Wanying's eyes flickered with a mix of irritation and something else...pity, perhaps. " Ru Lingyi, what a curious cat you are. Well,..Hua pin and Jia pin ... their rivalry is nothing new. They were elevated to the Concubine rank around the same time, even though Hua entered the harem way before jia pin ,still Jia's rise was more meteoric, thanks to the emperor's favor.But Hua, on the other hand, has always felt overshadowed."
"Ohh..That makes sense," Lingyi mused. "But it felt like there was more than just jealousy. Almost like... anger, or even fear." Ru Lingyi asked knowing that Wanying was already immersed in the conversation and she on the other hand was ready to receive the whole tea.
Wanying's expression darkened. "Hua pin's anger is fueled by more than just envy. She sees Jia pin as a threat to her standing, and in the harem, standing is everything. But fear? Fear comes from knowing that one's position is never truly secured. Perhaps Hua fears losing more than she's willing to admit."
Lingyi absorbed this, her mind churning. "And what about Consort Xian? What's her take on this rivalry?"
Wanying's gaze hardened. "Xian fei niang niang?....She is a master of the long game. She uses the rivalry between Jia and Hua to her advantage. As long as they're focused on each other, they're less of a threat to her."
"But what about me?" Lingyi asked softly. "Why would Consort Xian favor someone like me?"
Wanying's eyes flashed with anger. "That, Lingyi, is the question we all ask. You've been here for mere months, and yet niang niang has elevated you, causing resentment and suspicion. Some believe she sees a reflection of herself in you, others think she's merely using you as a pawn."
Lingyi felt a chill. "And you, Wanying? What do you believe?"
Wanying looked away, her voice barely above a whisper. "I believe... that in this palace, everyone is a pawn. Some just don't realize it yet."
The conversation left Lingyi with more questions than answers, but she knew one thing for certain: she had to be careful. The palace was a web of intrigue and power plays, and one wrong move could unravel everything.
Days passed, and Lingyi continued to observe the dynamics within Chengqian Palace. She noticed how Consort Xian maneuvered with subtlety, how Concubine Hua's jealousy simmered just beneath the surface, and how Concubine Jia carried herself with a quiet strength.
One afternoon, as Lingyi was attending to her duties, she overheard a conversation between two senior maids. They spoke in hushed tones, their words dripping with speculation and gossip.
"Did you hear about Hua pin's latest outburst?" one maid whispered. "She's been fuming ever since the gathering."
"Of course," the other maid replied. "She's furious that Jia managed to avoid the envoy selection. And did you see how Xian fei just watched it all unfold? Almost like she enjoyed the spectacle."
Lingyi's ears perked up. She carefully positioned herself closer to the source of the conversation, making sure to remain unnoticed.
"I kind of think Consort Xian is always three steps ahead," the first maid continued. "She's playing a game the other two can't even comprehend."
"But why bring Lingyi to the morning gathering?" the second maid asked. "She's so new. What does Xian fei see in her?"
"Who knows?" the first maid said with a shrug. "Maybe she's just another piece on the board, a way to keep everyone guessing."
Lingyi felt a mix of frustration and determination. She needed to understand her place in this game. Why had Consort Xian taken such an interest in her, and what was the true nature of Consort Xian past encounter with Concubine Jia?
That evening, as Lingyi prepared for bed, her thoughts were consumed with the intricate web of alliances and rivalries. She knew she had to be cautious, to tread carefully in a world where trust was a luxury she couldn't afford.
The next morning, she approached Wanying once more, her resolve hardened. "Wanying, I need to know everything about Concubine Jia's past here. Please, I must understand."
Wanying studied her for a long moment before finally nodding. "Very well, Lingyi. But remember, the truth is often more dangerous than ignorance."
And so, Wanying began to unravel the complex history of Chengqian Palace, of Jia's rise from maid to concubine, and the bitter rivalries that had shaped the present. Lingyi listened intently, every detail a piece of the puzzle she was determined to solve.
As the days turned into weeks, Lingyi pieced together the fragmented history of Chengqian Palace. Each new detail brought a clearer understanding of the treacherous landscape she now navigated. She became adept at reading the subtle cues in conversations, the unspoken alliances, and the veiled threats that characterized palace life.
Another evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the palace grounds, Lingyi found herself alone with Wanying once more. Wanying had become an invaluable source of knowledge, albeit reluctantly so.
"Wanying," Lingyi began, her voice tinged with both respect and urgency, "there's one thing that still puzzles me. How did Concubine Jia really rise to her current position? You said she was once a maid here, but there must be more to the story."
Wanying sighed, her expression weary. "It's a tale as old as time in the palace, Lingyi. Jia was indeed a maid here, but she wasn't just any maid. She was sharp, ambitious, and knew how to make herself indispensable to Consort Xian. She gained her favor through hard work and loyalty."
Lingyi nodded, absorbing this. "But that alone couldn't have been enough to catch the emperor's eye."
"No, it wasn't," Wanying admitted. "As I heard..the emperor visited Chengqian Palace one evening, and Jia was assigned to serve him. She impressed him with her wit and beauty. It was a fateful encounter, one that changed her destiny overnight."
"And how did Consort Xian react then?" Lingyi asked, her curiosity piqued.
Wanying's eyes darkened. "Consort Xian is shrewd. She didn't show her true feelings. Outwardly, she was pleased for Jia, proud that her maid had caught the emperor's attention. But I suspect there was a deep-seated envy. Xian was used to being the center of attention, and having one of her own maids rise to such a position could not have been easy for her."
Lingyi nodded thoughtfully.
Just then, the footsteps of a servant approaching interrupted their gossips, "Ru Lingyi , Consort Xian requests your presence."
Lingyi exchanged a glance with Wanying, whose eyes conveyed a silent warning. "Be careful," Wanying whispered. "Consort Xian never calls without a reason."
With a nod, Lingyi followed the servant through the corridors of Chengqian Palace until they reached Consort Xian's private chamber. The doors opened to reveal the Consort seated at a low table, her regal bearing as imposing as ever.
"Ah ..Ru Lingyi," Consort Xian called out , a smile playing at the corners of her lips.
Lingyi bowed deeply,"You summoned me, niang niang?"
Consort Xian nodded, her eyes gleaming with an inscrutable light. "I did. I wanted to discuss the recent developments within this palace. It seems you've been quite inquisitive lately."
Lingyi felt a slight chill but maintained her composure. "this servant is muddled and slow naing niang . I was merely trying to understand the dynamics here better."
"Curiosity is not a sin, Lingyi," Xian said, her smile never reaching her eyes. "But it can be dangerous if not tempered with caution."
"This servant understands niang niang ," Lingyi replied carefully. "I will be mindful."
"Good,"Consort Xian said, leaning back slightly. "Now tell me, what do you think of Concubine Jia?" She said , staring deeply into Lingyi's eyes.
Ru Lingyi hesitated, knowing this was a test. "Concubine Jia is intelligent and resourceful. Her rise to power is a testament to her capabilities. However, I also see the tension her presence has created among the other concubines."
Consort Xian's eyes narrowed slightly. "Indeed. Jia's ambition has made her both allies and enemies. Isn't that a delicate balance."
Lingyi nodded. "And what of Concubine Hua?"
Xian's smile grew colder. "Hua is driven by envy. Her ambitions are clear, but her methods are less refined. She could learn much from observing the quieter strengths of others."
Lingyi sensed a deeper meaning in Xian's words. "I will keep that in mind, Niang Niang."
As the conversation continued, Lingyi carefully navigated Xian's probing questions, revealing just enough to show her understanding without overstepping. By the time she was dismissed, she felt a mixture of relief and unease. Xian's interest in her was both a blessing and a potential curse.
Returning to her quarters, Lingyi found Wanying waiting for her. "How did it go?" Wanying asked, her eyes filled with concern.
Lingyi sighed. "Consort Xian is... as enigmatic as ever. She wanted to gauge my thoughts on Jia and Hua. It feels like I'm being drawn deeper into a game I'm still learning to play."
Wanying nodded. "That's how it starts. But remember, Lingyi, you have an advantage. You're new, and that makes you unpredictable. Use it wisely."Wanying tapped Lingyi's hands reassurably. The two maids were now a closer than before and the peace between them was clearly evident.
Wanying concluded and and left to attend to the final needs of their Mistress for the night and Lingyi fell into her guit in tiredness