The Second World in Ancient Times

The morning sun shone on the palace's glazed tiles, reflecting a dazzling array of colors. But this splendor couldn't dispel the gloom I felt about the complex situation in the harem. Life as Consort Yu wasn't as easy as I'd imagined. Every step felt like a thorny path.

Today, I strolled through the Imperial Gardens as usual, Wanqing at my side. Flowers bloomed in profusion, their fragrance filling my nostrils, but I had no desire to admire them. The surrounding palace maids and eunuchs saluted me, their eyes filled with not only awe but also curiosity and inquiry.

"Your Majesty, look how beautiful the flowers are blooming, but I always feel that the atmosphere in the harem is like the thorns hidden in these flowers, which makes people uneasy." Wanqing frowned and said to me in a low voice.

I nodded slightly and responded softly: "Yes, this harem seems peaceful, but in fact, there are undercurrents. We have to be careful."

After walking a few steps, I heard several palace maids whispering behind the flowers.

"Have you heard? The newly appointed Concubine Yu, I don't know what tricks she used to make the king so fond of her." A palace maid's shrill voice came.

"Humph, who knows. Maybe there is some hidden background." Another palace maid said disdainfully.

"No matter what, she's in the spotlight now, and the other ladies will definitely not let it go." The third palace maid's voice was filled with a hint of gloating.

When Wanqing heard these words, she was so angry that she wanted to rush over to argue. I quickly held her back and whispered, "Don't be impulsive. Arguing with these rumors now will only make things worse."

As I was speaking, several concubines came towards me. They were talking and laughing, but when they saw me, their smiles instantly became a little stiff.

"Oh, isn't this Concubine Yu's sister? What a coincidence." Concubine Lin, who was dressed in pink palace clothes, said with a smile. She looked me up and down, as if trying to find some flaws.

I bowed slightly: "Sister Lin Fei, I'm fine."

Concubine Zhao, who was standing beside Concubine Lin, said, "Sister Concubine Yu is really in the emperor's favor now. We all still remember her charm at yesterday's dinner." Her words seemed to be a compliment, but there was a hint of sourness in her tone.

I smiled and replied, "Thank you for the compliments, sisters. I was lucky not to make a fool of myself yesterday. I have to thank you for giving me this opportunity."

At this time, Concubine Qian, who had been silent all the time, suddenly said: "Sister Concubine Yu is really humble, but since you can be favored by the king, you can't forget us sisters. In this harem, the most important thing is that sisters are united, don't you think?" She stared at me with her eyes, and there was something hidden in her words.

I sneered in my heart, but I still smiled on the surface: "Sister Qian Fei is absolutely right. I naturally hope to get along with my sisters and serve the king together."

After exchanging a few pleasantries with them, we parted ways. Wanqing said angrily, "Your Majesty, their words are clearly meant to provoke you, and you are responding so politely. It's really unfair to you."

I patted Wanqing's hand and said, "Wanqing, you can't easily reveal your emotions in this harem. They are just testing us now, we can't fall into their trap."

After returning to the palace, I sat by the window, my mind full of thoughts. I knew these concubines would not let me go easily, and I had to find a way to deal with them.

In the afternoon, the king suddenly arrived at my palace. I quickly stood up to greet him: "Your Majesty, what brings you here?"

The king smiled and shook my hand. "After I finished my official duties today, I wanted to come and see you. Are you used to living in the harem?"

I nodded slightly: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am fine. But..." I stopped talking.

The king frowned. "Just what? If you have something to say, just say it."

I sighed, "Your Majesty, I can sense the hostility of the other concubines towards me. I don't want to cause unrest in the harem because of me, but I don't know what to do."

The king stroked my hair gently. "My beloved, I know the affairs of the harem are complicated, but you don't need to worry too much. I believe in your abilities. You are different from them. I see your intelligence and kindness."

I looked at the king, my eyes sparkling with emotion. "Your Majesty, I will not let you down. It's just that I hope the harem can live in peace. I don't want to see the sisters scheming against each other for favor."

The king nodded slightly. "I am very pleased that my beloved consort has such thoughts. If they do anything excessive, please inform me and I will deal with it myself."

After talking with the king, I felt much better. I knew that the king's trust was my greatest support in the harem.

However, after a few days, trouble came knocking.

I was preparing some snacks from home in the small kitchen of the palace, a solace for me when I occasionally missed modern life. Just as I was absorbed in what I was doing, Concubine Lin suddenly stormed in with a group of palace maids.

"Empress Yu, you are so bold!" Concubine Lin shouted as she entered the room.

I frowned and said, "Sister Lin Fei, I wonder what I have done wrong to make you so angry?"

Concubine Lin sneered, "Are you still playing dumb? Are you trying to murder the king by making these weird things in this small kitchen?"

I was shocked. This was clearly a false accusation. "Sister, this is just a snack from my hometown. It's harmless. Besides, how could I possibly plot to murder the king? Sister, please don't accuse me of this."

Concubine Lin was relentless, saying, "Hmph, who knows what you're up to? Sisters, take these things to the Empress and let her make the final decision."

I knew that if these snacks were sent to the Queen, even if they turned out to be harmless, they would bring trouble upon me. I could not let her succeed.

I took a deep breath and said calmly, "Sister Lin Fei, if you insist on doing this, then I have nothing to say. However, Sister, you are so impulsive. Aren't you afraid of wrongly accusing a good person? If the king blames you, can you bear the consequences?"

Concubine Lin was slightly taken aback, clearly stunned by my words. But she quickly reacted, "Hmph, stop spouting alarmist rhetoric. I'm doing this for the king's safety."

Just then, the king happened to pass by and heard our quarrel.

"What are you arguing about?" The king's majestic voice came.

Concubine Lin hurried forward and said, "Your Majesty, Concubine Yu is making something strange in this small kitchen. I suspect she wants to murder you."

The king looked at me, and I looked at him with grievance in my eyes. "Your Majesty, this is just a snack from my hometown. I missed it so much that I wanted to make it and try it. I have no ill intentions."

The king walked to the table, looked at the snacks, then looked at me: "My dear, are these really just snacks from my hometown?"

I nodded. "Your Majesty, I dare not deceive you. If you don't believe me, you can ask someone to check it out."

The king turned to Concubine Lin and said, "Concubine Lin, how can you be so reckless as to accuse Concubine Yu based on mere speculation?"

Concubine Lin knelt down in fear: "Your Majesty, I am also worried about your safety."

The king's face darkened. "Are you worried about my safety? I think you're jealous of Concubine Yu and are deliberately looking for trouble. I hope this is the last time. If it happens again, I won't let you off lightly."

Concubine Lin kowtowed quickly: "I dare not do it again. I beg Your Majesty to forgive me."

The king waved his hand, asking Concubine Lin to leave. Then he walked over to me and said softly, "My beloved, you have been wronged."

I shook my head and said, "Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty. As long as Your Majesty understands my feelings, that's all that matters."

After this incident, I know the harem struggles will only intensify. I must be more cautious, but I can't just sit there and wait for the consequences. I'll use my modern wisdom to resolve these crises.

A few days later, news came from the palace that the Queen was hosting a flower viewing party, and all the concubines were required to attend. I knew this was another war without the smoke of gunpowder.

On the day of the flower viewing party, the garden was filled with all kinds of flowers, and the fragrance was everywhere. The concubines were all dressed in their best clothes, laughing and chatting on the surface, but in fact they were secretly competing with each other.

I sat aside, quietly admiring the flowers. At this moment, Concubine Zhao came over and said, "Sister Concubine Yu, why are you here alone? Are you scared by what happened last time?"

I smiled and replied, "Sister Zhao Fei, you're joking. I just like the tranquility of these flowers."

Concubine Zhao suddenly approached me and lowered her voice, saying, "Sister Concubine Yu, do you think you can always be favored? In this harem, it's easy to gain favor but hard to keep it. You'd better face reality as soon as possible."

I looked at her, a hint of determination flashing in my eyes: "Sister, I don't care whether I am favored or not. I just hope to live in peace in this harem. But if someone deliberately provokes me, I will not sit idly by and wait for death."

Concubine Zhao sneered and turned away.

Halfway through the flower viewing, a palace maid suddenly screamed, "Oh no! The Queen's favorite peony has been broken!"

Everyone gathered around, and the Queen's face was gloomy. "What's going on? Such a treasonous thing happened during my palace's flower viewing party."

Concubine Qian stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I just saw Concubine Yu wandering around these peonies. Could it be..."

I was secretly furious. This was another frame-up. "Sister Qian Fei, please don't slander me. I've been sitting here the whole time and haven't been near Mudan."

The Queen looked at me and said, "Concubine Yu, what do you have to say?"

I took a deep breath and said calmly, "Your Majesty, I have a way to find the real culprit. This garden is guarded by palace maids and eunuchs, and we can ask them. Also, whoever broke the peony must have left marks on their hands, so we can check the hands of the sisters present."

Everyone looked nervous upon hearing this. The Queen nodded and said, "Let's do as Concubine Yu says."

After questioning the palace maids and eunuchs and examining everyone's hands, it was finally discovered that it was Concubine Qian's maid who did it. Concubine Qian's face changed drastically: "Your Majesty, this... This is a misunderstanding. I was not aware of it."

The Queen's face darkened. "Concubine Qian, you haven't disciplined your servants well enough. I will ground you for a month and ask you to reflect on your mistakes."

Concubine Qian looked at me resentfully and retreated helplessly.

During this flower viewing event, I successfully resolved the crisis again and let the other concubines know that I am not to be trifled with. I know that the struggles in the harem will continue, but I am confident that with my wisdom and the king's trust, I can survive in this turbulent harem.

At night, the king came to my palace. He smiled and said, "My dear, I am very satisfied with your performance at the flower viewing party today. You always find unexpected ways to solve problems."

I snuggled in the king's arms and said, "Your Majesty, I simply do not want the harem to be in turmoil because of these fights. I hope to bring some peace to the harem."

The king gently stroked my back and said, "My beloved, I understand your feelings. With you here, this harem may truly be different."

In this harem full of conspiracies and calculations, my relationship with the king has grown deeper, and I will continue to face those unknown challenges and protect this little world that belongs to me.