Battle of Palaces

The figure walked in emmiting rays of royalty, poise and elegance. Hair perfectly ardoned, colors well combined to create a unison between satin, silk and brocade. She sasheyed in supported by her maid on her right side and on the left hand she weilded a beautiful brocade handfan that anyone could tell from one look that it was meticulously crafted.

Everyone either turned or adjusted as she proceeded forward, it was Her Highness Noble Consort ling.

"It is ling Gui fei"..Jia pin whispered to Li fei who sat by her side but concealed it artistically by using her handkerchief to act like she was wiping off what only she knows from her mouth.

Noble Consort ling reputation preceded her in the forbidden city,She was not just a beauty but also a master of many talents,ranging from calligraphy, poetry , music and so on...Her story of moving up the rank was very different from others considering she came from a low background compared to other imperial wives and thus, she was amongst the great forces to reckon with in the imperial harem.

"Gui fei niang niang ".... Consort Shu gestured nodding in what seemed to be an acknowledgement of Her presence.

"Shu fei..you really are something ".. Ling Gui fei replied as she made her way to sit opposite Shu fei just after Consort Xian.

"Thank you niang niang for your complement " ....Shu fei replied with a smile thinking that Noble Consort ling was here to fuel her plan, but unknowing to her it was quite the opposite.

"Compliment?.. hmphh!'...ling Gui fei chuckled passing the tea cup she sipped to her maid by her side.

It was at this moment is stroke everyone that Noble Consort ling was about to turn the tide, but Xian fei wasn't bothered for she knew either way, the outcome of this was going to be against Shu fei

"Shu fei... by Phoenix, who were you referring to?" Noble Consort ling asked admiring her nail guard like she wasn't interested in the question or ready to talk more.

Already, Shu fei was startled, she didn't know what to say that will sound pleasing and get her off this hook .

Stuttering as she tried covering her fright, she replied..."Aiyo!...ni-niang niang the ..the Phoenix is--

-is the queen of all birds"..Noble Consort ling interjected, still not looking upward, instead she was checking the detailing of her handkerchief. Everyone at this moment in Changchun Hall was fully aware of the drama about to unfold...

Shu fei on the other hand was shaking involuntarily and was about speaking when Noble Consort ling interrupted again

"And by the queen of all birds , you mean the Empress..right?"

Immediately, Shu fei fell to her knees.."niang niang I dare not"

"You dare not!?...Noble Consort ling leaned forward in anger, her tone conveying power and authority .

Everyone was silent , no one dared say a word, not even Jia pin who always tailed after Shu fei like a house fly was able to move an inch. That is the authority concubine of her rank in the imperial harem carrier and Ling actually knew how to exercise it as she was the only one in the realm of that rank.

Noble Consort ling continued...."ouh?..you dare not ? But right before everyone you said the Empress is not fit to be the Ruler of the six palaces , rather it should be Xian fei?, How daring of you Shu fei!!!"

The sentence struck Consort Shu like it was her death sentence , Shu fei almost gave up the ghost in fright of what might be her fate .

"What place is the forbidden city?...Noble Consort ling continued..." That you can openly gossip about her highness the Empress even in her own palace?..well I Wouldn't take matters to my hands, lest I am also accused of becoming the Empress overnight. Let's wait for the Empress to come pass her judgement"..Noble Consort ling concluded as she relaxed into her sit fanning her self to cool off her engines

"Ling Gui fei is great!... huh, really amazing" Yu Guiren said to Hua pin in awe.

"Mei mei...Shu fei is done for".. Hua pin smirked mischievously as she whispered back at Yu Guiren.

"She sure is..Yu Guiren replied nodding involuntarily.

"Am I that of a bad Empress that some people cannot wait to dethrone me right in my own palace!!?"...A voice echoed into Changchun Hall causing everyone to turn with speed and to the direction of the voice.

Suddenly,the door behind the empress royal seat opened and the Empress in her full Glory stepped out accompanied by two maid , one each on her left and right side.

Empress Huang restrained from all Palace duites due to her poor health after loosing a pregnancy in the 8th month and thus, Noble Consort ling was made to supervise over the affairs of the six palaces and imperial harem at large while the Empress was recovering to full health for the past four months .

But as the saying goes; 'when a lion is down, even the weakest of dogs takes advantage of it. So, recently gossips have been flying around about how incapable the empress was and how it is of a great doubt that she will ever recover to come back in managing the affairs of the palace again. This gave room to the likes of Consort Shu to behave like tyrants even before the Empress Palace.

As the Empress walked forward to have her sit, all the imperial wives stood up and out of their seats forming two lines , one one the right side and the other on the left side. Each line was headed by Noble Consort ling and Consort Shu in front all facing the Empress as she made her way to sit majestically.

"Greetings Huanghuo niang niang!, wishing your highness thousands of good fortune and health!"..they all echoed kneeling down with only one knee.

"Mei mei...you are all excused of formality"..the empress gestured raising her hand for them to stand you, which they all did and you back on their seats.

Everyone was so observant, waiting for the empress to address the storm before them..Shu fei on the other hand almost gave up the ghost as the suspense was killing her.

The Empress smiled and finally decided to break the iceberg...

...I have been away for a while due to my poor health and have caused Noble Consort ling to worry so much in governing the harem. A lot has happened while I was away and my absence has given room for some dogs to bark without control"

"Hmph hmph!...Jia pin coughed.

" i want to tell you all Mei mei...that I am back in full health, thanks to his Majesty and all your well wishes. And as such, I won't tolerate any form of arrogance and disrespect"...the empress continued

"Shu fei!!".....