Hours later when dinner was served in Dawa's palace, Bortu entered quietly and whispered in her ear. Dawa smiled, for it seemed she got what she wanted to hear. She picked up her chopsticks smiling and ate her food with content.

"So, Concubine Ru has an extensive library of books about Yhur and she has always wanted to ask me about the authenticity…" Dawa whispered.

"Priestess?" Bortu asked, unable to hear what her master had just said.

"Ah, nothing too important. I was wondering why Concubine Ru never tried to talk to me if she wanted to discuss our culture." Dawa wondered.

"I-I have no idea." Bortu nervously replied.

Bortu had done what Dawa asked and found about more about Concubine Ru. However, that steely glare she was given remained in her mind. She wondered why her master would do such a thing. Did she not trust her? It seems the most probable reason but there was no reason for doubt, she would always be loyal. Bortu wondered if the natural distrust that the concubines were used to was influencing her. In that case, all the more reason for her master to gain some allies and return to her cheerful self.

Dawa continued to think, "Is there a time where Concubine Ru is free or is in her library?"

"Yes, at around weishi." Bortu replied.

Dawa, "Then, we should visit Concubine Ru's palace tomorrow."

"Of course, Priestess."

Dawa felt a sense of happiness that she hadn't felt in a long time. She was going to socialise and that made her very excited.

However, not all were happy as a nimble servant retreated from the windows of Dawa's palace and made their way to Imperial Concubine Lan's palace.

"What did you say?!" Imperial Concubine Lan screeched.

A female servant was bowing to Imperial Concubine Lan, "C-Concubine Li is meeting Concubine Ru at weishi tomorrow."

Imperial Concubine Lan sat in her chair, thinking, "You saw her make that plan?"

"This one does not dare to lie. I saw what I saw." The servant replied.

Imperial Concubine Lan knew something was up when she noticed Bortu walking around the outer courtyards.

Concubine Li was an insular person so it was unusual for her staff to wander outside her courtyard. As such, she had the servant followed.

Imperial Concubine Lan found it odd that Dawa wanted to meet Concubine Ru. Usually, when a scheming concubine wanted to go up in the ranks, they make friends with more powerful consorts and take them down after being 'friends' for a while.

It did not make sense that Concubine Li wanted to make friends with Concubine Ru since both of them do not have the Emperor's favour and are not expected to rise in rank.

However, given Dawa's previous craftiness before she became insular, she could not just let this slide.

"Continue to watch them." Imperial Concubine Lan ordered, "I want every meeting documented and reported to me."

"Yes, mistress." The servant replied.

"Good! You are dismissed."

As the servant left her palace, Imperial Concubine Lan gave a devious smile.

Soon, you will have no standing and my path to the Empress position will be unblocked. With the only two concubine-ranked women out of the palace, it will only be Empress Yi. But no worry, she will be gone too.

Imperial Concubine Lan poured wine in her cup and raised it to the sky.

Father, I will fulfil my promise. The day of reckoning is coming.

Just then, a little paper rabbit was nudging her leg. Imperial Concubine Lan looked down and smiled proudly before walking to her chambers. The little rabbit followed.

The next day at weishi, Dawa, accompanied by Bortu made her way to Concubine Ru's palace.

The path to the palace was relatively empty. With only two concubines and one imperial concubine, the palaces were not fully occupied.

Dawa and Bortu arrived at the threshold to Concubine Ru's receiving room where her attendant greeted them.

"Greetings Concubine Li, Mistress has been expecting you." The attendant greeted and gestured them to follow her.

As Dawa and Bortu walked into Concubine Ru's residence, they couldn't help but notice the shelves and shelves of books that surrounded them. The fact that Concubine Ru was known for her voracious reading was no joke.

The attendant led them to the antechamber where Concubine Ru was seated reading a book. Unlike the women of the harem who powered their face and dressed in flashy robes, Concubine Ru had a makeup-less face and wore a simple robe. This has led to the women that were under Imperial Concubine Lan to make fun of her for not being beautiful.

Dawa wondered if the reason why Concubine Ru was more receptive to her was that they both were bullied by Imperial Concubine Lan.

"Concubine Ru." Dawa greeted.

Concubine Ru looked up from her book and smiled, "Concubine Li, welcome. It is nice to see you. Oh! Forgive me for not greeting you, I've been reading most of the day and my legs seemed to have fallen asleep." She laughed.

Dawa smiled genuinely for the first time in months, "Haha…no need sister. I know that feeling where you've been sitting for so long that your legs don't work."

She sat down next to Concubine Ru, dismissing Bortu to get them some tea and snacks.

Concubine Ru had a friendly countenance that was infectious. Dawa felt herself relaxing around the woman.

"Tell me," Concubine Ru asked curiously, "What kind of job did you have back in the Western Plains that caused you to have sore legs."

"Oh," Dawa didn't expect her to ask. Knowing that the palace was not aware of her abilities as a Priestess, she could not tell the truth.

I can't tell her that the ceremonies that my Priestess work had me do were the times I had to sit on my knees for hours at a time…

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

"My family was nomadic so we would move around a lot to find better land for our sheep and goats. Sometimes, the move took hours so I had to sit for a long time." Dawa replied instead.

"Amazing," Concubine Ru was instantly interested, "So you didn't come from a wealthy family like all of us?"

Dawa sipped her tea, "No. My tribe is very small and most of our income comes from trade with other tribes and big nations. Even so, we have years that we have nothing to sell because of the dangerous creatures that live in the plains."

"What kind of creatures?" Concubine Ru looked slightly frightened.

"Hahaha! Don't be so frightened. They don't exist in this region – glass desert worms and eel lizards. They are quite fierce since there are not many resources in the sands." Dawa laughed.

Concubine Ru "So you have to learn to defend yourself?"

Dawa could not tell the entire truth, "I know a few skills but for defence only."

She picked up a shaobing, "Concubine Ru, you said you have some books from the Western Plains. You want me to look at them, right?"

At the question, Concubine Ru perked, "Oh yes! Ningya, can you bring the books over?" She called to her attendant.

Ningya bowed and went to retrieve the books.

"Concubine Ru, where did you get these books?" Dawa asked.

"Oh," Concubine Ru's eyes shifted, "I kind of paid some bookseller to procure them for me." She whispered.

Dawa was shocked. How could she be so careless?! If Imperial Concubine Lan found out, there was no telling what would happen!

Concubine Ru noticed the change in Dawa's expression, "Is something the matter, Concubine Li."

"A-aah, nothing is wrong. I was just surprised you managed to get your hands on something so rare." Dawa forced a small smile, trying not to seem worried.

Ningya brought the books over and Dawa noticed the nomadic script of her people on the cover.

"This script is the writing of our people. How are you able to read it?"

Concubine Ru, "I can't. I've been slowly translating it with this dictionary." She gave a small book to Dawa.

Dawa quickly skimmed through the first book of the pile. It was a book on sword making techniques of the Du Khanate.

It was written by the previous Khan so it was accurate. However, she wondered if a concubine would be interested in this sort of thing.

Dawa, "This book is about the sword making techniques of the Du Khanate. It is the most powerful Khanate in the Western Plains. The information is accurate because the author was the previous Khan."

Concubine Ru nodded, "I see, I see."

Dawa, "Will you be interested in this sort of thing? It is something that you wouldn't know too much about."

Concubine Ru shook her head, "I don't mind. I just love to learn new things through books."

"Alright then," Dawa smiled and put the book down in a different location to start a new pile. She picked up another book and skimmed through it.

Oh, this one is about healing techniques. Huh? They mentioned my tribe but…we're not known for such techniques. We've never had a healer since the insurrection twenty years ago.

Noticing Dawa's confusion, Concubine Ru asked, "Is everything alright? Did you find something you don't like?"

Dawa was touched that the woman cared for her well-being, "No, no. It is just this book is about healing techniques from my tribe but we've never had a full-fledged healer since the insurrection."

Concubine Ru nodded, "Yes. A lot of cultivation families here also lost their key techniques. It is not just yours."

Outside the antechamber, Bortu and Ningya smiled at each other, happy that their mistresses were happily talking about the things they liked.

However, Bortu sensed someone outside the residence.

"You feel it too?" Ningya asked.

Bortu was about to walk into the antechamber, "I have to tell the Priestess." But Ningya stopped her.

"I've already put silencing talismans in the antechamber. No one will be able to hear anything they say. Once enough time has passed, we will strike."

Bortu nodded and waited.

The female servant who was tasked to watch Dawa and Concubine Ru by Imperial Concubine Lan was straining her ears to hear what they were saying.

Murmurs were coming from the residence but no intelligible words could be recognised.

How could the walls of this residence be so thick! When I was spying on other consorts, I could hear every word. Why not this time? Perhaps I need to move to a different location…

Unbeknownst to the servant, Ningya and Bortu were standing right behind her. When she turned around to change positions, what greeted her were two strong and capable attendants who gave her icy glares.

The servant blanched for she knew she had been caught. Frightened, she stepped back but she felt something heavy hit the back of her back and neck, causing her to pass out.

Back in the antechamber, Dawa sensed something was amiss.

"Did you feel that?" She asked.

Concubine Ru drank her tea calmly, "No, I didn't."

Odd, I could have sworn I felt someone use spiritual energy in the palace.

Concubine Ru studied Dawa carefully.

Ho…It seems she is starting to catch on.

Concubine Ru put down her teacup, "Concubine Li, would you like to stay for dinner?"

Dawa was surprised, "Is it time already? But we haven't finished looking through all the books…"

Concubine Ru giggled, "We can always do that tomorrow. So, what you do say dining at my palace?"

Dawa thought for a while before agreeing, "I would be honoured, Concubine Ru."

"Excellent." Concubine Ru said happily. She stood up and Dawa followed her.

"Where are we going?" Dawa asked.

"Oh, just something I want to show you before we have dinner." Concubine Ru said.

When the women reached the receiving chamber, their two attendants were bowing to them. In between, there was an unconscious woman tied up.

Dawa's face darkened.

What…is this?

She turned to Bortu whose eyes shifted before speaking, "Priestess, we found this servant attempting to eavesdrop on your conversation with Concubine Ru. Luckily, we managed to knock her out and tie her up."

Dawa glanced at the woman on the floor.

Wait…attempting? Does this mean she did not hear us?

Dawa turned to Concubine Ru who did not look surprised in the slightest.

"You knew." She spoke in a low voice.

Concubine Ru's expression remained calm but Dawa now knew there was a clever woman behind her serene smile.

"Concubine Li, you know well that people want to do harm to us. We are the only consorts with the concubine title. This one," She pointed to the woman on the floor, "was probably sent by Imperial Concubine Lan."

"I've no doubt that she sent her." Dawa replied, "I just wonder how you knew."

Concubine Ru sat on the sofa and folded her hands prettily on her lap, "Ningya is a martial arts master. She has no cultivation skills but she can use weapons imbued with spiritual energy. It is with her help that I am able to stay clear from harm."

Incredible! Concubine Ru managed to sneak in a master in the palace. Bortu can also be considered a master if I didn't seal her spiritual energy. I would say that without the aid of spiritual energy, Bortu could be on par with Ningya.

"Your attendant," Concubine Ru turned towards Bortu, "Is just as skilled…perhaps more." She began to pick the flowers and fiddle with them.

Dawa suddenly became very afraid of this woman. Her smile seemed to tell many different stories and even though she looked and acted kind, she was clearly capable of more than anyone ever perceived.

She needed to tread carefully around her.

Dawa sat next to Concubine Ru on the sofa, "What is your game?"

Concubine Ru's eyes bulged in surprise before she laughed heartily, "Ahahaha, I never expected you to be so frank, Concubine Li. The rumours about your nature are not true at all!"

Dawa didn't reply. She waited patiently for Concubine Ru's answer.

"Imperial Concubine Lan has to go. She has disturbed the balance of the harem but the Empress Dowager is too spineless to see it. She adores her and cannot see the monster she has become."

Dawa could see why people would want to get rid of Imperial Concubine Lan but it seemed that Concubine Ru had a personal reason. She didn't pry and only nodded.

"Concubine Ru, while I understand why you would want to get rid of Imperial Concubine Lan, how would capturing this servant achieve it?"

Concubine Ru smiled gently, "Ningya, wake the girl up."

Ningya nodded and pushed an acupuncture point at the back of the neck. The girl gasped and coughed before looking around on her place on the floor.

"C-concubine Li and Concubine Ru." She gasped.

Concubine Ru smiled calmly, "My apologies that you had to be tied up. I'm worried that you might be someone that is after me. If you can prove that you are not anyone that I should be wary of, you may go."

The servant managed to get on her knees and beg, "Please, I am no one! I don't know anything!"

Concubine Ru continues to smile, "Is that so? Then, you may go." She gestured to Ningya who removed the ropes and the girl left the residence.

Dawa was confused, "Why did you let her go?"

Concubine Ru only drank her tea and Dawa's face paled.

"You intend to kill her?"

Concubine Ru was aghast, "Heavens, No! I'm against killing servants since they often can't choose their masters. I'm only going to erase her memory and plant in a false one. She will report false information to whoever sent her."

Dawa was shocked that Concubine Ru showed such mercy. However, she cannot fully trust her since she may be doing this to just show her benevolence to her. She may be crueller than she thinks.

"Will Ningya be doing that too?" Dawa asked.

Concubine Ru, "Yes, she will."

Dawa, "I see."

Concubine clapped her hands, "Now that that is over, shall we have our dinner?"

Dawa could no longer reject the invitation so she forced a small smile, "Indeed, we shall."