New Sister

Sister Mingyu enjoyed the emperors favor exclusively for about a week. I was very happy for her and she also shared her gifts with her sisters. She gave me two very beautiful long scarfs and a set of jade hair pins that dangle. The jade matched my set from my father, it would go perfectly. She was a true friend to notice such a detail.

I had not met the Emperor since the fan party. Then he surprised me by coming to me late one night. He wanted to hear me play, just for him. I was awake reading a new book so I obliged. He requested the song I played in the the garden. I decided to name the song Blossom. It just seemed to fit. After we spent the night together, it was lovely.

The next morning as I was dressing, I realized a weight had lifted. I felt light and happy again. I suppose for a while I was worried that I had completely lost favor...Shortly after breakfast I received a gift from the Emperor...it was so perfect. A big ceramic bowl filled with water and Lotus blossoms. They placed it in the middle of my front courtyard. Very beautiful.

The next morning we got word that we must meet at the Empress Dowagers palace to greet our new sister. Her uncle who raised her recently helped successfully establish a vital new trade route. He requested the Emperor reward him by taking his adopted daughter as one of his wives. She is beautiful but looks very timid and shy, First attendant Daiyu. I decided to make quick friends with her. I smiled as she bowed and greeted us all. When we were dismissed I asked her to join me for tea at my palace with Sister Ning and Sister Mingyu.

They both agreed we should make friends with her. Tea was lovely and we talked about the imperial garden, she apparently really loves gardening. "Honestly Sisters I'm glad you guys have showed me kindness, I was very nervous to be the new lady." She said to us. So I replied "We were new once too, but we are all Sisters here. We must join together to help one another grow."

"Well then I suppose I can share something with my sisters" and she blushed a little. We all nodded quickly wanting to know. She said in relief "My feet are killing me! How do you get use to all the walking, especially with these shoes!?" We all laughed at that, knowing exactly how she felt. I felt that she was a good new addition to our group and she seemed to be a genuine young lady. I sent her home with a pink colored silk I thought would suit her along with a beautiful rose hair pin, just like what I gifted my other sisters. She was very grateful but I hope she know it all comes with good intentions.