"W-what?"

"I know but little sister (l/n) must help this one out" Chunhua's Fair and Soft hands reached out for yours as her face turned into one of pleading.

You immediately kept the Mud-made teacup down,began looking down and spoke.

"Your Majesty, Forgive this unreasonable young one, But I only wish to live a peaceful life, away from the palace matters"

Chunhua also set her teacup down on the table. She looked around before speaking in a low tone. "I know flower" Your sister held up your head for eye contact as she continued.
"I want you to become Empress Dowager's favourite entertainer by telling your mind-blowing stories"  (Emperor's Mother/Previous Empress)
She gave a small smile before continuing.
"Don't worry, Mother is extremely gentle. The reason I Chose you is that Dowager too lives away from the castle drama but As the Dowager She must always know what is happening"

You gulped as she took another tea sip

"If you win her over, you can live the rest of your life without getting involved in this drama while informing about what's happening and since we are cousins it wouldn't be weird for us to meet once a month."

A knock on the door disrupted the conversation and you both looked at the door. "Long live the Queen, The Emperor has requested you to join him for breakfast near the Koi Pond"

You immediately got up and bowed as your sister got up and opened the door. As She left, She Spoke turned her to your side.

"Consider my option since it's the only thing you can do, after all, I would not like you to get hurt"

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Here you were having the best meal of your life with the other 9, Now was the perfect chance to make allies after this place would turn into a battleground soon, but you couldn't care less.

A gentle tap on your shoulder made you immediately turn around to face the stranger.

"Humble greetings Madame Bao, I am Ru Yan, The Madame of the flower palace" a young girl with jet black hair and lavender eyes spoke with a small smile. "I hope I don't bother, but what must Your Beautiful name be?

You faced her with a small bow before stating "(Y/n) (L/n), A pleasure to meet you Ru Yan Your name sounds as beautiful as you" you return her smile before continuing to eat.

   Your mind begins to wonder about what your sister said, she isn't wrong as other than the empress and Golden concubine no one's place is promised and serving the dowager as an entertainer would be letting the other females know that you aren't interested in competing.

You Sigh as you leave, Ahh Life is gonna be hard...

"(Y/n) (L/n)" Ru Yan Laughs, " I Can't Believe She's so stupid" She Chuckles to Her Friend and looks to her side where a woman wearing a revealing Hanfu now appears "Jia Liang, She doesn't seem to be a problem and She's so Naive. She hasn't even reached age yet, She's still in her teenage years she won't be a bother to our goal"

A Woman with Light black hair stares at your leaving figure, her emerald eyes looking at you with annoyance. " I Suppose you are right, but We must keep an eye on her after all she is the stupid empress's sister."

Ru Yan Stares back at the hallway from which, your figure has now disappeared. "Don't Worry About such a Small Fly, I have already befriended her. Eventually, I shall gain her trust".

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As you predicted, The War in Harem had already begun as your servant. Huan exclaimed "MADAME, MADAM BAO" Huan took a breath before saying " Madame of the Spring Palace, Madam Haru (Spring in Japanese) has been called in the Punishment hall for Spilling Hot Tea at  Chi Palace's Madam Jia. The Emperor Mother is Urgently requesting the presence of Concubines, Long Live the Emperor."

You Lift your head from a book and Lookup with a bit of Shock "Oh God, Already? It's only been a night"

" You must go now Late-comers will be punished."

" Headfirst and I'll follow you"

You leave you on your book on the Vanity Table before Chuckling at its Title.
'Problems in Paradise: A Guide of Survival in the Palace.'
'A Journey of Love: For Her Edition'
A Cringey Last Gift From your Annoying Brother before your Wedding And Honestly, You Never thought you would use it.
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'𝘰𝘩 𝘮𝘺 𝘨𝘰𝘥, 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘶𝘭'

You look at the woman kneeling in front of you getting beaten with a heated iron rod by a nanny, Her back is facing you. Her fair Snow-like skin was Blooded and burnt from the harsh Punishment. Her Sobs and apologies were heard by everyone in the Buddha Hall. A Woman you never Saw before, Was Standing parallel to her but in a distance. The Beats were now stopped at 50.  As You Glanced at the Emperor's Mother when a woman standing beside her spoke -

   "Greetings Concubines, I am Nanny Chu and Empress Dowager's Servant. The Woman In Front of you is Jia Liang, The Concubine of Chi palace and The Kneeling Woman is Xia Chang, The Concubine of the Spring Palace. Today Madame Haru(Xia) has Committed a shameful act, She has Thrown Boiling Tea  on Madam Chi (Jia)."
"For this Act, She Has Been Demoted from being the madame and will kneel in front of the Buddha statue Without food and water for 3 Days" 

Ru Yan was trying to hide her smile beside you but to you, it was clear she was failing but you decided not to question her.

" As You know, Such Horrendous Acts Shall not be tolerated in Majesty Dowager's Palace And anyone who dares pull such stunts again will be punished, You all may Leave"

You and the other women kneeled down on the floor and bowed down before proceeding to take a last look at the poor woman on the floor. What You failed to notice was a petite woman wearing servant clothes bow behind you

"Madam Bao(Y/n), Greeting from this young one  I apologize to intrude but Empress Dowager Wishes to have a chat with you"

As You heard what she said only one thought came to mind:"𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘪𝘥 𝘐 𝘥𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘸..."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

You Sat on a chair Beside the Cot on which dowager laid and did not say a word.

"(Y/n) (L/n) Was it?" Cold Fox shaped Onyx Coloured Eyes look at you with half eye-lids open.

"Y-yes Great Mother" You reply as She sips a glass with blood-red liquid Which you assume is wine, without a word.

"Hmm" She lets a soft sigh before placing the gold and jewel-studded glass near a table and continuing "When I was a child I used to get nightmares all the time, as  I was an only child my parents tried everything from doctors and medicines to lullybais and stories yet i wouldnt sleep. I would even drink sleeping-Tea after Dinner" 

Dowager closed her eyes remembering those dreadful nights and spoke again " Eventually, Due to lack of sleep my health took a downfall so my mother and father starting drugging my food and drinks but since my body was so weak i would sleep like a dead person for days without the need of food and water. A Young Boy around my age but a bit older used to come visit me with the imperial physician sometimes, When he heard about my case he asked me if he could tell me stories to make fall sleepy" She let out a small sarcastic chuckle before saying " By then I had given up all hope and didnt care about anything"

Emperor mother sat up from her sit and made Eye Contact with your (E/c) ones and said in a cold tone "(L/n) I have heard a rumour about you long before you came into the palace, It seems that you are an excellent story teller"
𝘰𝘩 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘵 𝘯𝘰 𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘯𝘰....
"The Common folks love your story and your sister herself praises your skills all the time"
You shuddered at the fake smile at her face.

"Nowadays, She says you have detached yourself from your talents and proposed to me about something, She says that if you can make me sleep I must help get back into your talent, but if You Cant you will be sent back home for a year. If I refused my daughter-in-law's offer Zhao( ur husband) would be upset with me"

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1.4K Words ( Excluding Author notes and Imp)
𝑯𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒚 𝑹𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈!!!