Noble Consort Ling sat quietly in her chambers, the soft light of dawn filtering through the delicate silk screens. The Forbidden city was still, the usual hustle of servants and palace guards subdued in the wake of the Empress's illness. She sighed softly, her fingers brushing against the jade hairpin on her hairdo. In any other situation, Ling would have been content to carry on with her usual responsibilities, attending to the Emperor and ensuring the harem remained peaceful. But now, with the Empress absent, things were shifting.
Noble Consort Ling was no fool. She knew the rules of the forbidden city well, hierarchy dictated everything. As the third-ranked consort, just beneath the Empress and the Imperial Noble Consort, she was next in line should a replacement be required. The mere thought of it made her uncomfortable. She had no desire for more power. Her position as Noble Consort gave her enough influence, and she had long since learned the dangers of ambition in the harem. But others might see things differently.
"I mustn't give anyone reason to believe I seek more than I have," she murmured to herself, her reflection staring back at her with a calm that belied her inner turmoil.
Her maid, Lian, entered quietly, bowing before approaching with a tray of tea. "niang niang," Lian said softly.
Noble Consort ling turned to her direction gesturing for her to come in . As Lian served the tea, Noble Consort Ling couldn't help but notice the maid had something on her mind. "Lian?...what is it,"..Noble Consort Ling asked. Lian hesitated for a bit before replying.. " niang niang, many are talking about the Empress. They say her condition worsens."
Ling took the teacup but did not drink. "Rumors spread like wildfire in the absence of truth," she replied, her voice measured. "We must remain steady."
Lian nodded, though her brow furrowed in concern. "Should you not… prepare, just in case?"
Noble Consort Ling's eyes flicked to her maid, sharp but not unkind. "How absurd!!, I am the Noble Consort, Lian. Nothing more."
"I am sorry your highness"..Lian bowed deeply in remorse.
But even as she spoke, Noble Consort Ling knew that others in the palace would not be so content. The harem was a battlefield, where every small shift in power could lead to upheaval. And while she had no desire to rise higher, she also knew that others would seek to use her position, to draw her into the fray.
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Meanwhile....Consort Shu, had very different thoughts. She paced back and forth in her lavish quarters, her mind racing with strategy. The confrontation with Consort Xian had been a small victory, but it wasn't enough. She knew Consort Xian was still formidable, and if she was to win this power struggle, she needed to strike when Consort Xian least expected it....hit her where it would hurt the most.
That's when her plan began to take shape.
"Lingyi," Shu muttered under her breath with beams of joy dancing on her face as she recalled the younger maid who now attended Xian. "She is new, but already trusted?."
A slow smile spread across Consort Shu's lips. She thought not to attack Consort Xian directly. No, that would be too obvious, too dangerous. Instead, she would target someone closer, someone vulnerable... Wanying, the older maid who had served Consort Xian long before Ru Lingyi arrived. If she could plant a seed of doubt, a whisper of betrayal in Wanying's mind, she could use her to strike Consort Xian .
Ofcourse it would take time and patience. But Consort Shu had both.
"Cai," Consort Shu called, summoning her own maid. "Prepare my garment. I'll be taking a walk in the gardens today."
Cai raised an eyebrow but obeyed without question. Shu's walks in the gardens were rare, and usually only served a purpose.
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In the gardens, Wanying happened to be picking up some flowers for Consort Xian chambers. She walked slowly, her steps careful as she admired the autumn chrysanthemums blooming near the pavilion. She was older now, her years of service to Consort Xian showing in the lines on her face and the stiffness in her back. But her loyalty had never wavered. Xian had been good to her, elevating her position when others would have discarded an aging maid. But recently… recently things had changed. Lingyi, the younger, more vibrant maid, had taken over many of Wanying's duties, especially during important events like the morning greetings.
Wanying tried to tell herself it was simply the natural order of things. Xian was still kind to her, still trusted her. But the feeling of being slowly replaced gnawed at her.
She was deep in thought when she heard footsteps approaching. Looking up, she was surprised to see Consort Shu, dressed in emerald green robes that seemed to shimmer in the sunlight, walking toward her. Consort Shu's face was a picture of grace and casual elegance, but Wanying knew better than to be fooled by appearances. Consort Shu rarely ventured into the gardens without purpose.
"Hiao!..Wanying," Shu greeted her with a smile, as if they were old friends. "It's rare to see you out here alone. What a pleasant surprise."
Wanying bowed quickly, her heart racing. "This servants greets Shu fei niang niang ,.... I did not expect to see you here your highness."
Consort Shu waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, don't be so formal. I simply needed a bit of fresh air, and the gardens seemed to be the perfect place. But tell me, how are things with your mistress?"
Wanying hesitated, unsure of where this conversation was going. "Consort Xian is well, Your Highness. She is as gracious as always."
Consort Shu's smile didn't falter, but there was something sharp in her eyes. "That's good to hear. Xian has always been fortunate to have such a loyal servant in you. It must be difficult, though, now that she relies so heavily on her new maid."
Wanying stiffened, her hands clasping tightly in front of her. "Lingyi is a good maid, Your Highness. She assists Consort Xian with many duties."
Consort Shu tilted her head slightly, her tone soft but deliberate. "I'm sure she does. But I've noticed lately that you haven't been accompanying Xian to the morning greetings. It used to be you at her side every day, didn't it?"
Wanying's heart sank. The truth she had been avoiding was now laid open and clear by Shu's words. "That's… true," she admitted reluctantly. "But that's only because—"
Consort Shu leaned in slightly, her voice lowering to a conspiratorial whisper. "You know how these things go, Wanying. New faces come in, and slowly, they begin to replace the old. I've seen it happen before, even to the most trusted maids. It starts with small changes..missing the morning greetings, being given fewer responsibilities. Before you know it, you're no longer needed."
One could see Wanying's face turn pale. In defence she tried replying..."Consort Xian would never—"
"Of course not," Shu interrupted gently, placing a hand on Wanying's trembling hands. "But sometimes these things happen without us realizing it. Lingyi is young, eager to prove herself. It's only natural that she would start taking on more important tasks. But you...you've served Xian for so long. I would hate to see someone like you, so loyal, be cast aside." Consort Shu concluded with an expression that seemed to be pity and care.
Wanying's hands shook slightly as Shu's words wormed their way into her mind. She had noticed the shift in duties, but she had convinced herself it was temporary. Now, the doubt that had been lingering at the edges of her thoughts began to take root.
"I… I haven't been cast aside naing niang," Wanying whispered, more to herself than to Shu. "Xian still values me."
Consort Shu smiled, a soft, almost pitying smile. "I'm sure she does. But it wouldn't hurt to remind her, would it? To make sure she knows where your loyalty lies."
Wanying looked down, her mind racing with conflicted thoughts. She had been with Consort Xian for so long, but Lingyi's presence was undeniable. Was Consort Shu right? Was she being replaced, slowly but surely?
Consort Shu stood gracefully, brushing invisible dust from her robes. "I must be going now," she said lightly. "But do take care, Wanying. The palace is full of changes these days. It's always best to stay one step ahead."...With that, Shu turned and glided away with Cai trailing behind her, leaving Wanying alone in the garden, her mind swirling with doubts and fears that had not been there before.
---
Consort Shu's smile widened as she walked back to her quarters, satisfaction blooming in her chest. The seed had been planted, and now all she had to do was wait. Wanying's loyalty would begin to fracture, and once that happened, Shu could use her to set Xian up for a fall.
"Patience," Shu whispered to herself. "It's a step at a time."
Her plans were in motion, and soon enough, Consort Xian would find herself caught in a web she couldn't escape.
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