Back at Jingyang Palace, in the quiet confines of her chamber, Noble Lady Yu sat in restless contemplation. The events of the day replayed in her mind like an unending melody. Her gaze lingered on the ornate window, where the pale moonlight streamed through, casting delicate patterns on the polished floor. Noble Consort Ling's intervention had brought her into the emperor's sight, a position many women in the Forbidden City would have killed for. But yet, Noble Lady Yu's heart wavered.
Part of her had craved this attention, the chance to rise beyond her current station. To prove that she is more than a Noble lady Yu , to raise her head high when other mistresses gathered. But a greater part of her—a quieter, more fearful part—wished she could have remained invisible. Invisibility, she reasoned, was safer. It meant fewer enemies, fewer schemes, and fewer risks. Yet, could she really escape the ever-turning wheels of palace politics?. The forbidden city after all was a place where terror looks for a playmate.
Consort Jia's words echoed in her mind, sharp and unrelenting: "In the Forbidden City, trouble never ceases. One can never hide from it. Either you face it head-on, or it consumes you."
Noble Lady Yu clenched her hands into fists, the weight of those words sinking deeper into her soul. Of a truth, Consort Jia's words were nothing but the absolute truth. Noble Lady Yu had witnessed how even the mighty Consort Xian, who always basked in unshakable glory, had nearly lost everything at the event of Yanxi palace . Still the enemy was out of sight and walking scot free from all charges and even suspicion. The Forbidden City was a battlefield disguised as a paradise. To remain stagnant was to invite ruin.
Her thoughts turned darker as she imagined herself caught in the treacherous waters of palace schemes. Would she be able to survive? Would she be clever enough to maneuver through the traps?. What if she was the one in Consort Xian's shoes that day, would she have escaped the trap designed for her? The answer was clear as day: No.
Noble Lady Yu exhaled a shaky breath, her gaze drifting to the mirror before her. She rose from her chair, moving closer to the reflective surface, as if seeking answers from the woman staring back at her. Her reflection looked fragile, hesitant, and unsure—qualities that had kept her safe thus far but would not save her from what lay ahead.
"No more," she whispered to herself, her voice steady and resolute. "I cannot remain a pawn."
That night, as she stood under the moonlit glow, Noble Lady Yu shed her scales of cowardice. A new Yu was born—one who would no longer run but fight, no longer cower but scheme.
---
Elsewhere in the Forbidden City, in the warm embrace of moonlit secrecy, another story was unfolding. A story very opposite to whatever was happening at Jingyang Palace. Ru Lingyi sat comfortably, her head resting on Prince Lan's chest, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat lulling her into a state of blissful surrender. The world seemed to fade away in his arms, leaving only the warmth of his presence and the promises of an unspoken future.
Their laughter mingled softly with the night air as they talked about everything and nothing. Lingyi had never known such joy before—a kind of happiness that left her head spinning and her heart swelling. The type that made her forget the type of world she is in . But as the moments stretched on, a pang of reality broke through her dreamy haze.
Lingyi lifted her head from his chest, her eyes clouded with uncertainty. "Your Highness," she began hesitantly, her voice soft yet firm. "We cannot continue like this."
Prince Lan's brow furrowed in confusion as he gently held her arms. "What do you mean, Lingyi?"
She stepped back slightly, though his touch lingered. "Your Highness, if anyone were to find out about us, it would ruin everything. My image… and especially yours." Her words trembled with both fear and resolve. "You are a prince of the first rank. A scandal could destroy not just your honor but everything you stand for and I am a maid of Chengqian Palace..Consort Xian hand maid at that..she will definitely be affected by it." Lingyi said, worry written all over her face.
Prince Lan's gaze softened, and he reached out to pull her closer again. "Do you think I care for such things?" he asked, his voice low and earnest. "Do you think I fear the whispers of courtiers and the judgment of the world?"
"You may not fear them, but I do," Lingyi replied, her voice breaking slightly. "This palace is a web of deceit and ambition. One wrong step and we could both be trapped, ruined. I cannot afford to—"
Prince Lan silenced her by pressing a finger to her lips. "Lingyi," he said, his voice laced with determination. "You are worth more to me than all the titles and honors in the world. I will not let fear dictate our love."
Her eyes widened, her resolve faltering under the weight of his words. "Your Highness…"
"Haven't I told you this?.. Call me Lan," he said with a soft smile. "When it's just the two of us, I am not a prince. I am simply Lan."
She lowered her gaze, torn between her heart and her mind. "Lan," she whispered, testing the name on her lips. "I cannot be the reason for your downfall."
He cupped her face gently, tilting her head up to meet his eyes. "Then I will make it right. I will speak to your mistress. I will make my intentions clear."
Lingyi's heart skipped a beat. "You would… do that?"
"Yes," Lan said without hesitation. "I will do whatever it takes to be with you."
"That means I will be becoming-"...she hesitated
"Yes... Princess Lan" prince Lan said with a smile.
Her breath hitched as a blush spread across her cheeks. "But what if—"
"There are no 'what ifs,'" he interrupted, placing a kiss on her forehead. "Trust me, Lingyi. We will find a way."
For a moment, she allowed herself to believe him, to hope that their love could survive the storm of the Forbidden City. She rested her forehead against his, savoring the warmth of his embrace.
But even as her heart soared, a small voice in the back of her mind whispered of caution, reminding her of the dangers that lurked in the shadows of palace life.
The night was young ..so was their love; Young and intoxicating.
But the night was far from over.. Concubine Hua could barely sleep without latching out her weapons and strategic moves for the battle she swore to fight till the end: Eliminate Jia... But she knew better than anyone that this was above her capacity...she needed a someone greater than her in strategy. And no one else can pull it off like Consort Xian.
Consort Xian has guaranteed their alliance ..but still, she reminded quiet, Hua needed to make her lift a finger . But how could she do that without offending Xian Fei. It was at that moment that she received an inspiration from her list of information...which she stores for emergency conditions like this.
A devilish smile broke out on her face at the thought of the power she held.... information was power in the forbidden city and Concubine Hua was ready to trade this Particular one in return for what she seeked so dearly.