Dubiety

A'rou moved her delicate hands with precision as she carefully removed her mistress's earrings and undid her intricate coiffure. Her eyes darted away from the mirror whenever concubine Hua made eye contact with her but returned back to studying Concubine Hua's demeanor just immediately she looked away. Her heart was troubled, she needed either answers or reasons but instead, Concubine Hua sat poised before her reluctantly, without an ounce of worry written on her face, her expression as calm as water.

Concubine Hua closed her eyes in pleasure, her face lit up with a faint smile as A'rou oiled her scalp, massaging and combing through her hair. A'rou however, narrowed her gaze in confusion, she couldn't understand why her mistress was in utter delight, reveling in such simple indulgence while she herself was still shaken from the thought of what had transpired at Luyang palace.

Unable to contain the curiosity that has ploughed her mind, A'rou swallowed hard, parting her lips "Niang Naing"... A'rou called out in a calm and hesitating tone. Concubine Hua opened her eyes gently, raising an eyebrow as she stared at A'rou through the mirror in response.

A'rou continued,"Niang Niang....you seem to be in a good mood tonight" she said, trying to not sound too forward and nosy even though it kind of concerned her.

"And shouldn't I be", Concubine Hua asked, her demeanor still the same.

"No Niang Naing, but... are you not worried about having fallen out with Consort Shu too soon?, our mission there is far from accomplished."

"What makes you think my goal is not achieved yet?" Consort Shu asked again.

"Niang naing, she -"

"What do you know " Concubine Hua chuckled, "you still have a lot to learn" she said, standing up and walking away from the dressing table.

"Now listen, Consort Shu may be putting up the air of grace and righteousness when it comes to the issue of Jia, but deep down her heart, she wants Jia's downfall as equally as I do"

"But how sure are we?, will she make a move soon?", A'rou asked.

"Whether or not she makes a move? there's no escape from the consequences." Shu replied.

"How do you mean Naing Naing?..please enlighten this servant" A'rou requested in earnest.

"Consort Shu entered the forbidden city with Consort Xian at the same time, but ever since then, Consort Xian has always triumphed in everything. Consort Shu is Barely keeping up with the game and now, a maid...one from Consort Xian's Palace is now a Consort?" Hua giggled stylishly.."to Consort Shu, that's a big slap to her face"

A'rou nodded slowly as she added the pieces together "so...Consort Shu will definitely want to lessen the number of her adversaries? " A'rou asked, her eyes thinned in suspicion.

"Good!, " Concubine Hua said, her face radiating gladness. She continued " and just now, I've presented her an opportunity" Concubine Hua smiled, shifting her gaze as she pictured what the outcome of her treacherous plan would look like.

"But Naing Naing, what about Ru Lingyi?, will you truly allow her to poison Consort Xian?" A'rou inquired

"I don't think I should meddle for now" Concubine Hua replied, turning her gaze away, her tone dismissive and uncertain.

"Niang Niang, this is the perfect chance to prove your loyalty to Consort Xian...if she consumes that liquid for a month, she might not be able to conceive anymore." A'rou said, her tone pleading for acceptance.

Concubine Hua's lids lowered in scrutiny as she pondered on the suggestion, her fingers rolling against eachother. Then she turned her gaze back at A'rou " Well,I suppose I shall miss the chance to witness her downfall in all it's grandeur" she said, rolling her eyes in displeasure.

"Naing Naing, once you earn her trust, there will be countless ways to bring about her downfall," A'rou murmured, leaning in closer, her lips curling into a mischievous smile. Concubine Hua nodded slowly, her eyes gleaming with sudden satisfaction."

**********

Ru Lingyi silently parted the doors to her quarters so not to draw any attention. Halfway open, she carefully slid inside, her toes almost in the air as she quickly closed the door immediately her whole body was within the confines of her quarters. Her airways were wide open to accommodate enough air so she doesn't pass out after racing from Luyang palace to the gate of Chengqian Palace, coupled with the anxiety that plunged her heart.

She fell flat on her back into her bed, her gaze glued to the ceiling as different thoughts ran through her mind at once, battling for dominance. She sat back up, her heart still pounding loudly from the uncertainty that enveloped her whole being. She pushed her self up with her hands as though taking a flight, standing up and walking around the vast space of her room, an attempt to find a suitable position to process the wild consuming thoughts in her mind.

Suddenly, she paused... folding her arms before her chest, while her gaze was fixed on no particular object of concern. She replayed her encounter at Luyang palace; Consort Shu's demands, her failed attempt to deny the allegations even though they were true. She bit her lower lips in utter regret as she remembered how humiliated she appeared before Cai. She swiftly waved her hands in the air like she could wave away the shame she felt. And then, With a sunken depressed look, she walked back slowly and sat back on her bed.

Lingyi wondered why Consort Shu must meddle in this matter even though it didn't interest her much, what might be the consequences if she refused to follow the agreement. It was then it struck her like a revelation, her eyes widened as she sat straight up.

Must I fulfil my end of the bargain?, Consort Shu will never know whether or not I feed it to Consort Xian. Lingyi said to her self, her eyes rolling with doubt as she dipped her right hand into the left sleeve, withdrawing both hands from each other to reveal a green bottle. She raised it to see the content through the bottle and lowered it back.

Consort Shu promised that this will not kill Consort Xian ... but how am I certain she is being honest. Lingyi thought.

But if Consort Shu finds out that nothing has changed around Consort Xian, I will be left to bear the brunt from both women. Lingyi .

She thought of revealing all these to her mistress — Consort Xian but then, she will be questioned as to why she didn't say anything from the onset of the letter delivery. After much thought and deliberation, Lingyi settled to keep everything within the dark chambers of her heart and play nice and safe with both parties.

Lingyi raised her pillow and slid her hand into a small space between the bed and its frame, hiding the bottle she intended not to ever use. She breathed in deeply and exhaled, rubbing off the rumbles on her evening gown and removing her shoes as she fell deep into her bed In exhaustion.

But one can never be too careful, not even in the forbidden city. Lingyi had pieced every puzzle piece together but the universe sure held a surprise in Concubine Hua for her.