Battle of Palaces

The dark atmosphere at Qixiang Palace was calm, the air scented with the faint fragrance of orchids. Consort Jia sat by her writing desk, the flickering lamb-light casting a soft glow over her delicate features as her brush moved fluidly over the paper, tracing elegant characters, though her mind was far from focused on her calligraphy. The calm of the evening was deceptive, masking the turbulence that had entered her life since the appearance of the little one growing in her.

Behind her, Lixin moved silently, adjusting the room in preparation for her mistress to retire. The maid worked with precision, yet her hands trembled ever so slightly as she placed an incense burner at one corner of the room. Her mind was consumed by the implications of recent events. The announcement of her Mistress's pregnancy had spread like wildfire, drawing attention from every corner of the Forbidden City. This was no mere piece of gossip—it was a storm waiting to descend.

"Lixin," Consort Jia called softly, her voice breaking the silence.

Lixin turned quickly, startled from her thoughts. "Yes, niang niang?" she replied, bowing slightly.

"If you are tired, you can retire for the night. You've done enough," Jia said, her tone gentle but firm.

Lixin immediately straightened. "I dare not, niang niang. I am ever ready to serve you." Her voice was steady, but her face betrayed her unease.

Consort Jia's sharp eyes did not miss this. She placed her brush down and turned to face her maid fully, her expression a mix of curiosity and concern. "Something is troubling you," she said. "What is it?"

Lixin hesitated, her fingers twisting nervously as she stepped closer. "Niang niang…" she began, her voice faltering. "It is the news of your pregnancy. It brings joy, but it also brings... risks."

Consort Jia tilted her head slightly, her brows knitting in mild surprise. "Risks?"

Lixin lowered her eyes. "Yes, niang niang. Your condition will not go unnoticed by those who see your rise as a threat. You are no longer just a concubine as before—your rank has risen, and the Emperor's favor shines brightly upon you. The birth of a royal heir will only make your enemies more determined."

Consort Jia let out a soft scoff, her lips curling into a faint smile. "Lixin, are you forgetting that I have already birthed the first princess? I am no stranger to this."

"Yes, niang niang, these are not the risks I talk about and furthermore, the circumstances were different then," Lixin pressed, her tone cautious but firm.

"Back then, you were not recognized. You were not basking in the Emperor's grace as you are now. This time, the stakes are far higher. Your child could change the balance of power in the Forbidden City."

Consort Jia's smile faded, and she leaned back in her seat, her eyes narrowing slightly. Lixin took another step forward, her voice lowering. "Our enemies are watching from the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to strike us that are in broad bright light . They will not sit idly by while you rise higher."

These words struck a chord. Consort Jia's expression stiffened, her hands curling slightly over the arms of her chair. She had been trying to suppress these thoughts, pushing them to the back of her mind in an attempt to enjoy the rare moments of peace that came with her temporal victory. But now, Lixin had voiced what she had feared to admit.

"Niang niang…" Lixin's voice softened, a note of pleading creeping into her tone. "We must be cautious. Every step must be carefully calculated. The Emperor's favor is a blessing, but it also paints a target on your back."

Consort Jia let out a slow breath, sinking deeper into her chair. "You're right," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "I've been trying to convince myself otherwise, but the truth is clear. We are not safe, are we?"

Lixin shook her head. "No, niang niang. But with vigilance and strategy, we might be able to navigate this. You have always been clever, and I have faith in you."

Consort Jia's eyes softened, a faint smile returning to her lips. "Thank you, Lixin. Your loyalty gives me strength."

Lixin bowed deeply. "I will always stand by you, niang niang."

---

Meanwhile, in Luyang Palace, the atmosphere was far from calm, totally in contrast to the serenity in Qixiang Palace. Concubine Hua sat in her lavish hall, her lips curling into a predatory smile as she sipped her tea. The news of Consort Jia's pregnancy had not only reached her ears but had also ignited a fierce determination within her. She had spent the day devising a plan, or more so— a grand scheme that, if executed correctly, would bring her rival crashing down.

The silence of the room was interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. Hua glanced up to see A'rou entering the hall, her head bowed respectfully. The maid had been busy arranging the consort's bedding but had rushed to answer the summons.

"You called for me, niang niang?" A'rou asked, her voice soft.

"Yes," Concubine Hua replied, setting down her cup. "I need you to do something very important for me"....Prepare the brocade the Emperor gifted me during my concubine rank celebration. Clean it thoroughly and fold it neatly."

A'rou blinked, confused by the unusual request. "The brocade, niang niang? The one you've kept locked away?"

Concubine Hua's sharp gaze landed on her maid, her lips curling slightly. "Did I stutter?..or have you suddenly developed blocked ears?"

"No, niang niang," A'rou replied quickly, bowing low. She hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "May I ask… for whom the gift is intended?"

Hua's smile deepened, though it did not reach her eyes. "Curiosity can be dangerous, A'rou. Do as you're told."

The maid bowed again and quickly retreated, leaving Hua alone with her thoughts. The mistress leaned back in her chair, a self-satisfied smirk playing on her lips.

What a fool I've been, she thought, her fingers drumming lightly on the armrest. The perfect opportunity came staring at me in the face, and I nearly missed it.

Her mind raced with the possibilities, each one more tantalizing than the last. The brocade was just the beginning—a symbol of her intent, one that will turn to her base scheme. By the time she was finished, the Forbidden City would be buzzing with chaos, and Consort Jia would be at the center of it all.

"The morning cannot come soon enough?" Hua murmured to herself, her smile widening.

As the night deepened, the contrast between Qixiang Palace and Luyang Palace grew more pronounced. In one, Consort Jia sat quietly, grappling with the weight of her situation, her trusted maid by her side. In the other, Concubine Hua reveled in her dark plans, her ambition burning brighter than ever.

Yet, for both women, the dawn would bring new challenges. The Forbidden City was a place where alliances shifted like the wind, where enemies lurked in every shadow, and where even the smallest misstep could lead to ruin.

And as the lamb-lights flickered in the night, their flames seemed to whisper of the battles yet to come.