Floral incense filled the air, omnipresent like the graceful figure dancing in the dimly-lit room. Every move was as delicate as wisps of smoke, and the swirling gauze added layers of mystery to her. From the light movements of her bare feet to her fingertips, she danced to a music only the sole audience could resonate to.
'So, Your Majesty, why won't you look at me?'
Jiang Ya'er hastened her steps, spinning closer and closer to the man quietly watching from the chaise lounge in the corner.
But she knew his focus wasn't on her—not entirely, not enough.
'Notice me.'
The ribbons were butterflies her hands, grazing his face teasingly. The distance between them was almost nothing.
'Only me...'
She lowered her body; their breaths entwined.
She pulled away.
He raised his eyelids.
'Like you did back then.'
***
A few weeks ago. Imperial gardens.
"Sister Cai, are you sure you don't want to join me?"
Cai Mei Yun shook her head sheepishly. "I wouldn't dare to dance in public. You're much braver than me in that aspect, Sister Jiang. You can do it!"
It was the answer Jiang Ya'er expected. She hadn't spent months building up this relationship and instilling fear of the capricious emperor into Cai Mei Yun's empty little head for nothing.
"May your words come true," she replied, smiling innocently.
Whether Cai Mei Yun danced with her or not, she would be the only one the emperor noticed. The absence of a backup dancer was just as well, since meant one less opponent... however unlikely their chances were in the first place.
So Jiang Ya'er danced alone that day as planned. And the next day, she kept dancing, with only fluttering petals and songbirds as company.
And the next.
And again.
Tirelessly, beautifully. Like a spring fairy who danced for the sake of loving it, and nothing more.
Until one day, at long last, the person she awaited took this scenic yet isolated path.
He was more handsome face-to-face than sitting on a pedestal during the consort selection, even more so when she could actually see the glimmer of interest in his phoenix eyes rather than his silk shoes.
While kneeling fearfully, she heard Head Eunuch Ming introduce her.
"Your Majesty, this is Lady Talent Jiang," he said.
'Not for much longer,' she thought. But outwardly, she kept up the act of a damsel who hadn't anticipated intruders.
Pure, vulnerable, in need of protection.
The emperor's silence was short yet approving.
"Raise your head," he commanded.
When she did, his hand was outstretched.
Jiang Ya'er knew—this hand offered everything she could only dream of but never had.
Love, status, recognition... Finally within her reach.
She grabbed it without hesitation.
***
Present.
The dance had ended, but the emperor did not move or request another one. Jiang Ya'er laid her head on his knees and looked up reverently, exposing her pale neck.
"Your Majesty... tell Ya'er what is bothering you so," she said. "Perhaps I can be of help?"
His strong fingers threaded through her hair absentmindedly, as though stroking a pet.
"Oh? What makes you think I am troubled, Lady Talent Jiang?" he murmured.
She caressed the crease in the middle of his forehead. "You are frowning, Your Majesty. Usually, Ya'er's dance would make you relax."
The emperor subconsciously loosened his tense muscles. "Why do you think someone would blame their superior for helping them?" he said, seemingly out of the blue.
Jiang Ya'er knew her chance had come. As long as he gave her a glimpse of his innermost thoughts...
"Due to my background, I've never been asked for help before," she replied dejectedly. "But... I think someone who would deny Your Majesty is either extremely foolish, or extremely arrogant. After all, you are the ruler of the empire, and your benevolence is unmatched under the heavens—who is worthy of rejecting you?"
The emperor frowned again, a hint of anger slipping through the aloofness. "Do not speak as if you know everybody."
Jiang Ya'er instantly softened her stance.
"I apologise, Your Majesty." She whispered suggestively, "Let me make it up to you..."
It started with a sensual touch, a hopeful invitation. It didn't take long for him to flip their positions and take charge, the conversation gone wrong discarded like fabric.
He wasn't gentle nor loving. If her dance was designed to soundlessly lure, his was a primal, instinctive call. There was no foreplay, no whispers of adoration—only the desire to claim what was already his.
To possess.
It was not tender, yet it was not unfeeling, either.
If Jiang Ya'er had to pin down what felt wrong, it was that he vented emotions which did not belong here... Did not belong with her.
Why?
Was she that undeserving of unadulterated love? So much so that he could think of someone else while embracing her?!
It wasn't fair.
Life wasn't fair.
Some were just born with the right to treat others like playthings, while the likes of her could do nothing but grovel, submit, or play along.
She wanted to raise her head freely for once.
To speak up; to dance for herself, to a tune she chose.
But she couldn't—she had no right, no power.
At least... not yet.
Oblivious to the emperor whose heart was elsewhere, ambition burnt within the woman in his arms, more consuming than any desire.
'As expected,' she thought, 'privilege is so... maddeningly desirable.'
***
Orchid Palace, western chamber.
If her medium weren't a brush, the paper would've been shredded through a long time ago, or so Bai Nan Feng thought as she copied the same chapter for the umpteenth time that day.
"Too messy. Again."
"Noble Lady Bai, it's clear your heart isn't in it. Again."
"Maybe you could try kneeling while copying the scriptures. It conveys respect for the religion."
"There's a blotch here. Again."
Bai Nan Feng gritted her teeth. The past few days had been an ordeal, to put it mildly. Who would've imagined Kunning's most talented and untouchable young lady would one day wish she knew how to curse at the old madame sent by the petty empress dowager?
And to think her grandfather had once complimented Empress Dowager Qiu as a woman with rare wisdom, able to play politics with the ministers at court.
'He must be going senile,' Bai Nan Feng huffed.
Her internal dissatisfaction showed in writing, the last stroke of a word dragging sharply under her brush. Too much pressure, too out of character—literally.
Bai Nan Feng groaned.
The whole page was ruined. Again.
She crumpled it in frustration and tossed it into an ever-growing pile of defective copies. The scene of her throwing a temper was caught by her lady-in-waiting who happened to enter the room, lunchbox in hand.
To be honest, Bu'er felt sorry for her mistress. Ever since she attracted the empress dowager's ire on the first day, her smooth-sailing life had come to an abrupt halt, replaced by humiliation from various parties who either wanted to take her down a notch, or curry favour with the empress dowager by doing so. Even the other time His Majesty visited her was regarding that matter, which left her quite disappointed.
But heavens forbid Bu'er let the proud Noble Lady Bai know that a peasant pitied her. The only thing she could do was ensure her daily comfort was accounted for, especially since the supervisor sent by the empress dowager was hell-bent on making her mistress experience the routine of a pious nun.
"Mistress, I've brought chicken soup today," she whispered, unpacking the lunchbox silently. "Please drink up before the madame arrives."
"Hmph. As if a maid like her can starve me to death," Bai Nan Feng grumbled. Still, she quickly raised the bowl and gulped down the contents.
The moment the soup entered her mouth, its meaty grease hit her with a burst of nausea. Uncontrollably, she spat it out.
"Ugh! Disgusting!" she exclaimed.
"Mistress! Please forgive me!" Bu'er knelt, grabbing the bowl. "I didn't know it was spoiled!"
She immediately drank a sip to double check, but ended up confused.
"Huh? It... isn't spoiled?"
"Take it away! It reeks," Bai Nan Feng waved the air before her nose, her disgust palpable.
Hearing the commotion, a woman with greyish hair and silver-embroidered uniform crept to the doorside. When she saw Bai Nan Feng's unsual reaction, a contemplative look crossed her face.
***
Palace of Longevity.
"Noble Lady Bai is pregnant?"
Madam Lao nodded. "It would appear so, according to her supervisor's report."
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Empress Dowager Qiu knocked on her armrest, sinking into thought.
Any intel had to be presumed accurate until proven otherwise, and this presumption simply wouldn't do—not after Bai Nan Feng obstructed Qiu Rong's favour. To the two families backing them, this was a race to produce an imperial heir, and she was the Qiu Duchy's key to tipping the scale.
She couldn't sit back until Noble Lady Bai announced the news herself. If she were anything like the grandfather who raised her, any hint of special treatment would fly straight to her head... Like the Imperial Exam standardisation bill selfishly proposed without consulting the emperor.
The matter had long since blown over with the oppositions' victory, of course, but if Noble Lady Bai bore a prince...
"For one past sixty, Grand Chancellor Bai sure has been indefatigable ever since his granddaughter entered the rear palace. If only there was a way to make him keep to his place..." Empress Dowager Qiu mused.
Madam Lao kept quiet. The empress dowager already had the answer—the child left behind by Grand Chancellor Bai's early-departed son was his greatest pride... and greatest weakness.
"Ah, Madam Lao, isn't Noble Consort Meng's annual peony garden party held around this time of the year?" Empress Dowager Qiu suddenly said.
"Indeed. Your memory is as sharp as ever, Your Highness."
Empress Dowager Qiu smirked. A gathering hosted by the noble consort, with not one, but two pregnant consorts in attendance...
"I've always thought her parties were dull. Pretty blossoms ought to be showcased with dramatic flair." She snapped her fingers. "Make preparations immediately."
Madam Lao's eyes flashed in understanding. "Consider it done, Your Highness."
By hook or by crook, the women of Qiu Duchy were not allowed to fall behind anyone.
Noble Lady Bai could only blame herself—and her family—for getting in the way.