The imperial garden was alive with the gentle hum of nature—the rustling of leaves by the breeze, the chirping of birds perching on blossoming trees, and the soft trickle of a nearby fountain. Yet, it was the laughter of Consort Jia, Consort Shu, and Noble Lady Yu that truly filled the air. The three women sat regally beneath a pavilion, their finely embroidered robes catching the sunlight as they sipped tea and exchanged palace gossip with ease like true sisters.
Consort Jia leaned back, a serene smile playing on her lips as she addressed Noble Lady Yu."I hear the emperor has taken a liking to your sugared Osmanthus cakes. Who knew you had such a talent for confections?"
Noble Lady Yu blushed modestly, lowering her gaze. "Niang niang is too kind. It's merely a family recipe, nothing extraordinary."
Consort Shu chuckled softly, her voice carrying a touch of amusement. "Humble as always, Yu Guiren. But don't underestimate the power of a well-prepared dish. In this palace, even the smallest offering can shift the tides."
The two Consorts laughed while Noble Lady Yu blushed in their praises. But their camaraderie, however, was soon interrupted by the deliberate steps of an approaching figure. The air seemed to shift as Concubine Hua sashayed into the garden, her cold, practiced smile in place. Her emerald robes shimmered like a snake's scales under the light, and her presence carried the sharp edge of a blade concealed beneath silk.
As Concubine Hua approached, the sight of Consort Jia was a thorn that pricked her pride, but the thought of bowing to her felt like a knife twisting deeper. Yet, she wore her mask of politeness and dipped into a reluctant bow.
"Greetings, Jia Fei Niang Niang, Shu Fei Niang Niang," Hua said, her voice honeyed but carrying the faintest trace of venom.
Yu Guiren, being of a lower rank, quickly stood and offered her own greeting. "Greetings, Hua Pin Niang Niang."
The three women exchanged courteous nods, their faces composed, but the tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife. Hua pin's intrusion had unsettled the serene atmosphere, and even she knew it.
Consort Jia, never one to let silence reign in her domain, decided to address the proverbial elephant in the room. She cleared her throat lightly, her voice cutting through the quiet. "Hua Pin," she began with a sweet yet pointed smile, "what wind has carried you to this corner of the Forbidden City?"
Hua, a seasoned player of the harem's verbal chess, returned the smile with one of her own. "Ah, Jia Fei," she said, her tone as smooth as silk, "it wouldn't do for me not to offer my heartfelt congratulations on your new status. What kind of sister would I be if I didn't?"
She inclined her head slightly, the gesture just polite enough to mask the mockery in her words. "Congratulations on your elevation. May it bring you peace."
Consort Shu and Noble Lady Yu exchanged subtle glances, their expressions unreadable but their thoughts aligned. Hua was anything but an advocate for peace. Her appearance here was no coincidence, and her syrupy words dripped with hidden intentions.
Jia Fei's lips curved into a smile, her eyes cool and unwavering. "Thank you for your kind wishes," she replied evenly. "Peace is indeed a precious thing, one I hope we all cherish."
But Jia wasn't willing to linger in Hua's snare of niceties. Rising gracefully, she spoke again, her voice light but firm. "Unfortunately, I must take my leave. Yu Guiren and I have been summoned by Noble Consort Ling."
Hua's smile faltered for the briefest moment before she regained her composure. "Oh? How unfortunate," she said, her tone dripping with insincerity.
Jia turned to Yu, her eyes signaling her intent. "Yu Guiren," she said with a nod, "let us not keep Noble Consort Ling waiting."
Yu understood the unspoken command immediately. Rising hastily, she bowed to Shu and then Hua before trailing behind Jia, her heart racing with both relief and gratitude.
Left behind, Shu Pin remained seated, her composure intact as she watched Hua carefully. Hua took the opportunity to lower herself onto a cushion beside Shu, her movements deliberate and calculated.
"Ah, Shu Fei," Hua began with a casual tone, "it's been far too long since we've had a chance to speak alone. I do miss the days when the two of us were closer… before others came between us."
Consort Shu's brow arched slightly. "I wasn't aware anyone had come between us," she replied, her tone neutral but with a hint of warning.
Hua tilted her head, a sly smile playing on her lips. "Oh, not directly, of course. But things have certainly changed, haven't they? Jia Fei, for instance, was once so careful to defer to you in all matters. Always seeking your approval, always treading lightly. But now…"
She let her words hang in the air, her gaze shifting meaningfully to the empty spot where Jia had been sitting.
"Now?" Shu prompted, her tone sharp.
"Now she acts as if she's your equal," Hua said, her voice soft and almost pitying. "The way she carries herself, the way she speaks… it's as though she's forgotten who paved the way for her. Who was there first."
Shu's fingers tightened slightly around the handle of her teacup, but she said nothing.
Hua leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "I know it must be difficult, Shu Pin. To watch someone you once mentored rise so quickly and act so boldly. But you have always been the stronger, the wiser one. She may wear the robes of a higher rank, even same rank but she'll never possess your grace or your intelligence."
Shu's expression remained unreadable, but Hua could see the flicker of doubt in her eyes.
"Of course," Hua continued, her tone now laced with sweetness, "I'm sure she still respects you deeply. But respect can fade so easily in this place, can't it? One must always be vigilant."
Shu set her teacup down with deliberate calmness, her gaze meeting Hua's. "Hua Pin," she said evenly, "I appreciate your… insights. But I think we both know that the bonds in this palace are far more complex than mere rank or respect."
Hua's smile tightened, but she bowed her head slightly in acknowledgment. "Of course, niang niang. I only speak out of concern."
She rose gracefully, her emerald robes swaying as she bowed lightly. "I'll leave you to your thoughts, then. I respectfully take my leave."
As Hua walked away, her smile widened. The seed had been planted. Now all she had to do was wait for it to take root and grow.
Back in her chambers, Hua recounted the encounter to her maid with a sense of triumph. "It's only a matter of time," she said, her voice filled with satisfaction. "Jealousy is a fire, and I've given it the perfect spark. Shu Fei may not act immediately, but the doubt will fester. And when it does, Jia Fei will have another enemy to contend with."
Her maid bowed deeply, a smirk of her own tugging at her lips. "You are truly unmatched, niang niang."
Hua's laughter echoed through the room, sharp and victorious. "In this palace," she said, her eyes gleaming, "every word, every gesture, is a weapon. And I wield mine with precision."
Meanwhile, Shu Fei remained in the garden, her thoughts swirling. Hua's words clung to her like shadows, planting questions she didn't want to entertain. Planting seeds of doubt was her speciality..but here she was getting a taste of her own medicine. The tranquil beauty of the garden seemed distant now, replaced by the weight of uncertainty.
Jia Fei and Yu Guiren, unaware of the storm brewing behind them, made their way to Noble Consort Ling's palace. But even in their retreat, they couldn't shake the feeling that the ripples from today's encounter would soon grow into waves.