Love In The Palace

Lana

This is quite a long chapter! However, I have ensured it as short as possible! Chapter 11!

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Author's POV:

"Greetings, Your Highness Empress Dowager." A gentle voice leaves her bright red lips as she curtsies carefully, ensuring the stability of her position. She keeps her head down, waiting for further instructions from the woman with highest authority in the palace, even higher than the Empress, for the Empress still needs her guidance.

"You may rise and sit, Consort Lana."

"Thank you, Your Highness." She rises from her position and heads straight, without hesitation, towards the wooden seat with golden cushions topped with intricate lotus embroideries.

"Pardon my rudeness, but may I know for what reason did Your Highness summon me here today?" A sigh escapes the Empress Dowager's lips, soon to be followed by a rough cough that continues on for a minute. Panic engulfs both Consort Lana and Ava, as both hurriedly rush towards Her Highness' side, easing and comforting her. After she has calmed down, she grips Consort Lana's wrist tightly.

"Consort Lana, you are the only one I can trust in this palace, for we are both Lanas."

"May I know...what do Your Highness mean?"

"You are the only one who knows about my illness. According to the imperial physician, I will be bed-ridden and have to be prepared soon."

"Your Highness! I-!"

"Everyone has to go through this stage of their lives, sooner or later. Therefore, I need your help to complete several tasks, if one day the Heavens summon me back without me being able to achieve them."

"Ce..certainly, Your Highness. Please give your commands." Consort Lana replies reluctantly.

"Crown Prince's new servant..."

"Your Highness is referring to... Jade Leanne?"

"Yes, her. She is actually a slave to the Leanne family. I have confirmed it."

"Does..does this mean that...the Leanne family has sent in a taboo to the palace?!"

"I do not blame them for this. The concubine selection is soon, and surely no family would be willing to lose their chance of participating their daughters in the selection. However, I need your help to ensure Jade's survival in the palace. Persuade the Emperor, if you ever need to. Everything, is to ensure that only the current Crown Prince will be the next Emperor." Consort Lana's face clearly shows confusion, but she is able to veil it with her usual gentle expression. She has long understood that the Empress Dowager has no intention to make her the Empress, for she is barren. She too, has long given up on fighting over the Emperor's love. All she ever does now, is to serve the Empress Dowager well and to never offend the Empress and Consort Shine, all for a peaceful life, should the Emperor pass away one day.

"Is she really trustworthy?" She inquires further.

"She is like me when I was young. You too, resemble me, for we both could just long and never receive."

"I understand, Your Highness."

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"Your Highness, may I know what is on your mind?" Her lady-in-waiting takes the initiative to prepare a cup of warm water and places it before her master as she asks. Next, she proceeds on with gently massaging her legs.

"I am unsure of certain matters. I need to see that person again. I have not seen her since the banquet, and have forgotten her appearance."

"Your Highness....is referring to who?"