Battle of Palaces

Eunuch Liu's feet brushed lightly against the polished marble floor as he waved toward the procession. "Take them in," he commanded, his voice echoing through the grand halls of this particular palace. The servants bowed in unison and began filing through the doorway, bearing the exquisite treasures with reverence. Jade ornaments, bolts of silk, porcelain vases, and trays of delicacies—each item fit for royalty—were carried inside with care.

Eunuch Liu followed behind the last servant, his expression glowing with satisfaction. The glimmer of pride in his eyes was hard to miss as he approached the mistress of the palace, who sat poised yet radiant, her aura exuding quiet triumph.

"Congratulations, Consort Jia," Eunuch Liu greeted, bowing halfway, his voice lined with exaggerated reverence. "The heavens themselves shine their favor upon you."

Jia's lips curved into a serene smile as she reached out, lightly touching his upper arm in a gesture to forgo the formality. "Enough of that, Eunuch Liu. Such dramatics are not necessary."

Behind her stood Lixin, her ever loyal maid, with expression beaming with satisfaction as she directed the servants where to place the gifts. Each treasure that was carefully arranged felt like a testament to her mistress's growing power—and by extension, her own position. Lixin's pride swelled with every passing moment; as Jia's shadow, she basked in the glory that had now enveloped the household.

Consort Jia leaned back against her chair, her calm demeanor masking the whirlwind of emotions swirling beneath. It wasn't just the gifts that mattered—it was what they represented. Her pregnancy, officially acknowledged by the Emperor himself, solidified her position in the palace hierarchy. The Forbidden City is going to tremble with the whispers of her triumph.

By mid-morning, the news had spread like wildfire through every corridor and courtyard. Consort Jia's pregnancy was the talk of the palace, sending ripples of shock, envy, and curiosity among the imperial consorts and their entourages.

At Chengqian Palace.

Ru Lingyi hesitated outside her mistress's chamber, clutching her hands tightly as if to steady herself. She knew this news would strike a nerve with Consort Xian, even if she tried her best to conceal it. Lingyi took a deep breath and entered, bowing deeply before her mistress who sat calmly reading a book.

"Niang-niang," she began cautiously, "there is news from Qixiang Palace."

Consort Xian's sharp gaze immediately snapped to her maid. "Speak."

"It has been officially announced— that Consort Jia is with child," Lingyi said, keeping her tone neutral but observing her mistress closely.

For a moment, silence hung heavily in the air. Consort Xian's expression remained composed, but Lingyi noticed the slight tightening of her jaw and the flicker of emotion in her eyes.

"Good for her," Xian said evenly, her tone calm yet distant. "May the heavens bless her with a healthy child."

Lingyi bowed again and excused herself, but as she retreated to her quarters, she couldn't shake the feeling that the Consort's composure was a facade. However, Inside, Xian sat motionless, her mind spiraling. The news gnawed at her pride. Would Jia's rising influence threaten her position? Her hands clenched tightly around the edges of her chair as unspoken fears took root.

At Changchun Palace.

The Empress walked across her garden, tending to a bed of chrysanthemums as Tong stood close by, holding a basket of cut flowers. The tranquil setting belied the gravity of their conversation.

"Tong," the Empress said, her voice serene as she snipped a stem, "what do you make of this news about Qixiang Palace?"

Tong hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "Huanghuo Niang-niang, with all due respect, I fear for her. Her rise in favor might bring unwanted attention. It is often those who fly too high that fall the hardest."

The Empress nodded thoughtfully, placing the fresh blossom in Tong's basket. "True, but if she plays her cards carefully, this child could strengthen her position irrevocably. It all depends on her next move."

Tong's brow furrowed. "Do you think she is capable of navigating such treacherous waters, niang-niang?"

The Empress smiled faintly, brushing dirt from her hands. "We shall see, Tong. We shall see."

At Yanxi Palace.

Noble Consort Ling sat at her writing desk, her brush gliding effortlessly over a sheet of rice paper as her maid ground fresh ink beside her. Her movements were steady and deliberate, exuding an air of indifference.

"Niang-niang," her maid ventured cautiously, "what are your thoughts on Consort Jia's news? Should we take any action?"

Ling didn't pause or even glance up from her work. Instead, she let out a soft scoff, her lips curling into a faint smirk.

"Action? What need do I have for action?" she replied coolly. "Let the others scurry about like ants. Her fortune is of no concern to me."

Xiu'er bowed her head, murmuring her agreement, but inside, she wondered if her mistress's aloofness was genuine—or merely a calculated facade.

At Luyang Palace, however, the atmosphere was anything but serene. The sharp sound of shattering porcelain echoed through the halls as Concubine Hua threw another teacup to the ground. A'rou flinched, her heart pounding as she took a cautious step back. Her mistress was like a lioness cornered, her fury palpable and terrifying.

Concubine Hua stood up abruptly, her movements sharp and deliberate as she began pacing the room. Her silk robes swished around her, their elegance at odds with the storm brewing within her.

"She becomes a Consort, and now she's carrying a royal heir?" Hua muttered, her voice a mix of incredulity and venom. "Hua Mei, have you not had enough humiliation?"

A'rou's eyes darted nervously, unsure whether to speak or remain silent. Finally, she summoned the courage to ask, "Niang-niang, perhaps you should—"

"Silence!" Hua snapped, whirling around to face her. "Do not speak unless spoken to!"

A'rou bowed deeply, trembling slightly.

Hua's pacing slowed down, her steps measured and deliberate. Her anger seemed to transform into something colder, more calculating. She stopped suddenly, standing still as if struck by a revelation. Her lips curled into a smile—not a pleasant one, but the kind that sent shivers down A'rou's spine.

"What a fool I've been," Hua murmured, her tone shifting to one of quiet triumph. "The perfect opportunity has been right before me, and I never saw it."

"Niang-niang?" A'rou ventured hesitantly. "What opportunity?"

Hua turned slowly, her gaze sharp and piercing. "This is not for you to understand yet," she said, her voice smooth but final. "Just know that the game has changed."

She sank gracefully into her chair, her earlier rage replaced by a chilling composure. A'rou dared not press further, though her curiosity burned. Instead, she bowed deeply and stepped back, watching her mistress with a mix of fear and awe.

Hua's fingers drummed lightly against the table that once carried the shattered teacups, her mind already crafting the next move in her intricate web of schemes. The storm within her had not abated—it had merely taken on a more sinister form.

As the Forbidden City buzzed with speculation and anticipation, each mistress plotted her next move, their alliances and rivalries shaping the intricate dance of power. Consort Jia's pregnancy had sent ripples through the palace, but the true waves were yet to come.

In the shadows, unseen and unheard, the wheels of intrigue turned, setting the stage for a clash that would shake the very foundations of the imperial harem.