LoT Phoenix 1

Chapter 84: Mid-Autumn Dispute

AMBITIOUS CONSORT

Your suspicions are not without foundation. The Consort Zhuang you knew and the Consort Zhuang before you are like two completely different people. The Noble Consort was always bossy but never this arrogant. The way Consort Zhuang is going, she will have burned all her bridges.

Xiu Ying: My Lady, you misunderstand me. That's not how it is at all. The seating arrangements are fixed. I didn't mean any offense.

Consort Zhuang: [Looks at enigmatically] Very well. I shall await His Majesty. Perhaps he will take pity on me, and permit me to sit at his side.

It would have been better if she hadn't say this final thing. Only the Empress is permitted to sit next to the Emperor. Was she likening herself to an Empress?

Consort Zhuang: On further consideration, I like that solution best. Thank you, my Lady.

It seems she really does despise you, saying something awful like that, then dragging you into it. Your face takes on the studied look of self-control common among the other women in the room, when the Noble Consort speaks up.

Noble Consort: [Skeptically] Who are you to think yourself worthy of sitting beside the Emperor?

Consort Zhuang: [Sighing] Tut-tut. Mind your temper, sister. No wonder the Emperor is angry with you! He thinks you're very inconsiderate.

Although Consort Zhuang is addressing the Noble Consort, her eyes don't leave your face. It makes you feel very uneasy.

Noble Consort: [Enraged] Outrageous! Lies and slander! You would sow discord between us!

Consort Zhuang: If you don't believe me, sister, go and ask him yourself.

Noble Consort: Who are calling sister? You are no family of mine!

Consort Zhuang starts moving towards you. Your instincts tell you to get out of the way, before all hell breaks loose, Who do you stand next to? Looking around, you stand up quickly and move to Consort Rong's side. You choose Consort Rong because she has the calmest disposition of everyone present. Next to her is probably the safest spot.

As you reach Consort Rong's side, the argument between the Noble Consort and Consort Zhuang's reaches its climax. You see the Noble Consort shove Consort Zhuang. Caught off guard, Consort Zhuang stumbles forward into a desk and collapse onto the floor, where she lies screaming shielding her belly with her hands. Everyone stands there in stunned silence for several moments, until someone notices blood on the ground beneath her. Uproar ensues.

Noble Consort: [Alarmed] No, no, it wasn't me. SHE attacked ME! She turned on me for no reason!

A chill runs down your spine. You quickly send a servant to fetch the Imperial Physician. The carefully planned Mid-Autumn Festival descends into chaos.

Consort Rong: [Speaking softly] Lucky you moved this way or Consort Zhuang would've landed right on top of you. You turn to look at Consort Rong. A quizzical little smile plays across her lips.

Consort Zhuang: My baby... MY BABY... You killed baby! Everyone here is my witness!

Consort Zhuang glances down at her blood-covered hand, then looks balefully at the Noble Consort, who takes a couple of steps back.

Noble Consort. I only gave you a little push, and you attacked me first!

At that moment the Emperor bursts into the room. He takes one look at the scene before him and flies into a rage. Everyone kneels in unison. Out of the corner of your eye you spy Consort Rong. To your astonishment, her calm expression as been replaced by one of object distress.

The Imperial Physician arrives moments after the Emperor, but the diagnosis is obvious to all. The doctor rises to his feet and shakes his head. The Emperor points a finger at the Noble Consort and his thunderous shouting fills the palace. Her face turns pale and she starts trembling like a leaf.

Noble Consort: [Panicking] Your Majesty, it's not what you think. I never... I never meant to...

Consort Zhuang: Your Majesty, she envied me your love. We exchanged cross words. Who would have thought... I should have known! I should have been more careful. [Looking at you] She was closest to me! She can confirm my story!

Xiu Ying: [Feigning terror] The two Consorts had a terrible argument. I was scared so I moved next to Consort Rong - she can vouch for me. That's when it happened.

Consort Zhuang tried to drag you into it, but she won't get you that easily! Gradually, a realization hits you - if you hadn't moved away from her, maybe YOU would be the one being blamed from her miscarriage.