Battle of Palaces

Consort Shu was speechless, she scanned through the room and settled her gaze at Consort Jia , who met her eyes with an innocent look, one that worsened the shame that Consort Shu felt.

"You will pay for this humiliation..you witch" Shu said to herself, turning away to face concubine Hua who immediately looked away as if she knows nothing about the just concluded battle.

Lingyi was the most confused at this point. " Shu Fei and Jia Fei have always been allies if not sisters..why the sudden change of ships?"..she wondered , staring keenly at Consort Shu and Consort Jia in attempt to get the answers she needed from their faces.

"Today is definitely not a usual one.."..she continued in her stream of thoughts. "First , it was Naing naing and His pin. Secondly, Yu guiren paying not even a single attention to anyone and then Shu Fei with Jia Fei ?". It was crystal clear to Lingyi that whatever wind coming at the forbidden city will be an event of history. And the more she thought about this, the more she feared for her position. "I must make haste while the sun still shines " she said.

Lingyi's lines of thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the large screen behind the Empress's seat opening up. The ever magnificent Empress step out with her two hands maid walking side by side with her. One of them — who is Tong, supported her mistress by the forearm.

At the sight of the Empress, all mistress supported by their maid, arose in unison, stepping out of their seat to face the empress in greeting.

"Greetings Huanghuo Niang-niang!... wishing Huanghuo Niang-niang thousands of good health and fortune!" They all echoed together, bowing with one knee to the ground.

Once settled on her throne, the empress waved her right hand, gesturing for them to arise.."remain as you were "

"Yes, niang naing!".. everyone responded.

The Empress took a total glance at everyone, then she coughed out internationally.."To what purpose is it, that you replace harmony with envy and bitterness?"... everyone looked at eachother .

The Empress continued.."Shu Fei-" Consort Shu immediately sat up.."our sole aim is to assist the emperor in governance by lessening his burdens and bearing children that will carry on this Dynasty "

"And how are we supposed to that!?" The Empress questioned, her tone palpable with anger.

"I ask again, how are you supposed to that, when all you do is banter, plan and scheme against eachother!" The Empress was leaning out of her throne now, eyes fumming with anger.

"I must say that I am disappointed in you Shu Fei" another stray bullet at Consort Shu and then, then Empress turned her gaze to Consort Jia .

"Jia Fei, you now bear a royal heir..more reason to not pay attention to unnecessary words . You must nurture your health with utmost importance, and if you need anything..do not fail to come to Changchun palace for assistance." She concluded.

"Thank you your Highness Empress for your care".. Consort Jia responded standing up from her seat as she bowed low in gratitude.

"Sit down quickly"..The Empress gestured with a smile. She took one last look at the everyone and breathed in deeply as she sat up.

One could hear the sound of a needle falling to the ground, for the silence in the room was so palapabe.

"Now , let's get into the topic of today"..the Empress addressed again, but with a calmer and soft tone." As we all know, The Empress Dowager has been away from the Forbidden city for 3 years now," she paused, waiting to see the inquisitive look on the mistress faces".

Having grasped their attention, she continued.." as we speak, The Empress dowager is on her way back to the forbidden city and we are to expect her here by tomorrow morning "

The room churned with whispers. Concubine Hua exchanged knowing glances with Consort Shu. Meanwhile, Noble lady Yu , the newest in the imperial harem was as surprised as Ru lingyi. She leaned towards Consort Jia and whispered, " Jia Fei naing naing, what kind of woman is the Empress Dowager " Noble Lady Yu asked with curiosity and anxiousness written all over face .

Consort Jia chuckled "Yu guiren, all you should know is that The Empress Dowager is the birth mother of the Emperor, their bond is obviously strong. But for the rest ..you will find out later ."

"Ohh".. Noble lady Yu replied in disappointment as she sat back straight up.

Meanwhile,as Lingyi stood behind her mistress, she tried to picture how the Empress Dowager would look. "It never occurred to me that there was an Empress dowager in the forbidden city "..she thought to herself. "Oh lingyi, what were you thinking ".

The Empress Dowager had traveled to yonghe Garden , where she practiced and devoted herself to Buddhism during the war between Qin State and Zhuo state . She vowed to spend 3 years, rendering help to the needy , practicing hospitality and offering thanksgiving at the temple if her son, the Emperor won the raging war. As it happened to be, The Emperor of Qin state won over Zhuo state and ever since then. The Empress Dowager has devoted herself to this cause.

"Upon the arrival of the Empress Dowager, the Emperor has commanded that feast be arranged to welcome her back to the forbidden city.", The Empress continued.

"And upon this notice, you all should start every preparation..No mistress must be left out in the preparation, except Consort Jia who is with child."

This statement alone pricked concubine Hua so badly. But she tried so hard in concealing her jealousy.

"I have drafted out your major roles according to your capacity. And I will have them sent to your respective palaces immediately after this gathering.

And mind you ladies, preparations are to start immediately.. no room must be given to failure"...The Empress said...more like issuing a decree and the mistresses nodded in response.

"And I will remind you once again , better be of your best behaviour towards one another, do not sour the joy of the event with your little unnecessary banters." The Empress concluded.

"Okay already, that's all for today..let's return to our palaces and make haste with our tasks "

The mistresses arose in unison once again, standing in two rows facing the Empress as they bowed .."I will take my leave " , they all said as they filed out after one another. Noble Consort Ling nodding at the Empress before talking her leave .

The hall became empty and calm, left with just the Empress and her two maid. Tong who had watched the display from the sideline , behind the Empress couldn't't help swallow her curiousity.

"Huanghuo Niang naing?" She called out gently, the empress nodding to hear her words.

"I fear greatly for Consort Jia...this journey will not be an easy one for her "

"I couldn't agree more Tong , but it's her burden to bear, the highest we can do is lend a helping hand...or is it not?"

"Hmmmmm"...Tong breathed out in concern "you are right Niang niang ".

Outside Changchun hall, the Mistresses trailed to their respective palace with their entourage behind them. But Concubine Hua wouldn't return so soon to her palace without a word to her new found ally.

"Shu Fei naing naing..." She called out , walking up to meet Consort Shu.