"Time for afternoon tea," called the Princess, and the young ladies flocked to the prettily decorated tables.
It was a beautiful scene with the tables set up amongst the early-spring plum blossoms, on the edge of an ornamental lake.
A group of musicians sat on a small stage playing gentle music with a flute and guqin.
The ladies buzzed around the tables, searching for their name cards.
Mei Meili was seated between the prince and the princess, like the guest of honour. She blushed when she saw this, steeling herself for more unkind comments.
The Prince pulled out her chair for her, and she sat down.
Bai Li was already seated at the same table, next to the princess's friend, Tan Wentian.
Tan Bowen came up behind Meili and bowed in greeting.
"Miss Mei, it's an honour to meet you. I'm Tan Bowen, your fifth brother Mei Sunren's good friend."
She turned and gazed up at him.
Another beautiful young man stood before her, backlit by the setting sun.
He was nearly as tall as Bai Li, but slimmer, with an elegant profile. His face was finely chiselled but with a slight roundness and soft lips, making him look boyish and romantic. He wore his hair in the foppish slightly looser style currently favoured by bohemian young men.
"Tan Bowen!" she said with genuine delight, as she rose to meet him. "My Fifth Brother talks of you all the time. You two have had so many wonderful adventures together. I've been longing to meet you. I've read all of your poetry. It's very beautiful," she spoke with awe.
Tan Bowen flushed with genuine pleasure. Normally he cared very little if people liked his work or not.
"Thank you, Miss Mei," he smiled with uncharacteristic shyness, letting his hair fall across his forehead. "That actually means a lot to me, coming from you."
What a polite young man, she thought. Of course he would be eloquent and gentlemanly.
Bai Li scowled. Who was this seemingly gentle fellow? He bore absolutely no resemblance to the brazen and rude Tan Bowen. If she spent any time at all with him, she'd soon come to know the real man, he thought.
"I look forward to appreciating the pearl, now that the fingers of your father's palm have finally loosened."
"Stop flirting Tan Bowen," said the prince, in irritation.
Meili laughed happily, free of the careful airs and graces of girls who had been active in noble society.
Li Fengfeng sat down on the far-side of their table, the Princess's concession to her emperor father.
"Miss Mei, I'm Li Fengfeng, the Prime Minister's daughter," she said languidly. "So, you've finally been allowed out into polite society. Your reputation precedes you I must say. Your brothers have been very tight lipped. They only say she's virtuous and homely. Two characteristics that make for a very good wife. I'm sure you'll find a great match once the concubine selections are over."
Ever spiteful, Li Fengfeng had barely taken the time to look at the small girl, so convinced was she that the veil hid a terrible flaw.
She herself expected to be chosen as the wife of a prince. She had her eye on the second prince, despite her father's desire for her to be wed to the Crown Prince. If she married the Crown Prince, she could only be a concubine, as he was already wed to a Jurchen princess.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Miss Li. My brothers have spoken to me of you and your brother Li Pei also. I hear you're both very talented," she said diplomatically.
What her brothers had actually said was, 'watch out for them both, they're snakes in the grass'.
Li Fengfeng knew full well the Mei brothers would have nothing nice to say about her family.
She was determined to unseat this shy little nothing who had somehow secured the prince's attention, and now sat by his side. The girl's reputation as talentless and ugly meant that shouldn't be too difficult.
"Miss Mei, we've never had the pleasure of your company before. Please do us the honour of entertaining the prince and princess and these young ladies with a dance," Li Fengfeng put her on the spot.
It was proper and expected for young ladies who had come of age to showcase their talents at such an event. In fact, it was an honour to be given the opportunity to do so. Who knew whose eye you might catch?
"What a wonderful idea," said the prince smoothly. "Miss Mei, would you do us the honour?"
"Oh, please do Miss Mei," seconded the princess.
She could tell that the lovely young girl would be a graceful dancer.
Meili blinked at them all, would it be proper to take this chance to showcase her talents ahead of all of the other young women in attendance?
The prince stood and pulled back her chair, before she could think too much about it.
Manni, who had been rigorously briefed by the Madam on what to do if this happened, hurried over to prepare her young mistress for the dance.
She removed the light shawl that covered Meili's shoulders, handing her an oversized fan that matched her pale gold dress. It was adorned with ombré dipped gold silk, flowing in pretty ruffles. A matching golden silk square embroidered with pink blossoms was held in her other hand. Manni removed her shoes where little gold dancing sockettes already graced her feet.
Her maidservant hurried across to brief the musicians.
"Flower Lantern Dance please gentlemen."
This was the dance the Madam had chosen for the young miss for today.
It was a folk dance, but it was just right for her mistress in Manni's opinion.
Pretty and bright with some acrobatic elements and a constantly moving fluttering fan.
Only a petite young girl could carry this dance off.