The room seemed to remain still as the figure approached, everyone turned from the first row to the last, the rays of royalty, poise, and elegance radiated from within her. Her confidence exuded with every step she took and every movement she made. The colors of her ensemble created a unison between satin, silk, and brocade. The jade and silver hairpins knew where to sit perfectly in her delicate coiffure, depicting her status amongst the ladies.
She sashayed in, supported by her maid who held onto her left arm, a practice in the imperial harem that enabled the ladies to move elegantly in the flower-pot sole shoes without tripping. On her left hand, she wielded a beautiful brocade hand fan that anyone could tell from one look was meticulously crafted. As she approached closely, the other ladies either nodded in acknowledgment or adjusted their apparel in unease.
"It is the Noble Consort," Noble Lady An whispered, her voice low but audible enough to pass on the message to Concubine Qin who sat by her side, she artistically concealed ever parting her lips as she wiped off the invisible dust from her mouth using her handkerchief.
Noble Consort Wei's reputation preceded her in Wu Kingdom, she was not just any beauty but a master of the six arts, music, calligraphy, chess, poetry, painting, etiquette and dance. Her story of moving up the ranks bore a great contrast from others, considering her low background compared to other imperial wives, and thus, she was amongst the great forces to reckon with in the imperial harem.
"Your Highness, Noble Consort," Consort Ning said, forcing a smile, the weight of forced reverence dulling her tone.
"Consort Ning… you truly are something," Noble Consort Ling remarked, settling into the first seat just below the empress's elevated dais on the opposite column to Ning.
"Thank you, Your Highness, for your compliment," Ning replied with a poised smile, believing that Wei had come to fuel her scheme but unaware that quite the opposite was about to unfold.
"Compliment? Humph!" Noble Consort Wei chuckled, passing the tea cup she sipped to her maid by her side. It was at this moment that it struck everyone that Noble Consort Wei was about to turn the tide, but Consort Yang remained unfazed, for she knew, regardless of how events unfolded, the outcome would inevitably be against Ning.
"Consort Ning…by Phoenix, who exactly were you referring to?" Noble Consort Wei asked, absently admiring her nail guard, as if the question was of no real importance to her.
Consort Ning froze. Her mind raced, yet no answer came, nothing that would sound pleasing enough to pull her off the hook unscathed. She stuttered, struggling to conceal the fear that gripped her. "O-oh! Y-your Highness, the-the Phoenix is-"
"The queen of all birds," Noble Consort Wei interjected without so much as glancing up, her focus instead was on the delicate embroidery of her handkerchief. Everyone in the Central Hall knew the storm brewing beneath her calm demeanor.
Consort Ning trembled visibly, preparing to speak, but Noble Consort Wei cut in again.
"And by the queen of all birds, you mean the Empress…correct?"
The words struck like a blade. Consort Ning instantly collapsed to her knees. "Your Highness! I dare not!"
"You dare not?" Noble Consort Wei leaned forward, her voice sharp with authority, her eyes piercing Ning like a sword.
Silence gripped the hall. Even Concubine Jia, who never left Consort Ning's side, was paralyzed in her seat. The weight of Noble Consort Wei's rank bore down on them all.
Wei's voice was measured, yet merciless. "Oh? You dare not? But right before everyone, you claimed the Empress was unfit to rule the Six Palaces, and that Consort Yang is a better replacement. How audacious of you!"
Consort Ning gasped, her lips parted but words denied her, her face was drained of all color. This was no mere reprimand, it was a death sentence in disguise.
"What place is the imperial harem?" Wei continued coldly. "That you think you can gossip so openly about Her Majesty…even in her palace? Well, I will not dirty my hands with judgment. After all, I wouldn't want to be accused of trying to become the Empress overnight. Let us wait for Her Majesty to deliver her verdict." Noble Consort Wei concluded as she leaned back with effortless grace, fanning herself as if cooling the fire she had just ignited.
Noble Consort Wei is remarkable," Noble Lady An murmured to Concubine Qin in awe.
"Sister, Consort Ning is finished," Concubine Qin smirked.
"She sure is," Noble lady An replied, nodding instinctively.
Am I that bad of an Empress that some people cannot wait to dethrone me right in my palace!?" The voice thundered into the Hall, every head turned with instinctive speed toward its source.
Suddenly, the door behind the Empress's royal seat swung open, and Empress Huang stepped out, clad in her full glory. On either side, a maid followed, their steady steps echoing across the grand hall.
After losing a pregnancy at eight months, the Empress had been relieved of her duties, forced into recovery while Noble Consort Wei governed the six palaces and imperial harem. Five months had passed, which was long enough for whispers to spread like wildfire. Doubts lingered, speculations flew like the wind, would she ever return? Or had her reign already withered?
But as the saying goes, When the lion is down, even the weakest of dogs take advantage of it.
And thus, Consort Ning, confident of rumors, had begun to act with unchecked arrogance, even before the Empress's palace.
As Empress Huang advanced to take her seat, all imperial wives rose, forming two precise lines, one on her right, led by Noble Consort Ling, the other on her left, headed by Consort Ning. Their heads bowed, their expressions unreadable.
"Greetings, Your Majesty, The Empress! Wishing Your Majesty thousands of good fortunes and health!"
Their voices echoed in unison as they knelt, one knee touching the floor.
"Sisters…you are excused from formality." The Empress gestured, raising her hand, a silent command for them to rise, which they did, returning to their seats.
Everyone remained vigilant, their eyes sharp, waiting for the Empress to address the storm before them. Consort Ning however, could hardly breathe as the suspense weighed upon her.
The Empress smiled, waiting for a moment of silence to endure and then at last, she broke the ice.
"I have been away due to my health, leaving Noble Consort Wei to shoulder the harem's affairs. Much has happened in my absence, and it has allowed certain dogs to bark, unchecked and without restraint." The empress said, shooting Consort Ning a glare before returning her gaze to the other wives.
"Hmph!" Concubine Jia coughed.
Empress Huang continued "I say to you all…sisters, that I have returned, in full health, thanks to His Majesty and your well wishes. And as such, I will tolerate no arrogance and no disrespect in my halls." Sudden silence fell on everyone, gazes bore at one another, only the uneasy rustle of sleeves and silks were heard.
The Empress's eyes swept across the hall, landing with precision.
"Consort Ning!"