Halfway along their path, a crisp slap echoed through the palace corridor ahead.
"You dare to stand in my way?"
"Concubine Xue, please quell your anger! I did not see you..."
A woman of striking beauty was chastising another consort.
This was a main passage leading to Jingxi Palace. Many concubines passing by witnessed the scene, yet none dared to linger, all hurriedly lowering their heads as they walked past.
"Cousin, that is Concubine Xue. Let's go quickly..." Tang Miaoling murmured in a hushed tone.
Though she was domineering within the Ning family, she was by no means witless—merely the type to bully the weak while fearing the strong. She never flaunted herself before those of greater standing.
Concubine Xue was among the highest-ranked women selected in this recent palace draft.
She hailed from the Duke of Su's manor.
When the Great Yan Dynasty was founded, the first emperor had ennobled the generals who had fought by his side, granting them hereditary titles: two dukes, four marquises, and twenty-one earls. These titles were to be passed down for eternity, their fortunes tied to the empire's fate.
Though in later years, some were ennobled for military merit, their titles rarely lasted beyond three generations—none could compare to the ironclad nobility of those original founding families.
These founding aristocrats were, in the eyes of the world, the true nobility.
Even a declining earldom like the Ning family had the right to be selective when arranging marriages, often choosing from third- or fourth-rank officials. Much less could ordinary families dream of marrying into the two great ducal houses, whose commanders held immense military power, defending the empire's borders for generations.
With each reign, a new sovereign ruled, yet in every reign, the ducal families remained.
During the late emperor's time, both the empress and the imperial noble consort came from these ducal houses, each bearing a son.
For the throne, the two factions waged relentless strife, their conflict ending in tragedy—both the crown prince (the empress's son) and Prince Ying (the imperial noble consort's son) perished.
Amidst the turmoil, the emperor passed away.
It was then that the current ruler was placed on the throne by the ministers.
But to say "the ministers" is misleading—for nearly nine out of ten high-ranking officials were aligned with the ducal houses. His ascension was, in truth, a calculated compromise between the two powerful factions.
The new emperor's birth mother was of humble origin and had passed away early. During his father's reign, he had remained a mere idle prince, never involved in court affairs, seemingly uninformed of governance.
Yet his Empress Yuanxiao hailed from a collateral branch of the Duke of Su's family—his in-laws. Meanwhile, his favored consort, Noble Consort Shu, was a relative by marriage to the Duke of Xin.
His ties to both factions were light, yet undeniable.
If he took the throne, the Duke of Su's household would gain an empress, while the Duke of Xin's house would see their kin as a powerful consort. Both sides would benefit.
Moreover, with the empress's seat left vacant, they could still send more daughters into the palace to compete for favor.
With such considerations, among all the imperial sons, he became the most suitable choice.
Concubine Xue understood this well—her grandfather had explained it to her in no uncertain terms. She had entered the palace for one purpose alone: the empress's throne.
She was the eldest legitimate daughter of the Duke of Su's primary lineage. Her full-blooded sister had once been the crown princess. Her paternal aunt was none other than the Empress Dowager Xue.
Even a collateral cousin she barely acknowledged had been chosen as Empress Yuanxiao.
How could a daughter of the Xue family not aspire to the highest seat?
"Hmph!" Concubine Xue struck the woman before her several more times, her handprint burning red upon the concubine's delicate cheek. Only then did she turn and stride away.
Her maidservant hurriedly cautioned, "My lady, you have only just entered the palace... this may not be wise..."
"I did it for the newcomers to see. And for Noble Consort Shu to see." A flicker of cold disdain crossed Concubine Xue's eyes. "What right does she have to rule over the six palaces? If not for my useless cousin dying young, she would never have had this opportunity."
Her tone sharpened.
"Now that I am here, I must establish my authority—let one serve as an example to the rest."
At that, the maidservant fell silent.
Her mistress had never been arrogant or unruly in her maiden years—always composed, always refined. Every action now, surely, was driven by purpose.
Ning Wanyin and Tang Miaoling arrived at Jingxi Palace and paid their respects to the lady seated at the head—Noble Consort Shu.
Dressed in a deep violet gown embroidered with golden phoenixes, the consort exuded a composed grace. She smiled gently and said, "You may rise, both of you. Since you are cousins, I had you placed within the same palace, so you might have each other for support."
Tang Miaoling's heart sank, though she had no choice but to express gratitude.
In the brief month of memories she retained from her past life, Noble Consort Shu had seemed a kind and attentive woman, one who genuinely cared for the concubines.
Ning Wanyin also murmured her thanks.
Yet the consort's words held deeper meaning—first, an act of favor, reminding them of her influence; second, a warning, making clear who ruled the inner court.
A balance of grace and power, all wrapped in gentle propriety—she bore the manner of a virtuous empress.
But if she could know they were cousins, how could she not also know how domineering Tang Miaoling had been in the Ning household?
Placing them together was no kindness. It was a test—to see them turn against each other.
A cunning move.
However, with Tang Miaoling's abrupt change in demeanor, Noble Consort Shu would have to wait longer for any spectacle.
"Acting as if she were the empress herself—such pretense," scoffed a voice from the side.
It was Consort Zhuang, rolling her eyes in disdain.
Adorned in a gown of pearl-stitched silk, she dripped in jeweled finery. Like Noble Consort Shu, she had been a favored consort even before the emperor's ascension.
The sovereign had even broken ancestral tradition for her, granting her the title of consort despite her lack of an heir.
He had entrusted her with raising the late empress's only daughter, the eldest princess.
She was, without question, the most favored woman in the six palaces.
Noble Consort Shu merely cast her a sidelong glance, her smile unwavering.
Seated below them, Zhaoyi Fang interjected smoothly, "Noble Consort Shu governs the six palaces on behalf of the late empress. Perhaps it simply reminds Consort Zhuang of the former empress?"
Noble Consort Shu gave Zhaoyi Fang an approving look and replied with a gracious smile, "Consort Zhuang overpraises me. I am far from comparable to the late empress."
Consort Zhuang's expression stiffened.
She had always been one to stir conflict, but she was not particularly eloquent—whenever she crossed words with Noble Consort Shu, she never emerged victorious.
The newer concubines kept their gazes lowered, feigning ignorance of the exchange.
Among them were two newly arrived concubines of extraordinary lineage.
One, strikingly beautiful—Concubine Xue, the very same who had just delivered the beating outside.
The other, elegant and serene—Concubine Cen, the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Xin.
Their presence quieted the entire hall.
Many had witnessed Concubine Xue's earlier display, expecting her to be equally unyielding before Noble Consort Shu and Consort Zhuang.
Yet she and Concubine Cen both carried themselves with impeccable courtesy, their every gesture above reproach.
Noble Consort Shu greeted them with warmth.
Even Consort Zhuang, ever eager to find fault, held her tongue.
Meanwhile, Zhaoyi Fang, who had been quick to align herself with the dominant force, subtly shifted in her seat, as if uneasy.
A sudden, tense silence filled the chamber.
At that moment, a figure entered—the concubine who had been slapped earlier. Her face was still red and swollen.
"Oh dear, what happened to your face, Lady Zhou?" Noble Consort Shu asked, feigning concern.
"It is nothing," Zhou Guiren murmured, eyes downcast, unwilling to complain. She understood well—one did not cross the Xue family lightly.
Indeed, in this palace, few could afford to.
The room fell into silence.
Only Concubine Cen, glancing briefly at Concubine Xue before turning to Lady Zhou, spoke in a soft voice, "Such a delicate face—it would be a pity if the injury left a mark. My maid is skilled in preparing salves for swelling. Biqing, bring a jar for Lady Zhou."
Her attendant promptly stepped forward with a small container of ointment.
Concubine Xue flicked a glance at Concubine Cen and let out a soft scoff, her expression unreadable.
Ning Wanyin observed quietly.
Like Zhou Guiren, she too came from a fallen noble family.
If she failed to find a foothold in this palace, she would be just as easily trampled underfoot.
A warning, written in blood and bruises.