My Birthday

It's been over 9 months since we all first arrived in the palace. Still all untouched by the Emperor. He was always extremely busy with the wars before assuming the throne to marry before. Now it seems he's to busy with the throne duties to entertain any of his new wives. But we have now learned how to keep our selves busy.

I have been practicing my painting, embroidery, flute and my favorite the qin. I happened to meet Noble lady Ning and First attendant Mingyu one day as I was playing in the garden. After that we have met many times to have tea and play music together. It has made the time pass easily. I'm glad for their friendships even though it's still early and trust will need to be built. I have a good feeling we will be close in the future though.

Today is my 18th birthday and Huiqing has prepared a large dinner of all my favorite dishes. She also invited Ning and Mingyu to join me for the celebration. Excited I dressed in the new dress my mother sent me for my birthday it's a light green blue with lotus blossoms decorating the bottom and a sheer light green long scarf. My hair simple per usual but decided to only wear half up since the weather has been chilly. With my favorite almost white jade hair pin set. Huiqing added an dangling piece with small green gems at the ends. Looking in the mirror I realized I'm not the child I once was, staring back at me was a beautiful women. "Young miss you grow lovelier everyday" Huiqing said just before my guests arrived.

However instead of Ning and Mingyu the Emperors arrival was announced. I quickly kneeled and greeted him. "Rise. Happy day of your beautiful birth. I noticed the lotus flowers were blooming and it reminded me of you." He said looking at me and taking in my appearance. I felt my face get warm.

"Your father always spoke of your love for the qin" and waved in a couple eunuchs carrying the most beautiful qin made of a deep colored wood with a lotus pond scene painted on it with very bright beautiful colors. "My Emperor your concubine is not worth such a beautiful gift" I said quickly bowing. How could he give me such a beautiful and expensive instrument? He barely knows me...I suppose he is the Emperor. "If it helps you further your talent why would I not? Now play me something you like" he said sharply.

I stood and try to think of something I like to play...what do I like? What is wrong with me! Why can't I think straight?? The first song that came to mind was the spring snow, sweet and soft. The Emperor just stared at me with very little emotion on his face as I played. I started loosing myself in the music a little and when I looked up he was gone....

Huiqing came in quickly and announced the Emperor had urgent business and needed to leave. But Ning and Mingyu have arrived. I brushed off the strange encounter with the Emperor the best I could. Then went to enjoy my birthday dinner with my friends.

I decided not to mention my meeting with the Emperor to them. I would explain the beautiful new qin later. I enjoyed my birthday feast banquet with my friends, we talked of birthdays past with our families and great memories of our childhoods.

That night I had a dream of me playing the qin near the lotus pond...a song I'd never heard before. It was beautiful, soft and mesmerizing. The Goddess was just sitting there on her large flower listening with a smile on her face.