Chapter 104: The Opening Ceremony

On the eighteenth day of the eleventh month in the forty-fifth year of Kangxi’s reign, the Qing Dynasty’s inaugural Eight Banners Competition officially commenced.

Thanks to the fervent promotion orchestrated jointly by Emperor Kangxi and the Ninth Prince, by the early morning hours, crowds of commoners had already flocked to the venue. The Ninth Prince had meticulously arranged the site and thoughtfully anticipated every detail concerning entry.

There were two passageways designated for Han attendees: Han Gate One and Han Gate Two. At first, the Tenth Prince had expressed disdain for these uninspired names, deeming them culturally lacking.

The Ninth Prince felt considerable pressure from such criticism, especially since he had never received commendation from the imperial study’s scholars. Fortunately, Emperor Kangxi held him in high regard, believing the Ninth Prince had carefully considered the populace’s capacity to accept such arrangements. Consequently, long lines formed before both Han gates, each queue naturally dividing into two, with a distance of about thirty to forty feet between them.

Men entered through the left lines; women, through the right. Beyond the ticket inspection, a narrow, curtain-enclosed corridor led directly to their designated stands, preventing any detours and ensuring robust security. Guard posts were stationed at regular intervals, making any attempt to breach the enclosure futile.

This security design was the brainchild of the Tenth Prince, revealing a meticulous streak beneath his otherwise rough demeanor. The entry gates for the Eight Banners were simpler: on the west side of the venue were the Yellow, White, Red, and Blue Bordered Banners; on the east were the Plain White, Plain Red, and Plain Blue Banners. Each gate was also divided into separate entrances for men and women.

These stands were more complex than those for the Han, arranged sequentially by Manchu, Mongol, and Han occupants. Yan Yan mused that even a sporting event could not escape the clutches of social hierarchy.

Upon entering, one would notice the seating and decorations adorned in the colors of the Eight Banners—chairs, canvas covers, and railings all reflected these hues. The Han stands were decorated in a teal shade, adding vibrancy to the entire venue.

At the center of the stands lay the grand training ground, the arena where the banner troops would compete, stirring the blood and anticipation of all present. Yan Yan obediently followed behind Lady Dong’e, entering the main stand alongside the consorts and secondary consorts of various princes. Though Lady Dong’e was reluctant to bring Yan Yan, the Ninth Prince’s explicit orders overrode her reservations.

The First Consort beamed as she surveyed the magnificent venue. “The Ninth Prince truly is talented, devising such a splendid arrangement. I even glimpsed bustling snack stalls on my way in.”

The Third Consort chuckled, “Indeed, and I thought I saw foreigners among the spectators. Sister of the Ninth Prince, do you suppose he accepted their admission fees as well?” Yan Yan, seated just behind Lady Dong’e, curled her lips slightly. She knew the Third Consort was complaining on behalf of family members who had to buy tickets instead of receiving them as gifts. She wished the princes’ tickets hadn’t been given away by the Ninth Prince and that they had purchased them with silver instead.

The Ninth Consort, somewhat aligned with the Third Consort’s faction, smiled faintly but did not respond to the thinly veiled provocation. Meanwhile, the Eighth Consort sneered mockingly, “How does the Third Sister know the Ninth Prince hasn’t accepted any?”

The Third Consort glanced at the Eighth Consort, who, as the highest-ranking among the sisters-in-law by birth, spoke with less deference than usual. Usually, the Third Consort and her allies avoided challenging the Eighth Consort directly. At that moment, the Crown Princess Shi interjected, “Everyone, please take your seats; the auspicious hour is near.”

With that, the crowd settled silently. Yan Yan found a small virtue in the ancient societal order: higher rank silenced all dissent. When the future Empress spoke, no one dared utter a word.

Meanwhile, the grand southern gate of the venue slowly opened. Emperor Kangxi, clad in his dragon robe, entered amidst the eunuchs’ shouts, accompanied by royal relatives, princes, and civil and military officials. The people in the stands erupted into cheers, kneeling and shouting long live the Emperor, their voices echoing throughout the circular arena, stirring a wave of patriotic fervor.

Kangxi was visibly pleased, waving to the crowd as he ascended the main stage. Due to the vastness of the venue designed by the Ninth Prince, the Emperor forgwent a speech. Instead, a man chosen by the Ninth Prince, gifted with a voice that could carry a hundred miles, formally announced the commencement of the event.

The announcement was met with thunderous applause. Twenty-four teams from the Manchu Eight Banners, the Mongol Eight Banners, and the Han Eight Banners marched in orderly squares, entering through the small gates on the left and parading around the arena.

Each team wore uniforms in their banner’s colors, looking especially spirited. From her vantage point, Yan Yan admired once more the Ninth Prince’s wisdom. She had only lightly mentioned ideas and left other matters to him, never expecting he would orchestrate such a magnificent event.

Watching the Ninth Prince still giving instructions on the training ground, Yan Yan smiled with a touch of affection. They say men are most attractive when working—radiant and commanding—and this was certainly true. Though he had darkened, grown thinner, and his skin roughened, he appeared taller and more imposing than ever.

Her openly admiring gaze did not go unnoticed. Mrs. Li from the Fourth Prince’s household, sitting nearby, stifled a laugh. “No wonder outsiders say Miss Yan is the Ninth Prince’s confidante. Today, it certainly seems well deserved.”

Yan Yan’s cheerful mood was interrupted, and she felt a touch of irritation. She turned her head toward Mrs. Li, who had borne many children for the Fourth Prince, and laughed softly. “Is Mrs. Li speaking of Yan Yan? I consider myself the Ninth Prince’s wise and capable wife, not merely a confidante who brings misfortune.”

Her words were soft but caused a stir. The Ninth Consort’s eyes darkened. The Eighth Consort opened her mouth to speak but was silenced by the Ninth Consort’s gesture. This was the Ninth Prince’s event; no family disputes were to mar the occasion. Any conflicts would be settled privately at home—a sign Lady Dong’e possessed some measure of restraint.

Mrs. Li, however, smirked triumphantly and retorted sarcastically, “‘Wise and capable wife’ hardly suits you, sister. Where does that leave the Ninth Consort?” The Fourth Consort glanced at Mrs. Li and snorted softly. Mrs. Li quickly said, “Enough, no more quarrels. Let’s have some tea.”

Yan Yan smiled and continued to watch the Ninth Prince on the ground. Her voice was low but clear enough for Mrs. Li and Lady Dong’e to hear: “I am the Emperor’s officially bestowed secondary consort, the Ninth Prince’s lawful partner. Naturally, I am his wise and capable wife. Otherwise, we consorts would have long ago accused Sister Li of disrupting the Ninth Prince’s carefully planned event and sent her back to the Fourth Prince’s manor for reflection.”

This was the first time Yan Yan had openly confronted others so directly. She refused to accept that she was just one among many women in the Ninth Prince’s life, unwilling to be regarded as his mere possession. She knew the Ninth Prince had firmly rooted himself in her heart, and she was determined to defend her love and rights, abandoning any shrinking timidity.

The Ninth Prince seemed to sense Yan Yan’s gaze and lifted his head to look toward her stand. Yan Yan smiled warmly. In the bright sunlight, dressed in princely ceremonial attire and draped in a sapphire cloak, he appeared strikingly elegant and charming.

He caught her smile and subtly lifted the corner of his mouth.

At that moment, the Yellow Bordered Banner’s competitors marched to the main stage, suddenly altering their pace. Each step landed firmly, their faces turned toward Emperor Kangxi’s platform as they shouted in unison, “United in heart and unyielding in struggle, Yellow Bordered Banner, may Heaven bless the Great Qing!”

Kangxi chuckled at the somewhat awkward phrasing but stood to wave at the Yellow Bordered Banner team. The other banner teams followed, shouting slogans like “Forever striving for first place” and “Loyalty to the Emperor,” evoking both amusement and admiration from the Emperor. He mused that if his troops, clad in armor, declared their loyalty in such a manner, it would be truly awe-inspiring.

He filed this thought away, planning to have the Ninth Prince experiment with such ideas after the competition ended. After all, the Ninth Prince was a talent in these matters; why not indulge him?

With the opening ceremony concluded, the first event—the horse race—began in earnest. The twenty-four teams divided into six groups, with the top two from each advancing to the next round.

As the race commenced, the entire arena erupted in cheers. Supporters shouted for their banners, filling the air with spirited encouragement. Kangxi felt a surge of vitality from the lively scene.

He intended to speak with the Ninth Prince but was led by Li Dequan’s guidance to see the Ninth Prince bustling about with his team on the field.

For the first time, Kangxi felt his son had truly matured—not only in heart, in earning silver, and in slick talk but also in trustworthiness. At least now, Kangxi believed that when new things arose, the Ninth Prince should be the first to try them.

The other princes seated beside Kangxi watched his proud, fatherly smile with envy—some even felt a pang of despondency.