c40 (1/2)
Chapter 40: Life Like A Tiny Gra.s.s
During Chens.h.i.+ (modern timing: 7 – 9 am) the first rays of the sunlight marched in, Fu Ling lightly opened the door and in front of the half opened window frame, the familiar tall figure stood quietly. That beautiful pair of eyes was looking out of the window at the gradually raising sunrise. At this moment she did not have the arrogance that she first saw and there was also lesser sorrow than when she said her goodbyes. As a whole, she look much more calmer and also… Much darker.
Fu Ling place the warm hand towels to Qing Feng side and Qing Feng readily took it to wipe her face and sat down on the couch to yawn. Lately when she lay on the bed, she is unable to sleep and when she is awake, she felt sleepy. She kept dreaming at night but when morning came, she will not remember what she dreamt and sometimes she will have palpitations. In the past she would not be like this, Qing Feng mocked herself. After coming into this Imperial Palace, it would seem that her courage was eaten up by rats and have became useless.
A gentle knock sounded and Qing Feng looked up to see Lan-er and Xia Yin walking into the chamber in tandem. Both of them were holding on to a gorgeous dress and walked up to Qing Feng and bowed. Xia Yin softly said, “Your Ladys.h.i.+p, the two Empress Dowager are holding a banquet in the Imperial Garden and all the mistresses ranked Beauty and above and all the ladies from influential families will be attending the banquet.”
Qing Feng slightly frown, “What is it for?”
Receiving Qing Feng’s impatience, Xia Yin softly explained, “The once in three years praying ceremony for blessing is the biggest event in Qiong Yue. During that time all foreign merchants and minsters from foreign state court will come to Qiong Yue for congratulations. The Emperor and Empress Dowager place the highest importance to this event as Qiong Yue is the head of the six nations and cannot be lacking in manners, so…”
Qing Feng chuckled, “So the Empress hold a Palace banquet and the aim is to take the opportunity to test the talent and skills of every daughter of the aristocratic families and all the concubines in the Palace, so as to ensure that the performance in the ceremony would be wonderful and outstanding?”
Xia Yin smiled and nodded her head.
“Is it the same for the past years too?” When Qing Feng was in Hao Yue, she also heard about the fantastic performances during the ceremony in Qiong Yue. To pose as a culture lover, the Hao Yue Emperor specially presented a landscape painting of paradise, done by them three sisters, during the Qiong Yue ceremony three years ago. As it turns out, the performance that Qiong Yue presents are required to undergo such a selection, no wonder it would be able to wow the four corners of the world.
Xia Yin deliberated for a moment and replied, “It seem particularly grand this year.”
Fu Ling smiled, it was not just grand. Whichever lady from whichever aristocratic family have what kind of talent, will all be known by the mama in charge of the Xiunui at the De Xing Palace. This is done for the convenience of the Emperor and Empress Dowager to match with whichever Prince or important official for marriage. The candidates in the previous years were screened by the mama to around ten persons before one or two were finally selected. It is a first for the past few years to take so much effort.
Fu Ling smile without saying a word, Qing Feng naturally will not understand the tortuous nature of it as she originally love poetry and arts. With the talented females in Qiong Yue, she also did hear about it often and also slightly interested in it, thus replying, “Then lets go and see.” Glancing at the outfit that the two of them were holding, Qing Feng choose a most conforming to regulation, light purple outfit.
It is not Qing Feng’s first time in the Imperial Garden but it was this moment that she profoundly agreed with the phrase, too many flowers make the eyes confuse…
What Xia Yin said was true, it was indeed a grand Palace banquet. The greenery in the Imperial Garden is crowded yet dazzling. Qing Feng only entered the Palace recently and she does not know many of the concubines, let alone the ladies from aristocratic families. Looking around for a while, she saw the Empress, Xing Yue Ning, standing nearby and was talking and laughing with a few ladies. The weird thing was that Imperial Concubine Hui, Chen Zhen, was not seen at all.
Originally she have remarkable allure and her beauty could enrapture cities. Now with the two glaring scars, it made Qing Feng stand out even more and attracted bewildered looks and whispers. Qing Feng did not care to see or hear them and slowly walked ahead.
In the middle of the garden there was a small area of open s.p.a.ce, at both sides of it, there were five or six rows of seats. Qing Feng walked to the seat at the back left side and sat down. As the Empress was chatting, she took a glance at her before changing her line of sight and continue greeting the various ladies. Ever since Yan Hong Tian started ignoring her, Xin Yue Ning’s interest in her also died down which made Qing Feng happy and carefree.
Qing Feng looked around in boredom and saw a familiar figure that delighted her, it was Elder Sister! She also came and there was a pretty and charming female standing beside her. Seeing from her features, there were many points of similarity to Lou Xi Yan. Qing Feng was about to stand up and walk over when the surrounding light laughter quieten. Qing Feng looked up and saw the East and West Empress Dowager entering with a group of eunuchs and palace maids surrounding them. Both of them meticulously dressed up for today’s event but in comparison Yang Zhi Lan’s outfit was still relatively simple and her face still wore a kind smile. Whereas Lou Su Xin wore an extremely dark red long robe with gold waistband which highlighted her good figure. Her neck was graced with a string of emerald green jade beads and couple with her proud superior expression, it really make one not dare to look intently at her.
The two person sat on the host seats in the middle of the garden, after considering for a moment, Qing Feng stop her steps and did not go over to Elder Sister to greet. Together with everyone else, she half knelt and greeted, “Welcoming both Empress Dowagers in partic.i.p.ation and may the Empress Dowager have innumerable fortune and safety.”
Lou Su Xin sn.o.bbish voice indifferently sounded, “All raise.”
“Thank you Empress Dowager”
After greeting, the various ladies sat on the chairs and bowed their head quietly and demurely with elegance, a start contrast with the previous scene of noise and brightness.
Yang Zhi Lan looked at Lou Wu Xin and seeing her nod, she then clearly spoke with a smile, “Inviting all the ladies and furens to the Palace today for the banquet is to select those who are endowed with both looks and talents and have both integrity and talent to showcase their performance. To Qiong Yue, this is an event that concerns the country’s dignity. Aijia will not say more, the Four Arts (zither, Go, calligraphy, painting) or dancing, singing and poetry is allowed, only the highest ability will succeed.”
“Comparing the qin (zither) skills, which lady will first start?” After Yang Zhi Lan finished, she glance around with a smile but all the females were still shy and kept their heads down or whispering but no one came out.
Yang Zhi Lan gently smile and said, “Since everyone is so humble, then let Aijia appoint someone to start it off.”
“Aijia heard that the sister of the Qing family were touted as being the most talented females with outstanding looks in the six nations. In the ceremony three years ago, Hao Yue presented a landscape painting of paradise that wowed everyone and it was said that it was the product of the three young ladies. Today there are two in the Palace, what does everyone think of having the eldest sister of the Qing family to start of the ball rolling?” Finis.h.i.+ng, she look lovingly to Zhou Qing.
The concubines who was sitting at the side quickly echoed back, “This is indeed great. Chenqie also frequently heard others saying that the eldest Miss of the Qing family has a high level of qin’s skills that the music will linger at one’s ears for three days. All those who have heard all sang praises of it and finally today there is an opportunity for us to be exposed to it.”
At first the matter did not have to do with her, Zhou Qing open her eyes. She know that the original owner of this body is well verse in the Four Arts and is overall a talented female but she is not! She… Only know all about autopsy…
Zhou Qing stayed silent for a long time with her brows slightly knitted. Yang Zhi Lan with a smile always on her face loudly exclaimed, “Some one come and prepare the qin.”
“Wait.” Zhou Qing suddenly stood up and gave a lady-like bow to everyone and softly replied, “Many thanks to everyone care and support. Unfortunately I was injured on the way to Qiong Yue and my memory was affected. The previous familiar tunes are now completely gone from my memory. I am afraid that I have disappoint you.” Anyway she has ‘amnesia’, thus not remembering is actually normal.
Qing Feng secretly blame herself, when she first heard Yang Zhi Lan appointing Elder Sister to perform the qin, she had some pride. Elder Sister’s qin skills may not be peerless but it was the best in a million. It was only now that she remember that her Elder Sister has amnesia.
The West Empress Dowager wanted to say something but Elder Sister suddenly pull up a young female dressed in blue with gold embroidering and continued, “But I know that Xi Wu’s qin’s skills is not lower than mine. A few days back when Su Mu Feng talked about Xi Wu’s qin’s ability, he too have utmost praise for it. Why not let Xi Wu perform, she will not disappoint everyone.”
Watching her Elder Sister, who was overflowing with talent, actually replying on a little girl to defuse the embarra.s.sing situation, Qing Feng felt extremely sad. That pair of hands that were filled of qin skills has taken Elder Sister almost fifteen years to train up. As far as she could remember, Elder Sister has been practising for almost everyday and now because of that she cannot remember? Tears started to blur both of her eyes and Qing Feng say that everyone was still keeping Elder Sister under a watchful eye. How helpless would she have felt?
Heartache and remorse tortured Qing Feng. That stubbornly straighten back unconsciously started to tremble. Fu Ling squatted down and place the warm tea from the low table gently onto Qing Feng hands. The warm tea help Qing Feng gradually recover her consciousness and she smile gratefully at Fu Ling.
“Oh?” Yan Zhi Lan look towards Lou Su Xin who was beside her and smiled, “Older sister, did not think that Xi Wu qin skills has such a breakthrough after all these years. This being the case, let Xi Wu play a piece then.”
The always proud face of Lou Xi Wu became alleviated as she faced Xi Wu and laughed softly, “Xi Wu, play a piece then.”
“Yes.” The female’s expression was a bit ill at ease but since things are the way it was, Lou Xi Wu have no other way but can only thicken her skin.
Zhou Qing was secretly relieved and was just about to sit down but Yang Zhi Lan refused to release her and deliberately laughed softly, “It is monotonous to only be listening to music, Ling-er must remember the words from the melody. The landscape drawing was still in the Imperial Study, today Ling-er must draw one to let them experience it themselves.”
This kind of praises that have hidden derogatory meaning made Zhou Qing feel her anger burning. Yang Zhi Lan is deliberately marking her! When she got up again, Zhou Qing’s expression was obviously darken, “I…”
Zhou Qing just spoke a word when a clear cool voice interrupted her, “Answering the Empress Dowager, normally we sisters like to gather together to entertain ourselves by painting. Today please allow this chenqie (how the concubines or ladies in the palace refer themselves as) and Elder Sister to draw a painting together.” So it turn out that what the Empress Dowager done today was to let Elder Sister to lose her face in front of everyone to vent the anger for her precious Princess. Qing Feng coldly scoffed, as long as she is here, no one will bully her Elder Sister!
Zhou Qing looked up and saw that the person talking is Qing Feng. She was actually there but facing a pack of such females, she did not even carefully look at them and it is not odd that she did not discover her. But to draw together? Is she helping or harming her?! Does grinding the ink stab counted as painting together?
Yan Zhi Lan once again look at Lou Su Xin and asked laughingly, “What does older sister think?” She did not have any reason to make things difficult for her so the results will still be the same.
Zhou Qing evidently was not as lucky as Lou Xi Wu, Lou Su Xin cast a sidelong glance at her and coldly said, “That is good, Aijia would also want to see how talented is the Qing family sisters are!” The female that Xi Yan enter the palace and request multiple times for. She wants to see how special she is!
Pointing to the side of the pond where the flowers are blooming, Yang Zhi Lan smiled, “Older sister, this is the time where the lotus are in full bloom. Why not let them draw and play the qin there. Seeing flowers and beauties together, isn’t it a great sight?”
“That is also good.” Lou Su Xin call out, “Some one come and prepare the painting materials.”
“Yes.”
In a short while, a few quick acting eunuch already placed a large table at the side of the lotus pond. Behind the table, there was a wooden stage. This stage was just above the lotus pond, to stand there and view the flowers would be like one is surrounded by them.
Unfortunately Zhou Qing did not have the mood now to appreciate the beauty of flowers and face Qing Feng, who was full of confidence, urgently, “I really don’t know how to draw!”
Qing Feng was a bit sad, only a flower drawing can make Elder Sister this anxious. Grabbing Zhou Qing’s hands, Qing Feng confidently smile and replied, “It is all right, I will be blending the colours. You only need to draw a few circles at the bottom section of the paper.”
“Drawing circles?” Zhou Qing was surprise a while but quickly asked again, “How big to draw? How many to draw? Must it be perfectly circle or oval? Where do they have to be layout?” If it was only drawing circles she can do it but she has to be more specific! She will just treat it as though she was doing geometry.
Qing Feng spoke casually, “As you like.”
“Ah?!” Zhou Qing blanked out, how should she draw this?
She was feeling despondent when the ink on the table was grinded and the paper was spread out. The eunuch stepped aside and respectfully said, “The painting materials have been prepared. May both mistresses please.”
Zhou Qing stood by Qing Feng side and saw her skillfully place the ink onto a white porcelain dish and then mixing clean water into it. After a while, Qing Feng spoke, “Let’s start.”
A huge piece of paper was in front of them, Zhou Qing really did not know whether to laugh or cry, where does she start from?!
Fine. Qing Feng is not worried, so why is she worried about. Taking a deep breath, Zhou Qing drew a circle as big as a fist on to the bottom half of the paper. Qing Feng ink was quite light and it left a slight impression on the paper. Zhou Qing looked at Qing Feng and saw that her expression was still as usual as she was preparing the red colour pigment, most likely to draw the lotus flowers.
Since she had no opinion on it, Zhou Qing also didn’t care anymore and courageously drew ten more circles on the paper. There were big one and small ones. After drawing till the end, Zhou Qing did not know what else to draw and the white paper was ruined by her…
At this time, Qing Feng have also finish preparing. She lowered her head and saw the few circles that Elder Sister has drawn. Even though her face did not reveal anything, her heart sighed. Her Elder Sister have truly suffer from amnesia and now there was no traces of her drawing skills left.
Picking up a relatively thin brush, Qing Feng very quickly drew a few strokes on the messy circles and a lotus leaf appeared. Her movements were fast and with a few random strokes, the original chaotic composition immediately became a realistic lotus scenery. It was indeed too much! Just as Zhou Qing was astonished, a clear and delicate qin sound started. Zhou Qing looked up and saw that at an area nearby, Lou Xi Wu was sitting in front of the GuQin naturally and her long slender ten fingers gently strike across the strings of the qin and melodious tunes echoed in the Imperial Gardens. This girl’s musical skills is really good.
“It is done.”
Zhou Qing was still appreciating the music from Lou Xi Wu’s qin when Qing Feng cool voice softly sounded.
It is done? So fast? It was almost the same amount of time used for her to draw the circles!
When she lower her head again, Zhou Qing was stumped for words when she saw the painting in front of her —
In front of her eyes was an elegant painting. Only using a very light shade of black, it could clearly bring out the lotus leaves and lake. When the red pigment and the white contrasted, it showed the freshness of the new lotuses. The most amazing thing was that it felt like there were a lot of dew on the leaves and stems. It was a like a scene of lotus after the rain!
At the upper left corner of the painting, she also wrote some small words, “A coagulate cover of morning dew, who in the human world is jealous”
How is this possible! Zhou Qing did not dare to believe that in such a short time, this was the piece of paper she have just tortured!
It is considered that she has truly seen what an authentic talented female is.
Qing Feng slowly place down the brush and pull Zhou Qing a step back to let the few eunuch who were standing by the side to carry the wooden table towards the Empress Dowagers.
As it was just drawn, the paper was too soft and cannot be picked up thus Lou Su Xin and Yang Zhi Lan gave them face and walked towards the long table. At a glance, both of their eyes brighten. Lou Su Xin rarely praised, “It is a fully justified reputation!”
This kind of work, even those who were dedicated in the art of painting would take about thirty to fifty years of skills may not even produce it.
Yang Zhi Lan also nodded and smile, “Concubine Qing come over and tell us about this verse and its meaning.”
“Yes.” Qing Feng slowly walked over, Zhou Qing was still standing at the wooden stage and breathing in the fresh air. If it was possible, she really wanted to leave early.
Seeing Qing Feng walking over, Yang Zhi Lan gave a look at the palace maid by her side without a trace and the palace maid slowly retreated.
Walking up the front of the painting, Qing Feng slightly raise the side of her head and smiled proudly before speaking, “The meaning is in fact very simple. Lotus has a elegant and distinguished deposition and will not be infected by the dirt in the secular world. It is precisely because of this quality, everyone is envious of it.”
“The explanation is good.” Lou Su Xin nodded her head approvingly. She especially like proud and arrogant females.
“Ah-”
The concubines were listening to Lou Su Xin words when there came a scream, “Help! Qing Ling has fallen into the lotus pond!”
When the female in the garden heard the scream at reacted, they saw Lou Xi Wu standing in front of the wooden stage and craning her neck to look into the lake as she anxiously exclaimed.
Listening to her shouts, Qing Feng panicky looked towards the wooden stage and did not see her Elder Sister’s shadow.
“Elder Sister!” Her heart suddenly jumped to her throat. Qing Feng picked up her skirt and wanted to run to the lake side but suddenly her arms were grabbed tightly. It was the two female officials that were standing by the Empress Dowager and they grabbed her so tightly that she is unable to move. They also gave an intense concern, “Concubine Qing is precious and must be careful of your help and mustn’t go!”
Fu Ling felt that the situation was not right and wanted to walk to Qing Feng’s side but her arms were grabbed tightly by the two mamas who were standing behind her. It made her immovable, what exactly do they want to do?
“Let go!” Qing Feng desperately struggled and refuse to acknowledge the arm shearing pain on her shoulders. Her fl.u.s.tering and worries has made her usual calm eyes filled with tears. She no longer maintain her lady-like manners and crazily shouted, “Get away! My Elder Sister doesn’t know how to swim, quickly let go! Let go!”
A touch of cold laugher crosses Yang Zhi Lan’s eyes, it’s best that she does’t know how to swim, even though she knows it will also be useless! Lou Xi Yan harmed her precious daughter to this stage and still want to hold a joyous big wedding ceremony, if he wants to hold one, then hold a ghost marriage then! Pretending to be angry, Yang Zhi Lan shouted and pointed to the eunuch next to her, “What are you standing here for, quickly go and rescue!”
“Yes.” Four eunuch ran to the lakeside and immediately jumped into the pond.
Lou Su Xin frowned due to the slight annoyance. A perfectly fine wooden stage, how would it collapse?! Seeing that there were people being sent down to rescue, she also did not say anything and just sat coldly at the host seat, looking at the flower bed in front.
Qing Feng dashed forward to run ahead but was stopped and pinned to the ground in a kneeling position. Fu Ling quietly looked at the two Empress Dowager sitting high up, one maintaining that superior aloof position, another putting up a concern pretence but only look from the sidelines. Fu Ling turned pale as her heart felt cold. The leaves at the lotus pond were taller than a person. After Qing Ling fell in, there was not even a sound. She finally know why this year such a grand banquet was held for selecting the performances in the ceremony. It was all done to deal with Qing Ling.