Emperor's Cunning Wife

"The Emperor's happiness is when the country is peaceful and prospering. Zaijia knows clearly what how deep the Grand Tutor's sentiments towards the Emperor goes, but this Consort Han had spouted words that incites the harem's disharmony, and if the harem is at odds, the Emperor's state of mind would be affected. Zajia cannot understand her intentions clearly." The Empress Dowager said clearly targeting Consort Han, by implying she had some unspeakable intentions towards the harem. She also deliberately emphasized the Grand Tutor's 'deep' sentiments with sarcasm. What 'concern'? I'm afraid that old fox is setting his sights on the Emperor's seats otherwise why would he sent Consort De along with her daughter to be the Emperor's women.

"This one is not; Taihou Niang Niang is clearly…" 'exaggerating' Consort Han wanted to refute but a hand had pinched her waist suddenly. That pinch was only light but it already delivered a message 'enough'.

She scanned her eyes, and realized that the ladies in the room were watching her being scolded. Some had even covered their laughter. Her eyes turned red and gritted her teeth in silence. Her temper was vastly different from Consort De so even the littlest of grievance would be paid a hundredfold. Wait till I get this humiliation back to you!

"Taihou Niang Niang, Consort Han is also concern for the Empress' reputation…" Consort De sighed and closed the lid of her teacup. The tea was high quality but it's such a pity that one cannot to afford to appreciate it. "There had been rumours going around smearing the Empress for her inability to keep the harem's order, this one is distress for Her Ladyship as the rumours had exaggerated that she was throwing her temper around, forbidding some of the sisters to send nourishing soups to the Emperor. Consort Han had even helped some of the sister to relay the soups to Emperor in their stead wishing that she would ease the relationship of the Empress and the women in the back palace. But, this one didn't believe the rumours and defended her empress to be generous to her sisters to the point she'd even arrange a schedule for each of the ladies to serve His Majesty." Consort De looked around her 'sisters' and smiled. Her thoughts were hard to comprehend.

Some became weary when they heard the underlying words behind her speech. Did Consort De just warned them that the Empress wouldn't be so kind to reward them with a chance to serve His Majesty, which means there must have been some conspiracy behind it. Recalling the matter wherein the Empress forbade them form delivering soup to His majesty's imperial study, Consort Han intercepted their servants midway and snatched the soups instead, as to whether it got to the Emperor's hand, only a ghost would be blind to say that she did them a good favour.

Consort Han silently thanked Consort De for her rescue. With her retort, she was able to shift the attention to the Empress who is absent from the morning greeting. Come to think of it, three days had passed but the Empress was not still present.

While, the Empress Dowager observed some of the ladies that were contemplating and raised her eyebrows, Consort De is sure cunning to plant some suspicion on the others that her Lou'er might have some malicious plans.

"Zaijia is glad that you're thinking of the Empress, one should not be swayed by the rumours going around and looks at the results instead. Rumours cannot be trusted, open your eyes clearly to understand things. For those loose tongues, they should be reported and punished." The Empress Dowager shifted her attention to the ladies and pointed out that on should not believe what the person says so casually, she's inferring to Consort De on her indirect accusation of the Empress' hidden intentions, and looked at the results which means at Concubine Ou and her success at having a night with His Majesty.

Soon after, the ladies had faces of expectation, particularly those that will have their turns for the following days.

Consort De, seeing this didn't get fl.u.s.tered, "Taihou Niang Niang, this one is wondering if this one have an opportunity to request an audience with her majesty. This one has been missing Empress'meimei."

The ladies also wondered curiously about the Empress being absent for three straight days. Consort Han also raised her eyebrows looking attentively at the Empress Dowager.

The hand that rested on the dragon cane trembled a little bit. The Empress Dowager really wanted to prolong the conversation but this Consort De disrupted her plan. Don't know if she found something out or is really just targeting Lou'er. A corner of her mouth drooped after she thought of the Empress' condition at the moment.

"Zaijia persuaded that girl to stay however she clearly wanted to pray for Zaijia's health and travelled to the temple alone. The Empress said that the Emperor is busy with the matters of the court and the ladies in the harem should do their best to serve him. The Empress has a filial heart, magnanimous and virtuous to be a suitable mother of the country."

Consort Han nearly threw up when the Empress Dowager praised the Empress. What filial heart? Her father is clearly dissatisfied with her, only the Empress Dowager had patience to cater her whims and tantrums. Magnanimous? Who was the one that gets jealous easily when she saw the Emperor and Consort De'jiejie being together? Virtuous? That's the most ridiculous thing she ever heard. That woman is malicious, short tempered and coward. Clearly, Consort De possessed the traits suitable to be a mother of the country. The Empress only got the position with her shamelessness.

Consort Han didn't have the clue that her position was also acquired painstakingly by her Father after some scheme. The Emperor also was dissatisfied with her behaviour that had no difference with the Empress'.

The Empress went to the temple to pray? The two consorts and other concubines fell silent. It is not her style to at all, but the Empress Dowager had already spoken, the others could only keep their mouth shut or else they would be under the old woman's radar.

"Then it is a pity, this subject would like to talk with Empress'meimei regarding some tea and incense that this one had recently received from the Emperor." Consort De lightly smiled again and this time at the Empress Dowager.

Some sparks eventually ignited in the air and the Empress Dowager narrowed her eyes, viciousness flashing for a moment. Consort Han showed her victorious smirk after Consort De had flaunted over her favour. The ladies felt uncomfortable when Consort Han deliberately smiled at them. Her eyes clearly suggested that they were foolish for competing against Consort De.

Consort De only looked at Han and the rest and silently tugged her lips downwards.

"Zaijia will relay your 'good' intentions. As for the incense and tea, the Emperor had given Zaijia some boxes of tea leaves and fragrant incenses from the tributes. Tang mama will have them delivered to your quarters." The Empress Dowager calmed herself down after finding out that Consort De had seen through her plans. Nothing could be done for the moment in case Consort De brought up the Empress again. The Empress Dowager could only dismiss them for today.

"You're dismissed." The Empress Dowager waved her hand and nodded at the two mama that stood by the incense burner. She stood up, her majestic form coupled with the dragon cane and purple brocade increased her prestige. The ladies went to the center and bowed until she left the receiving hall.

"Thanking the Empress Dowager, may you live for hundreds and hundreds of years!"

Consort Han immediately pasted herself on Consort De, her eyes contained worship and gratitude.

While Consort De's attention was on the two mamas clearing the incense burner of the ashes, however little she knew of the pair of eyes watching her every movement.