Dynasty of Summer

Chapter Eighteen: The Three Years--Year Two

With Mr. Bei's help, towards the end of the second year, Winter and I entered the Middle Court. We drew closer to our mother and father, but dangers were only beginning. Middle Court officers held more ambition. They sought ways to push each other down. At this time, Winter felt it prudent to teach me our Kingdom's structure. 

"I've picked up some idea," I said. We sat in a small suite, steam rising from cups between us on a table. "The lower court comprises of roughly two thousand officials, tested in from surrounding villages." I thought back to the gossip from the wives as they chattered about their husbands. "They seem to be lesser nobles, magistrates, sheriffs, and guild leaders."

"Don't forget physicians," Winter reminded.
"Oh right, how Hanming tested in."

"Yes, and further divides in the court determines each member's hierarchy." Winter's head tilted, "The divides also apply to the Middle Courts. Only they include governors, merchants, and inherited noble titles."

"From what I heard, a few distant relatives of our father too."

Winter nodded, explaining there were roughly six hundred Middle Court seats, broken into five tiers of power. They were determined by years of service, achievements or merits. "If I can't make contact with trusted friends in the High Court, I'll need to climb all five tiers." My brother warned, eyes sharp, "Promotions in hierarchy are often decided by the High Court. Often times bribery is involved and they're exceedingly aggressive."

"Understood."

Winter wrung his hands, "We're here under the false pretense as merchants. It'll be dangerous if they learn we don't actually hold land. Furthermore, the High Court can recognize me as I aim for one of their one hundred and fifty seats. We'll need to change stories again."

"We don't want it known we're alive," I said in agreement. Adding, "Let's say we achieve entrance to the High Court, there's still the Lords above them. How are we to get through the sixty of them to reach our father?"

Winter sipped his tea, "I don't know," he answered with subdued frustration.

I knew to become a Lord is to become a lessor version of the Emperor. They were supposed to be our father's eyes and ears. But many acted in his blind spot. Reading the expression on Winter's face, I knew he though the same. "Why does father not challenge them?"

"If he does, he reveals to the rest of the courts he's not in control." Winter's words left me depressed.

~*~

We swam through perils of the Middle Court, dodging questions and invasions of privacy. By the third moon I felt I couldn't take it anymore. To our great relief, Winter made contact with an old friend who sat in a low seat of the High Court. He employed us as educators for his children.

Winter and I lived in small servant quarters of the officer's large home. We kept the ruse with his children and Winter taught them to read and write. I taught music. To be able to hide within the walls of a High Court official meant a degree of privacy. Members of the Low Court and Middle Court were not allowed to look upon the faces of the imperial family. However, High Court officials interacted with imperials regularly. We seldom showed our face outside the home for fear someone would recognize us.

The little ones sometimes teased me about my coarse hands. I didn't mind, remembering I once said similar words to my servants. I felt sorry when their father or mother overheard. Fearfully, the parents spanked them soundly. The children didn't understand why they were being punished and wailed loudly. When they were sent away, the mother and father apologized profusely.

Winter and I comforted them, "The more the children insult us, the safer we are."

Not long after our arrival, the High Court official and his wife left to visit a relative in a Yu suzerain. Winter and I stayed behind.