Sisters 2

A week after the festival the Empress Dowager invited us all to tea. A chance for all of the ladies to get together and chat. I decided to dress in something more simple with my jade pin hair set and a light green dress with a long lavender colored scarf. Unfortunately I still was carried in the sedan chair...I don't mean to be ungrateful but I am the only one. Im not a fan of standing out.

Noble lady Ning and First attendant Mingyu greeted me with smiles. The other girls were standing in two groups away from us. Well I suppose we will have to make an effort, doesn't seem like they will. I need to find a way....Then we were all summoned to join the Empress Dowager.

The tea was lovely of course but there wasn't much conversation other than the Empress Dowager asking questions and one of us replying with an answer. I noticed First attendant Qiao had a beautiful fan with a large lotus blossom painted on it. "Sister Qiao thats very beautiful fan you are using today! Lotus blossoms are my favorite flower" I said to her with a smile. "With all the favor I think Noble lady Li Jing has finer things than this now, huhh?" She said with her head tipped to the side. I was completely lost for words but then I remembered something my mother said to me before. "You know honey attracts more bees than vinegar." I said to which she seemed confused. Child. "Meaning kindness goes a long way and you might have some favor too if you showed a little" and then I smiled.

"Ladies should share more advice like this often. Remember jealousy doesn't become anyone. Only in harmony shall the harem prosper. We shall maintain that harmony and thrive. Find friends in your sisters, they will be your best support. I expect effort from all" said the Empress Dowager looking out over all of us with a stern look. We were dismissed shortly after that. I walked out with Ning and Mingyu, hearing the other ladies whisper as we walked by. Well I suppose this is going to be much harder than I thought...