The Legend of Concubine Su

Deep within the magnificent palace, every exquisite brick and tile, every meticulous carving seems to silently tell of endless power struggles and emotional entanglements. And in the palace where Shangguan Nana lives, a unique atmosphere permeates the air.

Shangguan Nana, a woman of delicate beauty, though only a concubine, was one of the most beautiful women in the palace. However, her ambitions went far beyond this. Leveraging her beauty and the hidden influence behind her, she dominated the palace, a power few dared to provoke. She was like a rose with thorns: beautiful yet dangerous, inviting both admiration and fear of being pricked.

Shangguan Nana thoroughly enjoyed the feeling of being in control. She loved watching the maids and eunuchs treat her with respect, and she loved seeing the other concubines in awe of her. In this deep palace, she was the master, able to dictate the fate of others at will. Anyone who dared to threaten her position would immediately become her target.

In contrast, Lin Wan'er was a breath of fresh air. Her elegance was like an orchid, gentle and charming. Even after ascending to the rank of imperial concubine, she never harbored any desire for superiority. She simply sought a quiet place of her own amidst the treacherous intrigues of the imperial court. In her spare time, she would quietly read or play the zither in her palace, enjoying the moments of tranquility brought by music and words; or she would stroll through the gardens, savoring the changing beauty of the seasons and allowing her soul to relax and find freedom.

However, Shangguan Nana was extremely jealous and resentful of Lin Wan'er's indifference. She envied Lin Wan'er's position as a concubine, and even more so, her ethereal demeanor and the gentle glances the emperor occasionally cast upon her. She saw Lin Wan'er's very existence as a threat and a challenge. Consequently, she began to frequently cause trouble for Lin Wan'er, attempting to suppress and exclude her through various means.

That day, the sun was shining brightly, the breeze was gentle, and Lin Wan'er was alone in the Imperial Garden, admiring the flowers. She stood quietly among the blossoms, a faint smile on her face, as if at peace with the world. However, this tranquility was soon shattered. Shangguan Nana, accompanied by a group of palace maids, approached with a menacing air, her face etched with a mixture of provocation and smugness. She sarcastically mocked Lin Wan'er, attempting to provoke her. However, Lin Wan'er merely frowned and remained silent. She knew that arguing with someone like Shangguan Nana was pointless.

However, Shangguan Nana wasn't about to give up. Seeing Lin Wan'er remain silent, her fury intensified, threatening to consume her. She took a step forward, a fierce glint in her eyes, and shoved Lin Wan'er with such force that she was caught off guard and stumbled backwards a few steps.

Even in this situation, Lin Wan'er maintained a dignified demeanor. She steadied herself, raised her head, and stared at Shangguan Nana quietly, her eyes filled with disappointment and helplessness. "Why are you so aggressive, Chang Zai?" she asked softly, a hint of fatigue and weakness in her voice. "I never intended to compete with you."

However, her words didn't make Shangguan Nana feel the slightest bit of guilt or restrain herself. Instead, she burst into even more triumphant laughter, a shrill, ear-piercing laugh that seemed to pierce one's eardrums. As she laughed, she continued to verbally attack and insult Lin Wan'er, each word as sharp as a knife, mercilessly piercing Lin Wan'er's heart.

"You're really ridiculous!" Shangguan Nana sneered, "Do you think you can win the emperor's favor without fighting? Let me tell you, in this harem, only the strong can survive. And you're just a weak and incompetent waste!"

Lin Wan'er felt a pang of pain as she listened to Shangguan Nana's insults. She couldn't help but recall the grievances and torture she'd endured since entering the palace. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she fought hard to hold them back. She told herself she couldn't cry; she couldn't let her enemies see her vulnerability.

From then on, Shangguan Nana's bullying of Lin Wan'er intensified. She sowed discord in front of the Emperor, fabricating lies to tarnish Lin Wan'er's image and spreading rumors within the palace to undermine her reputation. Lin Wan'er, however, remained silent and patient. She knew that explanations were often futile in the palace; she also knew that only by maintaining inner peace and strength could she overcome these difficulties. She silently endured Shangguan Nana's bullying and oppression, hoping that one day the Emperor would see her true colors and bring her justice. At the same time, she struggled to find her own way out and opportunity, hoping to escape this predicament and regain her freedom and dignity.

However, Lin Wan'er's forbearance didn't lead to Shangguan Nana's restraint; instead, it only fueled her arrogance. On one occasion, the Emperor, on a whim, decided to personally visit the palaces to inspect the daily lives of the concubines. Upon learning of this, Shangguan Nana hatched a plan. On the eve of the Emperor's visit, she orchestrated a "drama" in Lin Wan'er's palace: a forged secret letter filled with Lin Wan'er's disrespectful remarks about the Empress, cleverly placed in a conspicuous yet inconspicuous location.

The next day, the Emperor entered Lin Wan'er's palace and, unexpectedly, the secret letter caught his eye. His brow furrowed, his face livid. Just as he was about to question Lin Wan'er, she sensed something was amiss. She remained composed and slowly approached the letter, her mind already understanding something. She didn't rush to defend herself, but gently picked up the letter and, after examining it carefully, a faint smile played on her lips. She turned to face the Emperor, her gaze as clear as water.

"Your Majesty, I know that I am in the palace and must be cautious in my words and actions. This letter was not written by me, nor was it left by me, but I am willing to guarantee with my life that I have never had any disrespect for the Queen." Lin Wan'er's voice was gentle and firm. There was no fear in her eyes, only trust and loyalty to the Emperor.

Upon hearing this, the emperor's doubts subsided. He knew Lin Wan'er was gentle and would not do such a thing. He ordered a thorough investigation, and the truth was revealed: Shangguan Nana had set a trap to harm Lin Wan'er. The emperor, furious, severely punished Shangguan Nana, but also praised Lin Wan'er's wisdom and magnanimity.

Since then, Shangguan Nana's status in the palace has plummeted, while Lin Wan'er has won the respect and love of more people with her wisdom and kindness. She still maintains her calmness and tranquility, and shines her own light in the palace.