Lingyi.
Lingyi could not completely understand the situation but all she knew was that ,right before her eyes she has been transfered to another Mistress. She couldn't believe everything happening is real, so she thought of a silly idea, as she was about kowtowing she consciously hit her head with great force on the floor in anticipation that she will wake up from this dream. But instead,it led to a big bang that almost resulted to a shock.
"Silly girl, take it easy ...I am not even the Empress"... Consort Xian jokingly cautioned
"Tell me ,what Is your name?" Consort Xian asked
It was then Lingyi remembered that she hasn't told anyone her name , she thought of coming up with a new name, but then decided to stick with the name she gave herself in this new world . Not like it was even real.
"My name is Ru Lingyi"
"What??".. Consort Xian questioned as she closed her tea cup
"How darling of you..don't you know how to reply to your superior??".. A'rou questioned.
"I am sorry Your Highness"..Lingyi replied
Not like she knew how to speak respectfully as A'rou said.
"Yo!!!..is the forbidden city now easily accessible that a sparrow can casually enter and speak to an phoenix without caution!!???"... Consort Xian furiously said as she hit the side wooden table beside her with her right hand.
"Replying to Her Highness Consort Xian...Please may your anger dissipate, she is just a palace maid from the flower department,that's why she is unfamiliar with the etiquette ".. A'rou replied immediately.
"Well...I will make sure she gets it right if you can leave her with me your highness " Concubine Hua added.
Knowing the game that Hua was about to play, Xian immediately countered.
"Don't bother, leave her to my care!!"..Consort Xian raged as she stood up and left while Lingyi raced behind her.
"Respectfully sending off her highness Consort Xian"... Concubine Hua said, bowing in respect while staring coldy as Consort Xian departed.
Concubine Hua's fury simmered beneath the surface, a constant presence in the opulent yet suffocating confines of the palace. The corridors and chambers, adorned with the finest silks and precious artifacts, could not distract her from the slight she felt. Each ornate vase and delicate painting seemed to mock her, reminders of the control she had lost.
Concubine Hua's relationship with Lingyi so far had been one of domination and cruelty. The body owned by a maid Ru lingyi before Susan time traveled in, had long endured Hua's capricious whims and harsh punishments. Hua's treatment of Lingyi was driven by a need to assert her power, a power she often felt was tenuous and under threat from the other consorts and concubines who vied for favor and influence in the emperor's eyes. To Hua, Lingyi was a vessel for her frustration, a means to feel superior in a world where her status was constantly under siege.
When Consort Xian intervened, it was a direct challenge to Hua's authority. Xian had always been known for her compassion and fairness, traits that endeared her to many within the palace but also made her a formidable opponent. She had observed Lingyi's suffering from a distance, her heart aching for the girl who bore her trials with silent endurance and heaven presented this moment for Xian fei to intervene.
Xian fei was coming from the imperial household department when she decided to pass by Qinying palace in hopes of knowing Lingyi's plight.
And after all that ensued,Hua's chest burned with a mixture of anger and embarrassment as she watched her maid leave. The power dynamic had shifted, and Hua felt the precariousness of her position acutely.
In the days that followed, Hua's anger festered. She became more isolated, her temper flaring at the slightest provocation. Servants scurried away at her approach, fearful of becoming the next target of her wrath. The other concubines and consorts, sensing her vulnerability, whispered among themselves, their eyes flicking toward Hua with a mix of pity and disdain.
Hua's nights were restless. She would lie awake, staring at the ceiling of her lavish chamber, replaying the events over and over in her mind. The humiliation she had suffered at Xian's hands was a wound that refused to heal. Her pride, once her armor, was now a source of constant pain.She thought of every possible way to reclaim her pride and shoot back in revenge. But will she get a chance?