Battle of Palaces

"Oh! goodness, what sort of life is this"..she wailed as she sat alone and desolate in the maids quarter.

" I haven't even figured out the pieces of my life and look at me here in a strange world"..

These thoughts are capable of making one question their purpose and identity but honestly, this was the ordeal of Wu Lingyi's life.

"Hmph! Hmph!.. " Wanying coughed to get lingyi's attention as she walked in and immediately, lingyi turned.

" Sister Wanying, are you done with your chores? , Is there any-"

"Huh!?, Am I done with my what?-, .. Wanying chuckled.

"Lingyi .... Lingyi, you have not even lasted a week here and you are already questioning me! Huh!?,

"No sister, I dare not ".. lingyi immediately replied.

"You dare not, huh!?" Wanying chuckled again... "well, I wasn't all wrong about you, with time ..just with time you will show your true colours".

Lingyi only stood there gazing at Wanying as she displayed her theatrics of unfolding her main purpose of coming to Chengqian palace, it was funny to her but she dared not show it or do you expert her to laugh and then add to her list of misdeeds?.

"Ru Lingyi!!, I'm talking to you!"

"Sorry sister Wanying,what did you say?".. lingyi answered with a question, making things worst

"What did I say?" Wanying asked again with anger.

" Take this bowl and go fetch us milk from the imperial household department".. Wanying stretched a sizable bowl to her.

" sister, I don't ---".. Lingyi hesitated, fondling her hair

" oh, you don't want to go?" Wanying immediately cut in

" No! , I dare not...I will go"

" then what are you waiting for!?"

" sister, I don't really know my way to-"

..." You don't know your way!?, But you Know your way into this Palace right?, Look I don't know what your deal is , but just know that Xian Fei Niang niang personally asked me to give you this task, and if you like, disappoint her. I don't even know why I'm helping you".. Wanying said, dropped the bowl and left.

All the accusations of Wanying didn't matter to lingyi, all she cared for was how to win her Mistress heart and favor. So she picked up the bowl and prepared herself to find the imperial household department.

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Meanwhile, in luyang palace, there was no atom of piece left because Jia pin couldn't have it, the news of the emperor selecting a princess to be married to ortai was like the world was coming to an end for her.

"What!!?" ...Jia pin questioned

"Niang niang , I heard this from Momos in the imperial kitchen"...lixin replied

"No, it can't be true, it's not possible"...

Jia pin was already startled, she knew if there was anyone to be selected then it must be her daughter A'yin, she is the eldest, first princess of the emperor. Immediately, Jia pin started thinking of the best solution to avert this wave.

"But Niang niang, the first princess might not be the one chosen, let's just hope it goes in our favor"..Lixin added.

"Let's just hope!?" Jia pin questioned angrily

"I'm sorry niang niang, but there is nothing can we do"

" I cant sit back and do nothing".. Jia pin replied still battling for possible ideas.

"Niang nian-"

Jia pin immediately Interrupted Lixin with her left hand raised, " I Know what to do"

"What is it niang niang?".. Lixin asked with so much curiosity.

"I can't produce the result, but I might be able to change the outcome"..Jia pin smirked mischievously.

'Huh!... Lixin exclaimed confused.

"What do you know lixin, go and complete your chores, I need a good rest....we have to greet the Empress early tomorrow" Jia pin concluded as she made her way to her bed chamber, gesturing Lixin to leave.

"Empress?..what does the empress have to do with this now?" ...poor Lixin left to her quarters more confused and curious.

********

The imperial wives dressed in perfectly made silk, hairs well ardoned with pins and beads made of fine woods, jade, silver and even gold. They all sat in Changchun Hall in rows of succession according to their rank waiting to greet the Empress . Thier respective maids stood by their side to support them in serving tea or standing up. Each wife held a well embroidered handkerchief, some of them garnished their look with a beautiful fan which it's color suits their dress

From the concubine rank above, the imperial wives wore nail guards on the small and ring finger with the length of the nail guard depicting their rank ( Concubine/ Consort/ Noble Consort and so on..). It was crystal clear that these women are among the most beautiful in the great Qin Dynasty, each possessing their unique skills, characters and talents.

Shu fei has always been a busybody , she can't keep calm when others are .. always in search of something to heat up a conversation. This character of hers made other imperial wives to either curry favour with her or to avoid her .

Shu fei sat directly opposite to Xian fei, giving her the chance to watch and monitor every movements of Xian fei, not like Xian fei was nervous or anxious of social gatherings, she was just minding to her self, refusing to indulge in any gossips from other wives in her row.

After observing like what one might call a spy, Shu fei finally decided to draw attention.

'Hmph! Hmph!!"... Shu fei purposely coughed out loud, dropping her tea cup at the small table beside her. And at this moment, all eyes turned to where the sound came from.

"Hiao!, Xian fei jie jie..you really do look rather dashing today and your hair..(she hesitated), no one does it like you mei mei . Now everyone's attention was on Xian fei to hear what she has to say. Looking a little surprised, Consort Xian already figured that Consort Shu was about to stir up waters.

"Shu fei you flatter me..she replied with a smile, still waiting for the main deal to come up.

Consort Shu chuckled and couldn't hesitate to continue her play..."but.. Xian fei, if one should enter this hall, they might think you to be a Phoenix amongst all birds, you know... looking at how you are dressed .

"Phoenix amongst all birds!?..what is Shu fei trying to do?.. Surprised Yu Guiren (Noble lady Yu) asked Hua pin(Concubine Hua) who sat just after her

"Shu fei is throwing dirty water at Xian fei by comparing her to the Empress" Hua pin replied

"Ha?, Isn't that an offense?" Yu Guiren asked in curiosity.

"Only if Xian fei can turn the tides will it be an offense..but if not, Xian fei might be accused for trying to steal the limelight by dressing seductively "...Hua pin replied. Hua pin seemed to know all these things after her years in the forbidden city.

Already other imperial wives were all eyes and ear out at Xian fei. However, Xian fei was not one to back down from a fight..neither is she afraid to rustle some feathers.

"Shu fei...you can't possibly blame me for making you look small like a sparrow"..

Hua pin choked on her tea, followed by surprises on everyone's face.

Xian fei continued..." Perhaps during reincarnation, the creator can allow some people the privilege of choosing their background , but that is only if you get to reincarnate at all. Thus sent another wave of shock to everyone in Changchun Hall.

" You!..Shu fei exclaimed.

"Uh! Mei mei, it shouldn't be difficult for you to do so right?..I mean to be able to choose your background, ofcourse I guess not"..Xian fei concluded with a mischievous smile , taking up her tea for a sip.

"Xian fei!!.. you--"

"Phoenix!?" A voice interrupted the angry Shu fei echoing form the entrance and causing everyone to turn towards the direction of this voice.