Soft snow fluttered in the air as lines of lavishly decorated horse carriages made their ways to the Imperial Palace's crimson West gate.
Through the West gate and into the Palace grounds, everyone had to exit their carriages and walk to the Dragon's Banquet Hall. The line slowly advanced forward as chatter and laughter rang through the air.
Ladies from all houses had on their best attires, presenting themselves pristinely for every nobleman to see. Beauties of all kinds, gentle, sharp, proud, exotic, every characteristic imaginable, fully presented among the Lunar Capital's noble Ladies.
"Hey, who's that beside Clan Master Yue?" Someone whispered.
"I've never seen her before, what a beauty!"
"Such a beauty must've come from outside the Capital city; the Yue Clan doesn't have any other Ladies beside that Imbecile. Maybe she's the Clan Master's nephew?"
"Isn't Lady Aina already here though..."
All sorts of guesses arose as the topic of conversation quickly directed to the mysterious veiled figure walking alongside the Yue Clan Master.
Every year, the Clan Master attended Imperial events alone. Anyone would be ashamed to bring the Imbecile along with them. The last time the Imbecile Ling Yue attended an official event, she spilled tea all over herself and displayed no trace of proper etiquette.
Hong Yue wasn't ashamed of Ling Yue.
He never took her anywhere to protect her; he thought hide his precious daughter away from all those people's stares and whispers was the best option. He had also thought of finding an excuse for Ling Yue for this Feast also, but she herself had wanted to come.
Hong Yue was reluctant. The Imperial Palace is a dangerous place.
Its extravagant jade roofs and crimson pillars hid a sea of blood underneath. Each person in this Palace has powers enough to decide someone's death; one trivial action could actually lead to a web of trouble.
The silent war for the throne was between the Princes was also raging on underneath the calm facade.
The Concubines were racing to build up their sons' harems; at every banquet they located Ladies from influential Clans with potential for political marriages.
Ling Yue ignored the gazes of those around her.
Her posture relaxed but confident, her back held straight, she calmly sat beside Hong Yue, every gesture immaculately elegant. Her eyes were sharp and calm like the surface of an autumn lake, flat and serene. No one could gauge out any emotions from those depths, but a hint of chills resided in the calm waves.
Ling Yue sat there quietly, yet her presence could not be ignored.
Hong Yue couldn't help but smile, this was his daughter, Ling-er! Those who called her the Imbecile before couldn't help but marvel at her beauty and posture now.
How would they react if they knew this beauty was Ling Yue?
He'll wash his eyes and wait for that revelation to come, Hong Yue enthusiastically thought.
"The Empress Dowager arrives!" (note: emperor's mother)
"The Emperor and Empress arrive! The Four Great Concubines arrive!"
"The Crown Prince arrives, the Second, Third, Fourth and Seventh Princes arrive!" The eunuch's shrill voice rang through the Banquet Hall.
Everyone in the Hall quickly bowed: "Long live the Empress Dowager! Long live the Emperor and Empress!!!"
The Emperor was in his late fifties, his face wrinkled with strict lines. Standing next to him, people couldn't help but cower under his pressure. The pressure of a king, ruler of millions.
"Stand up, my people. No need to be so formal, tonight is a night for wine and food, enjoy yourselves!" The Emperor smiled slightly as he sat down on the golden Dragon Throne, the Empress beside him, the Four Concubines at his sides. A trail of lower concubines found their seats according to their rankings in the harem.
The Princes sat to his right. The higher your position in court, the closer to the Emperor you sit. In a peasant's eyes this is a great privilege, but few understood the real danger of being close to the king. There was a saying, "Being near the Emperor is like being near a tiger;" the higher up you are and the more power you have, the more the Emperor scrutinizes you and the more threats befall your Clan.
The heads of the Great Clans sat opposite the Princes, to the Emperor's left.
Because of the proximity, Ling Yue could easily take in the Banquet Hall's entire view. This also directed more attention towards her.
Her flaming red hanfu was almost too bright to ignore, the mysterious air that she carried attracting stares and glances. Although a veil covered her face, her slender figure and her aura was enough to convince people of her beauty.
Long sleek hair flowed like black silk down her frail shoulders. She didn't wear any jewelry nearly as extravagant as the other Ladies, just a silver lotus pin to hold up her hair in a crescent bun.
Even so, her presence instantly oppressed others; the Empress' elaborate crimson phoenix court dress was of no match. It was as if the real Phoenix has finally showed up, and in an instant, the fake flamingo was nothing but a bird trying to climb high.
The many colors of Banquet Hall blanched and dulled next to her blood red.
The five Princes stared at the mysterious figure in front of them, mixed emotions flashing through their eyes, curiosity, lust, greed, all swirling like a storm.
The concubines also stared at her, envy and hatred either apparent or carefully veiled. Many Ladies twisted their handkerchiefs in their hands, jealousy in their eyes.
Which Lady didn't hope they could be the center of attention? If they caught a Prince's eye, they might have the fortune to be picked as a Prince's Concubine... Then, all Ladies of the capital would stare at them enviously, enormous power and wealth would go into their hands....
But in just an instant, all five of the Princes' gazes were stolen by this mysterious woman. How could they not be jealous? It was as if their dressing up was for nothing, because this woman's mere aura was enough to win over their expensive dresses.
Ling Yue flatly ignored the stares directed her way.
If looks could puncture holes in her body, she might have been blasted down to dust. She discreetly assessed the Four Great Concubines. Four beauties with four different characteristics, all greatly enticing in their own way, with houses behind their backs powerful enough to assist them in their battle in the Harem.
One simply couldn't survive in the Emperor's harem without their house helping them in the dark. Beauty wasn't enough, beauty was of no use to an Emperor. The Emperor admired the beauty, but he also admired the house. Without a powerful background, a concubine will die the instant she steps foot into the Emperor's harem.
To get to such high positions, the Four Concubines also had to be cunning. All those beautiful facades hid snakes of the most poisonous breeds. A concubine could smile like a blooming flower towards the Emperor, while planning another concubine's death.
Just everyday matter for your average concubine. Wake up, plan another concubine's death, save yourself, seduce the Emperor, look at opportunities to spread you power through marrying off your sons and daughters, etc.
Great fun! (￣▽￣)