After a broken heart, I traveled through time and space and became an abandoned concubine. My fate i

The next morning, sunlight filtered through the dappled leaves, illuminating the harem courtyard. The time for paying respects, simplified according to the new regulations, had arrived, but most of the concubines still arrived early, leaving the courtyard overcrowded and in chaos.

Concubine Li arrived deliberately late. She meticulously dressed, adorned with a dazzling golden hairpin, its gemstones gleaming brightly. She wore a rich, rich brocade, the embroidery on her skirt vibrant. Yet, she walked with a slow, calculated grace, each step a deliberate display of her nobility and arrogance. When paying her respects to the empress, she continued with the elaborate ritual of kowtow and sarcastically remarked, "I'm truly having trouble adapting to this new rule. Are you trying to disrupt our ancestral rituals? I dare not so easily violate our ancestral teachings." Her fingers, painted with vibrant red nail polish, gently fiddled with the priceless jade pendant at her waist, her expression filled with disdain and defiance, drawing the attention of the other concubines.

Some, like the timid, lower-ranking Concubine Li, looked hesitant, unsure how to agree. She lowered her head, clutching the rough handkerchief tightly in her hands, the edges fuzzy from the plucking. Her body trembled slightly, her heart trembling with anxiety, like a frightened rabbit, afraid that she might say something wrong and get into trouble. She secretly glanced around, her eyes filled with fear and helplessness.

Some, like Concubine Ning, the prominent and long-time antagonist of Su, secretly chuckled, waiting to see her make a fool of herself. She, like Concubine Ning, a woman of distinguished ancestry, curled her lips, a flicker of schadenfreude in her eyes, as she chimed in, "Sister Li Fei is right. This new rule came so suddenly, it's going to be hard for us sisters to adjust to it." As she spoke, she shifted slightly and casually tossed the exquisitely embroidered handkerchief in her hand. The flowers and birds on it seemed to mock the chaotic situation. She was secretly pleased, thinking of using this opportunity to suppress Concubine Su and further solidify her position in the harem.

Concubine De, who supported Noble Concubine Su's new rules and came from a scholarly family, frowned slightly and couldn't help but say, "Sister Li Fei, since Noble Concubine Su has issued the new rules under the emperor's order, we should abide by them and not disobey them. This is also for the sake of order and peace in the harem." Concubine De stepped forward, her expression dignified, her gaze determined, her eyes devoid of fear. She understood the significance of these new rules and Noble Concubine Su's intentions, and she didn't want to see the harem lose order due to these meaningless disputes.

Concubine Li glared at Concubine De fiercely, put her hands on her hips, and raised her voice and said, "You come from a humble family, and you only know how to curry favor with Concubine Su! Her new rules are nonsense and completely disregard the rules of our ancestors." Concubine Li's voice was sharp and harsh, echoing in the courtyard. She was full of resistance to Concubine Su's new reforms, believing that this would harm her interests and status.

At that moment, Imperial Concubine Su hurried over. She was terrified, thinking about the obstacles this reform had encountered at its inception. Wearing an ornate phoenix hairpin and a solemn palace dress, her face sullen, she glared fiercely at Imperial Concubine Li and sternly declared, "I, Imperial Concubine Li, have been ordered by the Emperor to establish new regulations. Are you disobeying them? These new regulations are designed to make things more efficient and convenient for the harem, not to disrupt the rules. Since this is your first offense, I will not pursue you!" She stood tall, her hands clenched into fists, and surveyed the other concubines with a gaze so dignified it was difficult to look directly at them. Imperial Concubine Su knew that if she didn't assert her authority now, the new regulations would be difficult to enforce.

Concubine Li did not back down. She raised her chin and retorted loudly: "Hmph, Concubine Su, don't use the emperor's will to pressure me. It is still unknown whether this new rule is in line with etiquette or not! I think you are just showing off your power!" Concubine Li's eyes were burning with anger. She thought she had a deep experience in the palace and was unwilling to be suppressed by Concubine Su.

Concubine Ning was also fanning the flames, covering her face with her hands and laughing, her eyes as cunning as a fox: "That's right, this hastily made new rule is bound to have some flaws. Maybe it was Concubine Su who came up with it herself and pretended to be the emperor's will." As Concubine Ning spoke, she observed the reactions of the crowd out of the corner of her eye, trying to incite more people to oppose Concubine Su.

De Fei hurriedly said, "Sister Ning Fei, have you ever seen anyone falsely convey an imperial edict to His Majesty? If not, who is stirring up trouble?" De Fei's face flushed red with anger, and she pointed a trembling finger at Li Fei and Ning Fei, her voice trembling with anger. De Fei was furious at Li Fei and Ning Fei's behavior, feeling that they were disregarding the interests of the harem for their own selfish interests.

Concubine Ning was so angry that she was speechless. She glared at Concubine De fiercely, her eyes seemed to be able to spit fire. She didn't expect Concubine De to dare to refute her in public, and she also remembered a grudge against Concubine De in her heart.

The concubines engaged in a heated argument, their voices rising and falling. Some tried to mediate, but were too frightened by the tense atmosphere to speak. Others watched silently from the sidelines, secretly calculating their own gains and losses. The scene grew increasingly chaotic, and the entire courtyard seemed to be enveloped in a tense atmosphere. Even the birds were startled and flew away from their branches, and the flowers and plants seemed to lose their color.

At this moment, the Queen Mother arrived, supported by her maids. She was dressed in extravagant attire, a heavy phoenix crown on her head, and her face was so gloomy that it seemed as if water could drip out of it, her brow furrowed. As she walked along, she heard the quarrels in the courtyard and was furious. She shouted, "Shut up! The harem is in such chaos! What a disgrace! The new rules formulated by Concubine Su are the imperial decree. They must be implemented according to the law and must not be disobeyed! Anyone who dares to stir up trouble again will not be forgiven by me!" The Queen Mother's voice was as stern as a bell, shocking everyone present to bow their heads in response, not daring to raise any more objections. For a moment, the courtyard was completely silent.

After returning to her bedroom, Concubine Su sat exhausted on the couch, her brow furrowed, her dark eyebrows like two curved lines of sorrow. She gazed out the window at the blooming flowers swaying gently in the breeze.

Meanwhile, in Concubine Li's palace, she was furiously venting her anger at her personal maid: "This Imperial Concubine Su is truly ignorant of her own limitations. How dare she come up with these new rules? I will never let her succeed!" The maid cautiously advised: "Your Majesty, calm down and don't let yourself get sick from anger."

In Concubine Ning's palace, Concubine Ning was also planning her next move: "Humph, I failed to overthrow Concubine Su this time, I will definitely make her pay next time."