Chapter 4

how to become a concubine

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A whole week had crawled by and the day of the Qualifications Exam had dawned. The new potential concubines had all gathered in front of one of the large, currently dis-used pavilions located in the western quarter of the Inner court. 

Lianhua had arrived earlier than many of the others, having been able to locate the pavilion before. Two eunuchs stood guard on each side of the doors to the pavilion, only permitting entry on command.

Yingtao, like all the other ladies-in-waiting to the potential new concubines, were not permitted entry into the pavilion and were all waiting in another pavilion until their mistresses were finished with the exam. Yingtao had quietly bemoaned to Lianhua about not being able to join her, yet knew she wasn't allowed so she went away with the others.

"So, this must be the pavilion then for the Qualifications Exam? Are you excited?" 

A new voice, quite feminine and relaxed, made Lianhua blink a few times. Turning her head to face the newcomer standing beside her, she raised an eyebrow. 

"Excitement isn't the right word to describe how I'm feeling about this exam." Lianhua replied. The other person, a woman with light brown hair that borderlined on blonde and wearing a pastel yellow hanfu with long sleeves, smiled quite casually, her eyes - a blueish grey - twinkling. The woman's face was a light pale complexion, seemingly smooth like polished china. There were no visible scars, lumps, moles or freckles Lianhua could see.

"Really? Then what emotion are you feeling?" She chirped in reply. Lianhua, who was taken aback by the chipper young woman, did not formulate an answer as quickly as she would have liked.

"More like apprehension." She stated after a few moments of silence and contemplation. The young woman, who looked to be around Lianhua's age, smiled.

"I guess. This is the Qualifications Exam after all. How long have you been here for?" She asked another question. Lianhua, again, was perplexed. "Uh…how long have you been here?" She parroted. The woman beside her gave a smile. "Probably the same as you. At least a week."

"Oh. Then a week and half. I was here probably around the same time as many of the others." Lianhua answered. The woman nodded. "Understable."

A man in uniform, most likely a eunuch, had arrived and spoke quite loudly to gain the women's attention. "Ladies! You are permitted to enter the pavilion. Madam Feng will arrive soon."

The doors to the pavilion were opened by the eunuchs standing on guard and the women all filed in, chattering and filled with excitement for the exam. On the opposite hand, Lianhua was feeling apprehensive and slightly nervous. She hoped this would go well for her.

Inside the pavilion, it was very large and spacious. Without much furniture, all 200 women that had been living in the Inner Palace for over a week were inside, some huddled together to make more room whilst others were backed up against walls. Painting and tapestries hung on some of the walls and there was a door to the far right, possibly leading further into the pavilion. Lianhua hurried over to settle into a corner, far away for the others, and in the hopes of avoiding Sui.

'I don't have the emotional capacity to be dealing with her. Especially not today.'

The imposing Matron had swiftly entered the pavilion, flanked by her attendants. Her face was stern, almost as if her features had been carved out of stone. Silence had quickly descended upon the large group of women who had been all standing around and loudly chatting.

The imposing woman's entire presence sets some of the young ladies on edge, yet they all line up in silence.

Madam Feng quirks an eyebrow. "Very good ladies. It seems you all understand what to do. Such quicker learners. Today, as I hope you all know, is the Qualifications Exam. I have brought with me a team of expert physicians who will examine you all in groups to determine whether or not you are worthy of continuing onto the next stage. That side room adjacent to us will be used as the examination room. As I have been told, it is big enough for a large group of 10-15 ladies at a time. The instructions are as follows:

You will be asked to strip off all but one layer so are left in your undergarments.

The physicians will do a full body examination from head to toe, to determine your suitability.

Any deformities or marks or scars will disqualify you. 

Your body and manner will be examined as well - your skin cannot be too pale or too dark, you must have the correct physical proportions and you must not be carrying any venereal diseases or illness that could potentially be passed on.

These instructions will be followed accordingly. Those who do not pass will be sent home. Any questions before we begin?"

Lianhua thought back to her conversation with Yingtao earlier in the week about the three stages of the trials and wanting to know more information, she decided to bravely raise her hand.

"Madam Feng?" Lianhua piped up. Madma Feng's sharp gaze fell upon her immediately and her skin prickled. 

"Yes, what is it?" the imposing woman inquired.

"My apologies, however you never got to finish explaining to us the stages of the Concubine Trials as you were interrupted. What is the third stage of the trials?"

Madam Feng curled an eyebrow upwards, pausing for a moment. "Ah yes, I didn't get around to finishing my explanation of the concubine trials. Very well, I shall divulge you in the knowledge of the final trial so you can prepare for it once you have passed the other two exams. The third stage of the trials is what is known as the Imperial Courtship stage or simply the Imperial Courtship. This is arguably the most important stage of the concubine trials as this stage will determine your status and fate as a concubine. During this stage, if His Majesty wishes, you'll be chosen to perform for him in private to showcase your skills. If you are successful, he may make you one of his high ranking consorts."

There was a low murmur amongst many of the potential concubines, but such chatter did not last as Madam Feng clapped her hands loudly for attention.

"Alright ladies, that's enough. It is time for the Qualifications Exam. I shall take the first 10 ladies with me into the adjacent room for examination." 

The first 10 ladies were taken to the room along with the physicians on duty. Lianhua swallowed her nerves and waited patiently along with the others that were left behind.

Little by little, Madam Feng would come out after every half an hour to collect another group of women and the previous group would leave, some forlorn, others overjoyed. Lianhua saw Sui go into the room along with her small group, smug and proud, and half an hour later, Sui returned with the same arrogant and proud smirk plastered on her face.

'She definitely passed the Qualifications Exam, no doubt about it. She either passed because she possessed the requirements Madam Feng is looking for in a future Empress, or she bluffed her way to victory.'

Finally, after several hours, the last group of women were left to be examined - Lianhua was among them. Madam Feng gestured for the group to follow her as all the other tested concubines watched in anticipation and fear. Lianhua caught sight of Sui's smug expression, a twitch of a sneer forming through her lips and the snarky drop of her eyelids. Lianhua paid no mind.

The last group of women were instructed to line up in a row in the middle of the smaller room, shoulder to shoulder, yet no touching. Madam Feng eyed the row of women carefully. The physician in charge of the examination came forward with a tablet and an ink brush, whilst the others all stood to watch. "Ladies, please strip down until you are only wearing your undergarments." The physician instructed, sounding quite haughty. 

All the women, including Lianhua, stripped their clothes until they were sanding in their pale undergarments. Some of the ladies shivered from being so underdressed and exposed, Lianhua didn't seem to have an issue with being so scantily dressed in fabric and stood still in silence.

The physician had a wooden tablet and ink brush in hand and started jotting notes down, slowly passing each of the ladies in turn and scrutinising them thoroughly, beady eyes squinting. He was muttering to himself as he went along the line, doting a few notes down before moving onto the next lady, repeating the pattern until he got to the final lady - Lianhua.

The physician narrowed his eyes at Lianhua, his head bobbing up and down as he took in her appearance. He pursed his dry lips together as he jotted a few notes, his eyes still narrowed and he rounded Lianhua, quietly muttering:

"Good, good. Yes…good complexion, good face shape….yes, I like this…"

Lianhua felt a little awkward about being scrutinised like some sort of prize being betted in an auction. But she kept her composure around this man - despite his entire demeanour, he was the most qualified person in the room.

The physician then turned to Madam Feng and curtly responded.

"Madam, we will need to conduct the pelvic exam." 

Madam Feng sighed a little, expecting this. "Very well. Ladies, do not fret. This will take a few minutes. This minor exam will ensure you are not carrying any diseases and your pelvic area is of suitable size and diameter."

The team of physicians came forward to conduct the pelvic exam. Some ladies got even more fidgety, clearly scared. It seemed that some of them, if not all of them in this group, were from higher social families - which meant they had probably never been "examined" in their intimate areas before. The physician instructed the first few ladies to lift up the hems of their lower undergarments so the other physicians could examine the pelvis area. With each young lady being examined, some were very nervous and fearful of whether there would be any pain, and some were more calm but showed signs of anxiety as they partook in the examination. Lianhua was the last to be examined and followed the necessary instructions. She lifted the hem of her skirt and the physician examining her - a young male with a clean-shaved face -  leaned in with a prodding tool to poke Lianhua. She stood very still whilst the exam was happening, not even making a peep. The physician, after a while, relented and got up.

"Thank you miss." he politely bowed. Madam Feng moved forward. "Alright, that concludes the Qualifications Exam, the results will be finalised by myself and the physicians. Please redress and wait in the main pavilion."

Upon receiving the instructions, the small group redressed themselves, some murmuring as they did so. Lianhua, after finishing dressing herself, left the small room and made a beeline for the corner of the pavilion she had been sitting in prior so she wouldn't have to deal with anyone else.

The results of the Qualifications Exam had been finalised and a stark ratio of young women had been sent home soon afterwards, as in Madam Feng's eyes, they were not suitable enough to continue the concubine trials. Wooden slips had been passed around to those who had passed. Lianhua breathed a sigh of relief as she received her results she had passed - it seemed that Yingtao's diligent care and efforts had paid off. Out of the 200 young women that were originally at the pavilion, 80 had been let go.

"It looks like we both passed the first test then." 

There was that familiar voice again and Lianhua saw the same blonde-haired concubine in training approach her with her arms crossed behind her back, strolling over to stand next to her whilst Lianhua was hunkered down on the hard floor. 

"I suppose." She briefly spoke in agreement. They both heard the boastful gossip of Sui recounting a seemingly dramatic retelling how she, as Lianhua internally quoted, "passed with flying colours." The young woman standing next to Lianhua clicked her tongue.

"Quite the loud and prideful woman, isn't she?" 

"Yeah. And I think she hates me." Lianhua rolled her eyes. The woman glanced down in confusion. "Why do you say that?"

"Because she found out I was a courtesan and she's from a higher class family." Lianhua explained quite bluntly. The woman scoffed. "Oh, so that's General Yuan's daughter? I pity the man, having sired someone like her."

"You couldn't tell without her telling everyone within earshot?"

"Physically? No. Personality-wise? I thought she was the daughter of an arrogant official working within the Outer court. Then she started spouting boastful remarks about her lineage and it clicked." The woman replied. Lianhua made a soft noise of agreement.

"By the way, I don't think I know your name." Lianhua remarked. The woman's eyes widened in realisation and she pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Oh goodness, I didn't introduce myself. How silly of me, my mother raised me better than that."

The woman crouched down so she was at Lianhua's level and cracked a friendly smile, her teeth white. 

"My name is Yun Jeifan. What about you?"

She extended her hand sideways for Lianhua to shake it. Lianhua, although hesitant, was reminded of Yingtao's enthusiasm as she looked at Jeifan. She shook Jeifan's hand.

"Bai Lianhua." Lianhua replied. Jeifan looked surprised. "White lotus flower?" She questioned. Lianhua nodded. "Yeah, I was named after that particular flower." 

Jeifan beamed. "That's a beautiful name. I like it."

Sui, having seen the two young ladies converse with each other, sauntered over and giggled. "Well, it seems that you two are having fun."

Lianhua made a face filled with a mixture of disgust and fatigue, groaning lightly. "Ah, hello Sui. What brings you over to this little corner of ours then?"

'Come to flaunt your lineage publicly and make a fool of yourself in the process?'

Sui unfurled her fan and fluttered it in front of her lazily. "I was just wondering whether or not you passed."

Lianhua frowned. "Why would you be interested in whether I passed or not?"

Jeifan kept quiet. Sui sneered behind her fan. "I have my reasons, but knowing your background, you most definitely did not pass. You're not of the requirements Madam Feng is looking for in a concubine." 

Jeifan was about to say something in input when Lianhua felt a rush of adrenaline course through her veins, her blood thrumming loudly in her ears. A voice - no - two voices, a male and a female, whispered to her in her mind.

'She doesn't know of your intact purity.'

'She doesn't understand. Tell her to mind her business.'

'Tell her…. Tell her.'

Lianhua stood up and brushed down her skirt and faced Sui with a calm  expression. "You know Sui, for someone who prides herself on her noble lineage and is quite boastful, you really do like to make wild and inaccurate assumptions. You and I both know that it'll be up to Madam Feng who stays and who leaves. You making the assumption that I didn't pass the Qualifications exam seems a bit much. Perhaps you should do us a favour and mind your own business."

Jeifan held back a snicker and Sui's mouth dropped open. "H-How dare you speak to me like that you peasant!" Sui almost let out a shriek in anger. Lianhua kept her cool, the voices in her head whispered more, as if they were encouraging her or suggesting that she should finish the conversation.

'Tell her to leave.'

'Tell her to stay in her lane. She is not worthy.'

'Not worthy of your time or your patience.'

'She is an arrogant woman. Women like her fall faster from the ladder of power.'

"As Madam Feng stated before the exam, we are all of the same rank, especially if we are able to pass the Qualifications exam. Or were you not paying attention?"

A glint sparked in Lianhua's eyes, catching Sui off guard. "Now you're the one making assumptions." Sui retorted, fanning herself. Lianhua quirked an eyebrow. "I was not making an assumption, I was merely asking a question."

Sui's face burned red and she scrunched up her nose. 

"Mmph." she sniffed indifferently and sauntered off. Jeifan straightened herself up and smiled at Lianhua. "That was quite impressive - the way you dealt with Yuan Sui." 

Lianhua shook her head with nonchalance. "It was nothing. Sometimes with bullies, you have to stand your ground and keep calm. They're only bullying you for a reaction." 

Jeifan nodded. "I agree."

Those who were left behind, Madam Feng turned to congratulate them stiffly and gathered them before her as an audience. "Well, I must extend my congratulations to all that have passed the exam. I must admit, 80 failing in not a bad ratio, there have been more who did make the cut in previous years. Now that you have passed the first major exam of the Concubine Trials it is time that I informed you of your next step. The next part of the trials is the Consort Exam and starting from today, you will be learning the lessons which will help you to succeed in the trials and rise up the ranks to secure your future and potentially gain the Emperor's attention."

The young ladies that had passed the exam all started chatting in excitement, but Lianhua stayed silent. Madam Feng cleared her throat loudly and the ladies fell silent and the Matron continued.

"Now with the first trial out of the way, we can now focus on the lessons for the second trial. There are 6 important lessons a concubine must learn:

Embroidery 

Dance

Literature

History 

Etiquette 

Posture and speech

You have all been given the relevant textbooks required for your studies and at the end of each month, you will be tested on each of the 6 modules. The first exam - the Embroidery test - will take place 2 ½ weeks from today and will last for 3 hours. I want you all to take the time to learn and study the embroidery techniques and patterns as you will be given a pattern at random to embroider during the exam. I hope that all of you will take these next 6 months of work and study seriously. Now, with the Qualifications Exam out of the way, please make your way back to your chambers. The dinner service staff will deliver your meals during the early evening as usual."

Madam Feng, with that final word, left with her attendants and the physicians who had stayed behind. The ladies soon departed as well, chattering. Lianhua hummed to herself as she exited and she saw Yingtao waving. It seemed that she had been informed of Linahua's success.

"I knew you would pass." Yingtao jogged up to Lianhua and clasped her hands over Lianhua's, a dazzling beam on her face. "My efforts really paid off."

Lianhua gave her maidservant a similar beam. "They sure have. Why don't we get back and get some rest. Oh, and by the way, I kinda made a new friend."

Yingtao's eyes sparkled. "Really? Who is she? What's her name?"

Lianhua turned to see if she could spot Jeifan in the departing crowd. "Oh, I think she's gone."

"Huh? Who?" Yingtao voiced some confusion. "Her name is Jeifan. Yun Jeifan."

Yingtao frowned. "Oh really? That's a nice name. She's not like Yuan Sui is she?" 

Lianhua shook her head, laughing. "No  nothing like that woman. She's very sweet." 

As they both walked back through the western quarter, Yingtao stroked her chin in thought.

"I swear there's a person with the same name as this Yun Jeifan living in the Rear Palace, but I can't put my finger on the identity of this person."

"There probably someone related to Jeifan by name alone." Lianhua suggested. It wasn't unusual for non-blood related people to have the same surname as someone else. Just because they shared the same clan name, didn't mean they were of the same family.

"Well, whoever she shares a name with, I can't wait to meet Yun Jeifan. Please introduce me to her."

Yingtao requested. Lianhua gave her another smile.

"I can do that."

As they passed through the western quarter, the two young women were conversing about the Concubine Trials and their next steps. Lianhua noted that the Embroidery test was the first on the list and Yingtao mentioned that Lianhua still had a lot to study about embroidery and the patterns as everyone taking the test would be given a random pattern they would have to embroider completely in 3 hours. Yingtao suggested that they should both practise their embroidery skills and have a little contest every afternoon for those designated hours until Lianhua has mastered all the embroidery designs and techniques.

As they planned their next move, they passed two people and time almost slowed, a gentle tinkle of wind breezing through the gap between Lianhua and the long-haired person who had passed her. Lianhua did not notice the two people walking by and kept going with Yingtao beside her, but the long-haired person had noticed Lianhua immediately and spun back on the balls of his boots, eyes widening in realistion over who had passed him by.

He stared back at the departing woman in front of him, getting further away and he became stuck in some sort of trance-like state, his eyes glimmering in wonder whilst his heartbeat steadily grew in speed. That tugging on his heart pulled on him, urging him to follow with quick footsteps. He wanted to know that woman's name but he was held back by his companion placing his hand on his arm.

"We have somewhere to be. We must go."  

Admitting defeat, the young man turned back to walk alongside his companion again, internally sorrowful that he could not speak with that young woman.

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