Sister Ling, Surely You Are Able to Play the Qin?

I gave an apologetic smile to Concubine Lay, then followed Noble Concubine Ju down the steps.

The servants had cleared a patch of ground for us to stand on so that we wouldn't wet our robes with the white snow that blanketed the whole landscape.

Noble Concubine Shao was standing at the side of the lake, observing the scenery quietly.

Winter had passed, and spring had arrived.

Today's weather was relatively good. There had been light snowfall in the early morning, and due to the frigid temperatures, a thin layer of ice had settled over the lake.

Frost and snow covered tree branches, framing the view. It was so beautiful I almost started making up a poem.

I understood now why millenniums of poets held the lake side view in high regard.

There were no tourists in padded, colourful winter jackets brandishing smartphones and selfie sticks. No informative panel or souvenir shop sticking out like a sore thumb amidst the nature. No large tour groups or families clustered beside benches and food stalls, boisterous.

There were only 9 concubines in fur lined coats accompanying the afternoon light, and groups of servants respectfully silent at the corners.

"It's rare that you join us, Sister Ling. Although the other sisters may not have seemed so, we were all glad to have you around." Noble Concubine Ju said.

"Since Sister Ju personally invited me, I couldn't refuse." I said.

"Sister Ju, we've been out here for awhile. I think I've seen enough and will retire to the pavilion first. Is the qin going to take much longer?" Noble Concubine Shao said abruptly.

Awhile? We had barely exited the pavilion.

"Please go ahead, Sister Shao. It indeed can get chilly these days, so it's good to spend more time indoors. The qin... No, it should arrive shortly, and afterward we'll all join you inside." Noble Concubine Ju said.

Noble Concubine Shao bobbed her head in goodbye, then made a beeline for the pavilion.

"Sister Ling, we should spend more time together." Noble Concubine Ju said.

I nodded. Although I was cautious of Noble Concubine Ju, she had done me no wrong so far. I wouldn't harm myself by meeting with her every now and then.

"That would be nice. Sister Ju has many talents, like tea ceremony, reciting poems, and I heard you're good at calligraphy too. There is much I can learn from you." I said.

From the other side of the pavilion, some voices drifted over. Some were loud at times, some varied in octaves, and some were hushed.

"That's so kind of you to ..., Sister Ling! Please, don't ..... ..... from you too! Sister Ling is also ta ....," as Noble Concubine Ju gushed, I tried to block out the sounds in order to hear her better.

".... really? Someone needs to check their eyes."

".... she has the eyes of a dead fish, if you ask me."

I wasn't very successful. I glanced at the group of concubines using my peripheral vision. They were huddled by the side of the lake as well, and appeared to be gossiping.

I closed my eyes briefly. I didn't need to think to know who they were talking about, and I wasn't surprised either that they would say these things.

I had long ceased expectations for them.

"... and that's why. Sister Ling, are you alright?" Noble Concubine Ju finished.

Noble Concubine Ju was half a head shorter than me, and presently, she looked up at me with her wide, doe like eyes.

"Yes, just enjoying the view. Go on." I said.

"As long as Sister Ling is alright. Well, like I was saying..." Noble Concubine Ju continued.

"Isn't she always calling for attention? She's so annoying." Concubine You said.

"What about you? Why are you here, anyway? Don't the two of you meet often?" Concubine Rong asked in an accusatory tone.

"I... well..."

Hmm? Was that Concubine Lay's voice? Why was she over there with them?

Her voice sounded hesitant at first, but slowly grew into resolve.

"Actually, she's the one who insists on sticking to me. I'm just entertaining her." Concubine Lay said

An unpleasant feeling arose as shock ran through my body. Why would Concubine Lay say something like that? She had clearly approached me first. Was I really annoying her?

The concubines laughed.

"I knew it all along. Sister Lay, next time, just join us." Concubine Rong said.

"Yeah, you don't need to put up pretenses anymore. She may have a bit of influence, but she can't punish all of us at once." Concubine Rong said.

The excitement I had upon coming out of the pavilion dissipated. Somehow, I wasn't in the mood anymore.

"Sister Ling? Are you alright? Your expression doesn't look too good." Noble Concubine Ju said worriedly.

After what I just heard, I was unable to keep up the good mood with Noble Concubine Ju. What if Noble Concubine Ju felt the same way about me too? I didn't want to inconvenience anyone.

"We better get you inside." she said.

"Oh... I'm fine. Just feeling a bit tired." I said.

"No, no, not at all. I'm tired as well. I'll join you inside, alright?" Noble Concubine Ju steered us toward the pavilion.

As I stared at her back, I wondered if she had heard them too and was just avoiding the topic. Perhaps she didn't hear as she had been talking all this while?

Seeing us head to the pavilion, the group of concubines disassembled as well and stopped their gossip. They also headed to the pavilion.

Concubine Lay took her seat in the pavilion and gave me a small smile in greeting.

I looked away. It was my fault for having any expectations of her in the first place.

I was uneasy just facing these people again. It had been many years since I discovered people talking behind my back or forming their own opinions of me although I hadn't directly done anything to then. The rumour mill was always turning, and snowballs turned to avalanches. My default response was to shut myself in, somewhere I wouldn't have to face this while I contemplated my next move.

"Noble Concubine Ju, I think I'll take my leave first." I said.

"Oh.. Sister Ling, you..."

"The qin has arrived!" Noble Concubine Shao said loudly.

4 servants carried a carefully wrapped qin onto a special arrangement and put it down. Layers of silk were unwound to reveal an exquisite qin with a laquer finish. As Noble Concubine Ju's personal property, the quality was unmistakable.

"The qin has just arrived. How about just staying past the first performance?" Noble Concubine Ju suggested as she looked around.

"Alright." I said.

"Who should do the first performance? Do we have any volunteers?"

"Don't be shy, sisters."

"Can we nominate someone?"

"I think we can."

"In that case, I nominate Elder Sister Ling." Concubine You said.

"I second that. Elder Sister Ling must have amazing qin skills. I hope its not too much to ask." Concubine Ran said.

"Elder Sister Ling, you'll agree, won't you?"

Of course, things had to go awry. Their words were pretty, and their smiles were wide, but I knew they were just trying to test me again. And this time, I had nothing to show for it.

It was wide knowledge that Noble Concubine Ling Yue was from a military clan and even went to war. Unlike other noble ladies, Noble Concubine Ling Yue had never been famed for her skills in the 4 arts.

There was really no plausible explanation for their nomination.... other than that one.

"I'm feeling under the weather today. I'll play for Younger Sisters another time." I said. This time, I didn't even bother to frame it as a question. That was that, no questions asked.

"Elder Sister Ling, won't you reconsider? You rarely attend such gatherings, and we are all eager to learn more about you." Concubine Rong said.

"Sister Lay, don't you agree?" Concubine You asked.

Concubine Lay looked down at the ground nervously, then glanced at me. I stared at her.

"I... I have faith in Elder Sister Ling's skills." she said.

They were blatantly ganging up on me now. I had to put an end to it, or there would be no end to their excuses.

"Younger Sisters. You don't have the right to order me. I'm sorry to disappoint you and will make it up to you another time. I'll take my leave first." I said firmly. In terms of hierarchy, they indeed had no say over my matters. Fortunately I still had this card to play.

Just as I was about to get up, Noble Concubine Shao looked over to us.

"Sister Ling, surely you are able to play the qin?"