Buckingham Palace,
The Queen's Bedroom.
The elderly queen was being helped into her coat by a maid. Beside her, Margarita was already dressed, looking excited and anxious as if she were anticipating something significant.
The queen sighed helplessly, "It's just a play. Why are you so nervous?"
Margarita couldn't quite explain it herself. Bringing the queen to see Professor Lu's play made her feel as if she were introducing someone to a family elder.
She whispered, pleadingly, "Grandmother, if we don't see it today, we won't get another good chance."
The queen was curious, "It won't be performed after today?"
Margarita shook her head, "Not exactly. After today, the Lanxin Grand Theatre will undergo renovations. For the next five to ten months, only the central area will be open to the public, and the second-floor boxes will be closed. That's why I said it's the best chance."
The modern Lanxin Grand Theatre has 2,100 seats, but this capacity was achieved through multiple renovations, all of which happened after World War II. The success of Lu Shi's "Yes, Prime Minister" accelerated this process.
The queen pointed a finger at Margarita, "You're so disorganized! You knew the renovations were imminent, yet you didn't book tickets earlier and had to wait until the last day. What if I had work today..."
Margarita stuck out her tongue cutely, "I didn't want to use my privileges~"
The queen laughed, "And you're not using your privileges today? I heard we're sitting in the first box, alongside Mr. Lu and Mr. Shaw, the writers of 'Yes, Prime Minister.'"
Margarita was speechless.
The queen continued, "Besides, don't the students at LSE always have access to those internal, affordable tickets?"
Margarita was surprised, "Grandmother, you know about that?"
The queen smiled, not elaborating further.
Margarita came from Hesse, and her father, the Grand Duke of Hesse, had asked the queen in a telegram to take good care of his daughter. Having made a promise, the queen kept a close eye on Margarita's activities, which included learning about LSE's internal ticket distribution.
The queen changed the topic, "Since you could buy internal tickets, you must have seen the play already?"
Margarita nodded, "Yes, twice. But I always feel like I haven't seen enough. It's ever-refreshing."
The queen was intrigued, "Is it really that good?"
Margarita nodded vigorously, "Of course! Professor Lu not only writes novels, editorials, and poems, but his plays are also exceptionally brilliant. His political satire is sharp. I think it's much better than those love dramas."
The queen's expression was amused. She sensed Margarita's excessive enthusiasm whenever she mentioned Lu Shi, different from her usual demeanor.
Could it be...
The queen's lips curved into a smile.
The Grand Duchy of Hesse, seeking to strengthen ties with the UK through marriage while being one of the many federations in the German Empire, maintained a relatively neutral stance. Margarita, as a princess not the first in line, didn't have to worry too much about political considerations and might truly be free to love.
But with a Chinese man...
The queen found the thought absurd and shook her head to dispel it.
Margarita asked in surprise, "Grandmother, are you alright? You suddenly shook your head. Are you feeling unwell?"
The queen replied, "No, no, I'm fine."
Raising her voice, she called out, "Fleck, is the carriage ready?"
Stephen's voice came from outside, "Your Majesty, it's ready. But are you sure you don't need more guards? Although the area around Lanxin Grand Theatre is well-policed, it's still crowded with many spectators. I'm concerned..."
The queen said firmly, "No need. Your presence is sufficient."
She turned to Margarita, nodding.
Margarita immediately supported the queen's right arm, helping her out of the bedroom.
Seeing the queen emerge, Stephen and the Queen's Guard saluted in unison.
Stephen then observed the queen's condition closely. Recently, the queen's health had been deteriorating, making Stephen worry she might not survive the winter. However, Margarita's constant companionship had significantly improved the queen's spirit. Another factor was the young Chinese man, Lu Shi.
The queen often read Lu Shi's works, be they novels, editorials, or poems. After each reading, her complexion would glow, her appetite improved, and she slept better.
Stephen was naturally pleased with the queen's positive change, which was why he agreed to the queen visiting the theatre without additional guards. Knowing the play was a comedy by Lu Shi, Stephen believed it would make the queen happy.
"Let's move out," Stephen commanded.
The Lanxin Grand Theatre was in Westminster, not far from Buckingham Palace, so the carriage arrived quickly.
Margarita jumped down lightly, ready to assist Stephen in helping the queen out of the carriage. Suddenly, she paused, a soft "Hmm?" escaping her lips.
Stephen was puzzled, "Princess?"
Margarita shook her head, "Wait, look over there."
Stephen followed her gaze and saw a group of distinguished British gentlemen, each holding prominent positions at Downing Street, Whitehall, or Westminster Palace. They were chatting and smiling as they walked into the theatre.
Churchill,
Sir Wodehouse,
Sir Renato Irwin, First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff,
Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, the current Prime Minister,
...
Leaders from both the Liberal and Conservative parties were gathering.
Margarita informed the queen of this, who smiled meaningfully, "The Lanxin Grand Theatre is indeed a gathering of notable guests today. Let's wait a bit to avoid clashing with these 'officials.'"
Hearing the queen use the term "officials" amused Margarita.
"Your wish is my command."
Meanwhile, the group of "officials" entered the second-floor box.
Wodehouse chuckled, "Everyone, today's play is very popular, tickets are hard to come by. Winston and I had to pull many strings to get box seats, so appreciate them."
As the honorary chancellor of the University of London, nominally overseeing Bernard Shaw, Wodehouse could easily get tickets.
Cecil snorted, "With all those connections, you still couldn't get tickets for the first box."
They were in the second box.
Wodehouse chuckled, "The first box today is reserved for the renowned playwright Mr. Shaw and Mr. Lu, the writer of 'Yes, Prime Minister.' We wield power, but we won't stoop to taking a writer's spot."
His words were dripping with sarcasm.
Cecil pretended not to hear.
The First Sea Lord, Irwin, leaned over to the Prime Minister, whispering, "Prime Minister, I've heard 'Yes, Prime Minister' is sharply satirical. Many of the lines..."
"Sir Irwin, show some gentlemanly conduct! The playwright is a Chinese man. No matter how satirical or humorous, it's just empty talk. We should be magnanimous, not bothered by such trivialities."
Irwin scratched his head.
"But..."
"No buts!"
Cecil interrupted firmly, then glanced disdainfully in Wodehouse's direction, full of provocation.
However, twenty minutes into the performance,
Cecil:
"Fxxk!
Damn Chinese!"