The morning sun cast a golden hue over the Forbidden City, but for Hua Pin, the day shone brighter than ever because her carefully laid plans were beginning to take shape. All that remained was to secure Consort Xian's approval, the keystone of her ambitions.
Dressed in a flowing gown of deep plum silk embroidered with silver lilies, Hua exuded elegance and determination as she made her way to Changchun Palace. The morning greetings were a daily obligation, but to her, it were also a stage—a chance to showcase her beauty and how well her attires are more put together than most mistresses.
The hall bustled with the harem's concubines exchanging pleasantries and offering their formal salutations. Concubine Hua, however, had eyes only for Consort Xian. Her sharp gaze assessed the mistress of Chengqian Palace, noting every flicker of her expression. The moment the morning greetings concluded, and the concubines began their slow exit, Hua made her move.
With an elegant sashay, she approached Consort Xian, bowing deeply. "Greetings, Xian Fei Niang Niang."
Consort Xian turned , surprised to see it was Concubine Hua .
"Forgive my haste in approaching you here instead of awaiting a more proper audience."..Hua added, seeing the surprised look on Xian face .
Consort Xian raised an eyebrow, her cool demeanor unshaken. "Hua Pin, you are not usually so impetuous. What matters could not wait for the privacy of my palace?"
Conscience Hua's lips curled into a polite smile. "Niang Niang, my impatience stems not from disrespect but from the urgency of what I must say. If you would grant me a moment of your time, I believe you will understand."
Xian's gaze remained cold, but she gestured for Hua to proceed. Hua straightened and leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a tone of quiet confidentiality.
"Niang Niang," Hua began, "I was reminded recently of the unjust blow you suffered, we all know it was all orchestrated so cunningly by Consort Shu. Her schemes not only threatened your position but robbed you of a loyal aide—Wanying, who served you faithfully for years." She paused, watching as Xian's expression darkened ever so slightly.
"I cannot forget the pain it caused you, Niang Niang," Hua continued. "And I find it intolerable that Shu Fei has gone unpunished for her treachery."
"I hope you didn't come to me without a laid out plan already" Xian questioned.
"Ofcourse not, Niang Niang. Since she acted behind the curtains..so shall her own fall come from behind the curtains" ...Hua pin smiled wickedly.
Consort Xian regarded her for a moment, her gaze unreadable. "And how do you intend to achieve this? Consort Shu is no fool. She would not make herself vulnerable without reason."
"Niang Niang," Hua said with a confident smile, "I plan to infiltrate her trust. I will play the role of an ally and fuel the jealousy she harbors toward Jia Fei. Her resentment of Jia's recent rise in rank is already simmering; I will ensure it boils over. When she acts against Jia, we will be ready to expose her misstep and bring her down. None of our hands need be sullied."
As the two mistresses conversed, their maids stood at a respectful distance. Ru Lingyi, ever vigilant beside Consort Xian, kept her gaze on Hua's maid, A'rou, who waited a few paces away.
Lingyi had never liked A'rou. The girl carried herself with an air of self-importance that rankled Lingyi's sense of propriety. Though both were maids, A'rou's tendency to overstep and involve herself in her mistress's schemes grated on Lingyi's nerves.
A'rou, sensing Lingyi's gaze, turned and smirked. "Quite the intense conversation they're having," she murmured, her tone light but with a hint of mockery. "Your mistress and mine seem to have a lot to discuss these days."
Lingyi kept her expression neutral, her tone clipped as she replied, "What they discuss is not for us to speculate on, A'rou. Our duty is to serve, not to meddle."
A'rou chuckled softly, her smirk deepening. "Oh, come off it, Lingyi. Don't tell me you aren't curious. You always have that look—like you're piecing together some grand puzzle."
Lingyi's gaze hardened, but she held her tongue. A'rou thrived on provoking reactions, and Lingyi had no intention of giving her the satisfaction. Instead, she shifted her focus back to her mistress, who seemed to be wrapping up her discussion.
Concubine Hua continued weaving her proposal. "Consort Shu's pride is her greatest weakness. She cannot stand to see someone she deems inferior rise to her level. By playing on that, we can drive her to act recklessly. When she does, her downfall will be swift and inevitable."
Consort Xian remained silent, her sharp eyes studying Hua as though attempting to see through her facade. Finally, she spoke, her tone measured but laced with suspicion. "You make an intriguing case, Hua Pin. But tell me—what is your true aim? You speak of avenging me, but I cannot help but wonder if your ambition lies elsewhere. Isn't it Jia Fei's downfall you truly seek?"
Concubine's Hua's heart skipped a beat. Xian's perceptiveness was sharper than she had anticipated. But Hua was not one to falter under scrutiny. She quickly composed herself, bowing deeply. "Niang Niang, my loyalty is to you alone. Jia Fei's fate is inconsequential to me. My only desire is to see you restored to your rightful place of unchallenged authority. If Jia Fei is affected incidentally, it is merely a side effect, not my intention."
Xian's gaze bore into Hua, weighing her words. After a long pause, she nodded slightly. "Very well. Proceed as you see fit. But know this, Hua Pin: if your schemes bring trouble to my door, you will answer for it."
Hua lowered her head deeply, her voice steady despite the triumph surging through her. "As you wish, Niang Niang. I will not fail you."
As Hua stepped away, A'rou immediately hurried to her mistress's side, her smirk still lingering as she glanced at Lingyi one last time. "Until next time, Lingyi," she said with a mocking tilt of her head before following Hua.
Lingyi watched them go, her face a mask of calm. But inside, her unease grew. The alliance gradually forming between concubine Hua and her mistress felt like the tightening of a noose—not just for their enemies, but potentially for themselves as well.
As Consort Xian turned toward her, Lingyi instinctively fell into step beside her. They walked in silence for some time, the weight of the palace's schemes hanging heavily in the air.
Consort Xian finally broke the silence, her tone light yet probing. "You've been unusually quiet today, Lingyi. Have you nothing to say about Hua Pin's visit?"
Lingyi hesitated before replying, her voice steady but cautious. "Niang Niang, it is not my place to inquire into matters that do not concern me. I would not presume to question your decisions."
Xian glanced at her, a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Ever the cautious one, aren't you? But tell me, Lingyi, do you not feel curiosity? It is a natural thing, after all."
Lingyi met her mistress's gaze briefly before lowering her eyes. "Curiosity is often the first step toward trouble, Niang Niang. As you've always taught me, In the Forbidden City, silence and discretion are a maid's greatest virtues."
Xian's smile deepened, though her eyes carried a flicker of approval. "You are wise beyond your years, Lingyi. But remember, even silence can be dangerous if wielded at the wrong moment."
Lingyi nodded, though her thoughts remained unsettled. As they approached Chengqian Palace, she couldn't shake the feeling that the alliance between her mistress and Hua Pin was a harbinger of chaos. Whether she would remain a bystander or become a pawn in the harem's dangerous game was a question she dared not dwell on for long.