1.3 AuYeung LaiSan - To Be A Princess

Who knew that ancient royalty took so long to get ready each morning. It was nothing like the modern morning routine of a quick shower, change of clothes and out the door, no this was much more time consuming.

The maids first came in with a basin of water for washing my face and then they gave me some tea for gargling. Changed out the water once more, to wipe down my body, before they dressed me in 5 separate layers of clothing. It may sound like a lot but with the way it was done, it was just enough.

The first layer consisted of a dodou*, a small apron like garment that covers the chest and tummy area and matching pink silk shorts, these seems to serve as the undergarments. The second layer was a beige, ankle length silk robe, that they crossed and tied at the sides. Then came a rectangular pink cloth that was wrapped around my  body like a towel. With a drawstring on the top, it was tightened to fit just under my arms. The maids moved to my back and fiddled with something, I assumed to fasten it to the robe. Finally with an unobstructed view of my reflection in the mirror. My jaw dropped, I looked like an Air Dancer, one of those inflatable tube men. All I had to do was start doing "The Wave".

To this point, the outfit really was unremarkable, almost ugly. I was disappointed, until I saw the maids pull out the last layer from the closet. It was rose pink, heavily embroidered with flowers and birds. The design reminded me of a kimono with big fluted sleeves, but unlike a kimono, in the front, the two sides barely had enough materials touch. Instead, just under the bodice, there was a button, a Chinese Knot with a hoop in the opposite end to hold it together. The maids helped me complete the outfit by using a pink sash to hold it closed. The sash twisted around my waist twice to crisscross in the front then tied in a bow on the back, leaving the additional materials of the sash to flow down the train.

Attention was then turned to the hair. I was guided to sit in a chair facing the bed. First they anointed my hair with what smelled like rose water then, combed it out until it was dry again. By the time the maids were done, my hair was tied in a cute hairstyle and adorned with several pieces of colorful jewelry. The sunlight that entered the room was no longer the warm glow of the early morning rays. I suspected that the sun was already high up in the sky.

It was almost time to go and I needed to ask MeiMei what I needed to do next. It would be weird if I just started talking to myself, especially with the maids so close.

So, instead of verbally asking MeiMei as I had been doing previously I tried something different. I closed my eyes and formed a question in my mind, hoping she will be able to respond. "What should we do now? Where should we go first?"

She responded right away. "Go ask the maids to bring a shaded sedan chair.  We'll first need to go greet, mother Empress and ask for permission to go visit the Imperial Scholar AuYeung's residence."

I opened my eyes and I had a big smile on my face, I am so glad it worked. But then a question pops into my head that diminish my joy of discovering that it works. "So if we can communicate this way, does it mean that you knew exactly what I am thinking all this time?

"Yup" she responded.

"Shoot! Does it go both ways? Think about something", I demanded.

Pictures of almond cakes and sweets floats into my mind.

"Were you just thinking about desserts?"

"Yup." MeiMei said.

"Wow, this is crazy! So the reason that you have trusted everything that I have told you, even though it was so far-fetched, is because you knew I wasn't lying!"

"Exactly", she responded.

"We should only communicate this way from now on MeiMei. Wow, this is absolutely amazing and kinda frightening at the same time!"

A huge smile came across my face because MeiMei just told me she felt the same way but a bit more explicitly.

"Princess seems to be in a good mood today", said the maid that had tied the sash on my waist.

At that moment, MeiMei demands that I order the maids to go get some food because this body was hungry. I had to rephrase her actual demand because for a Princess, she sure did have a potty mouth!

"Yes, I am in a good mood. Please prepare breakfast and then a sedan, I am going to greet mother Empress after breakfast," I instructed the maid.

"Yes your highness, breakfast is already prepared and is awaiting you in the dining hall."

I exit the room to find a huge courtyard. In the middle was a man-made lake with a deck at one end that leads to a gazebo at the center. On all sides the flowers were in bloom atop of the trees, pretty pink and white flowers.

"Are those cherry blossoms?" I asked the maids.

"Yes they are, your highness,'' one of them responded.

"MeiMei, your courtyard is absolutely beautiful," I told her. "You really have great taste."

"Of course," she arrogantly gloated.

"Judging by the blossoms, it is now the 3rd or 4th month of the year?" I asked.

I was just standing there admiring the flowers as I spoke with MeiMei.

The maid to my left asked suddenly, "Should this servant go prepare your morning meal out here instead of eating in the dining hall today?"

"Yes. Please. I would like to eat at the gazebo this morning," I responded.

"Yes, your highness." All the maid said in unison. Three of them, then walks off and the other one followed me to the gazebo.

"MeiMei, your maids are quite smart. Your maids saw that I was in deep thought and not moving,  so knew I was admiring the flowers and came up with this pleasing suggestion" I was thinking as I continued to walk towards the gazebo.

"The maid that is following you, her name is An-yi, she has been with us the longest. The one that asked you about taking breakfast outside, is Bai-yi. The other two, the taller one is Ci-yi and last one is Dai-yi." MeiMei explained.

When we reached the gazebo An-yi used the handkerchief at her side to dust the chairs and tables before helping me take a seat. 

Thank goodness I have seen enough historical mini-series to know, I should act demure and allow the staff to do things for me. I thought.

"What are mini-series?" MeiMei ask.

"Oh, how to explain it. It is what in future times we watch for entertainment." I told her but not wanting to get too in-depth with explaining what a television was.

"So like a theater act?" she asked.

"Yes. Kinda like that." I responded happily. I was glad that she thought of that, because I couldn't have explained it any better.

The maids came back with two carriers each and started to lay out all the food. There were 12 dishes in all and jook.

I stared at it and thought to MeiMei, "Do you ever finish it all? What a waste if you don't!"

"No, I usually just eat one or two, then let the maids finish the rest," she said.

"Oh, that is great! So, I'll start now," I said while drool was practically escaping my mouth. I wipe my mouth with the handkerchief hanging on my side and pick up the chopsticks.

I'm famished so I tried every single dish and ate more of the ones that were pleasing to my palate and ate all the jook. Oh, it was so satisfying.

I then moved to the side bench of the gazebo to stare out into the lake then asked all the maids to help themselves. They readily agreed and all four sat down and started eating, they started chatting as swell. It was a very comfortable sight.

An-yi got up after a while and brought me some tea and then curtsy to excuse herself to go back to the meal.

"You really do treat your maids well, and they are quite comfortable with you. They seem to know your every inner desires and attend to them before you even ask them." I said to MeiMei.

"Yes, they are quite good. I treat them like sisters. They are quite loyal to me." MeiMei said proudly. "Okay, let us get going!" We are late to the morning greeting already."

"An-yi," I said. Even without giving an instruction the maids all got up and curtsy before each heading to handle what they should. An-yi came to assist me, while Bai-yi clears the table with Dai-yi, while Ci-yi heads towards the main gate. I assume she was going to assure that the sedan was ready at the gate.

I slowly walked out with An-yi by my side. The entrance to the courtyard is paved with stones making a chevron pattern leading to the entrance. Along the side there are beautiful succulents that create a very serene entryway. The double wooden doors were red and gold with a big wooden latch. The doors were already opened since Ci-yi was already outside instructing the four eunuchs that were to carry the sedan.

Seeing us at the entryway, they all greeted the Princess while bowing. MeiMei instructed me to say rise. So I say, "Rise." They all slightly lifts their bodies but their heads are still lowered and do not look straight up at me.

An-yi assisted me in getting in the sedan as she lifts up the curtain for me to gently get seated on the bench in, what is technically a 5ft x 3ft box. There is a gauze curtain covering a window on each side. I lift the curtain to instruct An-yi to tell the other three to stay behind to prepare some treats and gifts because I planned to visit the Imperial Scholar's home today.

I then told MeiMei, "I am truly grateful that you are here to instruct me and guide me through this."

An-yi returned from instructing the other three and stood by the sedan. Whispered from the outside that it was done and asked if we should head out. I responded "Um".

An-yi raised her voice and said, "Princess is ready. Head towards the Empress's palace."

An-yi then tells me it would take a little time before we arrive,  so MeiMei and I chatted the whole time.

I found out that by chance that the Imperial Scholar's residence was one of the few places that she could venture to, without a full entourage because Imperial Scholar AuYeung was her Imperial Tutor and at times she had visited for lessons, well mostly just so she could leave the palace.

She was also familiar with young Miss AuYeung as well but since she was a few years older, many times she would be at school or other lessons when she visited.

She also told me more about the era, Capital City was at the center of the country of Ying. The emperor, her father is the 19th generation of rulers of Ying and her brother, the crown prince MoYung TianLong will be the 20th ruler.

Ying is not big but it is very prosperous, because of one thing that only grows in this country, it is type of rice that is used for all types of baked goods. It is the weather and water that allows it to grow here only. So all surrounding countries must do business with Ying. No one would think of invading Ying because of the wise kings of the past have created beneficial treaties and royal marriages with the surrounding countries. As long as it is beneficial to all, why risk a war. But even with that said, all citizens of Ying are required to learn martial arts from a young age, so it has a strong army as well.

MeiMei also tells me more about the DongAn family.

"I don't know too much about General SzeTo DongAn, I have never met him. I know he is one of the four Generals and his mission is the Southern border. He is the youngest of the Generals because it was the passing of the late General SzeTo, his grandfather that he gained the title. DongAn's father, had fallen ill many years before and no longer had the use of his legs, so he never assumed the title of General. So as the SzeTo family's only male heir he assumed the title and responsibilities at the age of 13. That was 5 years ago. He currently has no concubines and no main wife."

Suddenly the sedan comes to a stop.

An-yi says from outside, "Princess we have arrived, please descend the sedan." She then lifts up the curtain and I could see the grand stairway to the Empress's palace as she helps me out of the sedan.

As gracefully as I could I ascend the stairs, but truly I was wanting to run up and see what other wonders were awaiting me.

I reach the top, it opens up to a grand waiting room, a spacious room that opened up by four folding doors, lined on both sides with big redwood chairs. On the back wall hangs a long painting of a unfamiliar landscape but it was huge, must have been 30ft long. And in front of it, a single grand throne and sitting right there enjoying her tea, is Mother Empress.

I stand there not moving, as I took  in the magnificent sites and the gorgeous architecture. I am also waiting for the servants to announce me and for Mother Empress to invite me in. That was one of the rules that MeiMei taught me.

My heart was pound a mile a minute but I had to hold still, I had to pretend to be the calm, demure Princess Mei, that MeiMei show to everyone except her closest brothers.

A servant finally comes out and invites me in, she leads the way as I slowly follow behind. I slightly lower my head, remembering what MeiMei had informed me, I reach about 5 ft away from the throne, I stop and curtsy.

I say as MeiMei had informed me to do, "Daughter greets Mother Empress. May each day, find mother more beautiful than the one past."

Empress smiles and says, "Good, good, go ahead and rise. You may take a seat as well."

I slowly turn to find a seat to the Empress's right. As MeiMei is not too tall, I practically had to jump on to the seat, and scoot myself back on the gigantic chair. I think, I must look like a doll placed on a lazy boy, the chair practically consumes MeiMei's petite, slender figure.

Empress says, "So Princess Mei, why are you so late in greeting this morning?"

I turn to reply but still having my head slightly lowered as to not look Mother Empress in the eyes. I say, "Please forgive daughter for her faults. I had risen late due to studying for Imperial Tutor's lesson today." I quickly follow up with asking. "Mother Empress, please allow daughter to visit the Imperial Tutor's residence today for her lesson."

Empress replies, "Uh. Is that the case, then it is forgiven. And yes you may also venture to the Imperial Tutor's residence as well but you must also help me bring along with you an Imperial Physician. I hear that young Miss. AuYeung has fallen ill suddenly this morning and has not yet awaken. Her mother is my childhood friend, someone I see as my true sister. She has sent someone to ask for me to dispatch an Imperial Physician to check on her daughter, of course I agree."

I reply, "Yes, I will do as Mother Empress instructs. I will also bring along some supplements for Miss AuYeung, for her to recuperate sooner."

Empress says, "Yes, good, good. Go ahead now, it is already late and I am sure Madame AuYeung is already very anxious."

I reply, "Yes, then daughter will be going now. Mother Empress please take care." I curtsy and turn to leave.

With that I turn around and head towards the door. I gesture for An-yi to look slightly back at Mother Empress to see if she is still looking at us.

An-yi says she is not. I finally sigh in relief and walk more casually down the stairs and back into the waiting sedan.

This time the sedan is not heading back to the Princess's palace but to the entrance of the North Gate. That is the closest gate to the Imperial Tutor's residence.

Along the way, An-yi informs me that she has already asked the servant to go get supplements from the Imperial Physician's Hall and bring along the Imperial Phyician that was to follow us to the residence.

I respond with a, "Em" and continue my private conversation with MeiMei.

"So it seems that your hunch was correct. Since I am in your body, the body of AuYeung LaiSan has fallen ill." I said to MeiMei.

"Yes. So before anything else we must find a way of getting your soul back to the body of AuYeung LaiSan. Did the young Apprentice say anything about how your soul was transported or how it will get back? Maybe it will be the key to getting you into the right body." MeiMei inquisitively asked.

"He did not say anything just told me to focus on my task and he would do the rest. What bullshit!" I say angrily.

"Well then there is nothing we can do until we get there. Take a nap, it is at least an hour until we will reach the residence." MeiMei states.

I drift off to sleep, and dream.