When viewed from afar, with its vermillion walls and green roof tiles layered like drapery, the exterior of the magnificent palace appeared dazzlingly opulent and grandiose[1]. Yet no one knew how many dead bones were buried deep within.
[1] 金碧辉煌 (jīnbìhuīhuáng) - (idiom) gold and jade in glorious splendor; fig. a dazzling sight (e.g. royal palace).
Si Meng Palace was positioned in the southeast corner of the imperial palace. Its environment was secluded and peaceful, and along its border was a far reaching tree peony garden. These tree peonies were especially procured upon the Emperor's order from Luoyang. Skilled landscapers were appointed to meticulously transplant, care, and tend to these peonies. Every time the peonies were in season and the flowers were in full bloom, the garden would burst forth with beautiful purple and brilliant red flowers; it was a magnificent sight to behold.
This palace was the residence of one of the four imperial consorts. She was the current most favored of the Emperor, Imperial Consort[2] Chen, the biological mother of Eighth Prince.
[2] 贵妃 (guìfēi) - senior concubine. This is a senior rank, higher than fēi (妃) - imperial concubine.
Initially, once the Emperor had ascended the throne, his foundation and power was unstable. At that time, Imperial Consort Chen's father held military power and she entered the imperial harem as an affirmation that he was giving his support towards the Emperor. As for the Emperor, securing and stabilizing the imperial throne was of utmost importance. Thus, there was a certain degree of grace and benevolence between the Chen family and the Emperor. Moreover, Imperial Consort Chen had a gentle, subdued and graceful disposition. She was a beauty and known for her talents. She was not one to be petty and jealous, and it was this carefree and aloof attitude towards the mundane that the Emperor most loved and intentionally cherished and protected. Later when Imperial Consort Chen had given birth to Eighth Prince Xuan Li, her status as a mother to the prince propelled her to her position as the lead consort amongst the four imperial consorts.
The Empress gave birth to the Crown Prince, while Imperial Consort Xian gave birth to Fourth Prince; Imperial Consort De, Fifth Prince and Imperial Consort Shu, Princess He Yi.[3]
[3] These consorts have been given titles based on virtues. Xian (贤) means 'worthy' , De (德) means 'virtue', and Shu (淑) means 'pure'. There are usually 4 consorts in this rank.
The court officials were all aware that Eighth Prince Xuan Li was intelligent and genteel, Fifth Prince Xuan Hua was honorable, brave and tenacious, but Fourth Prince Xuan Lang had only passable talents. As for Princess He Yi, she was loveable, charming and beautiful. The Crown Prince was mediocre, lacking in all areas and did not amount to much, and Fourth Prince Xuan Lang's character was too amiable and without any ambition or schemes. Thus within the court, their inclinations were trending primarily between Xuan Li and Xuan Hua. However, since the Emperor tended to favor Imperial Consort Chen, even though Xuan Hua had substantial influence and powers, his birth mother, Consort De, was not as favoured .
Even if the courts were stricken with waves of unrest and turmoils, Si Meng Palace was always a place that remained warm and welcoming. It was like a sanctuary that was far removed from the elaborate scheming, strife and power struggle of the courts, petty jealousies and squabbles. Within Si Meng Palace, there were only copious amounts of leisure time, a haven to contemplate and reminisce about the romance of misty rain and just indulge in a peaceful sweet dream.
Inside the building, on the white jade floorings laid thick extravagant Persian wool rugs with white pillowy soft fine silky piles. Merely looking at it was like beholding celestial gems in all their splendors and brilliance. Four delicate and beautiful attending maids were attired in diaphanous white garments and quietly standing in their positions with their heads hung low. A gentle wind blew across, sweeping up a corner of the curtain, and then it was like gazing at an immortal fairy who had descended from the palace of the Ninth Heaven.
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