In the Chang'an Imperial Palace, where red walls mirrored the sun and glazed tiles sparkled, the serene grandeur masked a turbulent undercurrent of harem rivalries. As empress, Lin Yue disliked the palace's constraints and often ventured out in disguise to practice medicine among the people, a habit that inflamed the jealousy of other concubines.
Originally a time traveler, Lin Yue was born to Minister Su, a court official of modest tastes. Yet her superb medical skills and gentle, virtuous nature won the emperor's heart and the empress title. Concerned for commoners' suffering, she frequently disguised herself to treat patients in civilian clinics, spreading imperial benevolence beyond palace walls.
One morning, as sunlight filtered through mist onto the palace pathways, Lin Yue prepared to leave with her attendants, as usual. At the gate, she encountered Consort Li, whose smile seemed amiable but carried a barb: "Your Majesty, off to enjoy the outside world again? What treasure out there keeps you so entranced?"
Sensing the hostility, Lin Yue replied mildly, "Sister jokes. I merely go to treat common folk, doing what little I can."
Consort Li sneered, "How charitable of you. But many sisters here long for your care. Is it fitting to be away all day?"
Lin Yue nodded, "You speak truth, but I have prior appointments with patients. If you or other sisters are unwell, I shall visit upon my return." With a curtsy, she departed with her maids.
Watching her go, Consort Li's eyes flashed with malice. "Pretending to be virtuous before the emperor while hoarding his favor. I'll teach you a lesson."
Meanwhile, in a pavilion of the Imperial Garden, Consorts De and Xian sipped tea and chatted leisurely. Consort Li stormed over, flushed with anger, plopped down, and gulped tea. "What's wrong, Sister?" Consort De asked.
"Who else? That Empress Lin Yue!" Consort Li slammed her cup down. "She's always sneaking out, stealing the emperor's attention. We might as well be invisible!"
Consort Xian fanned herself slowly. "Don't fret—you'll only harm your health. She relies on the emperor's favor to act recklessly. We can't let her have her way."
Consort De chimed in, "Exactly. We must remind her of harem rules."
Pacing, Consort Li declared, "Yes! She must learn our power."
Consort Xian leaned in, whispering, "Sister, here's an idea. Since she loves leaving the palace to 'practice medicine,' let's make sure she never leaves again—and loses the emperor's favor."
"What is it? Speak!" Consort Li demanded.
A sly smile crossed Consort Xian's lips. "We'll spread rumors that she meets other men outside the palace under the guise of healing. Even the emperor must care about royal dignity. Then she'll be trapped here, powerless."
Consort De clapped. "Brilliant! It will make the emperor doubt her and end her outings. Let's see her swagger now."
Consort Li grinned darkly. "Agreed! Let's act at once—ensure the rumor spreads through the palace."
Days later, the rumor reached a fever pitch. In Consort Shu's quarters, Consort De fretted, "Sister, what if the empress finds evidence?"
Consort Shu waved her off. "What can she do, always running outside? Even if she suspects us, no proof means no power." Consort Xian nodded, "We've been careful—she'll find nothing."
After a long day treating patients in her civilian clinic, Lin Yue returned to the palace at dusk. Immediately, she sensed tension: maids lowered their eyes, avoiding her gaze.
Asking her attendant, "What has happened?" the girl hesitated, then whispered, "Terrible rumors, Your Majesty... that you... meet men outside the palace in secret."
Lin Yue paled. "How could this be? Who spreads such lies?" The attendant shook her head, "It's everywhere, Your Majesty."
Knowing she was framed, Lin Yue took a deep breath and went to the Imperial Study to confront the emperor.
Li Yi, reviewing memorials, frowned at her entrance. "Empress, I've heard the rumors. Is there truth to them?"
Kneeling, Lin Yue cried, "Your Majesty, I am innocent! I only perform free clinics for the people, never betraying you. This is surely a plot."
The emperor's gaze wavered. "I believe you would not do this, but the rumors are severe. Return to your chambers to reflect. I will clear your name once the truth is found."
Desperate, Lin Yue could only bow and leave in tears. That night, she tossed restlessly, wondering why her kindness had invited such malice. Then she thought of Consort Hui, her honest and kind friend.
"Summon Consort Hui," she told her attendant. Soon, Consort Hui arrived, fuming, "Sister, I heard the rumors—outrageous!"
Lin Yue sighed, "I don't know what to do, Sister."
Consort Hui mused, "We need evidence to expose them. I have informants in the palace—perhaps they can help."
Hope lit Lin Yue's eyes. "Truly? Please assist me."
Meanwhile, Consort Li and her allies devised a more vicious plan: bribing Lin Yue's maid to poison her food, ensuring she would lose favor or even her life.
One day, as Lin Yue prepared to eat, she smelled an odd odor in her meal. Suspecting poison, she quietly set it aside and ordered her attendant to investigate.
Consort Hui, through her informants, uncovered clues: Consort Shu and others colluded with a mysterious outside the palace organization to spread rumors and carry out dirty deeds. She shared this with Lin Yue, who decided to bide her time and gather evidence.
In the following days, Lin Yue pretended to heed the emperor's order to "reflect" while secretly working with Consort Hui to collect proof. Finally, they accumulated enough evidence to show Consort Shu and her allies had spread rumors, attempted murder, and colluded with outside the palace forces.
Presenting the evidence to the emperor in the Imperial Study, his face darkened. "Bold Consort Li! How dare you frame the empress and plot treason! Guards, confine Consort Shu and her cohorts to the Cold Palace and investigate thoroughly!" he thundered.
As eunuchs dragged them away, Consort Li struggled and screamed, "Lin Yue, don't celebrate! Even inthe Cold Palace, I'll never forgive you!"
Consort De paled and wept, "Sister, stop! We were wrong!" Consort Xian collapsed, speechless.
Their plot exposed, the conspirators received their punishment: banishment to the Cold Palace, forced to kneel for two hours daily and open their mouths 100 times, with their families exiled to remote regions, forbidden from returning to Chang'an.
This ordeal deepened Lin Yue's understanding of harem treachery. She resolved to be more cautious and cherished her bond with Consort Hui. The Tang harem regained temporary peace, but Lin Yue knew calm was fleeting. In these depths, new crises could arise at any moment—only vigilance would ensure survival in this intricate web of court intrigue.