The Coronation Festival

The Empress leaned back as she watched the first-class attendants start to explain things to their ladies. As Shan Yu had often come into contact with the scrolls ever since she was a young child, she was almost bored out of her mind. All she could think about was finally getting to retire back to her quarters. She wanted to explore the courtyard that she would govern from today onwards.

She let out a small sigh as she picked up her teacup, sipping on the freshly brewed Fu'yue tea she glanced over at each of the different ladies gathered in the garden. Her eyes landed on her cousin and she caught herself before she could roll her eyes.

"Phew, that was close... I had almost shown my annoyance with Ji Chun. I must be careful and not let anyone here know how I am truly feeling at all times. Who knows which bitch here is ready to use it against me." Shan Yu lampooned as she quickly cast her eyes down.

She carefully set her teacup down before her and directed her attention at it instead, pretending that she was enjoying the tea instead. Her delicate fingers stroke the porcelain cup, it was a beautiful piece that was no doubt crafted in the Great Arts hall here within the palace. Once in a while, a few pieces of exquisite crockery that had been smuggled out of the palace would be found floating around the black market, fetching ridiculously high prices.

This cup before her was a light pink cup, with beautiful yellow blossoms painted on with steady hands. The work of a master no doubt. The rim of the cup was tinted with some gold flakes and made her feel as though just by drinking the tea from this cup, the tea itself was much more flavourful.

"I wonder how much this piece would fetch in the Eastern market? I am sure daddy would pay around 15 thousand silver tiles for a beauty like this, much prettier than the cups we can buy outside, however, what I want is that golden tea cup the Empress is sipping her tea from... I wonder how it would feel in my hands..." Shan Yu muse as she openly glanced at the golden cup the Empress was holding.

"Lady Liu, did you hear what I just said? This servant can repeat it for you if you wish."

As Shan Yu's first class attendant called out for Shan Yu, she snapped out of her daydream and lowered her eyes in shock and fear immediately. How dare she openly stare at the Empress when she was supposed to be studying Shan Yu silently reprimanded herself, oh did the Empress notice? Shan Yu bit her lips in worry as her beautiful brows creased.

"Ah.... I was just thinking over what you had just said..." Shan Yu mumbled as she quickly glance down at the scroll before her. She quickly located the title that she was accustomed to and quietly calmed her heart down.

"One should always aim to speak words of wisdom, and grace. We must uphold our virtues and our words should reflect our values and inner peace. We must watch what we speak, for in the palace, even the walls have ears..." Shan Yu's voice quietly trailed off as she recited the passage without reference.

Shan Yu's first-class attendant nodded proudly at her, thinking that perhaps it was her teaching that helped the young lady before her grasp the rules so easily.

"Lady Liu, It would be wise to remember to hold your tongue, in time you will come to witness how one's words may come back to bite you" the attendant leaned in and gently advised.

Shan Yu nodded. She knew just how dangerous this seemingly peaceful palace could get. She had seen just how vicious it could get growing up as the youngest daughter in her family, even though her mother was the first and formal wife, she had to learn how to tread carefully within the household.

Shan Yu was suddenly reminded of her mother's advice the night before she had left for the palace. Her mother had sat at the edge of her bed and held her hands tightly, speaking in a hushed and fervent tone. As if she would never get to speak to Shan Yu ever again.

"Yu'er, you must remember how much. blood and tears your mother, I had to shed in order to secure power and authority within the harem in our small family courtyard. If even family could be so coldblooded, let alone total strangers who are vying for the Emperor's attention and love. You must take care of yourself, be as sly as a fox in the night, but as gentle as a summer bunny in the day. The moment they can see through you and the moment they are able to use any of your weaknesses against you, you would get hurt. Remember, you are doing what you can do only so you can protect yourself and your family."

Shan Yu's heart felt heavy as she forced herself to focus on the scroll before her. Her mother was right. These people would only want to hurt her if they had the chance to. She had to do whatever she could to secure the high ground before them. She needed to protect her father and her mother who were relying on her outside the palace.

After another hour, the Empress suddenly cleared her throat as she sat down her cup of tea. The attendants took note of it and as though they had practiced for months, quietly and uniformly rolled up the scrolls and handed them to another attendant who went from table to table with an oak tray. The attendants then bowed once to the Empress before they stood behind their charge.

The entire process took less than 5 minutes, which left many of the girls dazed. Shan Yu wanted to make a comment, but her feeble attempt at saying anything was left stuck in her throat as she sat up straight, donning a face of utmost curiosity instead, seemingly waiting for the Empress to speak.

If the Empress had noticed it, she did not show it openly. Instead, she smiled at the girls and gave one last announcement.

"As the 6 of you have been chosen today, your life and fate will change from the day you are formally inducted into court. There will be a coronation festival held in your honor on the last day of Eve fall. It is rumored that the fairy goddess Ka'ia who has been guarding over the human realm will enter into her yearly slumber. However, her brother Ko'an will only awaken from his slumber the morning after to guard the human realm. It is within this long night, that the demon realm and human realm would have the thinnest veil between them. Therefore it would be the longest night in the year, and ever since then, we humans have been celebrating with food, festivities, and fireworks."

The Empress paused and took a look around at the girls who were listening attentively. This was a tradition that everyone grew up listening to. Just by sharing it, she was reminded of the first time she told this story to the princess, her daughter.

"The humans celebrate in hopes that their reaction would confuse the demons. They wanted the demons to think that everything was still the same, even if they were momentarily without a heavenly protector. It is also a time to celebrate the end of a cycle and usher in the new. This is why I have chosen that date after careful consideration with our Royal Shaman Hpi'Li. During the celebration, each house is tasked with preparing one performance. The sequence would follow the one in which your name was announced this morning."

Shan Yu's eyes lit up, here is her chance! This would openly mark the first time the Empress is entrusting the ladies with a task. As long as she prepares the best performance, not only the Empress but perhaps even the Emperor might be smitten by her charms.

"In addition to preparing a performance. Each of you would be required to recite a paragraph on the duties and behavior of a concubine as you are giving your speech for the toast. The coronation festival will be held 3 days from today. You will have access to the various halls should you require any manpower or materials. However, do note that you are not allowed to step out of your courtyard unless you have been summoned. Your attendants will be carrying out your instructions in your stead."

The Empress glanced over everyone before her, her words tinted with a hint of warning.

"It is considered bad luck for your husband to see you before you formally join the family. Therefore, until your coronation festival, you are to wait for a formal visit. The Sewing Hall will be bringing over a batch of sewing maidens. You are responsible for your coronation dress, Your formal wedding reception will be held on the 7th day of Eve."

The girls who were listening attentively up till this point could only gasp out loud. They would be allowed to be reunited with their family for a short while before the formal wedding reception. It was the grace of the Emperor, who had allowed the families to visit their daughters for the very last time before they were to be given to him as a bride for the rest of their lives.

Shan Yu's heart leaped, she could not wait to see her mother, and she wondered if her mother was proud of her at that moment.

"Mother, Yu'er will grow more and more powerful so that I will be able to protect Father and you, Do not worry..." Shan Yu quietly promised in her heart.

"Your family will not be responsible for your wedding dress as per normal tradition. They will, however, be able to present you with one piece of accessory of their choice for you to wear during the ceremony. This piece of jewelry must be approved by the Hall of Accessories. As per custom, your family will receive a part of your wedding dowry should you choose to bestow it to them. You must remember that before today you were just a noble citizen, but after today, you will now be part of the royal family. Even your parents will have to bow before you and call you by your given name, use the precious hour well. After the hour, while you are able to call them father and mother, they will never be able to formally call you as 'daughter' in public.... this, I know."

Even though the Empress was just kindly reminding the girls about the rules and regulations of the palace that they had known even before they had entered the palace, somehow hearing it in this setting just seems to imbue a sense of finality within the hearts of the 6 girls.

The Empress gave a sigh, slightly recalling the day she was married off to this kingdom. While the Emperor that she had married was kind to her and loved her daily, it broke her heart that she would never be able to run into her father's arm the same way she used to when she was a kid. She was first the Empress of the kingdom of Qi Xing before she was the princess of the Han Dynasty, Dubhe.

The Empress raised her right hand elegantly, signaling to Ra'on that she would like to leave. Ra'on hastily came forward to support her as she slowly rose from her chair.

"I will be eagerly awaiting the wonderful performances and beautiful dresses, my dear sisters. For now, you will be led back to your courtyards. I will have the maids bring you some tea snacks before dinner."

The 6 noble ladies quickly rose to their feet as they bowed in respect, thanking the Empress for her wise words, teachings, and time. They watch as the Empress makes her way back to her own courtyard, followed by her attendants.

The ladies were then also quickly ushered off to their respective courtyards by their first-class attendants.