As Ru Lingyi stepped into her quarters, her mind reeled back to the series of events that had taken place, the furious concubine she didn't even know, the mystery man, and now Wanying's suspicion, it all spun in her head.
Confused and worried, Lingyi sank onto her bed, questioning her place in this strange world. She lay flat, staring at the ceiling, wondering if this was a sign or a mission to uncover something secret.
"Tsskk," she clicked her tongue in frustration, suddenly remembering the man again.
"But who was he?" she asked herself. "The concubine's guard? A visitor? Or was he really an assassin? Ohh! Lingyi, think...think!" she groaned, rolling around on her bed.
Then she froze, becoming perfectly still. Her eyes widened, like a puzzle piece had finally clicked. "No, he couldn't be an assassin," she thought, sitting up, arms crossed. "If he was, why didn't he kill me when I saw his face? Why let me escape?"
"Humph!" Lingyi sighed, falling back onto her bed, defeated. She couldn't figure out who the man was or what his purpose could be. Tired from frustration and too many thoughts, she eventually drifted off to sleep.
Meanwhile, back at the Central Palace, daylight was fading into dusk. Long shadows stretched across the elegant hallways. Lanterns began to glow softly, casting a warm, flickering light over the rich golden decorations that lined the palace walls, showing scenes of royalty.
Inside the Empress's private rooms, she sat before a large, carved wooden screen, decorated with phoenixes and peonies.
She was getting ready for the night, her silk robes rustling softly with every move. Tong, her loyal handmaid, moved carefully around her, her hands quick and skilled as she began to unfasten the many layers of the Empress's clothes.
Empress Huang, graceful and dignified, sat calmly. Her long, dark hair was slowly being unbound by Tong, each pin and ornament carefully placed aside.
aThe Empress seemed lost in thought, and a heavy silence hung between her and Tong, filled with the unspoken events of the day. As Tong worked, she couldn't help but steal glances at the Empress in the mirror, her mind buzzing with questions she dared not voice out.
The morning had been a lot to handle. Consort Ning's disrespect had shocked everyone. And Concubine Jia's news about the princess's marriage selection, and her attempt to shift attention to the Second Princess, had been a blatant power play.
Tong, and all the other servants there, had fully expected a much harsher punishment for Consort Ning and at least a little reprimand for Concubine Jia. But no, the Empress's reaction had been surprisingly mild, leaving a strange feeling of unease among the palace staff. Finally, unable to hold back her curiosity, Tong gathered her courage and spoke.
"Empress," Tong began, her hands pausing, "why didn't your majesty punish Consort Ning more for her behavior this morning? She really went too far."
The Empress stayed silent for a moment, her gaze fixed on no particular object beyond the
screen. The question hung in the air. Then, with a soft sigh, the Empress looked from the screen and met Tong's eyes in the mirror.
"Tong, sometimes the best punishment isn't the one that happens right away," she said, her voice calm and steady. "Consort Ning did go overboard, but I won't dirty my hands punishing her today. I've left her for someone far more cruel and deliberate." The Empress's gaze shifted to her own reflection on the mirror, a smirk curled up at the corner of her lips.
Tong froze, surprised and curious. "Your majesty, you mean..." Tong started, staring at the Empress through the mirror, waiting for an answer.
"Noble Consort Wei," the Empress replied, raising an eyebrow.
"The Noble Consort?" Tong asked, her burrows furrowed almost together,her curiosity pushing her to continue. "Your Majesty...why would Noble Consort Ling-"
"Take matters into her own hands?" the Empress finished, as Tong quickly nodded in agreement.
"Hmph!" The Empress chuckled. "Tong, with Consort Ning running wild without limits, who would be more bothered by her behavior, more threatened?" Tong's gaze darted sideways as she tried to grasp the meaning of the Empress's words, a few seconds of silence passed, and then Tong understood. Consort Ning was just one rank below Noble Consort Wei. If Noble Consort Wei allowed Consort Ning to get away with her disgraceful act in front of the Empress and other imperial wives, Wei's own position would be at risk. Her noble rank was something she deeply valued. So, Noble Consort Wei would have to protect her position and would definitely not let Consort Ning off easy.
Tong's brow relaxed slightly in awe of the Empress's shrewdness. "Your Majesty, I understand," she replied, her tone showing her newfound understanding as her hands resumed working on the Empress's hair.
Tong's hands slowed again, and with a questioning look in the mirror, she asked, "But your majesty...won't others see this as a sign of weakness? Won't they think you are...too lenient?" She said, biting the last set of words.
The Empress's lips curved into a faint, mysterious smile. Then she began, "Strength, Tong, isn't always shown through harshness. Sometimes, it's about showing restraint. By acting as I did, I've planted seeds of doubt and fear in the hearts of those who might try to challenge me. Other imperial wives will wonder what I'm planning, what consequences will eventually hit Consort Ning. In this uncertainty lies my true power." she concluded.
Tong nodded slowly, starting to grasp the deeper strategy. The Empress's wisdom and foresight were often overlooked in the palace. "Your Majesty is wise," Tong added softly, admiration clear in her voice.
The Empress reached up, placing a gentle hand on Tong's. "Tong, the court and the imperial harem are different, but also similar in certain ways. They are like a game of chess. Every move must be planned, and every decision must be weighed for its possible outcome."
Tong nodded, feeling the weight of the Empress's words. As she continued to help the Empress with her evening routine, her mind was at ease with this new understanding. She realized that the Empress's real strength wasn't just in punishing quickly, but in her ability to control the situation and manipulate palace politics with subtle cleverness.
The room fell into a comfortable silence once more. But that didn't last long, Tong remembered Concubine Jia's situation and couldn't hold back her desire for more palace gossip.
"But your Majesty...something still confuses me," Tong asked, waiting for the Empress to offer more wisdom.
"You mean Concubine Jia's problem?" the Empress asked, looking directly at Tong in the mirror.
"Your majesty is always one step ahead of me," Tong said with a small smile, and they both shared a quiet laugh.
"Your majesty, how did the news get to the North Palace all the way from the court without Your Majesty knowing about it?" Tong pressed, still puzzled by that detail.
The Empress's face remained calm as she replied, "Tong, it was a trap set for Concubine Jia, and she walked right into it."
"A trap!?" Tong asked, her eyes lighting up in surprise.