It was a typical morning. It was neither cloudy nor rainy, nor warmer or colder. Today was just like yesterday and the day before yesterday.

Unusual news came out of nowhere on this ordinary day.

“The Emperor is going to take the woman as a concubine!”

“So the Empress is busy with the New Year’s preparations while Emperor takes in a concubine.”

“That’s too much.”

“He should at least have waited until New Year’s was over.”

The ladies-in-waiting were complaining darkly among themselves.

I gave them a deadpanned look.Didn't I already told them this was bound to happen and I wouldn't care a bit?

Well if this is their way to let out steam then go ahead

"Stop worrying.Youre all more worried than I am"

"But you don't seem worried your majesty"

"Because I'm not."

"But your majesty,what if the Emperor-"

"I am the Empress and my job is to run the Empire.That is my only priority.And my marriage to the Emperor was an arranged marriage,we may have grown up together but that doesn't mean we're madly in love.You can clearly see that the whole time you have been by my side"

The ladies stayed quiet and just looked at me sadly

"She's only here to entertain the Emperor.What can she do to me,the only Empress this empire could possibly have?She may have the Emperor's affection but she does not have power or influence.She will be nothing more than just the Emperor's plaything"

Talking down to her infront of them might be awful but there are some certain things a woman has to do to keep her ground.

My empress will be disappointed but I have to do this.

I need to make sure my empress stays on the top and I will do whatever it takes for that to happen.

No matter what.

*

*

*

“I’m not sending one.”

The ladies-in-waiting exchanged relieved glances among themselves.

“Thank God.”

“I was so worried that Her Majesty might send her a gift.”

Why the hell would I?

That bastard is gonna send her gifts under my empress's name either way.

She's not even qualified to be sent a gift in the first place.

"Don't worry.There's no reason for me to send her one"

The ladies cheered in delight with my words

"By the way, Your Majesty…may I ask you something?”

“What is it?”

"Is the rumor true,your majesty?"

"Rumor?"

"That the prince from the western kingdom will be in attendance for this year's new years ceremony"

The ladies kept talking about how handsome the western prince is and the rumors about him.I didn't bother to listen as I already knew what they were talking about and the truth behind it.

"But in any case,is he really coming?"

The ladies asked me in excitement and in unison.

The faces of the ladies sparkled with anticipation as they look at me.

"I can't verify the truth of those rumors,but,yes,he is coming to this year's new years ceremony"

They squealed as they covered their faces or fanned themselves.

I smiled at their reactions as it is entertaining.

Suddenly a knock came from the door.

"Come in"

A male servant came inside bearing a chest and presented it to me.

"Your majesty,Grand duke Rylan Roth of Winchester sends his regards with a gift of the finest silks in all the eastern empire!"

I stood up from my seat and went to examine the item on the servant’s outstretched hands. It was a gorgeous blue silk cloth that shone like the scales of a cutlassfish.

The silk looked beautiful and expensive.

This is supposed to be where my empress rejects the gift considering the intentions of the sender.

But I'm not exactly a saint and I have no plans in doing so,that's why I'm taking this and plus maybe this uncle can help me torment that jackass.

"Tell the Grand Duke I am grateful for his regards and accept his gifts"

I heard the ladies behind me gasp at my response.They're used to seeing my empress reject such gifts but their not exactly with the empress they know.

The servant seemed to be shocked too as his eyes had widen from my response.

I made one of my ladies-in-waiting take the gifts and sent the servant back

It was better for me to take the gift as it would be given to Rashta if I didn't.

I can't let Rashta have any powerful connections in the palace.

If I rejected this gift then the Grand Duke will switch sides and support Rashta instead.

I need to prevent her from gaining any more resources and cut out anything she has that she can use against me.

While I need to gain more connections and power to fight those two head to head.

"Come,take a break, your majesty.Its teatime"

I sat at the teatable with the ladies and grabbed a cup of tea

"How fragrant"

I was enjoying the tea when suddenly another visitor appeared

"Pardon the interruption,your majesty but lady Rashta wishes to see you "

"Rashta?"

Oh...this meeting.

This is supposed to be the meeting where my empress congratulates Rashta for being a concubine and Rashta says their sisters.

I flinched so hard at that scene.I know she's naive but the audacity.

That living waste really deserves someone like her.

I saw the ladies faces being gloomy and I can't really blame them

"Send her away"

Everyone was shocked but got relieved soon.

"Are you sure,your majesty?"

"Tell her I do not want to see her and for her to go away.She is also prohibited to ever come to the Western palace"

So what if I'm being too much?

Might as well be direct that I don't want her near me.

Even if that bastard confronts me about it,I have an ace up my sleeve that will really hurt him.

"Yes,your majesty"

The guard went outside the door and probably told that woman to go away.

When the guard came back to the room,he informed us that that woman finally left and that's when the ladies sighed in relief.

"Why does she dare come here?"

"I know!How dare she?!"

"The audacity!"

"Yes!Even concubines in the past would never visit the Empress at will like that"

"That tramp is outrageous!"

This is exactly my plan

I would ruin their reputation and then turn those gossips in my favor

Being a gossiper has its tactics and I just happen to be great at it in my original life.Looks like I can make myself being a gossiper into good use in my situation.

"How could his majesty take in such a stupid and shameless woman?!"

"Maybe perhaps that's what his majesty likes"

The ladies stopped and they suddenly had looks of disgust in their faces.

That's good...that's exactly what I'm going for.

Make people think that scum is filthy and awful as to make people see him in a darker angle and make them doubt him and his position as their Emperor.

That way I'll have more people to use against them while also mocking those two with those people

The match has been lit

Im just pouring the gasoline on it