Jia was the woman of the hour, having received the highest praise from the Empress Dowager at the feast. She moved with an air of undeniable grace, a subtle smile of victory playing on her lips. She swept past Concubine Hua, who looked away in barely concealed disdain, still smarting from her own failure to capture the spotlight the previous evening.
Consort Shu arrived next, taking her seat opposite Xian without so much as a glance in her direction, as if Xian did not exist. Finally, Noble Consort Ling sashayed in, radiating confidence and self-importance as always. She took the first seat before the Empress's dais, tapping Jia, who occupied the seat beside her, on the arm with a friendly smile. Jia returned the gesture with a brief, acknowledging nod.
A palpable, yet peaceful, silence settled over the hall. However, for Concubine Hua, the quiet was suffocating. She scanned the room, noting that everyone was either idly waiting or patiently anticipating the Empress's arrival. She cleared her throat, sitting upright, a low but deliberately audible cough designed to draw attention.
"Hmmph… hmmph! Jia Fei Niang Niang, you truly amazed me at the feast," Hua began, pausing for a while, allowing her words to sink in as the other concubines exchanged knowing glances.
Consort Jia, not willing to back down from this challenge, especially not when she held the advantage in rank, responded with a feigned air of innocent inquiry. "Oh? In what way, Hua Pin?" she asked, her voice laced with a hint of condescension.
"Hiao!" Hua retorted, her voice tinged with bitterness. "Jia Fei… Her Highness, the Empress Dowager, stood up to acknowledge your gift. That alone speaks volumes about the effort you must have invested in preparing it, especially considering you were excused from the task due to your… delicate condition." The last words were delivered with a pointed emphasis, a thinly veiled jab at Jia's pregnancy.
The room fell silent. Noble Lady Yu pretended to adjust a fan that had suddenly, and conveniently, malfunctioned. Consort Xian looked away, feigning disinterest. Noble Concubine Hua let out a low, throaty sound, a subtle expression of amusement, as she adjusted the sleeves of her gown.
Consort Jia's eyes narrowed slightly as she shot a quick, sharp glance at Concubine Hua. Then, she relaxed her expression, a smooth, practiced smile returning to her face. "Well," she replied, her voice calm and measured, "it is our duty to serve and contribute to the imperial lineage, regardless of whether we are… privileged or not. But, of course, not everyone understands what it feels like to be so… privileged." The room erupted in a flurry of hushed whispers. Noble Lady Yu gasped, covering her lips with her handkerchief. Concubine Hua opened her mouth to retort, but the perfect counter-argument eluded her, leaving her momentarily speechless.
"Jia Fei, I—!" Concubine Hua sputtered, her face flushed with anger, desperate to salvage the situation, but her words were abruptly cut off.
"The Empress, her highness!" Tong's resonant voice echoed through the hall, announcing the imminent arrival of the most powerful woman in the imperial harem.
Hua's words died in her throat, her carefully crafted retort dissolving into nothingness. She swallowed hard, her anger momentarily eclipsed by the weight of the Empress's presence. The assembled concubines rose as one, their movements fluid and graceful as supported by their handmaids, stepping forward towards the center of the hall. They knelt on one knee, their heads bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, Huanghou Niang-niang! Wishing Huanghou Niang-niang thousands of years of good health and fortune!" they intoned in unison, their voices ringing with deference.
The Empress, a vision of regal elegance, entered the hall, her every movement radiating power and authority. She took her seat on the elevated dais, her gaze sweeping across the assembled women, lingering for a moment on the flushed face of Concubine Hua.
"Rise," she commanded, her voice calm but firm.
The concubines rose gracefully, resuming their positions. A tense silence hung in the air, the echoes of the earlier altercation still lingering.
"I trust," the Empress began, her gaze settling on Concubine Hua, "that you are all having a pleasant morning." Her tone was neutral, giving no indication of whether she had overheard the earlier exchange.
Hua, still smarting from Jia's pointed remarks, stammered, "Yes, Huanghou Niang-niang. We were… discussing the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival."
Jia, ever the picture of composure, added smoothly, "And sharing our ideas for the celebrations, Niang-niang." she replied shooting a knowing glance at Hua who replied with a squint.
The Empress nodded slowly. "Indeed. The Mid-Autumn Festival is a time for family and togetherness. It is important that we celebrate it with joy and harmony." Her gaze shifted to Jia. "Jia Fei, I was particularly impressed with your… contribution to the feast. The Empress Dowager was most pleased."
Jia inclined her head gracefully. "Thank you, Huanghou Niang-niang. It was my honor to serve."
Concubine Hua, was unable to contain her resentment any longer that she subconsciously interjected, her voice laced with bitterness. "Jia Fei is truly blessed with talent, Huanghou Niang-niang. Not all of us are so fortunate."
The Empress's gaze returned to Hua, her expression unreadable. "Hua Pin," she said softly, her voice carrying a subtle warning, "we all have our own unique gifts and talents. It is important to appreciate and cultivate them, rather than… compare ourselves to others."
Hua's face flushed crimson, but she remained silent, wisely choosing not to challenge the Empress's gentle rebuke.
The Empress then shifted the conversation to a more pressing matter. "I have called you all here this morning," she announced, her voice taking on a more formal tone, "to inform you of an important development. We will soon be welcoming a new member to our… family."
A ripple of anticipation went through the assembled concubines. They exchanged glances, their minds racing with speculation.
"The Chu State," the Empress continued, "has offered their princess, Chu Xing, to become a Noble Lady in our harem. This is a significant gesture of goodwill, and it is vital that we receive her with the warmth and respect she deserves."
A hush fell over the hall. The implications of this announcement were not lost on the assembled women. A new concubine, and a princess at that, meant a shift in the delicate balance of power within the harem.
"Princess Chu Xing," the Empress continued, her voice clear and resonant, "is a woman of noble birth and refined beauty and upbringing. She will be a valuable addition to our court. I expect all of you to make her feel welcome and to treat her with the courtesy and kindness that befits her station."
She paused, her gaze sweeping across the faces of the concubines. "Remember," she said, her voice firm but gentle, "we are all members of the imperial household. We must uphold the values of unity and harmony. Let us show Princess Chu Xing the true grace and hospitality of the Great Qin Dynasty."
The concubines bowed their heads in acknowledgment. "Yes, Huanghou Niang-niang," they replied in unison.
"Very well," the Empress said, sinking gracefully into her seat . "You are all dismissed. Let us begin preparations for the princess's arrival."
The concubines rose and bowed once more before departing, each carrying their own thoughts and anxieties about the new arrival.
Outside the Empress's quarters, as the women dispersed, leaving Changchun palace, Consort Shu's maid brushed against Lingyi, slipping a small, folded note into her hand. The act took her by surprise but lingyi, ever vigilant and cautious, concealed her reaction, escorting Consort Xian back to Chengqian Palace.