The Emperor Birthday's Gift I

The hall of the Palace have been adorned for the banquet... Gold seemed drip from the ceiling due to the excessive amount of jewelry and veils, golden curtains were layered along the side of the hall... Each one was sewed by hand from master tailors on commission for the birthday of the Emperor. Thee curtains and veils were around 10 pairs, each pair with different images such as the Emperor's month flower or his favorite objects and activities.

Around the column of the hall, golden chains were hanging in a spiral and luxurious pearls were attached to those... There were many peculiar jewels here and there such as precious shells, constellation made of pure gold and rare gemstone. Not even his brothers and sister marriages were this extravagant. The walls and tables had been temporary covered in blue and purple colours to fit his taste, which was absolutely abnormal for the Royal palace main hall, and everything else was shining in gold.

-Isn't His Majesty trying to shadow the First Prince second Marriage?- asks a man in a provoking tone, coming to bring his blessings to the boy on the tall throne -Ah? Who dares to speak so insolently in front of the Ruler of the World?!- the boy looks down at the man in fine black and gold clothes. The man smiles and straighten up, but instead of looking at the Emperor he throws a mischievous stare toward the man seated beside him -My name is Wang Chia-Hao-

-You...!- wanted to speak the Emperor but got stopped by his counselor -Your Majesty, it would be better not to get on bad terms with this outstanding man in front of you... Not only does he hold much power and respect, but you would also gain benefit from establishing a partnership with him- murmurs Ying SheGu in his ear, the Emperor scoffs annoyed -Fine fine, I accept your blessings now go-

-Sure, Your Majesty- he bows down and thorws one last serious stare at the amethyst headed man, then leaves... Ying SheGu gulps down, too lightly for anyone to notice but enough to prove his nervousness.

...

During the dinner, many influential men stood up and introduced their gifts for the Emperor... Some decided to gift him jewels, others chose beautiful fabrics such ad shiny silk imported from wakouku with unusual decorations, carpes from the desert land, liqueur of the most pricey kind, odd weapons and classic Chinese ones made by the most skilled blacksmiths... Yet the Emperor looked at each passing gift with a bored expression.

His reputation did not become better, actually he's considered as a spoiled brat by all the men currently in the hall. The fight for power is still ongoing between all the nobles and powerful men, showing off with their gifts now and accusing eachother of crimes outside these doors... Obviously going against the Emperor openly would be stupid, so they try instead to please the useless guy thinking they'll be able to handle him as they please once his favor gets earned.

Bloodshed doesn't seem to end, nor does the Emperor seem to care which only makes these nobles attack eachother more... Some even go against the law just to take off a rival from their path to power, knowing well that the Emperor will not punish them. Between the commoners this man earned the reputation of a tyrant... The Emperor tried to clean off his name by doing "good deeds" out of his own mind, not listening to his counselor's advices, and only ruined his name more. Especially after killing his own brother or when charging a good man with some of his own crimes, obviously nobody believed the accusation since the proofs were too absurd but it's not like anyone can go against the Emperor's orders... So the man got tortured for days and executed in the market venue as a warning.

-Your Majesty, the dance you requested is about to begin- informes him Ying SheGu -As you wished, the most beautiful woman to be found has been called to be the main danger- He rises his head, finally finding interested in something after so many hours of boring ceremonies -Is she more beautiful than the one at my brother's wedding?- -It's a different type of beauty, much more delicate and mannered- Replies the amethyst man -Tz! Boring...- he scoffs -Have you are least found a decent man to play the other role? I remember asking you to creste a dance 10 times better than the one at Ge's wedding- the younger man's temperament growing unstable by each minute -Your Majesty will be the one to judge that-

After his last words, Ying SheGu takes out a mask from his sleeve and descend the Throne stairs... He reaches the Dance area in front of the small balcony and bows down, takes out a dagger and start dancing.

His movements aren't fierce and powerful, quite the contrary infact, the dance is extremely slow and smooth... Resembling the movements of a snake, hiding behind a rock while hunting down it's prey. He rises one leg just slightly and points the weapon in front of him, one would expect for him to thrush his dagger forward and stomp his feet yet he just slow down even more and turn around on one foot while prolonging his arms in an elegant movement... The music just barely audible, much time passes between each note from the Guzheng and long ones echoes from the flute.

Some women dressed in gray, hair tied in a high and slick ponytail, rushes to circle him and begin creating the illusion of smoke with some translucent veils in their hands. It almost feels like thick fog covered the hall and began to rise higher... Once the movements of the veils becomes fierce, they fall back to the ground revealing a woman in red behind. She's being held by SheGu with one hand around her waist and his dagger pointed at her heart.

The Emperor straighten up in the throne and grabs onto the armrests, his eyes glued to the scene in front of him. Will he kill her or spare her? He probably hopes for the first option being so mad in his head.

SheGu instead takes her hand and brings her toward the center of the hall, a fan falls on her hand and he pushes her forward to dance.

...

Once the performance is finished, Ying SheGu pushes the woman on her knees and throws her in front of the Emperor. She obediently touches the ground of the dance floor with jer forehead and waits for the man to speak, everyone remain silent not knowing how to act in fear to anger the Emperor. Just after the counselor bows down, the youn lad stands up from his throne clapping loudly -Good! Good! I liked it very much!!! I'll grant you both a gift of your choice!- and so all the men in the hall begins feasting following the Emperor, forcing laughs and excessive praises.

As the amethyst man begins to climb back up the stairs and finally reaches the Throne's side again, Wang Chia-Hao makes an appearance. Silence falling again in the hall as everyone worries about what will happen now, a powerful merchant of doubtful origins who previously angered the Emperor and a unmannered young man as said Emperor. He bows down -Actually, I too have a gift... I apologize for keeping it for last, but I'm sure you will enjoy it very much-

The Emperor's rises an eyebrow and nods in agreement so the merchant rises his arms toward the door -Let her in-