Chapter 100: Banquet

After the moon-worship rite came the celebratory banquet. The Emperor and the Empress Dowager sat in the seats of honor, watching the song and dance performances together. The imperial consorts were seated in front, while the princes and ministers were arranged to the left and right. Li Rui, too, sat among the honored guests.

As they watched the dancing and listened to the music, the Empress Dowager asked Emperor Li Zhen, who was seated beside her, “How are the preparations for this year’s selection of palace women coming along?”

“Mother, it is already being arranged. I have invited the Minister of Rites, Fu Shijie, to explain the details to Your Majesty,” the Emperor replied respectfully.

This was the first selection since he had ascended the throne. The previous one had been suspended because of the late Empress’s death. Yet the Emperor’s harem was still far from complete; the ranks of honored ladies, consorts, concubines, court ladies, and palace women were all lacking, and there was only one imperial heir. As the Empress Dowager, she could not help but feel anxious.

“Very well.” The Empress Dowager nodded and signaled for the Emperor to summon the man closer so she could hear him clearly, enough to show how much she valued this selection.

“Minister of Rites Fu Shijie, come forward,” the Emperor instructed the eunuch beside him, and the order was loudly relayed.

“I pay my respects to Your Majesty. I pay my respects to the Empress Dowager.”

Fu Shijie stepped forward in trepidation, unsure whether some point had displeased them. He had personally overseen every detail of tonight’s proceedings, from the moon ritual to the banquet, and now that the Emperor had called him forth, he did not know whether it boded well or ill.

“Rise. Fu Shijie, explain the progress of the selection to the Empress Dowager,” Emperor Li Zhen said, lifting a hand to have him stand and report.

“Thank you, Your Majesty. The list of candidates has already been completed and is now undergoing the preliminary screening. Any official or merchant with a daughter of the proper age may register. The main criteria are musical skill, strategy games, calligraphy and painting, needlework, appearance, and moral character. In a month’s time, the young ladies may be presented before the Emperor for further examination and selection.”

Fu Shijie hurriedly gave a concise but thorough account. The Empress Dowager was very satisfied and nodded repeatedly. Having only just received the preliminary register, she also knew that Fu Shijie’s own daughter was among the candidates this year.

“Mm. This old woman has heard that your esteemed daughter is also on the list.”

“My daughter is in the bloom of youth, and she too wishes to serve beside the Emperor and fulfill her duty with all sincerity. Tonight, she will also perform for Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager,” Fu Shijie hastily seized the rare opportunity to flatter them, praising his daughter before the Empress Dowager.

There was no empress in the palace, and the harem was presently managed by the Empress Dowager. If Fu Yan could win her favor, the path ahead would be smooth and her rise swift; to become Empress would not be an unattainable dream.

“Mm. The Minister of Rites is very thoughtful,” the Empress Dowager said casually in praise.

It was only a single sentence, yet it was enough to make Fu Shijie beam with delight.

“Your Majesty’s praise is too generous; this humble minister does not deserve it. The one now playing the zither and singing below is my daughter, Fu Yan.”

The song and dance in the arena ended, and Fu Shijie, knowing that Fu Yan’s performance was next, hurriedly introduced her to the Emperor and the Empress Dowager.

After making his report, Fu Shijie received permission to withdraw. The Emperor and the Empress Dowager continued watching the performances, and just happened to see and hear for themselves the daughter Fu Shijie had so highly praised.

Fu Yan played the zither in silence, her red lips parting as she sang in a soft, lingering voice. With flutes and chimes woven into the accompaniment, her singing was given a tender and graceful beauty.

A smile appeared on the Empress Dowager’s face. Seeing that Fu Yan performed well and was reasonably attractive, she turned to look at the Emperor. He too seemed quite interested, listening attentively. It looked as though his impression of Fu Yan was not poor, and her chances of being chosen were promising.

Yet Fu Yan, singing and playing in the middle of the hall, kept lifting her eyes from time to time, as if without meaning to, toward Li Rui. But all she saw was him drinking alone there, and she could not tell whether he was truly listening to her song.

Still, this only spurred Fu Yan to strive even harder to display her skill with the zither and the sweetness of her voice, hoping that Li Rui would notice and hear her. In the end, however, it was her father, Fu Shijie, who was most pleased with her performance that night.