A boring tale part 3

"This concubine thank the Emperor for his gifts," Noble Lady Lan, now known as Imperial Consort Lan, kneels and received the Imperial verdict with both hands. However, there was no expression on her face. The head eunuch frowned a little in confusion before handing her the Imperial verdict.

Imperial Consort Lan's maidservant directs the servants carrying the gifts while she sat comfortably at her table, sipping her tea. Keeping his head down, the eunuch spoke to her.

"The Emperor wishes to see you tonight. Would Imperial Consort come to the Emperor's chambers later this evening?"

Imperial Consort Lan lowered her eyelids and sighed. Shaking her head, she gave the head eunuch a feeble smile.

"My apologies, my body is fragile and had caught a cold due to the trauma the other day. Would the head eunuch kindly relay my message to the Emperor?"

The head eunuch widened his eyes at her words in disbelief. Normally concubines would kill for a chance to visit the Emperor but Imperial Consort Lan seemed indifferent about this? Then again, she does look pale and sickly. Such an unfortunate coincidence. The head eunuch nodded and headed back to the Emperor's side.

"Why did you decline the Emperor's invitation?" Her maidservant returned to her side after she is done directing the gifts to the storeroom.

Slowly and gently, Imperial Consort Lan blew the surface of her tea before taking another sip. "You are still too young to understand such matters," was her reply to her maidservant.

"But you are only older than this servant by a few years, my Lady." The maidservant grumbled. She had stayed with Imperial Consort Lan from when she entered the Imperial Harem and it has been a few years since then. They had become close and the maidservant would talk informally to her mistress when no one else is around. Imperial Consort Lan permitted it of course.

"Indeed. But it is these few years that this Lady had learned things you do not know so just follow my lead and there will be a good play later," the maidservant tilts her head to the side, not understanding her Lady's words.

"Does that mean you are not going to endure anymore, my Lady?" The maidservant asked excitedly. The first thing that her Lady said to her when she first met her was that if she were to follow her, her days would not be peaceful and that she will have to endure many things. The maidservant had replied that the moment she is her Lady, she would follow her till she dies.

"Hmm," Imperial Consort Lan hummed in agreement before she set aside her teacup. "Help me retrieve some paper and ink, I wish to write a letter back to my father."

The letter that Imperial Consort Lan wishes to write contains her good wishes and asking about the well-being of her family members. Most of the content was her telling her father about the discovery of tea leaves but to most people, that was it. She is sure that when this letter is read by her father, he would know what she is trying to say.

As she wrote, she did not notice that the sky went darker and darker. It was until her maidservant rushed in and quickly notified her that Imperial Consort Qin has arrived at her palace. Without a hint of surprise, Imperial Consort Lan laid her brush down and stood up from her chair. As she entered the room, Imperial Consort Qin was sipping tea given to her by the maidservants. Imperial Consort Qin put down her teacup and stood up with a smile.

"Sister, I have come to congratulate you. With the Empress removed and Imperial Consort Rui executed, there is only Imperial Consort Su and us left among the highest-ranking consorts. We have to take care of each other." Reaching to hold her arm, Imperial Consort Qin led her to the host's chair and assisted her to sit down.

Imperial Consort Lan did not express a single emotion on her face as she sat down on her seat. She eyed Imperial Consort Qin as she went back to her seat and waved for her maidservant.

"There is no need for tea," the maidservant nodded at her mistress's order.

"I have heard that sister has been selected to serve the Emperor tonight but was unwell and hence, declined. Maybe sister has never served the Emperor before and is unsure of how things work around here but sister, no one has ever declined an invitation before." Imperial Consort Qin's words seemed nice on the surface but Imperial Consort Lan could sense the mocking tone she used as she spoke.

"I am ill," she said simply but Imperial Consort Qin did not take the hint. She continued saying that even if an Imperial Consort is ill, they have to serve the Emperor.

"Also, if sister is ill, why did you not call for an Imperial Physician?" Imperial Consort Lan was getting a headache from the high pitch voice and rubbed her head a little to ease the pounding.

"Because they are a batch of useless idiots," she muttered under her breath. Imperial Consort Qin was too far to hear her words but her maidservant could and she stifled a laugh. Her action was caught by Imperial Consort Qin who was starting to get angry at the lack of response.

Fighting against Imperial Consort Lan is like fighting cotton. Since she cannot get any response from the master of the palace, then she shall have to change tactics.

"Insolent servant, how dare you laughed at this Imperial Consort! Guards, drag her outside and give her 80 paddles!" Imperial Consort Qin pointed at the maidservant and shouted. Immediately, guards entered the palace and reached for the maidservant. Imperial Consort Lan blocked them by standing up and shielding her maidservant.

"Stop," Imperial Consort Lan's voice was frosty and the guards froze in their tracks, unsure of their next course of action.

"Sister, such an insolent servant is not proper to be kept." Imperial Consort Qin narrowed her eyes and smiled coldly at the standing Imperial Consort Lan.

"I said stop," Imperial Consort Lan held her head high as she glared at Imperial Consort Qin. This is why she hated attention. When you have things that people do not have, it will invoke their jealousy. They would do anything to tear you down. Especially Imperial Consort Qin.

Although Imperial Consort Lan is indifferent to the Harem's matters, she is still updated with the happenings. Based on her understanding of Imperial Consort Qin's personality, she is someone who wants to be on top, looking down on everyone beneath her feet. Now that Noble Lady Lan who was always ignored by all the concubines and the Emperor, a person beneath Imperial Consort Qin's notice, is now of equal status with her. How can her pride accept that?

Which is why she is here. To stir up some trouble. By punishing her maidservant heavily in front of her is pure disrespect for her authority. To be honest, Imperial Consort Lan does not care whether the maidservant is punished. She is more concerned about the impacts of it. If she allows her to be punished, others would think she is a pushover.

"Sister, how can you oppose me just for a maidservant? Aren't your priorities placed wrongly?" Imperial Consort Qin knew the reasons behind Imperial Consort Lan's actions and continued insisting. She needs to show this woman that she has the highest authority and no one should oppose her.

"If you insist on doing this then I shall not hold back either. This Imperial Consort does not seek trouble but when someone deliberately provokes me, do not blame me for my actions then." Imperial Consort Lan said imposingly before she waved her hand.

"Guards, take that maidservant and execute her!" Imperial Consort Lan pointed at the maidservant beside Imperial Consort Qin and ordered.

The maidservant paled a little and shifted her body behind her mistress while Imperial Consort Qin laughed at her words.

"Sister, it seems like you have become muddleheaded. Who are you to sentence my maidservant?"

"A mere maidservant dares to laugh at this Imperial Consort, why would I not dare?" Imperial Consort Lan shot back.

"Maybe because you have been hiding away in that Spring Palace of yours that you don't know how things work in the Harem. I am next in line to become Empress, the mother of the kingdom. With my family's backing, there is no way that would not happen. If the future Empress wants a maidservant dead, who can stop me?" Imperial Consort Qin gave her a slight smirk. It was as she said, her father is the right-prime minister and her brothers are generals. Given her family background, there is no one more suitable to be Empress. Just a little girl whose family is a second-rank official, what threat could she pose?

"Is that the Emperor's intention? Has he spoken about his decision? The Empress had just been demoted and you are already speaking about being the next Empress?" Imperial Consort Lan snorted, her arms crossed.

"It is my job as his concubine to decipher what the Emperor is thinking. Besides, me ascending as the Empress is going to happen sooner or later. In case you are not updated with the current affairs, this Imperial Concubine is the most favored in the Harem. Even if the Emperor does not have the intention of making me Empress, my family can just apply pressure. The Emperor values my family greatly, there is no way he would not give in to their request." Imperial Consort Qin's tone was arrogant and filled with confidence as though she truly believed that she will be Empress.

"Since it's only time that this Imperial Consort becomes the Empress, even if this Imperial Consort wishes for your head to roll, who is going to stop me?" Imperial Consort Qin laughed manically.

"Even if it's me?"