The Shadow Phoenix of the Inner Palace

2. The Phoenix

The image above is that of Empress Jin. This art does not belong to me credit to the artist.

After her dinner with the Emperor, Xiù had retired to bed quite early. She never expected that a few days later, they would send 20 out of the 50 women back to their homes. The next morning, Xiù sat in the courtyard embroidering with Lì Lián and Kăi Lì when the imperial edict came. The emperor's symbol was clear, and he made his intentions known. With practised ease, the three women got on their knees and waited for the edict to be announced.

"Bow!"

The eunuch declares before he opens the yellow scroll "As mandated by the heavens, the Emperor is making his decree. The Daughter of the Prime Minister, Lady Zhao, has embodied the four virtues and has wonderful morals. She is pure, virtuous, upright, and elegant, while gifted with beauty. Therefore, we shall confer unto her the rank of jiéyù. She shall reside in Tiān hé gong alongside Le chōngyī"

Xiù bowed "Thanking huángshàng for his grace, I shall accept the decree". As she took the scroll into her hands, the eunuch nodded before glancing at the other two and looking back at Xiù. "A Gugu from the Empress Dowager's side will attend your moving into your new home. Congratulations Niang Niang".

 After that, the aged man quickly left the room and Xiù rose to her feet. Her rank wasn't bad, and she could live comfortably for a while before she had to ascend the ranks.

Later that day, her sisters would both be given the rank of měirén and Kăi lí, the rank of jiéyù. The Emperor had chosen the four of them as his favourites the others, however; she heard no feedback on them.

Two days later, her moving into Tiān Hé Gong palace was quickly taken over by the attendants from her aunt's palace. Xiù made no arguments and left it to Daiyu, she was aware that with her new rank gifts would be bestowed. Sitting in her boudoir, she silently contemplated her next moves.

That was soon answered for her when she received a summons to Chénshì fèngxiàn gong, pressing her lips together Xiù gestured for Daiyu to attend to her "Prepare me, I am to meet the Empress". 

Daiyu wasted no time and quickly prepared her mistress, changing her into a cream and pink standing collar robe with a pink and cream mamian qun wrapped skirt. To Daiyu's surprise, her mistress asked for her cloud collar.

"Mistress this style?" Daiyu cautions, but Xiù just smiles. "All popular styles are appropriate for greeting the Empress, but this helps me portray an image". Daiyu nodded and walked beside her mistress to the Palace of Earthly Devotion.

 The calmness on Xiù's face faded into a neutral expression as they neared the palace. Soon she came to a stop when she noticed the other women who had been selected were also present. Xiù raised an eyebrow and spoke softly "Daiyu does not trust the food and drink". The personal attendant nodded before softly whispered "This servant will obey".

Now pleased Xiù entered the gates of the Palace of Earthly Devotion and plastered on a smile. Let the games begin.

The palace mistress sat comfortably in the phoenix seat; her eyes glued to the door as she drank her tea. Once, the Empire knew Empress Jin as the fourth great beauty. That title vanished when she became the wife of the crown prince at sixteen. Now at twenty-one, she was the Empress of Great Lìang. 

Many would do anything to be in her position, but she was not content her womb had borne no child and her husband had added to his harem. Zhi Jin was an ambitious woman; she was sure of one thing: if she had no sons, she would not allow anyone else to bear the heir to the throne. The selection had brought her great annoyance. She had sent some of her people to get rid of any possible competition when her father sent his news.