chapter 11:the golden lotus tea party

A faint silver mist curled through the air, weaving between the hanging vines that draped over the secluded courtyard like nature's own veil. The flickering lanterns cast a wavering golden glow against the polished stone walls, their light reflecting in the shallow pools of water that lined the pathways. The scent of crushed lotus and nightshade mingled with the crisp evening breeze, an intoxicating blend of beauty and danger.

At the heart of this secret sanctuary, Crown Princess Xu Nuan moved with measured grace, her silk robes pooling around her as she ground a handful of dried monkshood petals into a fine powder. The jade mortar in her hands gleamed under the lantern light, its surface darkened from years of use. A single bead of sweat traced down her temple, not from exertion, but from the knowledge of what she held in her hands—death, distilled into the finest of dust.

Susu, ever silent and obedient, knelt beside her mistress, her delicate fingers plucking a vial from the lacquered tray before offering it with both hands. The liquid inside shimmered—a pale, ghostly blue, thick as syrup. "This one, Your Highness," she murmured, eyes lowered in deference, though the faintest tremor in her voice betrayed her unease.

Xu Nuan took the vial without hesitation, tilting it under the lantern's glow. The surface of the liquid rippled slightly as she swirled it, watching the way it clung to the glass. "Too thick," she mused, her voice like the edge of a blade wrapped in silk. "It needs to be diluted, or the poison will be detected before it takes effect."

Susu nodded, her hands swiftly moving to fetch a flask of rainwater infused with bitter orange peel. The maid had assisted Xu Nuan long enough to know the precision required, yet even now, a small knot of unease coiled in her stomach. The palace had been peaceful—too peaceful. The ministers had stopped whispering, the concubines had grown cautious, and the Emperor had taken to longer meetings behind closed doors. Silence in the palace was never a good sign.

The Crown Princess exhaled slowly, setting the vial aside and reaching for a delicate porcelain cup. She dipped a slender silver needle into the mixture before letting a single drop fall onto the petal of a white camellia. Within moments, the flower's edges curled inward, its pristine beauty wilting into decay. A slow, knowing smile played on Xu Nuan's lips.

Peace never lasted long in the palace. She intended to be ready when it shattered 

The peaceful days in the palace are disrupted when an invitation arrives for Crown Princess Xu Nuan to attend the annual golden lotus tea party—an exclusive gathering of imperial women. Hosted in the grand halls of the palace, this event is a spectacle of grace and intrigue. It is attended by the Empresses ,consorts, concubines, the Queen Dowager, and noble ladies, as well as the five princesses born to concubines, each vying for recognition and influence.

This tea party is more than just a social affair; it is a stage for subtle power plays. The Empress, as the highest-ranking woman in the palace, will preside over the gathering, maintaining an air of serenity while ensuring court decorum. The noble ladies will showcase their refinement, demonstrating their knowledge of poetry, music, and calligraphy—skills essential for securing favor in court.

Tensions always run high at these gatherings. The women of the harem, despite their elegant smiles and polished words, are constantly aware of the shifting tides of power. A misplaced word, an incorrectly brewed cup of tea, or a dress that outshines the Empress's could spell disaster. Alliances are formed and tested in whispered conversations over delicate porcelain cups.

For Xu Nuan, this is an opportunity and a danger. As Crown Princess, she is expected to exude composure and intelligence, but she must also remain vigilant.

With the scent of poisons still lingering on her fingertips, she cannot help but wonder—will this peaceful gathering remain undisturbed, or will it mark the beginning of a new power struggle in the imperial court?

The Shattered Peace at the Golden Lotus Tea Party

The Golden Lotus Tea Party had begun as a carefully choreographed display of refinement and grace, but beneath the elegance, the air was thick with unspoken rivalries. Crown Princess Xu Nuan, poised and resplendent in her golden-embroidered robes, was the unspoken center of attention. She held her teacup delicately, her expression unreadable, even as veiled barbs were exchanged between the noblewomen.

The tension, however, was about to snap.

Lady Zhen, a favored concubine of the Emperor, set down her cup with a deliberate clink, her lips curving into a practiced smile. "How fortunate it is," she mused, voice laced with saccharine sweetness, "that beauty and ambition find such harmony in the Crown Princess. Some rise by virtue of their birth, others… by more cunning means."

A ripple of hushed gasps followed.

Princess Ruoyan, emboldened, let out a soft laugh. "Indeed. I have always wondered—was it the battlefield that won His Highness's heart, or was it… something far more intimate?"

The suggestion hung in the air, scandalous and unmistakable.

Xu Nuan did not flinch, but the subtle tightening of her grip on her teacup betrayed a flicker of emotion. Before she could respond, the youngest princess—naïve or perhaps reckless—gasped, "Oh! Have you not heard? Some say the Crown Princess used unspeakable arts—tonics, incense, spells—to ensure her position."

The silence that followed was deafening.

Then, in a perfectly timed moment, Lady Zhen feigned concern. "Such rumors are surely baseless, but in the imperial court, we must uphold purity above all else. Perhaps a test would settle any doubts?"

All eyes turned to the Empress, whose expression remained unreadable. A test. A public challenge to Xu Nuan's honor. To refuse would be an admission of guilt, but to accept was to walk a dangerous path.

The Queen Dowager finally broke the silence, her voice deceptively soft. "What say you, Crown Princess? Shall we put these rumors to rest?"

Xu Nuan smiled then—slow, knowing, a flicker of something dangerous in her dark eyes. She set her teacup down with a quiet finality and rose gracefully to her feet. "There is no need for a test, Your Majesty," she said, her voice smooth as silk yet edged with steel. "For only the guilty fear the shadows, and I do not fear what does not exist."

A bold statement. A direct challenge. And yet, as Xu Nuan's gaze swept across the assembled women, a flicker of unease passed through them.

The air inside the grand pavilion of the Golden Lotus Tea Party grew thick with unspoken tension. The gathered noblewomen and concubines, their silken robes shimmering under the soft sunlight, barely concealed their anticipation. Xu Nuan had not only refused the so-called test but had turned the accusation back on her accusers with a single, piercing statement.

Lady Zhen, however, was not so easily deterred. She let out a small laugh, the sound light yet laced with venom. "Of course, Your Highness does not fear shadows," she said, tilting her head as if in admiration. "After all, one who plays with poison must be intimately familiar with them."

The room collectively inhaled. It was an accusation—thinly veiled, but unmistakable. A direct challenge to Xu Nuan's reputation.

Xu Nuan's fingers traced the rim of her untouched teacup, her expression remaining composed. "Poison?" she echoed softly. "Lady Zhen, I did not realize we had abandoned tea for such wild stories."

But Lady Zhen was not alone in her scheme. Princess Ruoyan leaned forward, her eyes glittering with amusement. "Wild stories, indeed. And yet… there have been whispers. His Highness the Crown Prince has always been known for his discipline. How curious that it was you, and only you, who captured his heart so swiftly."

The Queen Dowager finally spoke, her voice aged yet sharp. "Enough." She tapped her jade ring against the wooden table, silencing the murmurs. Then, her gaze settled on Xu Nuan. "The imperial court thrives on truth. Since the rumors persist, let us put them to rest. Crown Princess, allow Lady Zhen to pour you a fresh cup of tea."

The implication was clear. A test of purity, a moment for Xu Nuan to prove she had nothing to hide.

Susu, standing behind her mistress, tensed visibly, but Xu Nuan merely smiled. "Of course," she said smoothly.

Lady Zhen took her time, lifting the delicate porcelain teapot and pouring a steaming stream of jasmine-infused tea into Xu Nuan's cup. The fragrant steam curled into the air, mixing with the tension in the room.

Xu Nuan lifted the cup, but instead of drinking, she extended it toward Lady Zhen. "Please, Lady Zhen, you must taste it first," she said sweetly. "After all, you poured it so personally. It would be impolite of me to drink before you."

The trap was set.

Lady Zhen hesitated, only for the briefest second—but in that instant, the watching noblewomen understood. A single moment of hesitation was all it took to shift suspicion. If she refused, it would appear as though she feared the very cup she had poured.

The Queen Dowager's sharp eyes did not miss the pause. "Lady Zhen?" she prompted.

With no other choice, Lady Zhen brought the cup to her lips and took a measured sip. The court held its breath. When nothing happened, Xu Nuan smiled and took the cup back, sipping lightly herself.

She set it down with a soft click. "Delicious."

And just like that, the momentum of the scheme collapsed.

Lady Zhen had lost her moment to strike. The whispers, which had once been against Xu Nuan, had turned. For why would she suggest such an accusation if she herself hesitated?

The Empress, having remained silent the entire time, finally spoke. "The matter is settled."

And though her words were final, the war in the palace had only just begun.

The Empress Strikes Back

The Golden Lotus Tea Party had turned into a battlefield of veiled accusations and whispered betrayals. Lady Zhen had attempted to disgrace Crown Princess Xu Nuan, but the scheme was unraveling. Yet, before the court could fully digest the turn of events, another voice rang through the pavilion.

"Her Majesty, Empress Ming, has arrived!"

The crowd immediately rose, heads bowing low as Empress Ming entered with an air of quiet authority. Draped in a flowing phoenix-embroidered robe, her every step was deliberate, a woman who commanded power not with outbursts but with presence. Her sharp eyes swept over the gathering, taking in the tension, the trembling Lady Zhen, and the faint smirk on Empress Qin's lips.

She knew.

This was no simple incident—it was a deliberate strike against the Crown Princess, and Empress Qin had allowed it to unfold.

Slowly, Empress Ming approached the center of the room and settled onto the highest seat, her golden hairpin glinting under the sunlight. She gestured lightly with her fingers. "Sit."

The noblewomen obeyed, but the silence remained thick with unspoken words. Empress Ming finally turned her gaze toward Lady Zhen, who knelt trembling before her.

"Lady Zhen," the Empress spoke, her tone deceptively soft. "I assume you have a very compelling reason for publicly challenging the Crown Princess's honor at a gathering meant for harmony?"

Lady Zhen lowered her head even further, knowing there was no way out. "This humble concubine only wished to—"

"Enough." The single word cut through her feigned humility.

Empress Ming's gaze flickered toward Empress Qin, who sat unbothered, sipping her tea. A subtle but unmistakable power play.

"And you, Empress Qin?" Empress Ming asked coolly. "I trust you had no part in this unfortunate… misunderstanding?"

Empress Qin smiled faintly. "Why, of course not, Your Majesty. However, rumors are dangerous things. If the Crown Princess is innocent, then surely a small test would put these concerns to rest?"

A calculated move. Empress Qin had not directly accused Xu Nuan, but she had allowed the slander to gain momentum, waiting for Xu Nuan to either be humiliated or make a misstep.

Empress Ming's fingers drummed against the table before she let out a soft laugh. "Ah… it is truly amusing how much concern the court has for my daughter-in-law's virtues. And yet, it seems I have overlooked a far greater issue."

She turned back to Lady Zhen. "Lady Zhen, you claim to be acting in the name of righteousness, yet you dared to question the Crown Prince's judgment in choosing his wife. Do you suggest that His Highness, my son, is so easily deceived?"

Gasps rippled through the court. The accusation had been flipped—this was no longer an attack on Xu Nuan alone, but an insult to the Crown Prince himself.

Lady Zhen paled. "N-No! I would never—"

"Then it is settled," Empress Ming interrupted, her voice ringing with finality. "Lady Zhen has slandered the future Empress, and by extension, the Crown Prince. Such disrespect to the imperial family cannot go unpunished."

Before Lady Zhen could beg for mercy, another voice entered the pavilion.

"There is no need for further discussion."

The deep, commanding tone sent shivers through the court.

The Crown Prince had arrived.

The Crown Prince's Reckoning

The pavilion doors opened, and the Crown Prince strode in, dressed in regal blue robes lined with silver. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes burned with quiet fury. Behind him, a group of imperial guards followed, their presence adding weight to his authority.

Without sparing a glance at the kneeling Lady Zhen, his gaze locked onto Xu Nuan. Relief flickered in his dark eyes, but his expression remained calm as he reached out a hand to her.

"Come," he said, his voice firm but gentle. "You have wasted enough time here."

Xu Nuan did not hesitate. She placed her hand in his, and he pulled her up effortlessly, positioning her by his side. His grip was reassuring, a silent promise.

Lady Zhen, realizing her fate was sealed, scrambled forward. "Your Highness, I—"

The Crown Prince's eyes flicked to her, and she flinched as if struck. "Lady Zhen," he said coldly. "You speak of purity, yet your actions reek of deceit. Do not mistake my silence for patience. If you were so concerned with my wife's virtues, perhaps you should have considered your own before spreading filth in my court."

Lady Zhen collapsed into a deeper bow, trembling.

"Take her away," Empress Ming ordered, and the guards stepped forward.

As Lady Zhen was dragged away, Empress Qin finally set down her tea. "How harsh, my son," she mused. "Such punishment over mere words?"

The Crown Prince turned to his mother, his expression unreadable. "Mere words?" he echoed. "Had it been my wife speaking against another, would you have been so lenient?"

The challenge hung in the air. Empress Qin only smiled, but something flickered in her gaze—acknowledgment of a battle lost, but a war far from over.

Without another word, the Crown Prince turned and led Xu Nuan out of the pavilion, his grip on her hand never loosening.

And as they stepped away from the web of courtly games, one thing was clear—Xu Nuan was not just a Crown Princess to be played with.

She was a force to be reckoned with.