The Purple Jade Palace: The Hummingbird's Plan

The Emperor's Mother

Teal turned to the two guards with him. He had one hour until he was expected to present himself to Jale before her official greeting. "I hope you can keep up," he said with a grin. "I need to get ready."

Teal laughed as the two guards shared a look, a look that they weren't impressed. Before they could complain, Teal set off along the wall heading straight back towards the Purple Jade Palace. His two guards would have to take the longer route down on the paths.

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The consorts stood in a line in the main living area of the Purple Jade Palace. Teal was already sweating, the weather far too hot for such clothing. When he brought this to Jale's attention, it was greeted with a hard stare that silenced Teal on the spot. Now, Jale was slowly making his way past each consort, unafraid to place his hands on their bodies while he straightened this and that despite the relentless efforts of their eunuchs.

"Stop fidgeting," Jale told Teal, coming to stand before him. Jale shook his head at the cleverly sculptured silk that wound over Teal's head in an attempt to ensure that he wouldn't stand out from a distance. "This is going to be interesting to say the least."

"I'll say," Ralen said, looking down the small line of consorts to Teal.

Delba also agreed. "I can't wait to see her stiff upper lip hold when she casts her eyes on him."

Teal swallowed uncertainly. "What should I say?"

"Nothing!" Jale exclaimed. "Remember what I told you! Keep the silk on your head. Don't speak, don't make eye contact! Don't move unless you're supposed to and don't do anything to draw any unwanted attention to yourself."

Ralen cracked out a laugh. "That's going to be hard."

Teal could see the seriousness in Jale's face. "I'll be frank. She might say something to upset you or to try to provoke you. Any act of aggression, attitude or resentment will have you killed no matter how much the Emperor likes you."

Their eyes met fiercely, and Teal nodded to show he understood how seriously he was going to have to behave.

Ralen, it appeared, was in a position to say more. "Or, you know, no matter how much Jale likes you visiting him in his personal quarters."

Jale spun and glared, but Ralen only gave him a friendly wink.

Jale sighed and turned back. "Whatever the Empress Dowager says to you, pretend she's talking about the beautiful flower garden across the bay and ignore everything else. If you keep your head down, maybe she just might not notice your eyes. Do you understand? And try to stop sweating!"

"You're not helping," Teal responded. "You're making me worried."

"Good! You should be." Despite his harsh words, Jale handed a small cloth and nodded to Teal's brow. "Use that if you can't stop yourself."

The Hall of Memory was filled to the brim, and Teal could see that no one had spared formalities. The Emperor's court was dressed to their immaculate best.

At the top of the hall, sat the Emperor and the Empress, their thrones seated next to each other. Prince Vox and Prince Salren were also on attendance sitting to the side. To the left and just slightly behind, sat the Emperor's mother although her throne was nearly as large as the Emperor's and the Empress' put together.

As part of the harem, Teal stood off from the main platform. The consorts stood in order of arrival. Jale first, followed by Ralen, Delba, and then Lana. Teal stood right at the end of the line.

For half an hour, family members, military leaders and political leaders presented themselves to the Emperor's mother bestowing her with gifts and pleasant words.