Chapter 11; Not A Pushover (i)..

Hao mei's life in the palace was relatively quiet and inactive ,after the

Inner court incident ,the maids and even the noble women didn't dare to offend her or even go against her because they believed she was a favoured woman of the Emperor,Tang ruoxue and the Empress dowager could not do anything but sit and watch.

The coronation was held a few days after the imperial wedding.It was a huge success and definitely an affair that would be discussed by everyone for a long time to come.

When Tang ruoxue heard about what happened in the inner court ,she went into a fit of rage and for days in the Tang manor the servants where walking on eggshells around her.Tang ruoxue couldn't accept that hao mei and the crown prince had such a relationship.Previously ruoxue only disliked hao mei because it felt like she was stealing something that was rightfully her's so after hearing the gossip of the maids ,hearing the news from the inner court and watching hao mei be crowned Empress beside long tian xi her dislike aggravated to intense hatred,that engulfed her heart like a raging fire burning a rag soaked in liquor .She began plotting different conspiracies but there was one major disturbing problem ;she couldn't execute her plans with long tian xi around so she couldn't help but sit around waiting for the perfect time and opportunity to execute her plans.

As fate would have it the perfect opportunity came sooner than expected , the news of some uproar and disturbances at the Shangxue pass that needed to be resolved urgently by the Emperor himself arrived giving her the perfect opportunity now she only needed to let her sister in on her plot and they would have a nice time frustrating their so called Empress.

Shangxue pass was the most important gate of all the four gates protecting Qintong and so any breach in the security would cause great alarm .Long tian xi was anxious about the news from Shangxue pass but there was little he could do seated in the palace it was inevitable that he had to ensure its safety by himself but he was reluctant to go.

It had been two weeks since the wedding and hao mei was very happy .She hadn't seen long tian xi since the day after the wedding .The maids ,the women of the inner court and the Empress dowager had stopped trying to make her miserable .She really wished that everyday she spent in this place would be as comfortable as it currently was but she also knew that was impossible the palace was a place that could never experience peace or tranquility.

Hao mei had her train of thoughts distorted by aunt Wang who came rushing in like someone who'd seen a wild bear mumbling words that could hardly make a complete or meaningful sentence.

"Aunt what is the matter ?calm down and explain time." Hao mei said staring confused at her aunt .

" Mei mei we've gotten into trouble sooner than expected" she said panting in between words.

"Aunt what are you saying what trouble ,calm down and explain it to me"she said greatly amused and confused.

"The Emperor is scheduled to ride for Shangxue pass tomorrow " aunt Wang said.

"How's that trouble for us "Hao mei asked smiling "it's good news "she mumbled under to herself under her breath.

"Mei mei you don't understand do you , well let me explain..the only reason you enjoy a certain level of comfort and respect in this palace and if he's gone people will treat you like nothing and we'll be left at the mercy of that spiteful empress dowager , you and I will treated worse than common slaves ,you know how much she hates you especially after that incident at the court ,she'll spare no effort to ensure you're miserable " "Auntie ,you worry too much, you're forgetting who I am ,I'm the princess of East Qing .They can do whatever they like it doesn't really matter ,if it they go beyond boundaries I'll show them that I'm not a pushover" hao mei face carried a smile full of meaning.

That evening Long tian xi visited hao Mei's quarters to inform her of his departure. He did not expect her to miss him but at least she should have been worried about getting bullied by the empress dowager and her cohorts but the empress was mostly unbothered bidding him farewell as she continued to fiddle with her hair.

At dawn the next day Long Tian xi and his party left for the Shang due pass that same evening the Empress dowager called for a gathering of the women of the inner court .Hao mei smiled as the maid delivered the message ,she had expected this but she didn't think they would act so soon.They probably tired of waiting.

Hao mei arrived last to the women's pavilion and was rudely scolded by the Empress dowager.

"Well I'm sure you all know why i called for this gathering, only someone unfamiliar with the traditions of qintong royalty would be unaware of the situation at hand" she said aiming her mockery at hao mei who had just arrived at qintong.

Someone from the crowd of women spoke

" Your highness ,the Imperial consort Wang has only just arrived in Qintong and might not know the customs of the palace"it Was Tang ruoxue who had spoken ,her tone was clearly filled with sarcasm and her face held a devious grin ,the faces of the other ladies in the hall had the same expression .Hao mei wondered if she should disappointed them by saying that she new that the spring festival to commemorate the beginning of spring was the reason for this meeting or to give them the satisfaction of putting her down and avoid trouble if possible,On one hand she wanted to do the former and avoid the Empress dowager's trouble but she new that she'd never really haved peace in the palace of she conceded to all their plans.

"Your Highness , you need not worry about me , I know that this meeting is held to make preparations for the forthcoming spring festival" she said making sure to catch the expressions on their faces. Deciding to spite them even more she said " I must ask the Empress dowager to help me thank the Emperor upon his return for ensuring I had the best tutors to teach me the customs of Qintong,or it would be a shame having an empress who doesn't know the traditions of her Nation." Making sure that she mentioned the Emperor to remind them that she had his favour

Through the remainder of the meeting the dark and gloomy expressions did not leave their faces

Hao mei was quite satisfied ,she had won the first round but she knew this was only the beginning.