Instigation

The golden morning light filtered through the silk-draped windows of my chambers, casting long shadows over the marble floor. The faint scent of sandalwood lingered in the air as I reclined on the couch, my silk robes cascading over the cushions. My tea had long grown cold, but I paid it no mind.

Across from me, little Raazi sat at a low wooden table, diligently practicing his calligraphy. His ink-stained fingers gripped the brush as he recited, "If natural qualities better education, men are crude. If education better natural qualities, they become literati. But when natural qualities and education are properly blended, then we have wise and good men."

A thoughtful furrow creased his small brow as he read the words aloud. Then, suddenly, his expression darkened. He hesitated for a long moment before finally closing his book and turning to me.

"Consort Sefa," he said hesitantly, "I heard that Consort Noor has been taking food to the Hall of Mental Cultivation recently…"

I lifted an eyebrow, feigning mild curiosity. "You think she will use this opportunity to make a move against me?"

At my words, Raazi's eyes widened, and he waved his hands frantically. "I—I wouldn't dare to say that!" He looked flustered, his small face filled with panic.

A laugh slipped past my lips, and I reached out, ruffling his soft hair. "Of course, she will do this," I said, my voice carrying a note of amusement. "After reading so many texts, do you still not understand the phrase, 'The bigger they come'?"

I leaned in slightly, my voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "The happier she is now, the more tragic her downfall will be."

Raazi blinked, absorbing my words. He was still a child, but a sharp one. He only needed to be taught how to navigate this treacherous palace.

"In a few days, it is your father, the Emperor's birthday," I reminded him. "Write a congratulatory stanza for him as a gift. But remember—don't make it too good."

I winked, and realization dawned on his face. He bowed his head with a small smirk. "I understand."

Little did Noor Giza know that the game had already begun.

---

Hall of Mental Cultivation

In the lavish chambers of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the scent of incense and freshly brewed tea lingered in the air. The Emperor sat on a brocade couch, his fingers idly flipping through the pages of a political manuscript. Beside him, Consort Noor leaned in, her delicate hand resting lightly on her lap as she spoke in a soft, honeyed tone.

"Your Majesty, the ministers seem divided on the matter of the northern border taxation… Perhaps a more delicate approach would earn their cooperation."

The Emperor hummed in thought, though his attention was divided. He had spent the morning handling court matters, and his patience was already thinning.

Just then, a eunuch entered the chamber, carrying several silk-wrapped boxes. He knelt and placed them before the Emperor.

"Your Majesty, these are birthday gifts from Consort Sefa."

Noor Giza's lips curled into a delicate smile as she peeked into one of the open boxes. Inside, a jade bracelet gleamed under the candlelight—a piece so pristine and rare that even her own heart clenched with envy.

"Are all these birthday gifts from Consort Sefa?" she asked with a light laugh. "It really is a generous offering. Forget the rest, just this jade bracelet alone is priceless. She truly sees the Fourth Prince as a gem."

At her words, the Emperor's brow furrowed. His gaze flickered toward her, irritation flashing in his dark eyes.

"What has this to do with the Fourth Prince?" he asked flatly.

Noor blinked, feigning surprise. "Your Majesty really doesn't know? This jade bracelet was gifted in the name of the Fourth Prince!"

The Emperor exhaled sharply, clearly unamused. "It is just a bracelet. Do not waste time on such trivial matters."

Noor lowered her eyes, her lashes fluttering as she let out a soft, self-deprecating chuckle. "I was only being petty… No matter how nice the bracelet is, it is just a family gift from the Yilmaz family for their grandson. Consort Sefa has been childless for many years. It wasn't easy getting a son, so it is natural that the family places much importance on him."

She then lifted her wrist, showing off the jade bracelet the Emperor had personally given her. Her other hand held the Yilmaz family's bracelet, tilting it slightly so that the light caught the smooth jade surface.

"But actually…" she continued sweetly, "I believe that the jade bracelet Your Majesty gave me is far superior."

She turned her wrist slightly, allowing the Emperor a perfect view of the gift he had bestowed upon her. "Your Majesty, look. Don't you think the bracelet around my wrist is more elegant?"

The Emperor's gaze darkened as he reached out, grasping her wrist. His fingers traced the delicate, pale skin, his expression unreadable.

"Enough with your nonsense," he muttered. His thumb brushed over the jade, but his eyes remained on her slender wrist. "This alone is worth half a kingdom."

At his praise, Noor leaned in slightly, lowering her gaze in feigned shyness. "Your Majesty flatters me too much. My beauty is nothing compared to Consort Sefa's… You must be pitying me."

Her voice was barely above a whisper, but it struck the Emperor's heart like a dagger dipped in honey.

A sigh escaped his lips, and he pulled his hand away. "If only everyone in the harem was as innocent as you…"

Innocent. Noor hid her smirk behind lowered lashes. Consort Sefa Yilmaz, let's see how you deal with this.

The Emperor turned his gaze to the eunuch and waved a hand dismissively.

"Put the rest of the gifts away. As for the jade bracelet, give it to Consort Noor. The Yilmaz family is large and prosperous; a single gift like this is nothing to them."

The eunuch bowed, carefully retrieving the bracelet and placing it in Noor's outstretched hands.

She traced the jade surface, her lips curving into a triumphant smile.

The battle had begun. But she had no idea that while she played at winning small victories, I was setting the stage for her complete and utter downfall.