The air in Changchun Hall was thick with tension, punctuated by whispers and sidelong glances. Every mistress had arrived for the morning greetings, quite surprising isn't it??.
Each of them dressed meticulously, aware that today's gathering, would not be just an ordinary one for it to be moved to Changchun palace.
Consort Jia, who sat a step ahead of Concubine Hua on the opposite roll, wore a serene smile that only deepened Hua's resentment. Concubine Hua's gaze was fierce, her eyes glinting with frustration as they darted between Consort Jia's unbothered expression and Noble Lady Yu, who sat across from her. Was it the sudden promotion of her rival that angered her ?..or the fact that she and Noble Lady Yu now sat face to face .
Noble lady Yu, unsuspecting of the quiet storm brewing within Concubine Hua, seemed to find the sight of Jia's new rank amusing. She gazed at Consort Jia with a smile that hinted of admiration, and her gentle, innocent expression only fueled Hua's growing bitterness. For Hua, each small nod, each glimmer of approval directed toward Jia was salt to her wounded pride. She clenched her fists subtly, her resolve hardening with each passing moment. If she couldn't address her grievances with Jia directly, she would find another way to release her frustration. Her gaze shifted sharply to Noble Lady Yu.
Noble Lady Yu rarely spoke, often silent and demure, content to watch the happenings around her without contributing to the conversation. Her low but noble rank made her a quiet figure in the palace, one who generally stayed out of conflicts. Hua's lips curled into a faint smirk as she considered the woman—so passive, so unassuming. It was time, she decided, to make this morning a memorable one. At least she could vent off some gas while doing so.
With a subtle shift in her posture, Concubine Hua leaned forward, fixing her gaze on Yu with a piercing intensity that instantly unsettled the younger woman. "Yu Guiren!...," Hua began, her voice deceptively light but carrying a sharp undertone, "you seem quite entertained this morning. Pray, share what amuses you so greatly?" Hua said , staring deeply into the woman's soul.
Noble lady Yu's smile faded, and she straightened, clearly taken aback by Hua's sudden attention. "I… I wasn't," she stammered, glancing around as if seeking some escape from the unexpected scrutiny. Her usual quiet demeanor betrayed her nerves, and she shifted uncomfortably under Hua's gaze.
"Oh?" Hua's smile widened, yet her tone grew colder. "I must have misinterpreted, then. For I thought perhaps you were inspired by Consort Jia's... recent success." Her words dripped with disdain, a thinly veiled barb directed both at Yu and, indirectly, at Jia.
Noble Lady Yu glanced down, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment as the room grew still. Many eyes turned toward the unfolding exchange, a mix of curiosity and caution in their expressions. It was rare to see Noble Lady Yu under such scrutiny, and rarer still to see Concubine Hua so openly antagonistic.
Undeterred, Hua leaned forward even further. "I suppose it must be easy to find amusement when one sits so lowly in rank, safe in the shadows, untouched by the struggles of those who actually bear responsibility." Her words landed heavily, and Yu's face paled, her eyes lowering as she visibly shrank from the insult.
Consort Shu smirked, clearly pleased with Hua's choice of target. She chimed in, her voice falsely sweet, "Oh, Hua Pin, perhaps she merely lacks understanding. After all, Noble Lady Yu is so rarely involved in matters of importance. Such things would be unfamiliar to her."
The air in the hall seemed to grow colder as the cruel jabs continued. Noble Lady Yu's lips trembled, her fingers twisting nervously in her lap as she fumbled her handkerchief anxiously. She opened her mouth, as if to defend herself, but no words came. Noble lady Yu was left vulnerable without Noble Consort Ling who was absent to intervene, and Consort Xian remained quiet, watching the exchange with a curious glint in her eye, as if finding the unusual theatrics amusing.
Ru Lingyi, standing by Xian's side, couldn't help but be confused. Normally, her mistress would have intervened by now, silencing Hua's cruelty. But today, Consort Xian seemed unusually detached, almost entertained if one must say. It was a rare and puzzling response that left Lingyi even more curious about her mistress's thoughts.
Just as Hua seemed prepared to unleash another taunt, a voice cut through the hall, firm and commanding, freezing everyone in place. "How presumptuous of you!" The words rang out, echoing through the room like a sudden clap of thunder. Heads whipped around, eyes widening with shock.
The Empress herself stepped forward, emerging from the door of her private chamber that led into Changchun Hall. Always was a vision of authority, clad in attire that reflected her high status, her dark hair adorned with phoenix hairpins that glinted under the light. She walked with slow, deliberate steps, her expression unreadable, but the power in her gaze sent a shiver through every woman present. Tong and another maid trailed behind her, their faces calm and composed.
As she approached her throne, the mistresses all rose to their feet, bowing deeply with one knee to the floor, their voices united in a reverent greeting. "Greetings, Your Majesty, the Empress, wishing Your Majesty thousands of good fortunes and blessings."
The Empress took her place at the throne before them, her gaze sweeping over each woman with an intensity that left them all feeling exposed. She gestured for them to rise with a single graceful motion. "Forgo the formalities, sisters," she said, her voice a calm command.
They rose slowly, each assisted by her maid, and returned to their seats. But Shu, feeling the weight of the Empress's eyes on her, was hesitant, her movements faltering. She had not anticipated the Empress's attendance this morning, and the realization filled her with dread. Her hands trembled slightly as she lowered to take her seat, her mind racing with regret over her earlier behavior.
But the Empress's gaze lingered on her, unyielding, and Shu barely had time to settle before the Empress's voice, cold and cutting, rang out once more.
"Shu Fei," the Empress addressed her, each syllable like a stone dropping into a silent pond, sending ripples of tension through the hall. "How audacious of you to speak with such venom toward your sister. I thought I made it clear that this gathering is to maintain harmony, not to indulge in petty cruelty."
Shu's face drained of color, her eyes lowering as she struggled to maintain her composure. "Your Majesty, I only meant—"
"Silence!" The Empress raised a hand. "...There is no need for excuses. Your actions have already spoken loudly enough." Her gaze was steely, each word pronounced with a weight that made Shu shrink back in her seat, trembling.
The Empress continued, her gaze sweeping over each mistress present, her tone cold and unyielding.
"What place is the forbidden city? ..that most of you have forgotten your womanly virtues. The Forbidden City is a place of order, of respect. Those who cannot conduct themselves with dignity do not belong here. There are enough pressures in this palace without adding to them with unnecessary spite."
She paused, letting her words sink in, her gaze shifting pointedly to Hua. "And as for you, Hua Pin," she said, her voice lowering into a tone that sent a chill through the room, "I suggest you choose your words with greater care. It would be wise to remember that rank is not a shield against consequence."
Hua's breath caught, her earlier bravado dissolving into a careful mask of respect, though her eyes gleamed with resentment she dared not show. "forgive me Your Majesty ," she replied softly, bowing her head. But beneath her composed exterior, a storm of fury simmered, each reprimand striking her pride like a lash.
The Empress's gaze shifted again, her eyes briefly meeting Consort Xian's before she continued. "This palace has seen enough instability. I was only away from palace matters for some months and having entrusted things to Noble Consort ling , I expected each of you to remember your roles and to honor the responsibilities that come with them. There will be no more tolerance for disruptive behavior. I trust I have made myself clear."
A murmur of agreement echoed through the hall as each mistress nodded, their faces carefully neutral, though tension lingered in their expressions. The Empress's presence, her unexpected reprimand, had left them all unsettled, their ambitions and grievances momentarily overshadowed by her authority.
Satisfied, the Empress leaned back, her gaze sweeping over them one final time, lingering for a brief moment on Consort Jia, who met her gaze with a calm, respectful expression. Jia's serenity only deepened the irritation that simmered in Hua and Shu's hearts, each forced to suppress their bitterness in the Empress's presence.
As the Empress dismissed them with a wave of her hand, the mistresses rose, each bowing deeply before turning to leave. Shu moved quickly, her head low, her heart pounding with humiliation and anger. Hua followed, her expression unreadable, though the simmering resentment in her gaze hinted at the revenge she was already beginning to plan.
Consort Xian lingered for a moment, her gaze meeting the Empress's briefly before she, too, took her leave. She knew well enough that the Empress's warning had been intended for all of them, a reminder that in the Forbidden City, alliances and rivalries alike were to be conducted with caution.
Lingyi, who had watched the entire scene from the sidelines, felt a strange satisfaction at seeing Hua and Shu humbled. But as she helped her mistress out of the hall, she couldn't help but wonder what was her mistress reason for allowing Hua speak so brazenly without caution.