MY PRINCE HUSBAND HAS SEVEN WIVES AND I AM HIS FAVOURITE!
Chapter 169: No one defies the palace

Chapter 169: No one defies the palace

The First Consort strode hastily through the winding corridors of the imperial palace, her silk robes billowing behind her as her entourage of maids and attendants struggled to keep up with her hurried pace.

The golden embroidery on her attire shimmered under the palace lanterns, reflecting her elevated status, yet the tension in her brow betrayed the urgency that drove her forward.

The Yard of Grace had not been enough to contain her fury, nor had the humiliating tale of Madame Lin and Madame Qiao’s disgraceful expulsion from Hua Jing’s residence satisfied her. No, this matter needed to be brought before the Empress herself.

As she neared the Empress’s palace, the guards stationed at the entrance bowed low, stepping aside without a word.

The First Consort’s visits were common, her authority second only to the Empress within the inner palace, and none dared hinder her passage. A eunuch rushed ahead to announce her arrival.

The Empress resided in Yongle Palace, a grand and imposing courtyard that stood at the heart of the imperial harem. Unlike the other consorts’ residences, which were scattered across the inner palace, Yongle Palace was a magnificent structure built with exquisite golden roof tiles and crimson pillars, symbolizing her supreme authority. The entrance was flanked by towering white jade lion statues, their fierce expressions a silent warning to those who dared step out of line.

A vast, intricately carved courtyard stretched before the main hall, where koi ponds shimmered under the sunlight, their stillness only disturbed by the occasional ripple caused by the breeze. Delicate pavilions framed the perimeter, their silken curtains swaying gently. The scent of osmanthus and peonies filled the air, blending with the faint aroma of incense that wafted from within the grand chamber.

Inside the lavishly adorned chamber, the Empress sat serenely on a cushioned dais, her expression calm yet unreadable as she idly turned a jade ring on her finger. Her crimson and gold robes exuded majesty, and the pearls woven into her intricate hairpiece gleamed under the flickering candlelight. She looked up as the First Consort entered, her sharp gaze assessing the other woman’s demeanor.

There was a sharp glint in the Empress’ eyes that flashed by in an instant.

"Your Majesty," the First Consort greeted with a deep bow, her voice steady despite the storm roiling within her. The Empress merely nodded, gesturing for her to rise.

"I presume you have not come at this hour merely to exchange pleasantries."

The First Consort inhaled sharply, forcing a tight smile onto her lips. "Indeed, Your Majesty, I have come to discuss a matter of great importance—Hua Jing."

The Empress’s fingers stilled on the jade ring, her expression unchanging. "What about her?"

The First Consort clenched her fists beneath the flowing sleeves of her robe.

Just the thought of what happened was making her angry again

"She is a disgrace. A mere daughter of the Hua family, yet she walks with the arrogance of a woman who commands power beyond her station. Today, she humiliated two of your trusted instructors, tossing them out as if they were nothing more than beggars on the street. She does not respect the rules of the inner palace, nor does she recognize her place."

The Empress let out a slow breath, her gaze turning to the intricate floral screen beside her. "She was not chosen by the Emperor. Zhao Yan himself insisted upon her."

"And that is precisely the problem!" The First Consort’s voice rose before she quickly composed herself, lowering her head in apology. "Your Majesty, we both know the Crown Prince is... unlike others. He would never wed a woman simply for favor or convenience. If he insisted upon Hua Jing, then it was deliberate. And deliberate choices from the Crown Prince rarely bode well for those who stand in his way."

The Empress finally met the First Consort’s gaze directly, her eyes filled with calculation. "You suspect she is more than what she seems."

The First Consort nodded. "It is undeniable. No mere consort could have handled those instructors the way she did. No meek lady would have dared to challenge them so openly. She is no ordinary woman."

The Empress tapped a polished nail against the lacquered table. "With the Emperor’s illness and the Crown Prince keeping his whereabouts a secret, the palace is already unsettled. Acting rashly against Hua Jing could provoke Zhao Yan at a time when we must move carefully."

"But Your Majesty," the First Consort pressed, "is it not more dangerous to allow her to roam unchecked? If she has truly captured the Crown Prince’s favor to such an extent, then she is a threat to us all."

Silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken thoughts. The Empress’s gaze darkened as she considered the First Consort’s words. The power in the palace was shifting, the weight of it tilting precariously in an unknown direction. Zhao Yan was unpredictable, and the secrecy surrounding the Emperor’s illness only added to the growing tension.

Finally, the Empress spoke, her voice quiet but resolute. "We will not act against her openly—not yet. But we will watch. Closely. If there is something to uncover, we will find it."

The First Consort exhaled slowly, a smirk playing at the corner of her lips. "And when we do?"

The Empress’s fingers resumed their idle motion over the jade ring. "Then we will ensure she is removed from the picture—permanently."

A slow, knowing smile spread across the First Consort’s lips. "Then we are in agreement."

The Empress lifted her cup of tea, its surface rippling ever so slightly. "Hua Jing may believe she has secured herself a place at the Crown Prince’s side, but no one defies the order of the palace without consequence."

Outside, the night deepened, shadows stretching long and dark across the palace walls.

Plans were set in motion, unseen currents shifting beneath the surface of courtly grace. And at the heart of it all, Hua Jing remained unaware that powerful forces had begun to weave a trap meant solely for her...