Rebirth of the Emperor's Betrayed Concubine
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The quiet hum of conversation in the harem meeting room was suddenly interrupted by the sharp sound of the doors sliding open.
A hush fell over the room as the **Empress Dowager**,
The Emperor’s powerful mother, walked in, her presence immediately commanding the attention of everyone present.
Her gaze swept across the room, and the air seemed to grow heavier with her arrival.
Her regal robes swirled around her as she moved to the head of the table, her posture dignified, but her eyes sharp and calculating.
emperor's mother min\The Empress Dowager
Good morning, ladies,
She said, her voice calm but with a hidden sharpness that sent a chill through the room.
emperor's mother min\The Empress Dowager
I trust everything is in order?
She didn’t wait for a response, her gaze landing on **Jin**, the Imperial Consort, as if she had something specific to address.
Jin, who had been sipping her tea, straightened slightly at the sudden attention.
The Empress Dowager gave a tight smile.
emperor's mother min\The Empress Dowager
Consort Jin,
She began, her voice silky but cutting.
emperor's mother min\The Empress Dowager
It’s been some time since the Emperor has made his decision on the matter of the Empress.
emperor's mother min\The Empress Dowager
I trust you’re not *too* concerned by his indecision?
The subtle jab was clear, but Jin remained composed, her face neutral as she lowered her teacup.
Kim jin ( Imperial Consort.)
Your Majesty, the Emperor is a wise man.
Kim jin ( Imperial Consort.)
I have no doubt he will make the right choice when the time is right.
Kim jin ( Imperial Consort.)
The future of the empire is important, and he will choose wisely.
The Empress Dowager’s lips curled into a faint smile, though there was something icy behind it.
emperor's mother min\The Empress Dowager
Yes, of course.
emperor's mother min\The Empress Dowager
But time, my dear, is something the empire does not have the luxury of.
Her gaze shifted, now turning toward **Tae**. The room tensed.
emperor's mother min\The Empress Dowager
And as for you, Lady Tae…
Her voice dropped, the sweet politeness of her words veiling the sharpness beneath.
emperor's mother min\The Empress Dowager
You’ve been quite *charming* lately, haven’t you? Quite the talk of the court.
Tae met the Empress Dowager’s gaze with a soft, polite smile, though inside she could feel her heart tighten.
The Empress Dowager was no fool; she was trying to use Tae’s newfound position to unsettle her, to test her loyalty, and possibly to push her down a peg or two in front of the others.
Tae knew this. But she would not show weakness.
jeon taehyung (tae)
I am flattered, Your Majesty,
Tae replied softly, her voice meek but still full of grace.
jeon taehyung (tae)
I am only doing my best to learn from the wisdom of those around me.
jeon taehyung (tae)
Everyone here is so much more experienced in the ways of the palace.
Her smile was innocent, almost shy, as she gently folded her hands in her lap, making herself seem small and humble.
The Empress Dowager didn’t look convinced, her eyes narrowing slightly.
emperor's mother min\The Empress Dowager
Indeed, the ways of the palace.
emperor's mother min\The Empress Dowager
But tell me, Lady Tae, how long do you think you can continue to rely on others for guidance?
emperor's mother min\The Empress Dowager
You’re no longer just a *guest* here, you know.
emperor's mother min\The Empress Dowager
Sooner or later, you will need to show that you are capable of standing on your own.
emperor's mother min\The Empress Dowager
And the Emperor will surely need a woman who can bear him an heir.
emperor's mother min\The Empress Dowager
I wonder, do you truly understand the weight of that responsibility?
The other concubines glanced at one another, sensing the tension building.
**Hyunsoo**, **Jiwon**, and **Minji** all exchanged looks, their smiles now a little tighter, knowing that the Empress Dowager was playing her own game to assess Tae’s position in the harem.
Tae, however, remained composed, her smile never wavering.
Her expression softened, and she looked down at her teacup as if contemplating the Empress Dowager’s words with deep thought.
jeon taehyung (tae)
I… I can only imagine the difficulty of such a responsibility, Your Majesty,
She said, her voice filled with faux humility.
jeon taehyung (tae)
But I am not yet sure I am ready for something as important as that.
jeon taehyung (tae)
I am simply… a woman who wants to live a peaceful life.
jeon taehyung (tae)
To support the Emperor and his family. If I could be of any help,
jeon taehyung (tae)
I would be honored, but bearing an heir… I’m afraid that is not something I’ve thought much about.
Her words were carefully chosen, her tone deliberately meek and unsure.
It was as though she was pretending to be someone who was too innocent or too young to understand the political games being played in the palace.
The Empress Dowager’s lips twitched into a small smile, her eyes cold with calculation.
emperor's mother min\The Empress Dowager
Is that so?
She asked softly, though the words were tinged with a hidden challenge.
emperor's mother min\The Empress Dowager
You’re a young woman, Lady Tae. Perhaps your time will come.
The momentary silence was thick with tension.
Then, as if to push the matter further, the Empress Dowager’s gaze shifted to **Jin**, still sitting quietly at the head of the table.
emperor's mother min\The Empress Dowager
And as for you, Consort Jin,
She continued, her voice sweeter now but with a sharp undertone,
emperor's mother min\The Empress Dowager
I trust you are not too comfortable with this… delay in the Emperor’s decision. It’s not just about choosing an Empress, but about securing the future of the empire.
Jin, her expression still serene, nodded slightly.
Kim jin ( Imperial Consort.)
Of course, Your Majesty. The Emperor will choose wisely. I trust that all will work out in time.
But the Empress Dowager was not finished. Her eyes flicked back to Tae, and she continued, her words like honey dripping with poison.
emperor's mother min\The Empress Dowager
But perhaps you have some thoughts on the matter? After all, Lady Tae, you’ve been so well-received by the Emperor.
emperor's mother min\The Empress Dowager
Do you have any… ambitions for your future here in the harem?
Tae’s heart raced for just a moment—this was the moment she had to tread carefully. She couldn’t afford to show any sign of weakness, not now.
She lowered her gaze, pretending to be shy, and gave a soft, almost hesitant laugh.
jeon taehyung (tae)
I have no ambitions, Your Majesty,
She said, her voice trembling slightly as if unsure.
jeon taehyung (tae)
I am just… honored to be here. Truly, I am not fit to be an Empress.
jeon taehyung (tae)
I am merely a concubine, and my only wish is to serve the Emperor and this great empire.
Her words were sugar-coated with false humility, designed to present her as a meek, innocent woman who had no interest in the dangerous power struggles of the harem.
On the surface, it would seem as though Tae was simply too fragile to play such a game, too passive to rise against the others.
But behind her soft exterior, she knew the truth—she was far from helpless.
The other concubines exchanged glances again, their eyes filled with a mix of amusement and skepticism.
Hyunsoo smiled sweetly, her eyes glinting with a mix of mockery and caution.
Sui Hyunsoo( concubines)
You are certainly a modest one, Lady Tae,
She said, her tone still sugary but underlined with the intent to undermine.
Sui Hyunsoo( concubines)
It’s a rare quality in this place. I’m sure the Emperor finds that very appealing.
Tae nodded gently, her hands folded in her lap as she maintained her composure.
jeon taehyung (tae)
I hope so, Lady Hyunsoo. I only wish to be of service.
Jin, however, couldn’t help but look at Tae with a new sense of admiration.
She recognized the subtlety of Tae’s approach—the cleverness behind her meek exterior.
Tae was, without a doubt, playing the game with finesse.
Tae’s response, so gentle and modest, had left the Empress Dowager and the others with little to target.
Though they’d tried to provoke her, she had turned each remark into an opportunity to appear weak and harmless, while underneath, her mind was calculating each move with precision.
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Comments
Krishna Thakur
tae was promised to b emperess n bear the heir n if he is born again than y is she cocunbine again did jk made he cocunbine again in this birth too
2025-03-09
2
i am lalalalalalalalala
nope not at all. I love this type of stories
2024-12-02
1
imperfectly fine 🥴
no author it's too good 😊🥰
2024-11-22
2