-unedited, be mindful or grammatical and spelling errors-
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Author's POV:
"Why didn't you kill her?!" The shrieking sound of anger fills the luxuriously-designed and decorated room. The golden seat is carved with phoenix while the table is made of carved red wood with gold layers. Pillars are also covered with gold as translucent silk curtains drape from the ceilings, now being tied up. A red carpet; a color that symbolizes joy and auspiciousness, rests on the floor unbelievably stainless.
"I'm sorry, mother." Crown Prince kneels down, not daring to lift his head to look at his extremely angered mother. The Empress has long suspected Jade, whom she believes to be a spy sent by Consort Shine to gather information about the imperial mother and son.
"Now that you've let this opportunity to slip, I have to think of a new way! But this is the palace! It's not a place where you can simply behead someone!" The Empress huffs, standing up furiously, walking back and forth as she ponders anxiously with her teeth gritted and her fists clenched. She can't let her live, not even for a single second. Even if Jade's innocent, she thinks that it's right to sacrifice a mere palace servant for the survival of the Crown Prince and herself, the Empress. The title which she's worked her entire life for. What's wrong with palace servants dying for their masters?
"Just return to your palace first, Crown Prince. I'll settle this on my own." Empress waves her hand at Crown Prince as she paces her way restlessly but gracefully towards her study chamber decorated with much grandeur.
"Your Son will take my leave now." Crown Prince raises his body carefully, turning around swiftly towards the entrance. He passes by a once-crowded empty palace beside the Empress' palace. The palace used to be his, the palace he grew up with the long-deceased gentle and caring Consort Para. It's a palace rule whereby the future Crown Prince shouldn't be brought up by the biological mother, but other consorts. He misses his youth, when he did not need to fight for the throne and just played around after studying.
As he walks pass the Emperor's palace, there's a massive crowd waiting in front of the palace's yet again massive yard. He recognizes the man who has just dismounted the majestic-looking horse to be General Wales.
"General Wales has returned? Can't be. I just delivered the package to him two days ago. What's inside the package actually?" He thinks curiously in his mind, silently. However, he brushes off his thoughts and returns to his own palace which is a long journey to go.
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"Greetings, Your Majesty." General Wales kneels down and places his harder-than-steel silver helmet before him, submissively greeting the Emperor afterwards.
"You may rise." The forty years old Emperor sits on his heavily-decorated golden dragon throne. Eunuch Fan stands by him, ready to receive any orders while two plainly-dressed female servants holding two big fans are fanning him.
"Now, speak."
"I have successfully suppressed the uprising at the North. They are now willing to submit to Your Majesty and have paid tributes to Your Majesty. I've brought with me the tributes and placed them outside Your Majesty's palace." The Emperor discerns General Wales deeply, his eyes are sharp as he squints them. Then he laughs happily and victoriously as he pats the throne's armrest with a satisfied grin.
"Reward General Wales with thirty thousand taels! Prepare a room for him in the palace and we'll hold a banquet for our victory in three days time! Let Empress take care of it! Everyone is to attend!"
"I hereby thank you, Your Majesty."
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Author's POV:
"What's the commotion?" The Empress asks, sipping her fragrant cup of tea gracefully as expected of her status. Her servant with her soft voice answers her carefully, almost whispering.
"General Wales has returned. The Emperor is holding a banquet tonight for his victory. His Majesty assigns Your Highness to prepare the banquet. And...General Wales is requesting to pay a visit to greet you, Your Highness." The Empress stills as her eyes flicker for a moment. She stops her movement for a while, biting her lip in the process. She puts down her warm tea on the table and stands up from her seat, her hand stretches out as her servant takes it, guiding her towards the hall.
"I'll meet him." She says, walking out of her sleeping chamber slowly and carefully, like a swan, towards her palace' hall. Her steps are light, not even a slight sound can be heard. Her eyes stay straight in front, never astray. Then she sits down on her golden chair, her eyes set on the young and according to many, good-looking General, her expression falters a little.
"Greetings, Empress." General Wales says as he kneels.
"You've finally returned, General Wales. Congratulations on your success. The Emperor surely will like you more now."
"You're flattering me, Your Highness." He's still kneeling, still in his position and never looks up. Perhaps he won't ever look up anymore, never.
"How have you been ?" The Empress asks out of the question.
"I can't be any better in His Majesty and Your Highness' care. Thank you for asking, Your Highness. I believe that Your Highness is as healthy as always."
"Have you paid a visit to her tomb?" She asks again, her palms are fisted hard, her eyes not wanting to meet his figure. General Wales is surprised, his eyes widen for a second as he gapes. He's taken aback for a moment before replying.
"Yes, Your Highness." The flat tone in his words irritate her, causing her to throw a precious porcelain vase at him in anger, though fortunately-maybe unfortunately, it doesn't reach him. It shatters into pieces on the floor, it can never be repaired, just like the two's hearts.
"Your Highness... Your Highness... Until when are you going to call me Your Highness?! When will you stop?! Why won't you call me Milea anymore?!" Knowing that the tension will rise further, the Empress' personal servant gestures for other palace servants to leave the hall and hide, or else they'll see heads rolling on the ground. It's not a rare scene in the palace, thus the need to frequently recruit new palace servants.
"I deserve to die, Your Highness."
"Why?!" The Empress asks, hurt is evident in her tone. A rare crystal-clear tear escapes her eye, a very rare sight indeed for the strong and powerful Empress to cry. But he'll never know, because he'll never raise his head up to meet her eyes anymore.
"Because...we can never return anymore."
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Jade's POV:
"What's wrong Cherry? Why are you running around so hurriedly?" I stop Cherry who's rushing towards Crown Prince's chamber, asking for details.
"The Emperor is holding a banquet tonight to celebrate General Wales' victory at the North, everyone has to attend! This will be a good opportunity for Crown Prince to appeal himself again and be freed from punishment!" She exclaims quickly. I nod my head, letting her go while I myself carry a basket of vegetables to the kitchen. Wait, then...there's no cooking duty today, I assume?
"Mal! Mal!" I raise my hands high up and wave them, calling out to Mal who's carrying warm water to fill the Crown Prince's bath tub. Upon seeing me running towards him, he puts down the wooden baskets with a sigh.
"What's wrong, Jade?"
"Have you heard about the Emperor holding a banquet tonight?"
"Really?!"
"Yes!"
"Then we need not cook. You can put aside the vegetables now."
"Are we going?" I ask, curiously. There are still many places in the palace that I have not seen, and I would like to take this chance to explore more of it. I can't be staying in this palace for approximately ten years, lurking around these places only, can I?
"Normally the Crown Prince takes both me and Cherry to banquets. Let's see who'll he asks to accompany him later." I nod my head and ask him to continue doing his duty.
I guess, I may not be chosen. I'm just a new servant, who will choose me-the clumsy one? Moreover, two servants to a banquet are more than enough. Bringing three will look weird and somebody has to guard the Crown Prince's palace other than the assigned guards.
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Author's POV:
"Say, Ere, do I look good?" Seventh Princess gently touches her hairdo, her hair is beautifully donned with flowers, pearls and less gold to picture a more youthful look.
"Seventh Princess's extremely beautiful and gorgeous today." Her servant, Ere fixes her slightly ruffled femininely pink dress.
"Then let's hurry to the banquet. I don't want to be late." As Seventh Princess eagerly exits her chamber, her chosen servants immediately follow behind her, adjusting to her pave, exiting Seventh Princess' palace and hurriedly walking towards the banquet site, at the Imperial Yard.
"Why, why, isn't the Seventh Princess dressing up a little bit too flashy today? Are you trying to steal the spotlight of the banquet?" She halts, looking around for the source of the mocking words to find her half-brother smirking at her confidently, approaching her with his own group of servants.
"Third Brother? Why are you here?"
"Then why are you here?"
"Forget that, why are you here so early?"
"Why can't I come early? Why are you so early?" He asks back, emphasizing the word you. He's enjoying it, as always, as usual. Enjoying teasing and annoying her sister, her half-sister.
"Why are you always answering my questions with questions?"
"Why are you always questioning me?"
"You-you! You're so mean! I'm not going to bother about you anymore!" Seventh Princess stomps away childishly, her demeanor only amuses Third Prince even more. He quickens his footsteps, catching up to her easily without exerting any effort, though the pitiful ones are their servants. Perhaps, the difference in age and gender does make a difference. He easily towers over her, significant difference exist when it comes to comparing their height.
"My Seventh Sister is angry now? Seriously? I was just joking."
"But you always do that!" She looks away from Third Prince, pretending to still be angry. Her pride as a princess never dies, seemingly immortal, even when it comes to facing her older brother, Third Prince.
"Because you just always give me the same reaction. Isn't it interesting and fun?" He laughs and teases her casually while she gently pushes him away.
"Say, why are you going so early? No one will be there at this time." Third Prince asks, seriously, out of curiosity.
"I'm going to greet Father, and perhaps attend the banquet together with him."
"Me too, let's go then."
---
Jade's POV:
The sun will set soon and it's almost time for the Crown Prince to depart for the banquet. While Cherry is helping Crown Prince with his attire, Wan goes to prepare the sedan and servants to carry it later. I, on the other hand, am holding onto a bowl of rice facing a plate of Cherry's simply-sautéed vegetables, literally gulping down my dinner after a long day of work.
Crown Prince has again, appointed only Cherry and Wan to accompany him to the Emperor's banquet. Perhaps he's not yet trusted me, or can't trust my slight-clumsiness. Slight.
"What to do after this? It'll be boring." I pick up the dishes and wash them, drying my hands with a piece of cloth and heading out of the kitchen. Pacing my way towards the main gate of Crown Prince's palace, I see the master of this palace and his two young servants, both standing alert at his order.
"What are you doing? Quick! We are all waiting for you!" He impatiently exclaims as his gleaming eyes stare at me expressionlessly. The difference in his appearance compared to his daily ones makes me feel uneasy, almost wincing at the spiking change.
His long charcoal-black hair is combed and fully-tied up, fastened with a stunning crown that unintentionally draws eyes. Not all envious eyes.
"Uh?" A voice of confusion escapes my throat as I switch my gaze among the three.
"You're following! Are you still not done?!" Excitement blossoms within me upon his finishing of his sentence. My feet almost leave the grounds but I make sure that it's rooted deep on the spot.
"I... I'm going?" Again I inquire.
"Yes! How long am I supposed to wait for you?!" He shouts louder as annoyance is implied on his furrowed eyebrows. The sedan chair guards are stealing glances at me, either pitying or holding back their laughters.
"R-right away, Crown Prince!" Brushing my fingers gently past my hairdo and the plain little ornament in the middle, I adjust my long yellow dress as I quicken my steps to approach the group. Crown Prince looks at me from his nose, huffing faintly as he climbs the sedan chair and positions himself comfortably, resting both his arms on the armrests.
Me, however, together with the twins, the guards and the carriers carrying the sedan chair head for the Grand Hall that's located near the Phoenix Garden which, according to Cherry and Mal, hosts a naturally crystal-clear and calm stream, making the scenery seems enchanted, on our feet. It's located so strategically that the previous Emperor built a Grand Pavilion nearby, specially for him and his favorite concubine to enjoy their leisure time.
Huff... Huff...is the sound that the sedan carriers make as they painstakingly carry the undeniably heavy sedan chair on their shoulders. I've always wondered if it actually bruises them.
After some time, we've reached the entrance of Phoenix Garden. As the carriers lower down the sedan chair, Crown Prince steps off it, brushing his hand past his majestic robe, ridding off the wrinkles that might have formed during the journey. He steps into the footpath, followed by the siblings and me as some servants and eunuchs bustle around the area doing their chores while some guards are patrolling. The pinkish-green trees around are standing high and mightily and soft chirping of birds can be heard faintly. When we walk further in, the path forks into two where the blossoming trees are less dense and have been replaced by pots of beautifully blooming colorful flowers. Butterflies are dancing gracefully from one to another as sound of stream can be heard. The pavilion should be close.
Crown Prince choose the second path, leading towards an area where lighted lanterns are hung on the streets sides. At the end of it, a grand building appears. The gigantic brown front gates are widely opened, revealing to us the graceful dance of young women, pleasant sound of music and laughters. As we enter the building, the laughters decease as almost everyone turns around, kneeling at Crown Prince.
"Greetings, Crown Prince." The entire hall echoes throughout.
"Rise." Says Crown Prince as he casually strolls towards the table beside the throne, where a woman in her high and extravagantly-decorated hairdo sits, enjoying the music as the dance continues.
"Greetings, Mother." Crown Prince curtsies, followed by Cherry, Mal and me.
"Rise."
"Thanks, Mother."
"You may sit, there." Empress points at a sit near to the golden seat and table while Crown Prince gladly approaches and sits down on it. Not too long after he's done so, the voice of a eunuch echoes throughout the room.
"Consort Lana has arrived!" Everyone except the Empress rises to kneel while Crown Prince kneels, paying greetings to her.
"Greetings, Consort Lana."
"You all may rise." Consort Lana paces her way carefully bit surely towards the Empress and curtsies while the music and dance continue again.
"Greetings, Sister." She smiles, perhaps to show her sincerity in that curtsy that she respects the Empress. However, everyone knows that the Harem and a war's battlefield hold no difference. From the moment they are married to the Emperor, even when he was still a Crown Prince, they are unofficially declared sworn enemies.
"You may rise, Sister."
"Thank you, Sister."
"You dress up unusually pretty today."
"Thanks Sister for the compliment. Today is a joyous occasion. I believe that in order to raise and maintain the pride of the Harem, all women of His Majesty must be donned extraordinarily beautiful." Consort Lana smiles as she bats her eyelash slowly, boasting her gracefulness. The Empress nods, smiling in satisfaction.
"You may sit."
"Thank you, Sister."
The tensed atmosphere is calmed down as Consort Lana comfortably sits on her seat, positioned one seat away from the Emperor's golden seat. As everyone enjoys the performance again, the footsteps of a crowd can be heard from outside the hall as people turn their head to look at the arrival of someone particularly important. Consort Shine, side by side with General Wales, enters the hall and earns everyone's gaze. The Empress flinches as her eyes widen for a second before her expression is replaced by a calm facade.
"Greetings, Consort Shine, General Wales." The hall echoes again.
Even Consort Lana and Crown Prince rise to curtsy before her, but she ignores them and heads straight towards her seat. Empress and her exchange looks while Empress' being murderous and hers being victorious and cunning. Before she sits, the she turns around to face Empress and curtsies slightly.
"Your Sister has been rude for forgetting to greet and greeting Sister only now. Sister deserves to die thousand times." She smiles evilly like a fox as her eyes are diverted away from the Empress'.
"Consort Lana, Crown Prince, you may rise." Empress purposely ignores Consort Shine, enjoying her curtsy for some time.
"General Wales, have you forgotten to greet us as well?" Empress continues to ignore Consort Shine which earns her anger. Her blood boils as shown by her reddening face.
"I deserve to die thousand times for not greeting all masters. Greetings, every consorts. Greetings, Crown Prince." General Wales kneels on the floor, asking for forgiveness and greeting at the same time.
"You may rise and sit." Says the Empress.
After General Wales sits, then the Empress pays attention to Consort Shine.
"My bad, Sister. I have totally forgotten about letting you to rise." Consort Shine rises and huffs while Empress holds her smile of victory this time.
"But did I let you to rise?" She asks again, smiling cunningly. Consort Shine glares at her while the hall silences as the tension between the two rises.
"Sister, Consort Shine is already tired from curtsying. Please let her sit down." Consort Lana butts into their glaring competition, disrupting it.
"I was just kidding. You may sit, Sister." Without a thank, Consort Shine stomps away and sits down on her seat, putting on a killing expression.
In the meantime, many other princes and concubines arrive, each paying greetings to all the significant figures in the palace. After the hall has been filled and music and dance play on, Eunuch Fan's voice can be heard throughout the hall loudly, signaling the arrival of the Emperor.
"The Emperor has arrived!"
The real banquet will begin now, and this will be my first time meeting the Emperor.
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Here, this chapter should be very confusing to all of you due to use of the word 'Sister'. It is actually very simple.
Of the three important women in the harem, Empress holds the highest title, followed by Consort Shine and Consort Lana.
Therefore, each women will call the other women Sister, which could mean Younger Sister or Older Sister. As the Empress is the highest in rank, she addresses the others as Younger Sister. Consort Shine addresses Empress as Older sister and Consort Lana as Younger Sister. And of course, this leaves Consort Lana to have to address Empress and Consort Shine as Older Sister.
Translation:
Consort Para: Péng Lì Fēi
General Wales: Wéi Jiāng Jūn
Milea: Mêi Lè
Ere: Hé Lü
Older Sister: Jiê Jiê
Younger Sister: Mèi Mèi
The translation is getting lesser and lesser lol! This is kind of bad, I guess. Anyway, see you in the next chapter and I hope that you enjoy this chapter!