It had been a heavy week of near-death rebirths and spirits circling the birthing chambers for Mei and Leonara. But with Ling'er keeping the evil ghost at bay, they were able to relax and focus on the pregnancy.
Now in their final month, the baby sat heavy, and the back pain was constant.
The sun was high as they sat in the gazebo when a maid approached to inform them that a maid of Consort Rui was outside requesting entry.
Once allowed in, the maid bowed and said, "Consort Sun Rui sends her greetings."
Mei stiffened.
Leonara asked, "The sister?"
"Not just the sister," Ling'er said, her tone suddenly flat. "Mei was meant to marry the Emperor, but the chance was later given to her."
Leonara frowned. "But didn't you?"
"She loved the Duke," Ling'er continued. "She wanted love over power. So her father offered Rui instead."
Leonara hesitated. "Does the Emperor visit her often?"
Ling'er nodded. "He does. But he lingers here longer."
No one responded.
The next morning, at dawn, they prepared for morning greetings. Though the Emperor had excused them, Leonara insisted they go to meet the women of the harem, to learn who they were dealing with. Mei agreed.
"Time to meet the wolves," Leonara muttered.
Mei didn't respond, but her spine straightened as the attendants dressed them in pale blue silk, pinning their hair in simple knots with single jade pins.
Ling'er hovered nearby. "Leonara you are going to love this," she whispered. "It's like war but with words instead of spears and more jewellery."
At the Empress's palace, the hall reeked of sandalwood. The women stood in orderly rows, glittering, each ranked by position.
When Consort Bai entered, silence followed.
Every eye turned to her, some filled with jealousy, others with hate.
Nearly every woman in that hall had lost a child. Seeing another whose baby might survive was a blade to the heart.
That was why the child was in danger—from both the supernatural and the living.
Maybe that's why both women had been pushed into this body. Maybe the baby needed more protection than one soul alone could give.
They walked slowly, hands over the rounded belly. The concubines stepped aside—the Emperor's heir lived within her. That made her powerful. And vulnerable.
As she took her assigned seat, Leonara whispered that she feared this woman—the Empress—more than the evil ghost.
At least the ghost's malice was clear. Here, it was hidden beneath makeup and fans.
The Empress, Fang, sat on a throne raised above the others, her phoenix crown inlaid with pearls gleaming in the morning light. At just twenty-five, she commanded absolute authority.
She had birthed both a prince and a princess, both lost young, but her power remained intact.
She was not only beautiful but also brilliant, with an unshakeable grip on the inner court's secrets.
A daughter of a great scholarly family and the current prime minister, she had married the Emperor when he was still a prince, at seventeen. She bore him a daughter two years later.
Rumours said it was love at first sight at a party hosted by her father, and the two had enjoyed two harmonious years before the harem began to grow.
Morning greetings began. Tea and snacks were served. Then the war of words unfolded. To an outsider, it might seem like a polite conversation—but each word was a blade, each sentence a strike in an unseen duel.
Below the Empress sat Noble Consort Liu, daughter of General Liu Yi. Though not the Empress, she held immense power backed by her family.
She had married the Emperor in his first year of reign and bore a prince who also passed away. Whispers claimed she controlled the palace guard through her cousin, the current commander.
Below her sat Consort Lin Mei. Though born to a disgraced scholar and lacking noble lineage, she had carved her place in the harem. The Emperor praised her for beauty and intellect, often saying her poems soothed his moods. She, too, had lost a child that year.
Then came Consort Sun Rui Mei's sister from a concubine. Despite her low birth, she was favoured by their father. After Mei's mother passed, her own mother was made the primary wife. She basked in that status and secured her place in the palace.
No wonder the palace was a battlefield. These women, scarred and strong, were powerful in their own ways. Each wanted more.
At the head of the hall, the Empress spoke. "Consort Bai. We are honoured by your return."
"Your Majesty is generous," Mei replied, her tone flawless.
Leonara murmured, "I like her. She hides blades behind fans. She'll be a worthy opponent."
"She's lasted this long," Mei said. "She has to be."
One by one, the other consorts stepped forward, offering honeyed words they didn't mean.
Consort Lu, wide-eyed and lovely, said, "I wept for you every day. Such joy to see you restored."
"She tried to take your palace," Ling'er whispered. "Sobbed when the Emperor said no."
Sun Rui approached, her movements elegant, her jewellery and hair carefully arranged.
"You look radiant," she said softly. "Pregnancy suits you."
Mei bowed. "Sister honours me."
Their eyes locked. The room seemed to fade.
Leonara murmured, "So this is the one who married in your stead."
While the Empress spoke of temple offerings and garden repairs, each woman's mind wandered—plotting, remembering.
Leonara was surprised. "This is better than court."
"Every smile is a sword," Mei thought. "Every nod, a negotiation."
And everyone wanted something favour, security, leverage.
Above them, Ling'er floated, offering biting commentary.
"That one tripped a maid for looking at the Emperor. She writes poems about poison and calls them 'prayers.' Oh, she stabbed her cousin over a comb."
Leonara laughed aloud. Ling'er's gossip was a treasure trove, and she loved every word.
Mei and Sun Rui met at the gate while leaving and only nodded at each other.
Leonara said. "She's pretending to be kind. But you can see the jealousy in her eyes."
"They'll keep testing us," Leonara said quietly.
"Yes," Mei replied. "Especially her."
"Do you think she's the one who harmed Consort Bai before?" Leonara asked.
"Not yet. But Sun Rui waits before she strikes."
Leonara's gaze sharpened. "Then we won't wait either."
Ling'er, for once, was quiet as she hovered near the door.
"You okay?" Leonara asked.
"I'm thinking," Ling'er murmured. "This palace feels more dangerous than when we were alive. Maybe because we were never part of it."
Mei said nothing just placed a hand on her belly as if shielding the baby from all that was to come.