Travel To The World Of Ca Li
Fifteen Flowers
The color of the sky slowly dimmed. The light of the hanging paper lantern shimmered brightly against the darkness, it would sway as the soothing breeze blew. The clear water of the lake reflects its clean luster when exposed to light from lantern lights. In this landscape, the ship moves at low speed, and in its filled cabin it is so festive.
The sweet aroma is so radiating warm. In this line of scenery, dance and music meld into one that made mortal beings fall in his beautiful charm.
The guest line on the right was ministers ranked one through four. They wore purple and red brocade, with Zhanchi Futou made of plain black muslin covering their heads. All of these represented their status and rank as imperial court officials in the court.
And, for the line on the left were the fifteen-man candidate girls. The girls were like colorful flowers, they would blush as their eyes worked to steal a glance at the Princes who were in the front seats.
The huge cabin that in magic became the venue for this special occasion was so beautiful, so sparkling, so other than the others.
At the very end of the center was the seat of the Emperor. And, to the right of the Emperor directly sat the Princes, all the princes were seen present except for the Crown Prince and the First Prince. The one sitting to the left of the Emperor was the Empress and the two concubines who held high positions.
In the middle is a stage for us to watch the dance. Later.., on the stage it will also be the center for the candidate girls to fight show their talent and charm.
"What did you gain by fighting the Ninth Prince?" Yao Anran's soft voice swept over Xiu Qixuan's sense of hearing. She asked the question by putting a skeptical expression on her pretty face.
Duan Maiqiu who was at Yao Anran's side also said anxiously; "X-.., Xuan ti-dak a—what-what?"
Not having an answer, and just hooking a bland smile. Xiu Qixuan lifted the jade teapot, with an elegant movement she filled the cup, both hands with soft fingers raised the wine cup in front of her. He sipped the wine slowly without hurrying, from behind the cup his gaze landed on somewhere not far away, he saw Shen Yuan Zi who was just downcast hiding a turtle-like face in a shell.
His lips slowly moved to say low; "Anran. What do you think the Emperor's purpose was to suddenly return to the attention of the child he had worked so hard to alienate in the cold palace?" There was a momentary pause as he turned his head and looked at Yao Anran and Duan Maiqiu alternately by putting on a strange smile, "If the Emperor is not troubled, it means the troubled Third Prince. There might be something the Emperor wanted from him." He said the frightening speculation was blatant, it made Yao Anran startled and immediately circulated a watchful gaze to make sure no one else heard about this except them.
Yao Anran sighed furiously, he refocused his gaze, looking at Xiu Qixuan so fixedly. "I understand. That's so you." He muttered.
"Although you seem to be playing around, but you never do anything that is not beneficial to you. You helped the Third Prince, against the Ninth Prince, it was to lure the Empress. Your goal is to find out the truth about your speculation." Yao Anran shook his head, not knowing what else to say when he was amazed but also feeling that desperate horror simultaneously.
Xiu Qixuan's face loosened leisurely, she circulated her shoulders and took a deep breath. "Yes, as you say." Then leaned over to whisper: "But, I did not find any clue from my chat with the Empress. Whether it was because the Empress was good at hiding or indeed she didn't know about it." Her speech.
"The emperor makes a welcome. Waiter pour all the wine!"
The sound of Eunuch Teng screeching high made a dense silence fill the room. The atmosphere became solemn, everyone focused on the Emperor who raised the wine cup high.
The servants skillfully rushed to fill the empty wine cups from one table to another.
Since the ship's cargo wasn't too big, everyone who was here didn't bring along their attendants and escort guards. There are only servants who are crew members who will serve.
"Arak was a thousand years removed from the palace warehouse. It means showing the blessed privilege. Fifteen flowers with talent will fight to survive. The girl who will change her identity as my daughter-in-law. I'm toasting to you!"
A majestic echo swept through the room carrying a brilliant atmosphere. The Emperor raised the cup and drank all the wine in his hand in one gulp.
Simultaneously everyone followed his movements to gulp down the wine.
Suddenly, a voice full of wisdom carrying the emanation of glory belonging to the Empress was heard interrupting from the front row: "Your Majesty, hearing this word 'blessed' I became to remember one thing." The Empress's eyes glared far away, her faint smile displaying excitement.
The emperor raised the corner of the eyebrow with skepticism. "Ouh, what makes the Empress so happy?" Ask.
"You should see it too Your Majesty." The empress curled her finger as a gesture, and a green-clothed eunuch appeared carrying four scrolls of paintings.
Soon four servants were tasked with opening the first two scrolls and showing their beauty to everyone present.
Winter plum blossoms are painted wholeheartedly from the maker. It looked as if it was real making people able to smell it. It was Helan Qianyu's painting.
And, next to the painting is another painting juxtaposed. Swiftlets perched on bamboo twigs have good meaning as long life, under the picture there is a beautiful calligraphy that reads 'Birds swallow and braids continue to sing for a good season.'
It was a painting of Young Miss Hai who was the daughter of an eighth rank official, her father had a low position in the palace, yet she was a talented and wise girl. Maybe if on earth, he could match Ni Zan with this painting.
The Emperor nodded and clucked in satisfaction. "Good, very good. Shen Country really got a lot of blessings through the talented Young Miss." The Emperor's eyes then glanced at the painting that had yet to be shown, his forehead frowning.
The wise face of the Empress smiled. "That's right, Your Majesty., I always felt blessed by them when I saw these paintings." He said slowly as if hinting not to rush.
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Zhanchi Futou was the headdress of Ming dynasty officials, consisting of a black hat with two wing-like wings of thin oval-shaped planks on each side. According to the Ming Dynasty Articles of Association ( ⁇ ), ordinary citizens are not allowed to wear these headdresses unless attending a wedding ceremony or an event involving a noble family/officer. (Source: Wikipedia)
[Illustrated example of Zhanchi Futou: 01]
Ni Zan (1301–1374 ) was a Chinese painter during the Yuan and early Ming periods . Along with Huang Gongwang, Wu Zhen, and Wang Meng, he is considered one of the Four Yuan Dynasty Masters. (Source: Wikipedia)
Purple: Minister Rank 1-2
Red: Minister Rank 3-4