Butterfly Aubade

第九章 [ Chapter Nine ]

第九章

Days passed and it was finally the night. The night of the empress's birthday celebration. I was dressed in the finest red fabrics with my hair twisted up in beautiful flowers. My lips were soft and pink while my eyes shone with light. I looked presentable and pretty. I pursued my lips, watching my reflection do the same. It was reassuring to know that the image before me wasn't a delusion.

"You look lovely Miss." Chun Hai said as she patted down the last strands of my hair.

"Thank you." I said with a smile. I felt confident and prepared for anything.

I grabbed my present and tucked it under the fold of my clothing.

By the time I had arrived, I saw that court was already packed with officials and higher up concubines. Many who saw me bowed while I reciprocated with a plastered smile. I was enjoying the pleasant music until my thoughts were interrupted.

"Oh look, its jie jie. It's been such a long time since I've seen you." I turned around and found myself face to face with the crown princess. She had a triumph smile on her ugly pig face as her stomach had swelled into a bowling ball. I wanted to shove my fist across her whole body until she fell onto the floor but I refrained. I bowed and counted in my head to calm myself.

"You look well." I said coldly.

"Thank you. You have no idea how tiring it is to be pregnant." She said with a snicker as she emphasized her belly again, "Ming Zheng will be so happy when his son is born."

I kept my mouth shut. If she didn't produce a son, I would laugh. She spoke too much for her own good and it came off as conceited and disrespectful. Thankfully a few other pea brained concubines showered her with the attention she craved for. I separated myself from her presences and caught Lan Xing eating again. She looked sad as she feasted her cherub lips on another dumpling.

"What are you doing?" I scowled.

Her eyes widened and she bowed, "I'm sorry jie jie, I'm just not use to this atmosphere."

I shook my head and took the food away from her like a child.

"Straighten up and converse with the other ladies. You are one of the imperial highness's most important wives. Do not bring such shame on yourself."

She smiled confidently at my encouragement. I sighed and watched her mingle in with the women. I wandered around the area as many of the officials greeted me. I knew many since my father had worked among them. I could catch the envy in some of their eyes, the evil in their dark hearts while others were kind and genuine. I was about to make my way outside for fresh air until I bumped my head with a general. Not just any general but the one who had been lingering around Fang Hua for a little too long. He looked at me with surprised but quickly bowed and excused himself.

I found Fang Hua outside with a smile painted on her pretty face. She turned around with such grace and beauty. A dark rosy red pink flushed up on her cheeks.

"I have such good news to share with you mei mei." She said with a grin.

I tilted my head but before she could speak, the royal announcer had declared the arrival of the empress. Fang Hua took my hand and we went inside together.

"I shall tell you another day, please come visit my quarters." She whispered.

"I will jie jie." I said quietly. My curiosity bubbled.

And there she sat on her throne with Ming Zheng besides her. She held her head high as she raised her hand for all of us to rise from our positions. Within a few minutes the celebration commenced as food was set out and one by one, we presented our gifts.