Death is temporary, I'll love you forever @necrownym - Tumblr Blog

Where Flowers Bloom: Part One

Description: (Yandere! Ancient Chinese Empress x Concubine! Reader) You are the newest addition to His Majesty the Emperor's vast and ever-growing harem. And despite your best efforts to avoid all the drama, the palace intrigue still finds a way into your life. (6.2K words)

Warnings: overall yandere themes, power imbalance, prolonged physical punishment (kneeling), reader gets bullied and physically abused (slapped), mentions of death (not reader), depictions of body, reader has it a little rough, but she gets her lick back lowkey

Your marriage was a purely transactional affair. You came from a humble family of scholars that currently had the Emperor's favor. Your status allowed you to marry intoImperial harem with a decent title, but it wasn't grand enough to make anyone really care.

You had stepped foot in the palace in your wedding robe, the grim look on your face hidden by your opaque red veil. Honestly, with the lack of dancing and overall celebration, your wedding procession felt more like a funeral.

You were dropped off rather unceremoniously into the palace, your new home. You peaked underneath your veil to catch a glimpse of the place you'd live in for the rest of your days. With its high walls and guards patrolling every corner, the place felt more like a prison than a palace. Still, you supposed there were worse fates than being married to the most powerful man in the country.

Your veil blocking your view, you were guided by hands with faces unknown. They were most definitely servants of the palace, your new assigned attendants. While some concubines were able to bring their childhood ladies in waiting with them, you were afforded no such luxury.

Up until recently, your family had been too poor to afford servants. Which meant you did all the menial chores and housework while your brother struggled to earn a few copper coins on the street. You wondered if you'd ever get used to having people serving you after a life of grueling work. You wondered if you'd ever become accustomed to the luxury of the palace after living in abject poverty. Probably not, but who were you to complain?

The palace attendants dutifully guided you to your new courtyard and room, sitting you down on your new bed with measured care. With the veil on you could only really see your feet, but you could still catch glimpses of the room.

The servants hadn't even bothered to decorate the place. You stared at the dark blue comforter. They hadn't even bothered to switch it to a red one despite knowing it was your wedding. You guessed they knew that the Emperor wouldn't bother seeing his new bride, and so they didn't bother with any of the usual formalities.

Still, customs were customs. So you sat there waiting patiently for the groom you've never once met. You sat for hours upon hours, watching the sun gradually set through the corners of your opaque veil. Finally, your maid, Li Hua, as you've recently learned, spoke up.

“It seems His Majesty is busy tonight. I think your ladyship would not be scolded for going to bed a little early,” Li Hua said politely. That's fine. You weren't arrogant enough to expect the Emperor's attention, let alone a fairytale wedding.

With an exasperated sigh, you tore off your own wedding veil. You were breaking an age-old tradition, but who cares? It's not like your groom was there to take it off for you. You were glad to finally take it off, you felt as if you could finally breathe. Now you could take in your new room and subsequently your new life in full.

As far as palace accommodations went, you shortly didn't draw the short end of the stick. You had your own room that was fairly sizable and fully furnished. Although other consorts and concubines might have complained about its simplicity, this was far more than you ever expected. All in all, you were satisfied. No, more than that, you were happy. It looked like a quaint little place to live quietly.

That night you went to bed early, knowing you had to get up before dawn the next day to greet the Empress. You dozed off dreaming of lower walls.

---

The next morning, you woke before the crack of dawn to greet the Empress. As a newly appointed Imperial Concubine in his Majesty's harem, you dared not shirk this responsibility. The last thing you wanted was to be branded as another arrogant mistress. Or to draw undue attention to yourself.

You spent the morning scrambling through your wardrobe for something elegant but plain. You were terrified of being underdressed but at the same time feared potentially insulting the Empress if you showed up in your finest.

Dressed in the least offensive clothing you could find, you went to Her Majesty's courtyard just after the sun settled in the sky. Her courtyard was filled to the brim with white chrysanthemums. An odd choice of flower for an Empress, but you supposed no one dared to comment on it.

While entering her Majesty's palace residence, you kept your eyes down. Your head was slightly bowed as you entered, your maid in tow. You took note of the other ladies of the palace seated in the room. It looks like her Majesty was having an early morning tea party.

Without looking up, you took a few steps closer to Her Majesty. Once you were but a few feet away from her, you bowed as elegantly as you could while sitting on your knees.

“This Imperial Consort greets Your Majesty the Empress,” you said, as if reciting lines from a play. You dare meet her gaze. Your knees ached against the hardwood floor as you waited on baited breath for Her Majesty to acknowledge you.

After what felt like eternity, the Empress finally deigned to spare your knees.

“No need for formalities. Please, rise.”

You were happy not to have to kneel for much longer, but you knew better than to let your guard down so soon. Slowly, you raised your head from its bow. As you were about to rise from your knees, you paused.

You had never seen the Empress before. Sure you've seen plenty of portraits of her. Now, finally face to face with Empress Yujing, you could say that none of them have done her any justice.

All of her portraits painted her as soft and matronly. In reality, that couldn't be farther from the truth. You could only compare her to a blade glimmering in candlelight before a strike. Or perhaps a long necked heron moments before snapping the neck of its prey.

Her long, dark hair was pinned elaborately in place, adorned by fine silver and pearl ornaments. Her robes were made of the finest silk, with careful silver embroidery. Her earrings alone could have bought your brother a brand new calligraphy set. You couldn't help but stare for a moment to take in such a rare beauty draped in decadence.

At the sight of staring, the Empress’ red painted lips pulled into a smile.

A sharp cleverness lingered in her pitch black eyes, one that made the hairs on the back of your neck stand. You realized she was watching you. Waiting.

You stood, straightening your back completely. Making sure your eyes were glued to the ground, you put on the most polite smile you could muster. Empress Yujing seemed like the discerning type, one you definitely did not want to offend.

“Most bring me a gift when they first come to pay their respects.” The Empress said with a slight lilt to her voice. Every word she spoke sounded as if she were reciting some forgotten poem. “I wonder, what have you brought, Little Concubine?”

You blanched. Your family was all but inconsequential until recently, so you weren't caught up on the proper etiquette. You had no idea that you had to bring a gift for Her Majesty. Her eyes leered at you expectantly as she hid her obvious smile behind the sleeves of her formal dress.

All eyes in the room were on you. You could hear some of the other concubines and consorts poorly hide their own chuckles and smirks. In Her Majesty's serving parlor, their judgment upon you was a tangible weight upon your shoulders.

Your mouth worked quicker than your mind could process.

“I did not bring a gift for your Majesty,” you confessed honestly. The onlooking consorts either feigned offense or outright laughed at your misfortune. None extended their sympathy to you. You hid your own emotions behind a wall of polite indifference. “If your Majesty will allow it, I have something else to offer you.”

By the grace of the heavens or by sheer boredom, Her Majesty nodded, granting you permission to continue.

You extended your hands out to her in thanks, as if worshipping a deity. You supposed you were, in a sense. If The Emperor was chosen by the heavens, why couldn't his wife be as well?

“Your Majesty,” you began. “ This Concubine was born to a family of scholars, but I do not have the same gift with words as my brother. This Concubine is of humble origins, so I have nothing worthy to give you.” You inhaled deeply, readying yourself for whatever was to come for your next words. “All I can offer is my most sincere loyalty to you.”

You bowed again, this time fully prostrating yourself. Your forehead touched the ground. A beat of silence passed.

A chill crept over your exposed neck. You wondered if a blade hung there, waiting to execute you. If the Empress would accept your humble gift or would plot your death where you stood. Knowing some of the rumors that surrounded her-- perhaps both.

“Loyalty?” The Empress said aloud, as if pondering the meaning of the word. You could hear the slight surprise in her voice. Perhaps no one has ever offered her such a thing before?

“Very well.” She said plainly. You could almost cry in relief. “I accept your gift.”

“Really?!” You raised your head a little too quickly, almost beaming. The smile on your face was genuine, but this was neither the time nor the place. You corrected yourself immediately, closing your lips. “This humble servant offers her most sincere gratitude to Your Majesty.”

Your Majesty seemed to smile back at you. Maybe you had misjudged her. Maybe she was more than the cold exterior she gave off.

A slow sip of a tea cup you hadn't even realized she'd been holding.

“Of course, someone loyal would kneel in a courtyard to demonstrate their devotion. Perhaps for hours?”

Her voice shattered any illusion of her kindness. Of course it would never be that easy.

“Yes,” Her Majesty said, clearly speaking to herself. “I think kneeling for three hours is an appropriate display of loyalty. Don't you, Mei-mei?”

Biting back a nasty expression as well as an even nastier comment, you extended another curt bow. While the Empress phrased it like a suggestion, you really didn't have a choice in the matter. If the Mother of the nation wished for it, you could only comply. You willed your expression into neutrality.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

---

Three hours later and your knees were killing you. It was bad enough that almost every person who passed you- regardless of their rank- sneered at you. The only person who stood by you solemnly was your maid Li Hua. When she tried to kneel alongside you, you insisted she shouldn't suffer from your mistake. By the time your punishment had passed, the sun was already starting to set.

You stood, your legs shaking like a newborn doe. Your knees were probably bruised like hell, but you had lost all feelings in your leg by hour two. Li Hua helped you stand, letting you use her as support as your legs trembled uncontrollably.

It was a genuine struggle to get back to your room, but what a relief it was to collapse into your bed.

“I think the Empress hates me,” you quietly confessed to your maid.

“Don't say that!” Li Hua hurried to correct you. Her eyes darted around nervously. “Someone might overhear you!”

“Let them. I think Her Majesty has made her dislike of me known to everyone in the palace already.” You groaned, burying your face into your pillow.

That quiet, unremarkable life you imagined became more and more unattainable by the hour. You've only been here a day, and yet you've already suffered such embarrassment. How on Earth could you ever show your face in the palace now?

“I think Her Majesty and you have just started off on the wrong foot, My Lady. I'm sure you can win her over.” Li Hua started dutifully taking the decorative pins out of your hair, letting the tresses fall on your back. “I'm sure once Her Majesty gets to know you, her heart will warm to you just like mine did.”

“Thank you, Li Hua.” You gave her a small smile.

She was now gently combing your hair, careful not to pull on any knots or tangles. “Think nothing of it, My Lady. Just have hope. The Empress will come around eventually.”

“I hope so.” You let loose another groan, followed by a sigh. You turned off your stomach and onto your back, staring blankly up at the ceiling. “I'm not sure how much more of this I can take.”

“Keep trying, My Lady. Why don't you get some rest? I'll go do some chores.”

Completely exhausted, you nodded. Your eyes were already lulling to sleep. You thanked her weakly as you laid your head down to rest. Not a second later your eyes closed as you drifted off into sleep. This time, you dreamed of home and of a fine horse-hair ink brush meant for your brother.

---

The pain in your knees woke you up. Your eyes opened to the soft glow of the moonlight streaming through the window. You winced, throwing the covers off you. Li Hua must have tucked you in. Honestly, you weren't sure what you had done in a past life to have found such a genuine person in such an impersonal, cold place.

In the pale light of the moon you could see the ugly purple, red, and yellow bruising littering your legs. You weren’t sure if it hurt more than it looked or vice versa. Either way, you knew you weren't sleeping soundly tonight. Drifting in and out of consciousness, you waited for morning to come.

The Sun couldn't come soon enough. Naturally, Li Hua came to your chamber to attend to you. At the sight of her legs, though, she nearly fainted. She insisted you call the royal physician, a request you vehemently denied. As if any Imperial physicians would give you the time of day after her Majesty made her contempt for you so clear.

Confined to strict bed rest thanks to Li Hua, you spent the rest of your day idly reading. After a few hours of that, you were bored to tears. Thankfully, your boredom was cut short by a surprise visitor.

“My Lady,” Li Hua said with a bow. You gently flicked her brow in a teasing manner as punishment. You must have told her ten times already to forego all formalities in private.

She rubbed her forehead, sticking out her tongue at you before continuing. “Noble Consort Zhao Yanfei is here to visit you.”

At such news, you almost asked Li Hua to repeat herself. Imperial Consort Yanfei far outranked you. In fact the only person in the harem she didn't outrank was the Empress herself. Why on Earth would she dare to visit you? Especially after yesterday's turn of events?

“Let her in, Li Hua.” Regardless of your own personal astonishment, Imperial Consort Yanfei was also on the list of people you dared not offend. “And brew some tea, please.”

Not much later, you entered the receiving room. “This Imperial Concubine greets the Imperial Consort.” You moved to bow despite the pain in your knees.

“No need,” the Imperial Consort said. “Please, sit. I'm sure you're in enough pain as it is.”

You schooled your face into a passive expression, despite her biting remarks. Has Yangfei only come to proverbially rub salt in your wound?

Still, etiquette and status demanded you not to offend her. You sat at the table, and Li Hua came to place a steaming cup of tea in front of the both of you. You took the moment to steal a glance at Consort Yanfei.

She was beautiful in the traditional sense. Yanfei was all soft curves and features, paired with a voice smoother than satin. The spitting image of a wife and mother. You could easily see why His Majesty favored her. No wonder she had already given birth to a little prince and princess.

A pregnant pause filled the room as you waited for her to break the silence.

“Ah, Mei-mei? I can call you that, right?” Yangfei finally broke the awkward silence “I heard about what happened yesterday. I feel terrible about it and wanted to extend my sympathies to you.”

You took a long sip of your tea, hoping to hide your skepticism. While you might have been new here, you weren't naive. Nothing in this palace was ever that simple. If she truly felt that way, why hadn't she advocated for you?

“I promise I'm not just saying these things to you.” Consort Yanfei reached over the table to place her hands over hers. “You remind me so much of my younger sister. Whenever I look at you, I can't help but feel great affection for you.”

The Consort looked at her maid, who wordlessly sat down a jar on the table. “This is for you. It's a medicine made with ginseng. It'll help the swelling and reduce scarring.” Consort Yanfei smiled warmly at you. Something about the tenderness in her large, warm brown eyes made you yearn from your family.

“Thank you for your concern, Imperial Consort,” you said noncommittally. Last time you believed in the kindness of someone's heart, you ended up kneeling for three hours. You wouldn't make the same mistake again. So you let her speak as you took another long sip of your tea.

Zhao Yanfei squeezed your hands reassuringly. She gave care in the strange maternal way that was so unfamiliar to you. “Mei-mei, this might be too forward but… I'm sure you heard the rumors.” Yanfei leaned closer, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret. You assumed she was speaking the rumors going around that Empress Yujing was barren. “You seem smart, Mei-mei. Careful. I like that.”

Her voice was barely above a whisper. “Tell me, what do you think? Do you think the Emperor favors women who are warm and gentle? Or does he prefer those who are cold and indifferent? I wonder what kind of woman would be best at his side.”

Your eyes went wide. Although she didn't say it outright, you understood perfectly what she was implying. Consort Yanfei wanted to become the next Empress and she was asking you to pick sides.

You saw Yanfei in a new light. So she wasn't all motherly warmth after all. She had to be at least a little cold to come to you now. Any person who went through what you did would reasonably hate the Empress. You currently were at your most vulnerable. Nearly anybody with a semblance of intelligence would jump at the opportunity to make friends with a powerful ally, the only person with the means to actually be a threat to Her Majesty. Not you, though.

You pulled her hands away from her as if she were on fire. “Apologies, Imperial Consort. I fear this Concubine cannot afford your sisterhood. I am only interested in a quiet, simple life, unbothered by the world.” You stood with some difficulty, your maid coming to help you. You refused to involve yourself with palace intrigue.

“And someone as humble as I cannot accept such an expensive gift made with such precious medicine. Please use it on yourself, Imperial Consort Zhao.”

With some help from Li Hua, you managed a courteous bow. “Thank you for your kind visit. Li Hua, please see the Imperial Consort out. I'm afraid I'm not feeling well.”

Under the mask of Zhao Yanfei's kindness and care, you could see the rage that boiled just below the surface. She was clearly annoyed. Ostensibly because you, a lowly concubine, had the gall to deny her. She picked up the jar of medicine set on the table. “I see, Imperial Concubine. Farewell.”

She left without another word.

You let your shoulders sag as soon as the coast was clear. You sighed exasperatedly. It was only your second day here, how have you managed to make not one, but two powerful enemies already?

---

The next few days were relatively peaceful. You did in fact break your strict bed rest, unable to sit still for long without being bored to tears. Despite her insistence of otherwise, you and Li Hua took turns during various chores around your courtyard. Unfortunately, your moving around most definitely slowed the healing process, but it's not like you cared. It'll heal eventually.

About a week later, Li Hua rushed to you with a seemingly random invitation to the Empress’ palace. You obeyed, of course, but couldn't stop yourself from dragging your feet along the way. What was this summons even about? Did Her Majesty wish to bully you around even more?

This time you met her in her courtyard, surrounded by blooming white chrysanthemums.

You felt severe deja vu as you bowed to greet the Empress once again. “This Imperial Concubine extends her greetings to Her Majesty.”

“No need. Please, sit. Have some tea.” The Empress gestured to the padded wooden seat next to her.

You hid your disdainful expressionless behind your billowing sleeves. Your recent experience has shown you that people are only kind in the palace for two reasons. One: they want a favor. Two: they want to smile as they twist the knife in your back. But seeing as you had no right to refuse, you sat beside her.

A maid handed you a steaming cup of jasmine tea. Not wanting to be impolite, you idly sipped it.

“You must hate me.” Empress Yujing said suddenly. You almost spit out the tea you were drinking. How could her Majesty be so blunt?

Did your face give it away? That was not good. You really didn't want to be punished again. Panicked, you scrambled to think of a lie to placate her. “Your Majesty-” you started, only to be rudely cut off.

The Empress held up a delicate hand, stopping your words with just a gesture. “Your face says it plainly. You're a terrible liar.” Her Majesty only looked amused at the expression painted on her face. “Still, I find it puzzling. Why would a little concubine like yourself, who hates me, not join hands with Consort Yanfei?”

“How did you-?”

“I'm the Empress. Do you think I do not know what transpires in my own home?”

Ah, right. Empress Yujing probably had spies at every corner in the palace. No place was safe from her watchful eyes. You honestly felt stupid for even asking.

“Now, answer the question.” The Empress tapped a single painted nail against the fragile porcelain of her tea cup. You wondered if that clinking was a small sign of her impatience.

Not wanting to test her patience, any further, you answered without thinking. “Well, I swore my loyalty to you, did I not?”

Empress Yujing only smiled, and for the first time, the gesture didn't seem hollow. “Loyalty?” A light glimmered in her dark eyes in mild amusement. “What a funny word to use in this Imperial harem.”

You were getting tired of Her Majesty saying things you didn't quite understand, so your gaze wandered to the plate of pastries in front of her.

“Well, I suppose virtue must be rewarded. Tell me, what would you like? Some medicine for your knees? Jewelry? Gold? Take your pick.”

“Respectfully, Your Majesty, loyalty can't be bought.” Your eyes flickered back to the baked goods. “...But if I might be so bold, most people give treats to people they like.”

Her Majesty laughed out loud at that. Her laughter was more carefree than you imagined. Although you never imagined you'd ever hear her laughter in the first place, she seemed entirely too high strung. “Oh really? Very well. I bestow this plate of flower cakes upon you as a reward.”

She gestured to one of her ladies in waiting. Her maid handed you the plate of confectionaries before scurrying back off from whence she came.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” you said. You stood up to bow rather clumsily thanks to your knee.

“You are dismissed.” The Empress turned her attention back to her tea, turning the cup carefully in her hands. You tried not to be offended at the fact she treated you only like you were some form of fleeting, discardable entertainment. Like she'd had her fill of you and was now tossing you aside.

You bit your tongue as Li Hua helped you leave her garden. You reminded yourself that she was Empress Yujing of the esteemed Wei clan, the wife of the emperor, and you were a simple concubine from a nearly no-name family. There was a line between you, one you would be sure never to cross.

Just as you were about to step foot out of the courtyard, the Empress called to you.

“Oh, and little concubine? Please come visit more often. I've heard that viewing flowers is best in pairs.”

Now that your back was turned and your face was out of sight, you could roll your eyes freely. Like you would ever be so bold as to just show up at the Empress’ palace uninvited.

---

For the next two days, you didn't hear a word from Her Majesty. On the third day, a maid from the Empress’ palace had dropped by and delivered some medicine for your knee. The maid had said that the Empress was giving this to you because she found the look of limping puppies unsightly.

You accepted the gift, not daring to give the Empress another excuse to punish you. Still against your best interest, you told the maid to deliver a message to her Majesty: if you'd known she held such a high standard for strays, you would’ve limped with more grace.

The maid came back with a letter, presumably from the Empress.

The letter contained only a short sentence written in dignified calligraphy:

“Limping, loyal dogs still visit their Master.”

The maid then gave instructions that Her Majesty insisted you frame her message on the wall and reflect on its meaning for the next three days. In other words, you were grounded.

It took everything in you not to disobey her orders, crumpled up her letter, and threw it in the trash. You knew if you did she would only think of another way to get under your skin. If you didn’t know any better, you would say that Empress was taking some sort of sick pleasure in tormenting you.

After your brief period in isolation, you were eager to be out of your room again. Little did you know, the Empress had already made plans for you. Under her strict orders, you were to visit her courtyard for tea every day.

Every bone in your body told you not to visit the Empress for any reason. Even merely mentioning her name seemed to invite trouble on your end. Going would undoubtedly spell another punishment, but refusing the Empress’ mandate, no matter how petty the order might seem, would be treason. So, with your tail tucked between your legs, you begrudgingly went to the Empress’ palace. Alone.

--

The Empress’ back was turned to you. She was currently tending to her garden. And in the golden light of the afternoon, you couldn’t help but admire her noble bearing. Begrudgingly you had to admit that she was achingly beautiful, even when doing the most mundane of tasks.

“Are you just going to stand there?” The Empress finally spoke. Her words interrupted the sound of scissors snipping away at the bush of flowers before her.

You snapped back into reality. For a moment, you had let yourself become so distracted by her good looks, you had forgotten basic etiquette. You bowed and greeted her as protocol demands.

The Empress waved her hand, acknowledging your greeting dismissively.

“Little Concubine,” she began. She cut off the head of a blooming chrysanthemum. Your heart broke a little at the sight of a flower cut down in its prime. “I have a gift for you.”

In an instant, she closed the distance between you. She was so close you could smell the incense she must burn in her room. The Empress tenderly tucked the white blossom in your hair.

She then withdrew as if nothing happened.

You blinked. Your hand absent-mindedly went to the flower now adorning your hair, as if to make sure it was really there.

“Consider it a token of my favor."

“I thought you hated me,” You blurted. You immediately bit your tongue, realizing your mistake.

“My little concubine, who could ever hate you?”

---

You left the Empress’ palace that day lost in a menagerie of thoughts. No matter how hard you tried, you just couldn't seem to understand her. Every time you thought you could predict her next move, she would do something completely off the wall. It was driving you insane.

Lost in the daze of your thoughts, you didn't realize someone was walking your way until you tripped. You fell plain on your rear end onto stone. That would certainly hurt tomorrow.

“How dare you bump into my Lady, the esteemed Imperial Consort?” A servant barked at you.

You scrambled to stand and offer your apologies as quickly as possible. A knee-jerk reaction. “Imperial Consort Yanfei, please ease your anger-”

Her maid quickly cut you off. “My Lady is pregnant! Could you bear the responsibility if she or her unborn child were harmed?”

You didn’t dare raise your head or so much as look at her. All you could do was repeat the same few apologies, like an actor going over his lines.

All the while, the maid kept barking at you endlessly. She didn't stop until her mistress stepped in.

“That's enough, Shu'er.” The Imperial Consort said, placing a comforting hand on her maid's shoulder. A neutral but amicable expression was painted on her face. “I am unharmed. And I am sure the Imperial Concubine meant nothing… by…it.”

Her words trailed off as she stared at you. It took you a moment to realize where she was staring. The white chrysanthemum in your hair.

The immediate shift in her expression was tangible. Her kind voice turned unfeeling. Suddenly, she placed a hand over her stomach. “Oh, my poor baby. “

Your blood ran cold. It became apparent to you that you were in deep, deep trouble. You fell to your knees preemptively, already knowing where this was heading.

You stopped all your apologies, knowing it would only fall on deaf ears now.

“Shu'er.” Her eyes, once an inviting brown, were now devoid of all life. “Strike the Imperial Concubine.”

Yangfei's maid struck you across the face. The blow was hard enough that her nails drew blood.

“Again.”

You braced yourself for the second strike, and somehow this one was worse than the first.

“Again.”

Even in your pain, you couldn’t entirely blame her for venting her frustration out on you. You had more or less said you would remain impartial. Yet here you are, wearing an obvious sign of her sworn enemy as an accessory.

“Keep going until I say stop.”

Your lip split a bit, a thin line of crimson running down your chin. Your face was starting to swell.

Yanfei curled her nose in disgust, placing a silk handkerchief over her nose. The other concubines would only stop to stare and whisper. All the servants passing by, minded their business. Nobody did anything to stop the Imperial Consort. Nor could they. She ranked far higher than you, and therefore had the right to discipline you as she pleased.

It was your mistake. You should have watched where you were going.

“Stop.” The Consort finally said. And the slapping ceased.

Yanfei took measured steps toward you. She knelt to where she was nearly eye-level with you. “Please don't blame me, Mei-mei, I was only protecting the imperial offspring. If I didn't punish you severely, you might have been charged with conspiracy and treason.”

You kept your scoff of disbelief to yourself. As if you would believe her honeyed words anymore.

“Oh, Mei-mei, you seem to have a weed in your hair. Let me remove it for you.” She plucked the white flower clean out of your hair, letting it fall to the ground. “Such a tacky thing isn't befitting of your status.”

And then she dug her heel into the blossom, smothering it into the stone ground. You didn’t think after such abject humiliation your heart could break any further, but it did.

“Forget it.”

And she strolled away casually, taking her entourage of maids with her, leaving you to lick your wounds.

---

Consort Yanfei's body was found the next morning. The entire palace was in mourning as her status demanded.

Dressed in simple cotton mourning clothes, all the women of the Imperial harem had to pay respects to the late Consort. You included.

Your face still battered and bruised, you wore a veil so as to not make the other palace ladies uncomfortable. Still it did nothing to stop the pitiful looks and hushed whispers that followed you. No one thought you’d have the guts to show your defeated face. But you had to come. You had to see Consort Yanfei with your own two eyes.

The open coffin stood amongst a sea of offerings, lit candles, and incense. You approached Consort Yanfei's body, head bowed. The official story had been that she had passed due to complications with her pregnancy.

A believable story, surely. Being pregnant and giving birth was risky and often lethal business. But one look at Consort Yanfei and you knew that it was all a lie.

It wasn't her body that gave the secret of her death away. She looked untouched, her hair and makeup meticulously done. No, not a hair on her head was disheveled or a thing out of place. Everything was pristine in her death as Consort Yanfei had been rumored to be in life.

The only thing that seemed off, that wasn’t quite as it seems was the chrysanthemum laid so delicately on her corpse. A single white flower placed right where her unborn child should be.

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