"This selection is a cruel tradition"..Jia pin thought , a lottery of such that decided the futures of the royal daughters. Normally , It was supposed to be an honor, but Concubine Jia knew better that the chosen would be sent away, married off to secure alliances, their lives dictated by duty rather than choice. The thought of her daughter being subjected to such a fate was totally unbearable.
She clenched her fists with a sudden determination rising within her.
"No ...I can't give up, not now. There has to be a way to turn this tide" ..she thought looking back into the room, thinking of new plans , finding allies to help her navigate this turbulence.
Lixin watched her mistress with a mixture of admiration and sorrow. She knew the strength it takes to fight against the currents of the court, doubled that imperial wives are forbidden to discuss matters concerning the state.
She feared for Concubine Jia's safety. The forbidden city ,a place of whispers and secrets, where alliances were fragile and enemies a handful. One wrong move could bring disaster not just for her mistress, but for the First Princess as well.
Filled with compassion for her Mistress, Lixin stepped closer .. "niang naing, whatever happens, I am with you, we will find a way."
Concubine Jia turned to Lixin, a small, grateful smile breaking through her troubled being.
Together, they stood in silence with the weight of the night pressing upon them. Concubine Jia knew the road ahead would be dangerous and uncertain , but she also knew she couldn't afford to give room to fear. For her daughter's sake , she will gather every ounce of strength and courage.
Left with no other choice, Jia pin had to resort to a more treacherous path. She quickly sat down at her writing desk, pulling out a fresh sheet. If she was to save her daughter, there have to be a new plan, one more daring and audacious than before. She dipped her brush into the ink, her hand steady despite the turmoil within her.
The palace might be a place of shadows and secrets, but Jia pin was no stranger to its games. She had risen through the ranks with her wits and her will, and she would use every tool at her disposal to guard her territory.
Lixin watched as her mistress wrote ,with the lines of determination etched on her face. She knew that this battle would be one of the hardest they had faced, but she had faith in Concubine Jia .
Hours passed as Concubine Jia meticulously laid out her new strategy. Each word was a calculated move in a game of survival. She considered potential allies and adversaries, mapping out a network of influence that could be leveraged to her advantage. She knew she needed to act swiftly in discretion for any misstep could lead to further disaster.
As dawn began to break, casting a pale light into the room, Concubine Jia finally set down her brush with Exhaustion tugging at her.
Lixin approached quietly, placing a gentle hand on her mistress's shoulder..."niang niang, you should rest now, you have done all you can for tonight."
Concubine Jia nodded, the adrenaline that had fueled her finally fading away. She allowed Lixin guide her to bed, the soft sheets welcomed her in relief, but as she lay down, she couldn't stop her mind from racing. However, there was a semblance of peace. She had a plan, and with it, a sliver of hope.
In the following days, Concubine Jia set her plan into motion. She discreetly reached out to those she believed could be swayed to her cause. Each meeting was a delicate dance of words chosen with precision to avoid suspicion. She leveraged favors and old alliances, one of which was her relationship with Madam Cheng ; wife to Minister Cheng.
Jia pin had arranged to meet with madam Cheng secretly at the temple in disguise of going to pray for the greater cause of the empire.Madam cheng was a woman of few words, calm and composed but rarely seen making acquaintances in order to scale up the social ladder.
Her relationship with Concubine Jia was one born out of the pity Madam Cheng had on a second class attendant , who was Jia pin during her entry into the imperial harem. Then, concubine Jia was eight rank below the Empress and had no ally for it was told she betrayed her mistress; Consort Xian, inorder to become an imperial wife. Those were her days of suffering and famine, Luyang Palace was deserted , given the least care amongst the Six palaces in the forbidden city. But hope came on the day Madam Cheng rescued Jia pin from commiting suicide in the temple in attempt to escape her miserable life. After the rescue, Jia pin narrated her ordeal to Madam Cheng who offered her hope and ignited her courage to fight. With this alliance between them..both parties have benefited in many ways that one cannot keep count.
The sun was high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the temple's stone steps. Concubine Jia, wrapped in a plain cloak to avoid recognition, paced anxiously inside the temple courtyard. The tranquility of the place did little to calm her nerves as she awaited Madam Cheng's arrival.
Inside the temple, the scent of incense filled the air, mingling with the soft murmurs of prayers from the monks. Concubine Jia's heart raced with anticipation. She had to meet with Madam Cheng before anyone noticed her absence from the palace.
The sound of approaching footsteps made her turn. It was Madam Cheng, also cloaked to avoid recognition, entered the courtyard, her expression one of curiosity mixed with concern. She bowed slightly to Concubine Jia.
"Jia pin niang niang"...Madam Cheng said, her voice calm but with question . .."It is unusual to receive such a request from you, what matter brings you here so urgently?"
Concubine Jia gestured in a bow,... "Madam Cheng, thank you for coming. I wouldn't have asked for this meeting if it weren't of the utmost importance. It concerns the princess envoy selection".
Madam Cheng's eyes narrowed slightly. "The princess envoy selection? , How does that bother you?"...she concluded waiting for Jia pin to reply.
Concubine Jia took a deep breath, steadying herself.
"His Majesty' decision will favor my daughter, the first princess, which deeply concerns me. If she is chosen as the envoy, she will be sent to a foreign land, far from the safety and familiarity of our kingdom."
Madam Cheng's brow furrowed in confusion..."Your daughter?..But the first princess is seen as a perfect candidate for such a position. Her selection would bring honor to your clan".
"Honor, perhaps..."Concubine Jia said, her voice filled with urgency.
"But it will also bring great disadvantage ,the journey is filled with dangers, and she will be isolated in a foreign court. Her position there would be precarious, subjected to the schemes of foreign politics and intrigue."
Madam Cheng listened closely ,her face thoughtful. "You make a compelling argument Jia pin , but if she is as capable as everyone believes, would she not thrive even in a foreign land?"..Madam Cheng questioned.
Concubine Jia stepped closer, lowering her voice. "She is capable, yes. But her capabilities are better used here, within our own court, where she can influence and contribute to our kingdom's stability. Sending her away would not only endanger her but also weaken our court."
"How so?"..Madam Cheng asked.