Enough!

Concubine Hua froze, her eyes widened, she tightened her grasp of A'rou's arms as she blinked repeatedly, unwilling to believe her ears . A'rou looked at her Mistress, awaiting the next course of action. She had also overheard the latter part of Consort Shu's conversation with Lingyi from inside the room.

Prior to this, Concubine Hua had arrived at Luyang palace, everly ready to finish off her witty scheme game. As she crossed the gate of Luyang palace, entering into the courtyard, ehe trailed to the ornate doors of Consort Shu's quarters, her maid tagging alongside to support her slender frame.

Arriving at the door, the stationed maids bowed in reference, and one turned around to announce her presence, but Hua opted that she will make her way inside, since Consort Shu had no privacy issues with her.

She wanted this visit to be a surprise one for Consort Shu, to make Shu think she holds her to high esteem by paying her an unannounced sisterly visit in her own trying times. All these, were plans to buy Consort Shu's trust, and Concubine Hua's plan before now was to water the seed of jealousy she had sown way back, giving it more manure to sprout even greater after tonight. But from the turnout of things, coming from Lingyi's conversation with Consort Shu , there has to be a change of plan and it must be quick.

A'rou's gaze darted back to her mistress as they stood some steps behind the screen to Consort Shu's chamber.

"Niang Niang...should we head back?" Arou whispered with concern looking up at Concubine Hua's face for approval.

"No" Concubine Hua replied, tapping A'rou's arm with her other hand reassurredly.

"But niang—"

"Let's go in now "Concubine Hua sharply cuts in, walking inside as Arou followes immediately.

"Shu Fei naing naing" Concubine Hua said in reference as she entered into Consort Shu's hall, lowering her height a little and raised her hand an inch above her head, wearing a smile that touched her ears.

"Hua pin mei mei, what a pleasant surprise" Consort Shu blinked repeatedly, gesturing for Concubine Hua to sit. Hua nodded and walked past Lingyi to seat at the East wing of the room.

"Naing Naing, if that's all..I will be taking my leave" Lingyi bowed , exiting backwards with her face facing the floor.

Immediately Lingyi exited the room, Concubine Hua turned to Consort shu with a knowing look. "Naing Naing?" She asked.

"Oh!...she?, pay her no attention. Just a trivial matter" Consort Shu rolled her eye in response, not willing to share the details.

"So tell me, what brings mei mei to Luyang palace at this time of the night " Shu added with a smile, giving no room to Concubine Hua for further inquiries.

Concubine Hua received the memo and decided not to press any further but rather jump right into her mission. She spun around like a wind had caught her, facing Consort Shu.

"Naing Naing, my heart is burdened by the injustice done to you, because it's just a matter of time before it becomes a matter of ridicule that a lowly palace maid—turned Concubine, will have to demand respect and regard from a lady of Noble birth as you are." Concubine Hua said, her face a mask of feigned worry.

"And by lowly Palace Maid you mean....",

"Jia Fei!, that vixen in Qixiang Palace." Hua sharply cuts in

"She poses no threat to me " Shu replied without much care

"True Niang Niang, true, but only for now " Hua added leaning forward from her chair. " Right now she is a fourth Ranking Consort like you naing naing..and she was able to draw all that attention to herself at the feast. Even winning the favor of the Empress Dowager"... Hua paused, studying the body movement of Consort Shu and truly, her charms were working. Consort Shu's eyes squinted, already glued to no particular object of purpose, her fingers tapping the arm rest of her chair rhythmically.

Seeing this, Hua's heart gleamed in satisfaction, the perfect time to strike has just presented itself and Concubine Hua was never one to miss such an opportunity.

A sly smile played at the corner of her lips, almost blowing her cover but she quickly concealed it with the fake-worry mask she put on.

She continued "Naing Naing.. think of what happens when she delivers a royal heir, with the Emperor's favor on her side and the Dowager's Grace shinning on her....she would be totally unstoppable."

Consort Shu suddenly arose from her seat and walked forward in silence. Her expression was as cold as ice, clearly she was bothered by Hua's speculation.

A moment of silence endured in the room as Shu stood still, looking outside the calm courtyard—an absolute contrast to the terror brewing in her mind, her demeanor...totally unreadable.

She tried paying no attention to what Concubine Hua just said, knowing that it was a circle that never ends in the forbidden city. But a voice deep in her mind suggested otherwise, she pictured the moments Jia would bow to her, chicken away just at her presence. She compared all these to the current state of their rivalry and she sighed at herself, shaking her head in disappointment. when did it get to this level? Oh Shu! What happened to you?..you allowed a mere palace maid to speak to you like you are equals?. Had I acted quickly, that low-life would still be languishing in the Imperial household department where she belongs .Shu thought.

Cai and Concubine Hua exchanged gazes bearing the same question—what was wrong with Consort Shu?.

Shu had stood in one spot without saying a word, all she did was stare outside the cottage through the ornate window and Cai couldn't help but worry for her Mistress. Just as Cai took one step forward towards her, Consort Shu suddenly swirled around as if carried by a wind and walked back onto her seat.

"Hua Pin, tell me...what is your intention exactly?" Consort Shu blurted out, her eyes preying into Concubine Hua's facade.

Niang Niang?" Hua's eyes narrowed as she turned to Consort Shu in surprise.

Consort Shu huffed "You definitely have an agenda here for yourself even though you present this whole charade to be in my favour alone...so tell me, what do you stand to gain?"

Concubine Hua had expected Consort Shu to see through her plan earlier before now, but not at this point when she thought Consort Shu was already within her grasps. However, she has her backup plan still intact.

Concubine Hua quickly jerked out of her seat and walked to Consort Shu feigning sudden care " Niang Niang, all I have in mind is your well being. Yes, I and Jia go way back..but I can't watch her climb over the Glory that clearly belongs to you" Hua said, her voice bearing so much care and compassion. A well crafted facade she has learnt to use when it comes in handy.

Consort Shu's gaze was fixed on Hua for a while, weighing her options and the sincerity of her words, then she sank into her chair, the burden finally catching up with her.

"Well ... Jia Fei is already pregnant with a royal heir, her days of Favor is as lengthy as a season." Shu said, her tone betraying her reluctance.

"Only if she delivers safely " Hua said, her eyes narrowing into an intense glare.

"Hua pin!...have you any idea the gravity of what you are saying?...harming a royal heir!" Shu raged in shock.

"Naing Naing ...this is the forbidden city, one must do what is necessary for survival." Concubine Hua replied with no remorse .

"How daring of you!!....Hua pin, never you mention such before me" Consort Shu shunned her immediately.

"But Niang Niang..."

"Enough!, leave ...I will take it that this conversation never happened. Cai, see Hua pin out of Luyang palace " Shu said and rose from her seat, exiting into her inner chamber.

"Shu Fei Naing Naing...Shu Fei Naing-" Hua called out.

"Hua pin Niang Naing, please" Cai gestured, ushering Concubine Hua to leave.

Hesitating for a moment, Concubine turned around with A'rou by her side and left the room.