Chapter 20
1160 Words
In the far side of the Imperial Palace, at the Silver Pavilion, a dainty woman sitting in her favorite cushion, drinking some tea, after the sending off ceremony she hid in her safe solace in this cold palace.
She was once the favorite, the comforter of the Emperor, the most loved, but not now.
She's just a mother of the third Prince.
Nothing is permanent in the palace life, today, you will be the favorite, but the next day or you don't know when, you will be neglected.
And that's what happened to Second Imperial Consort Pleng.
She came from Ayutthaya Kingdom, she got the attention of the Emperor when she dance on that selection, the same way of how Lady Han enticed everyone in her dancing.
Consort Pleng wondered when will be the Crown Prince will loss his interest on that lady.
She look at the two average looking woman in front of her, they are silent as they continue to make some embroideries for Prince Tong.
"You two," She get their attention.
"Yes, Your Grace." The ladies said, they are silent because they don't know how to please their mother in law since she's a very stiff and formal person.
"Don't mess with Princess Consort Han, for I know she will be the next Empress. I myself saw her qualities and she fits as one.. Be diligent on your duties as wives of the Third Prince, don't fight on each other because that won't give you any good.. Let's stay silent, lowkey and vigilant. Let's show them that we don't have any interest in all political issues happening in the Empire.. Am I clear?" Consort Pleng said.
"Yes, loud and clear, Your Grace." the two ladies answered.
Consort Pleng nodded.
Now the Princes are out of the Empire, their wives are left alone, and the current Emperor is sick.
She hide a smirk by covering her red tainted lips.
'It's time for me to move.'
Remembering Empress Jong and Consort Mia's face, Consort Pleng inwardly scoffed.
'Two birds in one stone.'
***
Gloom filled the entire palace after the send off hence the Empress invited everyone for a little tea gathering.
Other Consort took their embroidery materials so they can work while passing time with the rest of the Imperial ladies.
Princess Consort Han Kana arrived with his trail of servants bringing sweet treats that he personally made.
"Greetings, Your Highness." She bowed down while they enter the huge pavilion in the Sunflower Palace.
Kana look around and she saw nine women excluding the Empress and the two Imperial Consorts.
He bowed to the Empress and to the two Consorts, saying praises though inwardly Kana wanted to scoffed and snort.
"Come here and join us, Kana'er, what do you prepare?" The Empress said as she motion Kana to sit beside her.
There's been an empty space beside the Empress but no one dared to sit without being told so, and now the Lady of the Han family easily sat there with leisure.
"Thank you, Your Highness. Sheen... Please put the treats on the table." Kana ordered.
Sheen put the platter he prepared, it's a composition of desserts in the modern world he came from, Some mini Leche flan, cinnamon rolls and mini cakes that he baked of course with the help of his shadow guards who beat the eggs for him.
'RM Is indeed the best, he beat those egg whites into foam for just five minutes.'
Kana wanted to giggle on that thought.
"Wow, these looks delicious." The ladies said but, hesitance is evident on their faces.
"I can sense all of you wanted a taste but thinking that I might put something in it. Let me eat it first." Kana said and randomly get mini cake in his hands and eat it without hesitation.
Then Sheen poured tea for him.
"It's safe." Kana chuckled followed by the Empress.
"You little sly, why do you think that we doubted your cooking, of course it is safe." The Empress said as she get the delicious looking Leche flan.
"This looks quite odd but I will surely like this."
She scoop a small spoon on it, and have a taste.
The texture instantly melt in her mouth.
"Wow! Oh my." She eat again and again, totally losing her grand composure.
Consort Pleng move to get a cinnamon roll, "Can you tell me what is this Consort Han?" her soft voice gets Kana's attention.
In a quick gaze, Kana studied her wholebeing.
A white lotus huh. Kana smiled sweetly.
Consort Pleng is the type who are usually silent and bullied but actually hiding her black roots to attack when everyone thought that she's harmless and unbothered.
"Oh, that's a cinnamon roll Your Grace. I played a bit in the kitchen this morning." Kana smiled widely.
"It is made of dough, Filled with melted butter, cinnamon powder and sugar powder, the toppings are caramelized sugar and pistachio nuts."
Consort Pleng smiled and took a bite.
Her eyes widened at the kick of flavors.
"This is delicious."
"Have a taste Consort Mia." Empress Jong offered. "Consort Park."
"No, I'm sorry I will decline, I am really not into sweets." Imperial Consort Mia said as she sipped her tea.
"I just ate a heavy breakfast Your Highness, Consort Han, please pardon me." Consort Park declined.
"No problem at all." Kana shrugged.
The remaining ladies get sweets for their choice and they continued chitchating.
Consort Yu Lin walk over to Kana and sit beside him.
"Consort Han, I am Yu Lin the daughter of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. I am Prince Haii's Consort.. It's nice seeing you again after the selection." She smiled widely.
Kana's eyes darted on the surprisingly flat chest of the lady in front of him.
And if He's not mistaken, He saw a moving Adam's apple in his neck.
Prince Haii got a male Consort in disguise as a woman? Why? What's the reason? Does this person has the same reason as him?
Consort Yu Lin smiled reassuringly.
He took a glance to Consort Mia who gave him an approval look.
Yu Lin has to do something for her family, and this is what it is, to be closer to Consort Han and find out her weakness.
But she is quite taken aback when she saw how sweet Consort Han's smile.
"It's nice seeing you too, Consort Lin." Kana smiled sweetly.
"How are you?"
"I am not fine Consort Han." Consort Lin acted sad, "Prince Haii didn't even gave me a glance even before they left. The three of his Consorts doesn't have any time with him. May I ask you something?" She sounded sad.
Kana scoot closer. "What is it?"
"Is it true that, Prince Haii loved you before you entered the selection?" she boldy ask.
Kana's mouth widened. Where did she heard that?
Kana smirks secretly, now he knew that everyone has hidden agendas under their sleeves.
- Writer
