Imperial Palace
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The current Empress was surrounded by her court ladies, two maids fanning her from behind, in her gazebo over the ripple-less pond, flower petals drifting by. It was an auspicious day, and she was dressed in a red hanfu to receive the royal matchmaker at her palace. The maids had set tea on the table, and stood to one side. Everything was serene and peaceful. Not for Court Lady Chun, though, who liked to talk.
She broke the silence.
"Your majesty, the marriage of His Highness the Crown Prince is so important. Why have you let the royal matchmaker choose the Consort?"
Court Lady Zhen, who had been the Empress' maid since birth, and knew her best, sent Court Lady Chun a glare, willing her to be quiet. Court Lady Chun was not looking in her direction though, for she had her eyes glued to the Empress.
Wang Caihong smiled, surprising all her court ladies. They expected her to have Court Lady Chun whipped, for it was not always she let things slide. But she seemed to be in a really good mood today, sipping her tea serenely.
"The Crown Prince will be twenty one next month," she said, more to herself than anyone present, "he always changes the topic when I ask him about getting married. As his mother, I got worried. I want him to have a responsible girl by his side. Someone to take off his burden, make him happy. The royal matchmaker has been doing this for years. I trust her. She'll do well,"
Court Lady Chun had the sense to clam up after this elaborate explanation, and lowered her head. Court Lady Zhen took the initiative to refill the Empress'tea cup, everything returning to peaceful silence, the tiny birds in the trees and the fishes plopping and splashing in the pond being the only sounds filtering into the ears on this fine afternoon.
"Lady Hong Niang is here!" the eunuchs outside announced the arrival of the Empress' guest. The Empress looked up once at the woman approaching, dressed in a purple ruqun with lotus flowers embroidered on it. Her headdress was made into a high bun. She was about forty years, but still pretty. Accompanying her were two maids of her own, carrying portrait scrolls.
"Greetings Your Majesty!" She bowed.
"Rise," The Empress gestured to the seat on the other side of the round table, "you have been working hard these few days. Have some jasmine tea to soothe your nerves,"
Court Lady Zhen approached and poured Lady Hong Niang's tea. The royal matchmaker smiled at the empress before taking a sip, covering her face with her sleeves.
"It is indeed excellent, your majesty,"
The two women chatted for a bit before Lady Hong Niang directed the conversation to the selection of crown prince consort.
"There are a lot of excellent girls in the capital city," Lady Hong Niang took the portrait scrolls from her maids and unrolled them, one after the other, for the empress to look at.
"Only, I don't think they could last long, if married to the Crown Prince," she continued.
The Empress raised an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
"The crown prince is a warrior. His highness will not be able to tolerate any weakness from the consort. His highness even told me that he wanted a strong--"
Lady Hong Niang never got past this word. The empress squealed like a rabbit whose tail was trod on.
"What?! The crown prince came to you? To say what kind of consort he wanted?! I knew it! He was too embarrassed to talk to me. I knew he would open up to you--"
Lady Hong Niang laughed inside. Haha, haaha, it worked!
"Your majesty--" she politely interrupted the empress, "it is for this reason I've eliminated all other noble ladies except Miss Jiao Zhu and Miss Xiao Tao Qi,"
"Jiao Zhu? Isn't that the daughter of the Prime minister?" The Empress frowned, "I remember that the crown prince used to play with her when they were children,"
Heh, Lady Hong Niang scoffed inside, but smiled warmly at the empress.
"Your majesty is right. However," she lowered her eyes slightly, "I don't think it would do. The Emperor has been complaining about the prime minister's excessive power for quite some time. Even this humble servant is aware. Your majesty," she raised her eyes, "I'm telling this only in confidence. The prime minister was the one who forced me to add Miss Jiao Zhu's name to the list. She isn't suitable for the crown prince at all."
The Empress considered this bit of unpleasant news.
"He must indeed be brazen," she scowled, "to want to interfere with the crown prince consort selection! I'll inform His majesty about this," she thought for a while, then turned back to the matchmaker, "that leaves Miss Xiao Tao Qi, right?"
Lady Hong Niang smiled and nodded, producing her portrait. The empress looked at it once, and was captivated by the innocent smile on the girl's face.
"Isn't she too young?" She asked worriedly.
"Rest assured, your majesty. Miss Xiao Tao Qi is seventeen this month, only four years younger than the crown prince. She only looks delicate, but she is indeed strong,"
"Which family is she from?" The Empress asked.
"She's from General Xiao's family. Her father is the most trusted general of the crown prince,"
"Is that true?" The empress believed her. She was satisfied so far.
"I'll inform His majesty to send the proposal to her family. Lady Hong Niang, you've truly done well,"
"This servant has done nothing," Lady Hong Niang blushed at the empress' praise.
The empress signalled to Court Lady Chun, who came forward with a wooden box.
"This is a token of my gratitude," the empress passed the box across the table, "my son's marriage is the most important thing to me, and you have done so well to select a bride for him. Please do not reject it,"
"Then I shall thank Her majesty the empress," Lady Hong Niang rose and kowtowed, then received the gift with both hands.
Leaving the palace in her carriage, she laughed to herself.
"I'd really love to see the palace thrown into a quandary by that brat. Serve them right!"
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Other side of the Capital City