The Witch in the Woods: The Transmigration of Hazel-Anne Davis
Chapter 116: Afternoon Tea

Chapter 116: Afternoon Tea

The invitation had not come through a servant. It had not been slipped beneath my door or whispered in a courtyard.

It had been delivered by hand.

A eunuch in emerald and gold robes bowed low at the gate of the outer doors of the Crown Prince’s manor and presented a lacquered box tied with a pale green ribbon—Imperial Consort Yi’s colors. Inside, a single card written in elegant, angular script:

The tea this morning will be light. The company, I hope, just as sharp.

There had been no request.

And something told me that if I declined, the next invite won’t be nearly as pleasant.

By the time I had arrived at the consort’s pavilion, the tea had already been poured. The scent of osmanthus and white plum floated through the air, masking something sharper underneath—honeysuckle, perhaps, or the memory of wine that had once been spilled and scrubbed clean.

Imperial Consort Yi reclined with the grace of a woman who had never known urgency. Her robes were layers of silk the color of snow-dusted jade, and her smile was the kind that cut deeper than any blade.

"Zhao Meiren," she greeted, voice soft as a wind chime. "You’re punctual. How refreshing."

I gave a shallow bow—not deep enough to be deferential, not shallow enough to be disrespectful. I didn’t know if she was calling me a little girl or really didn’t know what my name was, but either way, she was trying to establish dominance, and I couldn’t be bothered with all the posturing.

"Your summons was difficult to ignore," I said with a delicate shrug of my shoulders.

The consort’s lips twitched. "A woman with spirit. We don’t see that often in the harem. It’s usually beaten out by the second year." She gestured to the table. "Please. Sit. The tea will cool if you continue to posture."

I took the seat opposite her, folding my hands neatly in my lap and made sure that my back was straight.

"Shall I assume this is a social call, Consort Yi? Or has another nobleman’s head turned up on the wrong pillow?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

A faint glint lit the older woman’s eyes.

"Oh, I do enjoy your humor. It’s so... lethal."

She lifted her own cup but didn’t drink.

"I find myself curious," she continued, "about a woman who appears out of nowhere, claims no noble ties, and yet commands both fear and silence from the most dangerous men in court. You’re quite the... mystery."

"I’m not mysterious," I replied, lifting my cup and sipping slowly. "I just don’t talk as much as the rest of you." Not to mention, I was pretty sure that not a single man in that court was terrified of me. They didn’t have enough common sense.

There was a beat of silence.

Then the consort chuckled—a single melodic note that didn’t reach her eyes.

"Well, mystery or not, the court speaks of you more than it speaks of me these days. That alone is impressive. And troubling."

"For whom?"

"For anyone who forgets their place."

I leaned back slightly, setting her cup down. "You’ll have to forgive me. I was never properly trained in forgetting mine."

"Ah, that explains it. You lack the instincts of a woman raised in the palace. Here, we know that being noticed is often the first step toward being destroyed. After all, the tallest trees capture the wind."

"Is that a threat?"

"Is that how you heard it?" the consort asked sweetly, dabbing her lips with a silk cloth.

There was a pause as a maid entered, placing a fresh dish of sweet lotus pastries on the table. Neither of us moved.

"I don’t think we need to pretend," I said at last. "You’ve already lost your brother. Your niece’s position is slipping. Your hold on the court is thinner than you’d like. So here I am—your last chance to remind the world that you still matter."

Imperial Consort Yi didn’t flinch, but her fingers curled slightly against her teacup.

"You’re bold," she said.

"And you’re transparent," I answered.

A smile tugged at the older woman’s lips again, but this time it was smaller. Tighter.

"I see now why even Sun Longzi hesitates around you. He fears what he cannot predict."

"Sun Longzi is loyal to the empire," I acknowledged. "I fail to see how that is a bad thing."

"And you?" The consort tilted her head. "What are you loyal to?"

I didn’t answer immediately. Instead, I reached for another cup, refilled my tea, and swirled it around, watching the leaves dance in the hot water.

"I’m loyal to what deserves loyalty."

"And does the Crown Prince deserve it?"

"No."

There was no hesitation. No softening.

"Then why not destroy him?" Consort Yi asked, voice almost reverent. "Why not take the knife and finish what others have only dared whisper?"

I looked up, my gaze cool.

"Because destruction is easy. But reminding a man every day that he isn’t in control? That takes patience. I would think you would appreciate that."

"Ah." Hummed the consort, her lashes lowering. "You play a long game."

"I play the only game that matters."

A breeze fluttered through the window, rustling the silk drapes. I took another sip of tea, wishing for another cup of Yan Luo’s.

Then Consort Yi reached beneath the table and withdrew a scroll, placing it gently between us. "Do you know what this is?"

"I could guess."

"Then guess."

I didn’t touch it. "A list of names. Your allies. Your leverage."

"Close," said the consort, unrolling it with slow, deliberate care. "It’s a map. Not of the palace. But of the court. A map of power. Who owes whom. Who fears whom. Who would raise a hand if you fell."

Her eyes glimmered. "I offer it to you."

I arched a brow, barely managing to hold back a scoff. Nothing was ever free, not in any time or in any world.

"Why?" I demanded, putting down my cup.

"Because you are the tiger. And I am the hand that used to hold the leash. Together, we might remind the court what happens when they forget who sits above them."

I stared at the scroll, then at the woman who had unrolled it.

"You want to ally with me?"

"I want to survive you."

That, at least, was honest.

A pause stretched between them. I reached out, lifted the edge of the scroll, and scanned the first few names.

A few were crossed out already. One had been Minister Yuan.

"You want a throne," she said quietly.

"I want stability."

"You want control."

Consort Yi shrugged. "Doesn’t everyone?"

I let the scroll roll shut.

"I’ll consider it," I said, standing. The only problem with her offer was that I had to work with her, and that was leaving a bad taste in my mouth. After all, her son, the Third Prince was on my shit list.

"You’ll need to consider quickly," Consort Yi replied, rising with me. "The court will not stay quiet for long. There are rumors of another engagement being considered. The Empress Dowager is growing bolder. The Emperor has begun asking questions about your rise."

"Then let them ask," I shrugged. "Let them search. Let them try."

I met the older woman’s gaze squarely. "I’ve already buried the bodies of those who underestimated me. I have room for a few more."