The Empress is Dead

In Imperial Concubine Xing's palace, another bout of chaos is happening. Earlier that day, Xing Baihe went to the back palace which has become crowded ever since the fifth prince sat on the throne. Since instead of placing them in the fifth prince courtyards, they instead utilized the rather empty back palace for Feng Jun Yun's growing number of concubines. Of course giving the more luxurious ones to Feng Jun Yi's concubines, Yu Yanyan and Lan Jingjing. Xing Baihe got herself a palace.

However, Lan Jingjing remain reclusive as usual while Yu Yanyan often ran out to find Xu Yichen so they can't be seen roaming around with their entourage of servants. In result, one can only meet the fifth prince's concubines when someone visits the back palace. This sight irritates Xing Baihe very much. Especially those women with protruding bellies emphasizing their stomach even more as if no one can tell that they are pregnant. As of now, already four of Feng Jun Yun's concubines are pregnant. Two of those was diagnosed just yesterday. That is also the reason why Xing Baihe visited the back palace.

Previously, when she heard that her beloved man got one of his concubine pregnant, she literally spit blood in hurt and anger. But she was able to get over it after her servants, who knew and approved of her feelings towards the fifth prince, coax her saying that it was his duty. That it doesn't mean his heart had been moved by someone else. Obviously his heart wasn't moved, she has firm grasp of it quite litterally after all. It just upsets her that she wasn't the mother of his eldest. At that time she finally understood the pain her empress mother felt when her own husband informed her that he needed to ɨmprėġnȧtė someone else for power. While she can only nod and force herself to be magnanimous for the bigger picture.

When another concubine was reported to be pregnant, Xing Baihe fainted from shock. This time she even needed Liu Yeyin's treatment to recover. Liu Yeyin must admit that she almost wanted to slap Xing Baihe across the face for being stupid if not for her already frail body. It also took a lot more coaxing to calm her down. So yesterday, when the report of the pregnancy of two more concubines, Xing Baihe's servant felt dread and braced themselves for another battle of coaxing.

To their surprise however, she remain calm. And instead told them to prepare some snacks and her tea set. She even told them that she would personally brew tea to congratulate the women which relieved the servant. At the same time they were confused. Since the beginning, their mistress never socialized with those women. Even after the first one got pregnant she didn't even gave time to look at the other woman's appearances. And yet at the third and fourth one she even volunteered to serve them her coveted tea. But with further though they unanimously convinced themselves that their mistress is only showing the magnanimity of a first wife, although she still isn't one.

Unbeknowns to the servant, Xing Baihe is actually seething inside. She even struggled to swallow the lump of blood she was about to spit. If her sister-in-law hears about her episode again she might lock her up to recuperate. And that would be a hindrance to her goal for tomorrow. She finally at the end of her ropes. She tolerated the first two women because their status are quite high and could help stabilize Feng Jun Yun's position. But the new ones were different.

One of them is just a third rank concubine while the other one is not even part of the eight women Feng Jun Yun married. She is one of the servants of the first rank concubine that got pregnant first. And according to the rumor, that servant was noticed by the prince when she served her mistress and him during dinner. Apparently she was even wearing a red silk cloth to cover half of her face. But the prince still got attracted to her peach blossom eyes. Just with these details, Xing Baihe snapped. Because of a certain someone, she hates red. And whenever she sees any women with peach blossom eyes, she wanted to dig them out.

===============

The next morning Xing Baihe arrived at the back palace with her servants in tow. There is also a garden there. But unlike the imperial garden, all the plants and flowers are all purely ornamental with beautiful and exotic appearances. There is also a large pavilion at the center where the harem could interact with each other and discuss about art and music. It could even accomodate up to fifty women at once.

Before Xing Baihe arrived, she already sent someone to inform the ladies about how she wanted to congratulate the women. And personally brew them her famous tea. She even invited those who were not yet pregnant. Of course she also invited her fellow concubines. Yu Yanyan left earlier so she didn't even received the invitation.

Lan Jingjing on the otherhand outrightly rejected which angered the servants and wanted to teach her a lesson. After all all of her backing are practically useless now. One is poisoned while the other is imprisoned. She didn't have the right to act high and mighty. In the end those servants ran back, bruised and broken.

When Xing Baihe heard about it, she didn't have any reaction. She already expected that outcome. She care even less even if the servants lost their lives. She only told them to treat their injuries with a sympathetic gaze and complimented them for their effort.

In the pavilion, nine women are already seated waiting for Xing Baihe. They left the highest seat for her of course. The two first ranked concubine seated on the second highest seats on either side of the main seat. The third rank concubine's seat is levelled with the other three second ranked concubines. Mainly because she is pregnant. The other two third rank concubine sat on the lowest seat. The other pregnant woman on the other side remain standing a distance behind her master. No one offered her a seat. Obviously she is being oppressed.

Xing Baihe looked at that servant's face that is no longer covered. Appearance wise, although she is considered pretty, she doesn't resemble Lin Xulian at all. All they have in common is her peach blossom eyes. And seeing her being bullied, Xing Baihe's hatered didn't diminish at all so she wouldn't change her plan today. She decided to let go of the third rank concubine since she have some worth. This servant is the only one who rubbed her the wrong way.

In her collection, she have a Gu poison that could cause the child in her belly to disappear without a trace. She won't even feel pain nor bleed. It may not sound that awful, but to a servant like her that got promoted as a concubine, losing the child means losing her position. And with her master's dissatisfaction, Xing Baihe won't be surprised if she suddendly disappear.

With that plan in mind, Xing Baihe took her seat. But before she started brewing, she beckoned the servant. "Lady, aren't you also a concubine. A pregnant one at that. You should take a seat. Take care of your body and his highness child." She started with a smile. "Someone prepare a seat. Let the Lady sit beside me lest she become nervous."

These words earned the hatered of the other women but not towards Xing Baihe. The servant also knew that the others are dissatisfied with her. So Xing Baihe's favor didn't giver her relief, instead she tremble even more in fear. However she also can't say no to a country's princess like her. She could only grit her teeth and take a seat.

Satisfied, Xing Baihe started her tea ceremony gaining the admiration of everyone in the pavilion. When the scent of the tea waft towards them, they all subconsciously took a deep breath, feeling comfortable all over. Finally, when the cup if tea are before them, they greedily but still elegantly took a sip. The servant is no exception. Xing Baihe's sight and attention are all on her. But before she could take a sip, Xing Baihe suddenly felt dizzy and toppled over, lossing consciousness in an instant.. She didn't see how the servant spilled her tea in shock, making her plan fail.