Chapter 27 The enmity
The sky above the Su estate was painted with the warm hues of dawn, casting a serene glow over the impressive structures and neatly manicured gardens. Su Wanqing, the radiant daughter of the Su clan's branch family, strode along the pathways leading to the training courtyard. Her beauty was undeniable: luminous skin, dark hair flowing like silk, and a poise that captivated anyone who glanced her way. At only sixteen, she was already recognized for her sharp mind and her formidable skills in the arts and martial disciplines. Her family had high hopes that she would one day marry into the imperial family or perhaps even bring honor to their name as a remarkable strategist.
In the same courtyard, Su Mu Fang, her cousin from the main clan, had been practicing her own routines with a meticulous, almost fervent energy. She paused, wiping the perspiration from her brow as she noticed Su Wanqing's approach. Mu Fang had always been known as a beauty in her own right, her elegance catching the attention of many admirers, but when Wanqing entered a space, the attention inevitably shifted to her. Mu Fang's admiration had gradually turned into something darker, a sense of inadequacy gnawing at her whenever they were together.
"Wanqing," Mu Fang greeted, her tone polite but lacking warmth.
Wanqing smiled warmly. "Good morning, Sister Mu Fang. Your movements are swift; it's clear you've been practicing diligently."
Mu Fang's lips tightened. Despite the compliment, she sensed a hint of patronizing, though in reality, Wanqing's praise was genuine. She was earnest and generous, her words laced with kindness, and that was precisely what made it so maddening. Wanqing was outstanding without effort, while Mu Fang toiled every day, pushing herself to her limits to measure up.
"I see you're ready for our training session," Mu Fang replied. "Shall we begin?"
They took their places, circling each other, eyes locked in concentration. Though both were skilled, Wanqing's movements flowed with a natural grace, blending offense and defense in a seamless dance. Each step was calculated, her strikes both powerful and precise, as though she had rehearsed this moment a thousand times.
Mu Fang pushed herself, her breath quickening as she tried to anticipate Wanqing's next move. She managed to block Wanqing's strikes but felt the sting of being driven onto the defensive. Frustration bubbled beneath her calm facade, and when the session finally ended, she could barely mask her resentment.
"Your skills are exceptional," Wanqing said, offering her a hand. "I don't think I could have kept up if it weren't for the rigorous training we've been doing together."
Mu Fang took the hand, her fingers tightening around it just slightly. "Perhaps, but you make it look far too easy. You always do."
Wanqing laughed, unaware of the subtle dig. "Hard work and passion make all the difference, Sister. I know you work tirelessly; you will surpass me one day, I am certain."
That night, Mu Fang lay awake, replaying the day's events. Her thoughts churned, her envy growing deeper. She was the eldest daughter of the main Su clan branch; everything about her life had been carefully arranged to place her in the highest esteem. But in her cousin's presence, her accomplishments seemed to dim. To make matters worse, others noticed too—her parents, the servants, the elders. They spoke of Wanqing's talents with a reverence that should have been reserved for her.
As the years passed, the two cousins grew older and took on more responsibilities within the Su clan. Wanqing became a skilled strategist, advising her family in their business endeavors. She quickly gained a reputation for her keen insights and decisive actions, boosting the branch clan's influence within the family and the empire's mercantile circles. Her name was whispered in admiration, her strategies implemented with immediate results. Though Wanqing rarely spoke of it, the clan elders had been quietly discussing a potential marriage alliance that could propel her into the imperial circle.
Meanwhile, Mu Fang's life took a different turn. With her elegance and charm, she was prepared for court life, trained in every art befitting a future empress. When she turned eighteen, her engagement to the Crown Prince was formalized, fulfilling the aspirations her family had nurtured for years. The announcement brought her a sense of accomplishment—until she saw Wanqing's gentle smile at the engagement banquet.
Wanqing's expression was filled with genuine joy for her cousin, but Mu Fang saw something else in her eyes: serenity, contentment that was untouched by the ambitions that plagued Mu Fang's heart. The image of Wanqing's calm acceptance stayed with her long after the banquet, filling her with a sense of frustration and inadequacy she couldn't explain.
As the weeks passed, Mu Fang found herself resenting Wanqing's presence even more. Now that her own future as empress was secured, she expected her cousin to be envious, perhaps even desperate to find a similarly illustrious position. But Wanqing showed no signs of rivalry or resentment, only a gentle humility that cast Mu Fang's every achievement in a harsher, colder light.
One evening, a grand banquet was held in honor of Mu Fang's upcoming marriage to the Crown Prince. The palace gardens were aglow with lanterns, the air filled with laughter and the soft strains of music. Dressed in a resplendent gown embroidered with silver and jade, Mu Fang moved among the guests, nodding gracefully to nobles and officials alike, her movements rehearsed to perfection.
Wanqing was there as well, though dressed in a simpler gown. She mingled with the guests easily, her laughter ringing like a melody, her face aglow with warmth. Even in her modest attire, she seemed to attract attention effortlessly, drawing people in with her charm and sincerity.
It was then that Mu Fang overheard a conversation between two older noblewomen.
"It's such a pity that young Su Wanqing will not be joining the imperial family," one of them murmured. "Her talents would serve the empire well."
"Yes," the other agreed. "But as a member of the branch family, her options are limited. The main branch's daughter is the one engaged to the Crown Prince, after all."
They glanced at Mu Fang, giving her an approving nod before moving on, but their words left a bitter taste in her mouth. Despite all her training, despite her position, she was still seen as secondary to Wanqing's natural gifts.
In a moment of weakness, Mu Fang confided in her mother. She expected sympathy, understanding, perhaps a bit of guidance on how to handle her persistent envy. But her mother's response was anything but comforting.
"My daughter," she said, her tone severe, "you must understand that greatness often shines brighter in some than others. Your duty is to uphold the honor of the Su clan by securing your place in the imperial family. Do not waste your energy fretting over your cousin's talents."
"But Mother, she is beloved by the elders, and even Father praises her strategies—"
"Enough," her mother interrupted sharply. "You are the future empress. Wanqing's talents serve the family, but she is not meant to stand in your way."
Mu Fang bit back her frustration, nodding obediently, but the seed of resentment had already taken root deep within her. She returned to her room, her mind whirling. No matter what her mother said, she could not banish the feeling that Wanqing's light was eclipsing her own, that her accomplishments were somehow diminished in her cousin's presence.
A few months after Mu Fang's marriage, Wanqing was called upon to assist the clan in a particularly complex negotiation with foreign merchants. It was a pivotal deal that would bring immense wealth and influence to the Su clan. Her family elders were confident that she was the only one who could handle such a critical task.
The negotiations were held in a grand hall filled with dignitaries and merchants from across the empire. Wanqing, calm and poised, presented her terms with clarity and conviction, her words weaving a tapestry of trust and mutual benefit. The merchants, initially skeptical of dealing with a young woman, found themselves swayed by her vision. By the end of the negotiations, they had not only agreed to her terms but had offered additional concessions to ensure a lasting partnership.
The success of the deal brought Wanqing widespread acclaim within the clan, and even the crown prince himself heard of her accomplishments. However, this triumph only deepened Mu Fang's resentment. From her position as crown princess, she observed Wanqing's achievements with growing suspicion, convinced that her cousin was deliberately outshining her.
When Wanqing returned to the estate after the negotiations, Mu Fang paid her a visit, her expression masked in a forced smile.
"Congratulations, Wanqing. Your talents never cease to amaze me," she said, her tone laced with an edge that only Wanqing might have detected.
Wanqing, oblivious to the bitterness lurking beneath her cousin's words, bowed her head humbly. "Thank you, your highness. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve our family."
Mu Fang clenched her fists, a surge of frustration sweeping through her. How could Wanqing be so unassuming, so untouched by ambition? In that moment, she realized that her cousin's modesty only heightened her sense of inferiority. She could never rid herself of this silent rivalry, this constant comparison that she herself had created.
Over the years, Mu Fang's jealousy simmered, hidden beneath the guise of courtesy. She would carry her resentment like a shadow, never quite acknowledging it aloud, but always watching Wanqing's every move with a wary eye.
And so, their paths continued—one as the empress, beloved by the people but burdened with envy; the other as a modest, brilliant strategist, content in her role without ever seeking more than she was offered. It was a rivalry forged not in conflict, but in silence, as one cousin's jealousy festered in the shadows, while the other remained blissfully unaware.
But then, one day, Su Wanqing was called to the palace along with other women from influential families. It was that day that Su Wanqing entered the palace and became the favored Concubine Su. This was the nail that set the enmity between the two cousins.