Despite what the Empress might have said during the banquet -- something about the song "Aging of a Beauty" being a possible catalyst for insurgence against the Empire; in the end, the song was quickly circulated among the commoners merely within the next few weeks.
It had become so well-known, that even the small villages at the borders of the Empire's territory knew of the song, and sang it with passion. Even more so, at these remote villages, the song practically almost became their anthem.
Why?
Because when soldiers were needed, the young men and able bodies usually came from these remote places. The lower tiers of the society needed the money and remuneration entailed, more than the nobility. For the more wealthy, their heirs and youths could sometimes get away from extended military duties. They were more educated and cultured, thus giving them more opportunities to choose other professions other than being a soldier.
The wealthy were the players of the chess pieces. The chess pieces, whose most prized possession was their sturdy build and robustness, contributed to be the majority of the soldiers' numbers.
Nevertheless, Bai YuLan was not the person responsible for the widespread passion of the song, although she was the first person to sing it - at the banquet.
It was the doing of the two famed young scholars of Da Lang - HeShan and SunChen.
Scholars were always appreciated by the Emperor, as they contributed to the education and cultural development of the Empire, even for the Imperial Family members themselves. Although the Emperor was still their superior, scholars were always given somewhat free-reign on their conduct, as long as it did not cause damage to the Empire. Most scholars came from the higher tiered of the society - smart educated young men who wanted to contribute to the country through their brain rather than brawn. Nevertheless, their family backgrounds constricted them - to some extent - on what they could do or say.
But for HeShan and SunChen, who did not have any clear root or family background; or perhaps their upbringing was also influenced by their eccentric masters - they could care less on what should or should not be done. They felt the song was meaningful and should be bestowed to as many ears as possible.
Therefore, they tirelessly performed their rendition of "Aging of a Beauty" to a number of tea-houses and scholar-meets they were acquainted with. Once it garnered enough attention, a lot of other performers and scholars did their part spreading the song to other places.
It was actually HeShan's first attempt as well in singing a full verse song, while SunChen of course already had his share when they used to perform at Lian house along with LanBai and Yulan. HeShan was more adept in playing instruments and had always been somewhat shy in speaking in public - despite his carefree outer persona.
However as the song was quite long, SunChen insisted for his friend to contribute his voice as well. After all, they did not intend to just do one performance. It would take a toll on his vocal chord if he was the only one singing it.
In return, SunChen also played a bit of instrument to accompany the song's rendition. Between their collaboration, both men's voices, and their good looks that was already a major draw in attracting a lot of young maidens; they were kept busy with various requests to perform in well-known establishments for the following week. Only after they lost their voice, they finally rejected all request cards, leaving the public and other performers to spread the songs in their stead.
(HeShan and SunChen's voices as I imagine them to be. The first male's voice you hear would be HeShan's. The second one would be SunChen's)
Although the Empress had harshly commented on the song during the banquet, of course she could do nothing with the popularity of it among the common people.
Neither she, YuLan, or the two culprits behind the fame, knew currently -
- That the song would become a battle anthem for the mighty men of Da Lang in their future military conquests against hostile forces.
[The rivers and mountains have not aged. But the beauty has clearly aged.]
Of course, they marched to battles to sustain their country, but more so, to provide a safe home for their family. To earn substantial money, to make sure their family had enough to eat, to make sure the country they risked their life to protect would always be a safe haven for their family's livelihood.
But the song screamed about the beauty waiting. In fact, this could not be more true for numerous young men leaving their fiancees, their sweethearts, their young wives, to battles.
[Separation is to be endured.]
[Though hard to bear, separate we must.]
[Entrusting the wild geese to head south, but where shall this heart go?]
There was a beauty waiting back home. Country was important, a safe house was important. But what good would it be if the beauty would cry rivers of tears because they could not make it back home?
[She is no longer; while time flows as always.]
Life is fleeting.
Instead of enticing revolution, the song became the soldiers' boost of morale.
For decades to come, the brave young soldiers of Da Lang would march into battles, not just throwing their lives on the line to protect the country and to provide monetary contribution to their family,
They fought like they had been injected with chicken blood(1), with more fervor than ever,
So they could ease the war as soon as possible,
To return home to their waiting beauty.
--------------------------------------
"The Empress' personal eunuch just delivered a calling card for Bai-er," Second Madam Hai FenChu handed a small scroll to Ji ChanFang. The scroll was delivered by Zhi gong-gong, the old eunuch who had always been serving the Empress.
Ji ChanFang was being attended to by Wu JianRui in his room - currently drinking some herbal concoction to regulate the poison in his blood.
Although he was not in immediate harm's way, the poison had run too deep, causing him to be dependent on herbal medicines for possibly the rest of his life.
Ji ChanFang opened the scroll and read the content.
It was a personal edict from the Empress, summoning Ji LanBai to come to her personal courtyard inside the Imperial Palace. As Ji LanBai would become the Third Prince's princess consort, as her future mother-in-law, the Empress would like to strengthen their bond.
"Why would the Empress suddenly pay attention to Bai-er?" Wu JianRui fidgeted while standing by her husband, holding the now empty bowl of medicine. The letter was all proper, but the Empress had never paid any attention to their family before, and even to the Third Prince.
Why would she now suddenly want to act as a mother-in-law?
Ji ChanFang, however, could somehow tell that this sudden change of heart by the Empress might have been enticed by the Emperor. It was no secret to him that the Emperor used to favor the late Royal Consort Chin-fei - JingYi. After all, he was Zhang SongWang's sworn brother. When they were young, JiChanFang knew and had interacted with both JingYi and Zhen HeYing as they were all in the same generation. So it was
a no brainer to him to notice that although the Empress did not project any outward hostility towards JingYi and Zhang GuoFu, she had always been jealous of the Emperor's affection towards JingYi.
So the only reason he could think of, that cause the Empress' outburst during the banquet, and the sudden change of heart he read on the edict, was that the Emperor could somehow pacify her in the end.
"Her Majesty wants to meet Bai-er the morning after the next full moon, which is about two weeks time." Ji ChanFang sighed.
Regardless, there was no reason he could reject the Empress' summon.
"Bai-er will be alright. Her majesty is an intelligent woman and is of well-conduct," he patted his wife's hand to ease her mind,
"Her Majesty will be Bai-er's mother-in-law. It is only proper and about time for Bai-er to pay her respect."
However, he decided that he would also seek attendance with the Emperor. It had been a while since they last talked.
"If it can make you feel better, I will personally take Bai-er to the palace."
A subtle knock was heard from the room's door. The three masters of the Ji clan turned their heads to see Bai YuLan standing, holding a tray with a teapot and some teacups.
"My apologies for interrupting, Master and Madams."
Ji ChanFang waved his hand slightly to allow her to come inside. She set the tray on the table, and Second Madam Hai FenChu walked towards her, taking over YuLan's initial intention to pour some tea onto the empty cups.
YuLan smiled at Hai FenChu. Then she stood by the table.
Only after a few more minutes of idle chats between Ji ChanFang, Wu JianRui, and Hai FenChu, the three finally noticed that YuLan did not ask for permission to leave the room, but merely standing quietly.
"Is there anything you need, YuLan?", "Wu JianRui smiled at the young woman that her daughter had become very attached to.
YuLan looked at her, then to Ji ChanFang and Hai FenChu, who were waiting for her to speak.
When she waited by the door, she had overheard that Ji LanBai was going to be summoned to the Empress in two weeks time.
Ji LanBai had hardly let her out of sight lately. Ever since the banquet, more than ever, the Young Miss attached herself to YuLan for any passing second. It was getting more heartbreaking for the latter.
Perhaps, the younger girl had a suspicion already that YuLan really intended to leave. Despite what YuLan said or tried to make her understand, either Ji LanBai feigned ignorance, or she truly did not understand what YuLan wished for.
In two weeks time, it would be YuLan's only chance.
She took a deep breath and dropped her knees onto the floor, kneeling.
Wu JianRui gasped and Hai FenChu also stilled for a moment, before quickly walked to her side, wanting to lift YuLan's kneeling figure,
"What are you doing, YuLan?", she bit her lips in worry.
The young woman had always been sensible, hardly spoke or requested for anything nor favor from them. Whatever she had received were always given or bestowed by the two madams and Ji LanBai. All her dresses and robes - which were considerably nicer than those of a normal servant's; her simple but elegant jewellery, her chance in studying the four arts - YuLan had never asked to have or obtain any.
So it was baffling for them to see the young woman suddenly kneeling.
Ji ChanFang was going to sternly ask her to stand as well,noticing how his two wives were getting distressed with the young servant kneeling. But then he saw the young woman looking at him with unwavering gaze.
Her gaze was decisive, her posture was straight despite her kneeling stance, her expression was calm.
He could only say, "If there is anything you want to say, speak!"
His tone was stern and low, but the young woman did not waver.
"Master Ji and the two Madams have always been good to YuLan," YuLan still did not shift her eyes of Ji ChanFang's.
In the hierarchy that was the Ji clan, Ji ChanFang was the CEO, the big boss of the household. She only need to get his approval,
"But YuLan must ask for Master and the two Madams' enormous favor," this time, YuLan made a deep bowing gesture by intertwining her fingers under her sleeves and lowered her head onto it, finally breaking her eye contact with him,
"Please let YuLan be free. YuLan wishes to be a free person and leave the Ji house."
--------------------------
notes
(1) "Injecting chicken blood" : interestingly, this was a widespread practice to boost stamina during older days in China. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken-blood_therapy)