Sudden Repartee
Walking down the streets of Forbidden city as Lingyi escorted her mistress back to Chengqian Palace, her heart raced more than her measured steps against the marble floor . Her desperate attempt to decipher what the content of the note might be eluded her and the uncharacteristic silence in the air did not go unnoticed to Consort Xian as her eyes rolled to the side, capturing lingyi in sunken depression.
"Lingyi, your silence is quite unusual this morning" Consort Xian said, turning right to face lingyi from her sedan.
Jolting back to face reality, lingyi almost staggered upon hearing the question. She squeezed her garment, forcing a smile as she replied. "Niang Niang.. it's nothing".
"You forget I know you better by now, Lingyi" Consort Xian chuckled. "Or are you still holding onto your misdeed at the feast?".
"Niang naing I -"
"Worry not, I've forgiven you, but...do not test me again." Xian interrupted with no readable expression at all.
But if only Consort Xian knew what troubled lingyi, that her very own arch enemy—Consort Shu, was about to invade her walls of defence through her handmaid, then she would have Lingyi banished out of Chengqian Palace long ago before now.
Lingyi on the other hand, felt relieved that the turbulence brewing like an Ocean wave within her was not revealed to her Mistress. She thought, whether to come clean from the lies or keep everything as it were for now, which she settled for the latter.
She swallowed, looking up to the sedan "thank you Niang Niang, I won't disappoint you again" she replied with all sincerity in her voice.
"You better not"... Xian replied, shooting a glance at her. "Now..what was behind your silence?"
The question came again, but this time, lingyi was prepared with the perfect counter-lie.
i mustn't let her know that my mind was preoccupied by brooding thoughts
"Niang Naing, a Princess is about to join the imperial harem?" Lingyi blurted out feigning interest in the matter like she actually cared.
"Oh!, that?"...Consort Xian said reluctantly, without an ounce of care. Xian has always been known to never reveal whatever she felt inside, no matter what it may be and this was no different. A Noble Lady entering the imperial harem is the worst nightmare of all Mistresses and Consort Xian was no exception to this. But this time, it was no ordinary Noble Lady, but a Princess of a great state. A lot was about to change, the delicate dance of power and authority within the forbidden city will shift greatly, and the fight for the Emperor's favor and grace will become intense too. So, not just Consort Xian , even the mighty Noble Consort Ling is definitely worried in her palace too.
In as much as Consort Xian tried appearing calm, lingyi could still see the unrest within her. The response she received earlier stipulated Consort Xian was triggered and was not interested in having the conversation. But always the nosy one, Lingyi will never let it slide.
"Naing naing, if she arrives here in the forbidden city, what palace would she be a mistress of?" Lingyi asked with so much curiosity that Consort Xian was surprised because that was not the same lingyi some minutes ago.
"Now you are more like yourself" lingyi blushed.
"A Noble lady is no mistress of any palace, yet. Until she attains the Imperial Concubine Rank, then she can become a mistress of a palace." Consort Xian replied, lingyi nodding involuntarily as she absorbed new knowledge about the imperial harem. Then, her eyes widened as she remembered another detail." But naing naing, isn't all the Palaces taken, how is she going to become a mistress of a new palace when there is no palace for her in the first place. "
"Silly girl, what do you know.." Consort Xian teased. "Now listen .." she began, "The forbidden city is not called a city just for jest, within the walls of the inner harem are twelve major Palaces...six to the East and six to the West." Xian paused, taking a glance at Lingyi, whose gaze was fixated on no object of particular interest, obviously immersed in the informative narrative.
And just as Xian parted her lips to continue, Lingyi turned her gaze abruptly, interrupting as she asked "but Niang Niang, how do the concubines get placed in their respective palaces or do they have a say in where they will love to stay?" She asked, waiting patiently for an explanation. Consort Xian could see the inquisitiveness in Lingyi eyes, which Xian herself took as a payment for the storytelling.
"Huanghuo Niang-niang is the master of the 6 palaces and as the Central palace, she is in charge of every other one .. including where a new Concubine should be placed, but— " She paused fleetingly, as if reconsidering her words. Lingyi turned, facing her to know why she stopped talking, only to see her Mistress's eyes fixed upon the distance that lay before them. Lingyi slowly followed Consort Xian's eyes to see what it could be.
And before them was Consort Shu, approaching on her own sedan, sitting elegantly poised, wearing a knowing smirk as she starred directly at Consort Xian. Lingyi looked back at Xian to see her own reaction, and as expected, she wasn't disappointed. Consort Xian's face was as calm as still water, without any readable expression, but enough to shatter every delight Consort Shu felt.
A sly smile curled up beside Shu's lips "Xian Fei Niang-Niang!..."Consort Shu said, her voice as sharp as a singing sparrow, her tone just polite enough to be proper, yet laced with something unmistakably smug as her sedan halted before Xian's, the distance between them..only enough for one person to fit in.
"Shu Fei" Consort Xian replied, without a blink breaking the eye contact between them. A moment of silence endured as both women only exchanged glances, none agreeing to yield to another.
Lingyi's brows furrowed in confusion as she couldn't help but wonder what the issue was, and why Consort Shu was before them on a route she never takes.
Cai on the other hand, stood erect beside her mistress—Consort Shu, every ready with her head high, smiling devilishly with her eyes in anticipation for whatever was about unfolding.
"Hiao!, Xian Fei, you're probably wondering why I'm taking this route today .....oh" Consort Shu said suddenly, covering her nose, raising her nail guard stylishly, as she looked away feigning ignorance and sudden realisation of where she was.
Consort Xian offered a wry smile, one that never reached her eyes as she replied "Do tell..Shu Fei "
"Huang Shang has invited me to taste a tribute tea from Ortai with him.... considering my knowledge in tea making" Shu replied mockingly.
"Oh? How fascinating" Consort Xian replied, raising an eyebrow. "Then you shouldn't keep him waiting and run along, you definitely do not get this chance all the time, so ..why not make use of it while you still can "Xian concluded, starring deeply into Shu's eyes without a blink.
Consort Shu opened her mouth to reply but words failed her as she blinked uncontrollably, faking a smile to cover her shame.
"Well... leave the Way, I don't have all day..lest I'm accused of robbing someone an opportunity to have tea with His Majesty" Consort Xian said. Lingyi could see the disgust on Shu's face as she squinted her eyes in helpless failure, forcing a smile as she replied "Definitely...Xian Fei"
Shu's guards moved to the side for Xian's entourage to march through. Linyi basked in the moment of pride from the victory her mistress just secured. And as she passed Cai, she shoot a knowing glance at her with a smirk, rubbing her Mistress's defeat on her face.
Trailing off to chengqian Palace, Lingyi looked up to the sedan to see her mistress, poised and regal, without a single expression that depicted any sign of care for the just concluded regal repartee
Lingyi's mind was overtaken suddenly by the awesomeness of Consort Xian
if there is one thing I must learn from Consort Xian... it's her calmness and poise
she thought, starring into the vast space that she didn't notice when they arrived at Chengqian gate. The sound of the sedan brushing against the floor as the guards lowered for Xian to step out, jolted lingyi back to reality.