Concubine Jia returned to Luyang Palace with Lixin at her side. As they walked through the streets of the forbidden city, the relief she felt could not be hidden as her countenance emitted gladness and as soon as they were within the privacy of her chambers, she allowed herself a rare moment of joy.
"Lixin," Concubine Jia said, a genuine smile spreading across her face, "we did it. The emperor's change in the decree has spared my daughter."
Lixin nodded, her eyes shining with happiness, watching her Mistress settle down in the hall of Luyang Palace. "Niang niang, I knew Madam Cheng would not disappoint us , this is indeed a blessing. The heavens have favored us today." Lixin said as she proceeded to pour her mistress tea from the tea kettle by the side table.
As they shared this moment of triumph, a servant entered into hall , announcing the presence of an unexpected visitor. "niang niang, Consort Shu is here"..the servant said lowering her head.
Concubine Jia's smile faltered slightly, "Consort Shu?" ...She asked with curiosity replacing her joy as she dropped the teacup she was sipping from earlier. After what seemed to be a moment of hesitation, she instructed.."Show her in."
Consort Shu, an elegant but nosy mistress with sharp features and a shrewd mind, known to be the lead opposing party in the imperial harem , entered the room with a purposeful stride. Jia stood up to greet her respectfully even though she could sense the tension in Shu's demeanor.
"Greetings Consort Shu, to what do I owe this visit?" Jia asked, gesturing for her to sit.
Consort Shu on the other hand, wasted no time with pleasantries as she casually took the other side of the Mistress seat. Consort Shu and Concubine Jia have been allies ever since Jia arrived forbidden city, as Jia was placed in thesame palace as Shu, with Consort Shu been the Master of Luyang Palace, having her court on the East wing and Jia's on the West it was clear that Consort Shu sailed the direction of this relationship between them.
"Jia pin mei mei"...Consort Shu began.."Your victory was a hard one, a miracle i might say if i didn't know how far you went to secure your own"... Consort Shu concluded throwing a look from the side of her eyes at Concubine Jia , patiently waiting for her reaction as she sipped her tea.
Concubine Jia trying to suppress her shaking hands while dropping her teacup replied stuttering.."Aiyo!..Shu fei , I did no-nothing but pray that heavens showed me mercy"..Jia said avoiding eye contacts with Consort Shu.
Consort Shu who was not ready for a battle of words replied.."Well..I came to warn you. Do not get too comfortable with the emperor's decision. There are forces at play here that you may not fully understand."
Concubine Jia's expression turned serious. "What do you mean?"
Consort Shu leaned in, her voice low and urgent. "Your daughter's selection for the envoy was a setup. Someone intended for her to be chosen and then used you to facilitate the process. The cancellation was a stroke of luck, but you must remain vigilant."
Immediately, Shock rippled through Concubine Jia. "A setup? , how and why did you place it as that?"..Jia asked curious.
Consort Shu gestured for Jia to lean closer, "Jia pin , think about it..when you mentioned for the second princess to be selected in place of your daughter during the morning gathering, did you not see that everyone was surprised to hear about a selection?"
Concubine Jia's eyes rolled in confusion as she tried recollecting the events of that day.."Shu fei , now that you mentioned it, I find it true". Jia replied nodding.
Consort Shu proceeded.. " That means, you were the first to hear of what was discussed in the Court instead of the Empress..." Consort Shu paused waiting for Jia to process further.
"Jia Pin, someone deliberately leaked the news to you , for you to falter thereby escalating the matter and making the first princess an obvious candidate"... Consort Shu concluded.
Anger and rage immediately took over Concubine Jia.. everything began to make sense, but she couldn't help place a suspect that hated her so much to take away her happiness.
"But who might that be?" Concubine Jia asked with curiosity in the peak of her voice.
Consort Shu's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "There are many who could benefit from your downfall. I suspect Consort Xian, considering your past ordeal with her. but it's merely speculation. You must consider all possibilities."
Concubine Jia shook her head slowly, trying to process the information. "Consort Xian?…even if it's possible, I don't believe she would act so overtly. I know we go way back but she is not that malicious. She has always been more subtle."
"Precisely," Consort Shu agreed. "Which is why we must look beyond the obvious. Someone with enough influence to orchestrate this but who remains hidden."
Feeling the weight of Consort Shu's words, Jia knew she couldn't ignore this warning. "Thank you, Shu fei. I will not take this lightly. I must inform the Empress."
"Huanghuo niang niang!?"..Consort Shu immediately objected.."you mustn't mei mei, what if--" Shu fei paused , staring into Concubine Jia's eyes waiting for her to place the remaining pieces of her sentence.
Concubine Jia who was taken completely off guard by Consort Shu's speculations against the Empress quickly replied in objection.."No!..not her highness the Empress, Shu fei ... another ear must not hear of this, especially not about the empress, it might cost us our lives"
"Jia pin mei mei, I was only thinking after your well-being " Consort Shu said in defence.
"I know that Shu fei, and I Know that the Empress has no hand in this too".. Concubine Jia replied with her mind racing with thoughts as she stood up pacing left to right unsettled.
Suddenly, Consort Shu immediately hit the side table beside her with her palm, causing Jia to halt, turning to her.
"Shu fei!?"..."concubine Jia called out as she turned surprised.
Consort Shu who looked like she just uncovered the mystery behind a murder case stood up to join Concubine Jia.
Concubine Jia, seeing the look and expression of Consort Shu couldn't help but ask.."Shu fei, what's wrong?"
"Jia pin mei mei..it's Hua pin, yes she is the one " consort Shu said with seriousness in her tone.
"What happened to Concubine Hua?".. Concubine Jia asked completely oblivious of Shu's new speculation.
Consort Shu who was now the one pacing around suddenly stood still as she continued.."Hua pin has never liked you, and we all know it, if the first princess were to be sent far away, Hua pin will have more chances of getting the emperor's favor more than you..so, Hua pin stands to gain more from this. Think about it."
Concubine Jia was silent for a moment, then she replied .."it makes sense now, i saw the look of disappointment on her face when the decree was read, Very good Hua pin..very good".
"Jia pin, you mustn't act rashly "..Shu fei added as she sensed revenge and rage in Concubine Jia's tone.
"Shu fei niang niang.. thank you for this, I will have to report to the Empress first." Concubine Jia said .
Consort Shu nodded approvingly. "The Empress will know how to handle this.But be cautious, Jia pin. We are dealing with dangerous games."..Consort Shu said as she departed with Concubine Jia bidding her farewell.
After Shu's departure, Concubine Jia pondered on her new findings, devised how to present her case to the Empress.
After a long night of unrest in Luyang Palace, the brightness of the morning finally came and without hesitations or attention to other matters, bearing a heavy heart, concubine Jia made her way to Changchun Palace, Lixin following closely. The halls seemed colder and more imposing as they approached the Empress's quarters. Concubine Jia's mind raced with thoughts of who might really be behind the setup and how to protect her daughter.
Upon arrival, Concubine Jia was promptly ushered into the Empress's presence. The Empress, regal and composed, regarded Jia with a mixture of curiosity and concern.
"Greetings Huanghuo niang niang!".. concubine Jia greeted , kneeling down with a knee while she raised a hand with a finger gesture in unison.
"Jia Pin, to what do I owe this urgent visit?" the Empress inquired as she gestured for her to stand up.
Concubine Jia bowed deeply before speaking. "Huanghuo niang niang, I have come with a matter of grave importance. It has come to my attention that my daughter's selection for the envoy was a setup, a ploy intended to harm us."
The Empress's eyes sharpened intentionally as she acted rather surprised to not have known of this before. "A setup, you say? And what evidence do you have of this?"
Concubine Jia proceeded to recount her conversation with Consort Shu, detailing the warning and the suspicions that arose from it. The Empress listened intently, she tried using this speculations to strike out her own suspects.
"Shu fei's words bear weight," the Empress finally said. "The forbidden city is rife with intrigue, and such plots are not uncommon."
"But Niang Niang, who do you believe could be behind this." Jia asked, desperation edging her voice.