In Luyang Palace, the air was thick with tension despite the stillness of the late hour. Concubine Hua sat before her dressing table, her expression vacant as A'rou carefully undid the elaborate coiffure that adorned her mistress's head. The sharp scent of floral oils lingered in the room, but neither mistress nor maid seemed to notice.
A'rou, focused on her task, couldn't help but steal glances at concubine Hua's reflection in the mirror. The lady before her was not the composed and cunning mistress she knew. Instead, Hua's furrowed brow and distant gaze betrayed a mind lost in labyrinthine schemes. Plans to take her enemies down with one move, without been noticed or tracked back to her filled her mind. But the plans were neither taking shape nor coming to light. These thoughts consumed her to the extent that she didn't notice when her maid had finished preparing her to retire for the night.
"Niang-niang," A'rou finally spoke after finishing her work, her voice hesitant yet deliberate. She coughed lightly, hoping to break the spell of her mistress's thoughts.
Concubine Hua blinked as if waking from a trance. Her dark eyes focused on the mirror, meeting A'rou's concerned reflection. "What is it?" she asked, her voice sharper than intended.
"Niang-niang," A'rou began carefully, "forgive my impertinence, but something seems to weigh heavily on you tonight. May I ask what troubles you naing naing?"
Hua hesitated, her fingers brushing over the jade comb resting on the table. She stared at it for a moment, as if gathering her thoughts, before replying. "I need a plan, A'rou. Consort Xian has given me her approval, but that alone is not enough. I must strike while the iron is hot. Yet, finding the perfect opportunity eludes me."
A'rou nodded, her face carefully neutral. "Niang-niang, sometimes the best opportunities reveal themselves when we least expect them. Perhaps you should give it time."
Hua's lips curled into a frown, and she turned in her chair to face A'rou directly. "Time?" she repeated, her tone edged with frustration. "Time is a luxury I do not have. Every passing moment strengthens Jia's position. Do you not see? Her rise is an insult to all that I've worked for."
A'rou lowered her gaze, sensing the anger simmering beneath her mistress's words. "Niang-niang, forgive me for speaking so freely, but haste could be just as dangerous as waiting. If you act too soon, you might expose yourself. Jia's newfound status means she is under constant watch. Any move against her now could be traced back to you."
The words stung Concubine Hua like a slap, though she knew they held truth. Her jaw tightened, and she turned back to the mirror, her fingers tracing the edge of the table. "You're right," she admitted reluctantly. "But patience is not my strength, A'rou. Watching her parade her victory—it sickens me. I must find a way to bring both Jia and Shu down, and soon."
"Niang-niang," A'rou said gently, "your brilliance has never failed you. Trust that the right moment will come, and when it does, you will seize it with precision."
Hua exhaled, her reflection softening. "Very well. But keep your ears sharp, A'rou. Any whisper, any sign of weakness from them—bring it to me immediately."
"Yes, niang-niang," A'rou replied, bowing low before retreating to her quarters.
The next morning dawned bright and clear, but in one corner of the Forbidden City, a buzz of activity stirred the palace awake. Eunuch Liu led a procession of servants through the winding corridors, their arms laden with treasures and gifts coveted by a piece of silk. The sound of their footsteps echoed through the streets drawing curious glances from every direction they passed.
Maids paused mid-task, their whispers like the rustling of leaves. "Where are they going?" one asked, her eyes wide with intrigue.
"What palace is about to bask in glory?" another speculated, leaning closer to her companion.
The guards stationed along the corridors exchanged knowing glances, though none dared to voice their guesses aloud.
At the head of the procession, Eunuch Liu walked with an unmistakable air of triumph, his robes swishing with each deliberate step. The corners of his mouth twitched upward in a smirk, and his eyes sparkled with barely concealed glee.
The servants trailing behind him bore an array of treasures: jade ornaments, bolts of exquisite silk, porcelain vases painted with delicate scenes, and trays of fine pastries wrapped in intricate ribbons. The display was so lavish that even the most seasoned palace residents found themselves craning their necks for a better look.
"Do you think it's a reward for Consort Shu?" one maid whispered to another.
"Or perhaps it's for the Empress?" came the reply. "She's always been the center of the Emperor's good graces and to add her recovery from the illness that plunged her.
The whispers grew louder, a ripple of speculation spreading through the forbidden city. But no one knew for certain where the procession was headed—or who had earned such a grand display of imperial favor.
Back in Luyang Palace, Concubine Hua was already dressed and seated in her receiving room when the faint sound of footsteps reached her ears. She glanced toward the door, her curiosity piqued. A'rou, who stood by her side, tilted her head as if straining to hear.
"What's going on outside?" Hua asked, her voice sharp with impatience.
A'rou stepped toward the door, peering out cautiously before returning to her mistress. "Niang-niang, there's a procession heading through the main walkway. It seems... lavish."
Concubine Hua's eyes narrowed, her mind racing. "Lavish, you say? For whom?"
"I'm not sure, niang-niang," A'rou admitted. "But Eunuch Liu is leading it, and the servants are carrying gifts fit for a high-ranking mistress."
Hua's grip tightened on the armrest of her chair. She could feel the heat of jealousy rising in her chest. "Could it be for Noble Consort ling?" she muttered under her breath. "Has she found another way to curry favor with His Majesty yet again?"
"Niang-niang," A'rou said cautiously, "we don't know that for certain. It could be for anyone."
Hua shook her head, her jaw clenched. "No. It's her. It has to be. That woman climbs higher with each passing day, and no one seems to stop her. Not even the Empress "
"Perhaps we should wait for confirmation before jumping to conclusions," A'rou suggested gently.
Hua shot her a glare, silencing her with a wave of her hand. "Enough. If it is for her, It will be as I anticipated, she sure knows how to guard her territory. At this point she is only different from the Empress by title. Evil witch!."
A'rou bowed her head, choosing not to press further. She could see the fire in her mistress's eyes and knew better than to fan the flames.
As the procession moved through the palace, the whispers grew louder. Eunuch Liu, clearly enjoying the attention, walked a little slower, his head held a little higher.
By the time they reached their destination, a crowd of onlookers had gathered at a discreet distance, their curiosity barely contained. Eunuch Liu turned to the servants and gestured grandly toward the doors of their destination.
The servants trooped in after another, waiting for the mistress of the palace to be notified and for eunuch Liu to give them a go ahead to begin dropping the gifts.