Liu Jing Wei was stunned by the sudden shift of Shangguan Ning's attention to her. Caught off guard, she blinked rapidly, her carefully crafted façade momentarily faltering. The room fell into a heavy silence, the weight of the moment pressing down on her as all eyes turned to her in expectation.

For a brief instant, she struggled to find her words, her mind racing to regain composure. “I—uh, I was merely trying to mediate,” she stammered, forcing a nervous smile. “I didn't mean to overstep. We should all be working toward the same goal, after all.”

Shangguan Ning’s gaze remained steady, unwavering. “Mediation is one thing, Lady Liu, but interference is quite another. This matter is between the empress and me. It does not involve you,” he replied, his tone clear and unyielding. “I would advise you to remember your place.”

The nobles surrounding them shifted uncomfortably, some exchanging glances as the tension escalated. Liu Jing Wei felt the sting of embarrassment rising in her cheeks, the realization that her ambitions might have led her to miscalculate her position. 

“Of course, Sovereign Consort,” she said, her voice now laced with a forced sweetness that barely masked her irritation. “I only wished to ensure that the royal family remains united in its decisions.” 

Shangguan Ning leaned back slightly, observing her with an analytical gaze. “Unity is important, Lady Liu, but not at the cost of respect. If the empress wishes to discuss such sensitive matters with me, then it should be done directly, without unwarranted interjections.”

The empress, who had been silently watching the exchange with an unreadable expression, finally interjected. “Enough!” she commanded, her voice cutting through the charged atmosphere. “This discussion has veered off course. Let us refocus on what truly matters.” 

She cast a pointed look at Liu Jing Wei, as if reminding her of her place. “Ning’er, while your concerns are noted, I believe it is time to consider the broader implications of our decisions for the future of the royal family.”

Shangguan Ning nodded slightly, recognizing the shift in the conversation. “I appreciate your intentions, Your Majesty, but I must reiterate my position. Any decisions regarding the family must be approached with careful consideration and respect for all parties involved.”

The empress sighed, the tension still lingering in the air. “Very well, let us proceed with our tea party. We shall discuss these matters further in a more private setting.” 

As the conversation began to shift back to lighter topics, Shangguan Ning felt a mixture of relief and unease. Though the immediate conflict had been defused, the underlying tensions remained, and he knew that navigating the complexities of court life would be an ongoing challenge.

______

In a different part of the palace, the atmosphere in the royal court was charged with tension as Duke Liu Kang, the esteemed clan leader of the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan and father of Liu Jing Wei, stood before the emperor. The grand chamber, adorned with intricate tapestries and opulent decorations, felt particularly weighty as he prepared to voice his bold suggestion.

“Your Majesty, the Emperor,” Liu Kang began, bowing deeply to show his respect. “May I propose something for your consideration?”

“You may proceed, Duke Liu,” the emperor replied, his tone neutral yet curious.

“Your Majesty,” Liu Kang continued, straightening his posture, “I wish to betroth my daughter, Liu Jing Wei, as a noble concubine to the Second Prince, Helan Li Qiang.”

The room fell silent, and Helan Li Qiang’s eyes narrowed, his expression shifting from surprise to indignation. “Presumptuous!” he exclaimed, rising from his seat. “I have only just recently married the Sovereign Consort, and now you dare to suggest such a thing?”

The emperor raised a hand, signaling for calm. “Duke Liu, what prompts this suggestion? The royal family’s dynamics are delicate, and such decisions cannot be made lightly.”

Liu Kang met the emperor's gaze, unflinching. “Your Majesty, I believe that uniting our families in this way would strengthen the royal bloodline. My daughter possesses the qualities of a noble consort, and her union with the Second Prince would benefit both our clans and the empire.”

Helan Li Qiang shook his head vehemently. “It is highly inappropriate to even consider this right now. Not only would it be disrespectful to the Sovereign Consort, but it also undermines the very foundation of our alliance with the Wu Dynasty. Such actions could strain our relationships and bring about unnecessary discord.”

Liu Kang, sensing the tension in the room, responded with a hint of irritation, “But, Your Highness, the royal bloodline must be preserved and strengthened. It is crucial for the future of our empire, and my daughter would be a valuable addition to your household.”

The emperor, sensing the clash between the two men, interjected to diffuse the situation. “While I appreciate your intentions, Duke Liu, the timing of your proposal is indeed questionable. We must honor the existing bonds and respect the Sovereign Consort’s position. We cannot act recklessly in matters of the heart, especially with such significant implications.”

Helan Li Qiang nodded, his voice firm yet respectful. “If we were to entertain this idea, it would have to be done in consultation with the Sovereign Consort and with the utmost respect for his feelings and position within the royal family.”

Liu Kang’s expression faltered slightly, realizing that he would have to tread carefully. “I understand your concerns, Your Highness. However, I believe that with the right approach, this union could still be beneficial for all parties involved.”

The emperor leaned back in his seat, contemplating the various ramifications of the proposal. “Let us not act in haste. We will need to consider this matter further and perhaps have a discussion with the Sovereign Consort himself. It is vital to ensure that all voices are heard before making such a significant decision.” 

With the tension still palpable, the discussion shifted toward other matters of state, but the underlying implications of Liu Kang’s suggestion hung heavily in the air, foreshadowing potential conflicts to come.

As the meeting in the royal court progressed, whispers of Duke Liu Kang's audacious proposal began to circulate among the other princes who vied for the throne. In the shadows of the grand hall, their expressions shifted from casual interest to barely concealed jealousy, as the implications of Liu Jing Wei potentially becoming a noble concubine of Helan Li Qiang became clear.

Prince Jun, the eldest of the contenders, leaned closer to his brother, Prince Yan. “Can you believe the audacity of Liu Kang?” he murmured, a bitter edge to his voice. “He thinks he can simply elevate his daughter by marrying her off to our brother. If that were to happen, Helan Li Qiang would solidify his position and become an even greater threat to our claims.”

Prince Yan nodded in agreement, his brow furrowed with concern. “It’s true. If Liu Jing Wei joins the Second Prince’s household, it would bolster his influence significantly. Their bloodline would intertwine, and he would have the support of the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan behind him. This could shift the balance of power in the court.”

Another prince, Prince Rui, chimed in, his tone laced with resentment. “Not to mention the prestige that would come with such a union. The nobility would rally around Helan Li Qiang, and he would emerge as the strongest contender for the throne. We can’t allow this to happen.”

“Exactly,” Prince Jun said, his voice low but filled with intensity. “We must devise a way to counteract this proposal before it gains any momentum. If the empress supports this, it could be disastrous for us.”

As the princes huddled together, plotting their next moves, the tension in the room became palpable. They exchanged glances filled with a mix of envy and determination, each considering how they might sway the situation in their favor.

Prince Yan’s mind raced with possibilities. “Perhaps we could approach the Emperor ourselves, voicing our concerns about the implications of such a union. If we present it as a threat to the stability of the realm, he may be more inclined to dismiss it.”

“Or,” Prince Rui interjected, a sly smile creeping onto his face, “we could undermine Liu Jing Wei’s reputation in the eyes of the court. If we can cast doubt on her character or worthiness as a consort, it might sway public opinion against the idea.”

The other princes nodded, their resolve strengthening as they plotted against Helan Li Qiang. Unbeknownst to them, their schemes would only serve to deepen the rift within the royal family, setting the stage for a turbulent struggle for power.

Meanwhile, as the court continued to discuss matters of state, the weight of Duke Liu Kang's proposal lingered in the air, with both allies and rivals contemplating the potential ramifications of this new alliance and the power dynamics it could create within the kingdom.