The 4th Grand Princess Consort walked by my side as we entered the Palace. The 9 other Consorts followed behind, as decorum demanded.
"Royal Father, your children are here to see you," I said as we got to the door. Two maidens slid the doors open, and the 11 of us entered the Emperor's inner quarters.
"Your children greet Royal Father," we chorused, curtsying low.
The Emperor sat in his plush gold seat, smiling down at us. He didn't look sick; in fact, his face had regained its colour. He gestured for us to get up, beaming.
"Yes, yes, I am very glad to see all of you. Well, I will not waste too much time and leave your husbands outside," he said, straightening on his chair.
He turned his eyes on the woman beside me, eyes crinkling with a kind smile. The Emperor made eye contact with all of us, earnestness in his eyes.
"I have a question for all of you. And I hope all of you can give me an answer. I will give you all some time to think."
"Your children obey," we chorused.
