Winter Tea Ceremony-The Harem

Lang Wuying glances over the rows of people who were part of the Emperor's harem and feels nothing but a sense of pity for these people, they could've been anything else than being chosen to be part of the Emperor's harem. Well more like the Emperor's duty. Lang Wuying knew that Jin Heng was instilled with a sense of duty so strong that he would put his own opinions behind a sturdy wall. It was the way their son and the other children were born after all. 

Speaking of children.

He gestures towards the children. There are three children in the entire harem, not counting his own. First is Jin Hua, First Prince, from Noble Consort Gao of Amber Palace. Then it's Jin Xueyang, Second Prince, son of Consort Wen of Pearl Palace. Lastly, Jin Zhou, Third Prince, son of Consort Xie of Saphire Palace.

Noble Consort Gao stands first as not only the highest consort ranked below the Empress but also as the mother of the First Prince, Jin Hua.

In colors of gold, red, and oranges that matched each other, Noble Consort Gao stood elegantly and bowed with a serene smile toward the Empress. Always staring right into Lang Wuying's eyes and yet Lang Wuying can never decipher what his motives are, or more specifically, what he has already done that Lang Wuying hasn't found out yet. Lang Wuying's and Noble Consort Gao's history together was far too tangled with plots and distrust for Lang Wuying to see nothing but a hidden motive.

"Empress."

"Noble Consort Gao. I am glad to see you and First Prince well and healthy in this cold weather."

Consort Gao smiles, " Thank you for your concern. The Emperor has graciously given us many fabrics to keep us warm. However, the tea you had given me had never failed to truly keep the chill away. I would not mind sharing some that I had brought with me, if you will please?"

Lang Wuying cannot squint his eyes in suspicion, not in front of all these people. He cannot do anything but accept. "Of course. After this greetings we will all convene to a more warmer area in my palace to enjoy ourselves. We will talk then." Lang Wuying states. Noble Consort Gao nods.

He moves his attention away from those prying brown eyes of Noble Consort Gao's to Jin Hua's sniffy proud ones. 

Jung Hua bowed, with an air of haughtiness and proudness that Lang Wuying has surprisingly never seen in Noble Consort Gao, but more so in the Emperor. He wonders if it's due because of the Emperor's favor or Jin Hua's mother's rearing.

Nevertheless, all of the children of the Emperor are his children too by law, and he will not ignore them just because they're not his own. "Jing Hua, how have your studies been? Last I checked you aced your calligraphy test, and can memorize three pages from the history book." Lang Wuying inquired. Quite smart that boy is, despite his spoiledness. He will have to remedy that next time he speaks with the Emperor.

Jing Hua bowed, "I have been doing good, Royal Mother. My teachers and even Royal father complimented me on my progress."

Of course, he brought up the Emperor's favor. He subtly glances around a few lower concubines' faces twitch and others look away in discontent. Technically the one who should be envious is himself he has a child and yet receives less care than most of the members of the harem. He sighs. He truly does not know why Jin Hua does not like him. But he lets it go, he is just a child who knows no better.

He nods, allowing them to sit back down.

Next is Second Prince Jin Xueyang. Consort Wen stands, slowly, almost like he rather be anywhere else. Lang Wuying never understood why the Emperor made Consort Wen part of the harem. Despite his high position, he seems to be more of a bystander than part of whatever drama the lower consorts cause or simply never colludes himself with any of them. However according to his eunuch, Xiao Qiu, most gossip about anyone even the emperor comes from Pearl Palace maids and eunuchs. 

Jin Xueyang timidly walks behind their mother, they bow together in greetings.

Jin Xueyang has never been a child to stand out amongst his brothers, Lang Wuying muses, though it's mostly due to Jin Hua outshining him at everything despite being only a few months apart. He's shy, quiet, average in his studies, and its no kept secret that Consort Wen has no motherly instinct, as Jin Xueyang has been seen with their nanny more than their actual mother. Lang Wuying feels a pang of concern for him, but unfortunately he cannot do anything that would warrant Consort Wen to change his behavior. After all he learned that is quite common for noble children to be left to be raised by their nannies and not their mothers until a certain age.

Lang Wuying feels his clothes wrinkle, he glances down to his child. A' Ling is once again holding tightly to his clothes with one small fist while fiercely focused on both Consort Wen and Jin Xueyang. Oh. Right. This is his first time meeting his brothers. It must be quite an exciting experience for him.

Lang Wuying wonder's if A'ling would start feeling better with other company other than himself. Children need those of their own age to learn social skills and for companionship. Brotherhood is important, even in a place like the harem. Jin Xueyang is shy a good contrast for A-ling. Jin Hua may be haughty but he's still a child at heart. Maybe- someone close to him, someone he can learn to trust will make him more open to Lang Wuying. Yes, he nods to himself, this is what he needs.

"Consort Wen, Jin Xueyang, I'm glad to see you both. Please make yourself comfortable during your stay and don't be hesitant to ask me anything." He says the last part especially for Jin Xueyang, the child meekly looks away hands fiddling with his sleeves.

They both soon bow again and sat back on their chairs.

Lastly, its Third Prince Jin Zhou, son of Consort Chen from Saphire palace. Consort Chen bows gracefullyly her dress in her well known purple and blues glimmer, it's styled fashionably and yet more like a scholar than a consort. Consort Chen is very smart, coming from a family of well known family of royal scribes and business owners. She's smart enough to not outright fight for the highest position. Lang Wuying would've had liked to made friends with her, but a misunderstanding happening long before the Emperor took on his position had made that boat sink.

Both Consort Chen and Lang Wuying were constantly mistaken for each other due to their similar silently cold, and icy attitudes with similar sharp glares. It caused many awkward conversations and meetings that very much seemed to put Lang Wuying in Conosrt Chen's bad side.

Nothing to be done with that now. Now Third Prince Jin Zhou he's-

"Greeting Royal Mother!" The five year old prince steps forward bows quickly, " You said last time that A'Zhou could ask to get something the next we meet. So we met. I want a sword!" The third Prince says proudly.

"A-Zhou!" Consort Chen hisses.

Third Prince merely glanced at his mother, unbothered by his mother's tone he stared forward once more.

Lang Wuying blinked. Right, he did say that. Jin Zhou wish to become a warrior makes him chuckle inside.

Prince Zhou continues again proudly without a hint of fear. " Royal Mother promised me this wish. I'm sick of books, I want a sword to train!"

Lang Wuying thinks for a moment, he will keep his word and give the child what he wants, but he's been told that it's not normal nor safe for a five year old to wield weapons. "I would give you your sword." The child was about to bow again while the Consort Chen yelled 'Your highness-!', " However, first you must prove to me with training and studying the forms with a teacher that you can even muster the will for it."

"But I want my sword now!"

"Not until you proven to to me and the Emperor that you've trained. You don't want to be been foolish in wielding a sword once the Emperor hears about it, do you?" The child seems to shrink in fear and yet his face stayed and upset. But Lang Wuying can tell he imagined his potential failure.

" Your highness!" Consort Chen maintained her dignified pose, but glared hard enough that the other concubines in the room felt the tension and started looking other places. Lang Wuying felt it too, but elected to ignore it. "Fourth Prince doesn't not need to study the sword. He's been studying with me and his tutors about calligraphy, history, mathematics, and ethics. Sword training will only distract him."

"But A'niang-"

"Shut it! The adults are speaking." She scowled.

Lang Wuying responds, "Consort Chen, sword training is is a requirement for all princes at the age of twelve. If Fourth Prince wants to learn it early then recommended then there's nothing wrong with that. Plus," he leans into his chair, " You will be in charge of all his teachings as usual, I will merely been informed of his progress. Is there anything wrong with that? "

Consort Chen visibly restrained herself from saying more, "I supposed not, Your Highness."

Lang Wuying nods. "Good.You two may sit down." He addresses the entire hall, " Now that that's over, please let's us move to another section of my place to enjoy the weather, with some snacks." Lang Wuying first then stands the front first until the the last sit follows along.

Lang Wuying looks down, A'ling has been really quiet, and sees A'ling send quick glances towards the consorts behind him.

Lang Wuying thinks it's time for the brothers to be together and gain some type of brotherhood without their mothers behind them. Hopefully the maids around can keep A'ling from causing trouble. At least until the ceremony is over.