Before entering the main building where empress and consorts dwelled, Zhi'An slowed her pace. "My lady, before entering, you must know the bare minimum about the women here."
"Go on, then. Tell me the bare minimum. You only have to tell me once, I have a good memory."
Nodding, Zhi'An began listing off the names and titles of the empress and consorts. "The current empress is Empress Jing Li. She is the Emperor's first wife. You should address her as 'Your Majesty.' There is also the Imperial Noble Consort Wu Yulan. She is the highest-ranking consort, just beneath the Empress. Address her as 'Imperial Noble Consort Wu' or simply 'Your Highness.' After her is Noble Consort Li Mei. Address her as 'Noble Consort Li' or 'Your Highness.'"
There was much more to remember than Xiang Yue had originally expected. It seemed that the politics of the palace were even more complicated than she had thought. "Then, there are the two Consorts— Consort Shen Xiu and Consort Han Rui. Address them as 'Consort Shen' and 'Consort Han', or 'Your Highness.' The Imperial Concubine Zhang Lihua is also in attendance. She holds less power than the consorts but is still influential due to the Emperor's favor. You may address her as 'Imperial Concubine Zhang' or 'Lady Zhang.' Lastly, there are two Noble Ladies— Noble Lady Chen and Noble Lady Qiao. They are of lower ranks but are still part of the Emperor's inner circle."
They were approaching the inner palace fairly quickly. Zhi'An spoke faster, as if trying to squeeze in as much information as possible. "You should show your respect by addressing each person according to their rank and title. Also, avoid eye contact and do not speak unless directly addressed. Also, I must remind you that Crown Prince Jiahao is the Empress' son. Prince Jiankai is the son of Imperial Noble Consort Wu. Prince Liwen and Princess Lian are the children of Noble Consort Li. Princess Mei is the daughter of Consort Shen. My lady, do you understand?"
Xiang Yue stood still, letting all the information sink in. "You're telling me there are eight women to remember, along with their titles and the children they've produced." She looked over to Zhi'An with a straight face. "I don't remember most of what you said." Walking off like she had no care in the world, Xiang Yue entered the building in the inner palace, the large, open doors allowing her to enter without being announced. She could hear the voices of the women inside.
Chatting like a bunch of birds, they sat, lounging on lavish pillows and sipping tea. Zhi'An was shocked at how brazen Xiang Yue was being, but quickly followed behind her, trying her best to keep up. "My lady! Wait!" In an instant, Zhi'An dropped to her knees to show respect, hoping the women wouldn't blame her for Xiang Yue's actions.
Xiang Yue walked towards the middle of the room, standing right in the center. "I was told I was supposed to greet you all." She looked down at Zhi'An, who was cowering on the floor.
Shakily, Zhi'An spoke up. "Please excuse my lady, Your Majesty, Imperial Noble Consort, Noble Consorts, Imperial Concubine, Noble Ladies. This one does not know of the ways of the imperial palace."
Empress Jing Li, her eyes as ravenous as a hawk's, observed the young girl standing in front of her. She was bold, too bold, and it was clear that the woman had no sense of shame or self-control. Imperial Noble Consort Wu's brows furrowed in displeasure as she eyed Xiang Yue with disdain. "How dare you barge in here without announcing yourself," she said, her voice cold and laced with venom. "Who do you think you are?"
Raising her hand, Empress Jing Li silenced the consort. Her lips curled into a subtle, yet sharp, smirk. Evidently, the new arrival had piqued her interest. "Do you not care if your handmaiden is beaten due to your insolence?"
Once again looking at Zhi'An, Xiang Yue frowned. Trying her best not to scowl, she bowed low. "Please forgive me. I was not taught the ways of the imperial palace."
"How interesting. Rise." Both Zhi'An and Xiang Yue stood up, though Xiang Yue rose first, with her handmaiden following soon after. "Tell me, are all barbarians so uncouth?"
"I am no barbarian. Don't insult me." Imperial Noble Consort Wu stood up in anger, her hand slamming against a nearby table. "Watch your tongue, you fool! My mistress was asking a question, not insulting you."
Sucking in a deep breath, Xiang Yue apologized again. "Forgive me."
"What an arrogant little girl," Yulan spat. "I sincerely hope the emperor doesn't plan on marrying off my Jiankai to such an impudent, ill-mannered wench."
"I pray that I would have the good fortune of never having to marry any of your brutish, spoiled sons. Especially not Prince Jiankai, if he is anything like his mother." Wu Yulan's face flushed with anger, her hands trembling as she fought the urge to retaliate physically. Flared nostrils and wide, angry eyes, Wu Yulan was a picture of fury, a lioness ready to strike.
The women surrounding her were in a similar state, except Empress Jing Li, whose eyes sparkled with amusement. "Xiang Yue," the Empress began, her tone dangerously calm. "You are not yet a part of our family, nor do you have any authority here, but you speak with arrogance. Where does this boldness come from? Is it your upbringing in the barbaric lands you hail from?"
Xiang Yue's jaw clenched at the repeated insinuation of her being a foreigner. She had faced such ignorance and prejudice before, but she had never tolerated it, and she wouldn't start now—not even in the presence of the Empress. Her pale blue eyes locked with the Empress's, unflinching. "I am no foreigner, Your Majesty. I was born and raised in the northernmost parts of China, where the winters are long and harsh, and the people are strong and resilient. My pale skin and light hair are not the result of foreign blood outside of China."
"The northern lands, you say? Such a place breeds warriors, not women for the court." Empress Jing Li knew full well why the emperor had chosen to bring a northern girl back to the capital. Tall tales of a clan that harbored the blood of long deceased dragons had been brought to the emperor's attention. The people of the far north were not only skilled in battle, but it was rumored that their bodies were infused with dragon blood, giving them powers beyond those of the average human.
Jing Li wondered if Xiang Yue felt any resentment towards the emperor for taking her from her homeland, slaughtering her clan and forcing her into a marriage with one of his three sons that she was sure Xiang Yue didn't want. The Empress herself had been brought from the far south when she was young. She wasn't born noble or high-born but had caught the emperor's eye because of her beauty and grace, and the rest was history. But unlike Xiang Yue, her family hadn't been killed, though the thought of them had never left her mind.
Suddenly, she rose from her seat. Immediately, her handmaiden stood by her side, taking the Empress' arm. Everyone but Xiang Yue bowed. Each step Jing Li took was carefully measured and deliberate, like the graceful steps of a swan. Stopping in front of Xiang Yue, she placed her index finger under the young girl's chin, lifting her head up ever so slightly. Her nails were neatly manicured, and the scent of sandalwood and roses lingered on her skin. Smiling, the Empress removed her own jade earrings and placed them in Xiang Yue's hands. "I believe these would look beautiful on you. Keep them, for the time being. It would be a shame to let them go to waste."
Xiang Yue, surprised, watched as the Empress left, and everyone rose from their bows once she was completely gone, out of their sight. "My lady, these are the Empress' earrings," Zhi'An said quietly, her voice wavering. To receive a gift from the Empress, especially a woman of common birth, was a rare honor. The other consorts and concubines couldn't hide their distaste for the new girl. How unfair it was, how the Empress, the most powerful woman in the entire empire, was showing favoritism for someone she just met.
"It seems the empress has taken a liking to you. Some lowly woman who has only just arrived," Shen Xiu stated, a slight twinge of jealousy evident in her voice. She had been at the palace for several years and had yet to receive a single gift from the Empress, while this newcomer was receiving her jewelry within a matter of hours. "If only the emperor would come to his senses."
She said it under her breath, but Xiang Yue could hear her loud and clear. "I'm not here because I want to be," she said, a bit of her irritation creeping into her voice. "If it were up to me, I would have never come." Scoffing, she turned to leave, but before she did, she stopped and spoke, her tone sharp. "Vérathû ohl anûlxi. Mûla kanth râ yûla khoûri phérovai. Ésaûlah râ yahôr rìr emâsth xi râvni."
And with that, Xiang Yue exited the hall with an apologetic Zhi'An right behind her. The women remained silent until the handmaiden and Xiang Yue were long gone. Han Rui spoke up, breaking the awkward silence that had fallen upon them. "W-What did she say? It seemed like some sort of threat."
"I can't quite remember what language she was speaking," Lihua said. "I'm not even sure if it was a known dialect. Regardless, the words were meant to offend us. Perhaps her stay here will be more... eventful than we initially expected."
"How can you all be so ruthless and cold?" Noble Lady Qiao exclaimed, aghast. "Can none of you understand the predicament she's been put in? We should be more welcoming to her, not treat her like the enemy."
"That's a laugh," Li Mei replied, crossing her arms over her chest. "You dare think you have the right to tell us we're being ruthless and cold? Lady Qiao, you have no children to be concerned about, so of course you can say such things." It was true that the Noble Lady Qiao was young and had yet to produce a child.
"Imperial Noble Consort Wu, if I may speak," a soft voice called out.
"Yes, Lady Zhang. What is it you wish to say?"
"Xiang Yue will be staying in the palace for the time being, whether we like it or not. It would be best to at least attempt to foster a positive relationship with her for the emperor's sake." There was a unanimous agreement among the women. If there was one thing that could unite them, it was their concern for the emperor's well-being. "I think that it would be wise if she were assigned a proper teacher to help her assimilate into palace life. She doesn't have a family member or anyone to rely on. We should at least extend a helping hand to her."
"Lady Zhang's words are wise," Consort Shen agreed. "Perhaps she would benefit from a few lessons from an imperial tutor. After all, a proper education is essential for every woman of the court."
"If Lady Zhang insists," Wu Yulan began, "Then we shall follow her lead and do what we can to aid Xiang Yue in her stay at the palace. Perhaps Lady Qiao could offer her advice as well since she had so many wonderful things to say about our guest."
Lady Qiao, though visibly uncomfortable, kept her composure. She couldn't afford to openly defy Wu Yulan, the highest-ranking consort after the empress, but she also couldn't retract her earlier statement. She took a deep breath before speaking, her voice steady but submissive. "I only meant that it would be in the best interest of the palace to show some understanding, Your Ladyship. His highness may take offense if he hears that we failed to provide the girl with proper hospitality."
"Are you suggesting that I, the Imperial Noble Consort, would act in a manner that displeases the emperor? Is that what you're saying, Lady Qiao?" Her voice was a low, dangerous whisper, causing the younger woman to swallow nervously.
"N-No, of course not," Lady Qiao stammered, her face paling. "I would never question your judgment, Your Ladyship. I only meant that we should all be cautious in our approach." Her attempt to backpedal was evident, and it only served to amuse Wu Yulan further.
"How wise of you," Wu Yulan said with a smirk, leaning back into her seat. "Then you shall be responsible for ensuring that Xiang Yue is properly instructed in the ways of the palace. I trust you won't fail in this task, Lady Qiao."
Lady Qiao forced a smile, bowing her head. "I will do my best, Your Ladyship."