The Emperor's Concubine

10: The Hunt

The wrapping of the package rustles loudly as she begins to unwrap it. Jingah stands beside her, feet happily bouncing in excitement. The sight that greets her makes her gasp loudly, eyes widening in dissaprovement. Jingah lets out a peel of laughter at the sight. Of all colours that he could have given to her as a gift, he had given her a bloody bright red dress! Red was the colour of marriage! If she were to wear this, she would surely become the "Vixen of The Palace"- the other girls would surely hate her.

She huffs, blowing the stray strands of hair out of her eyes, "I refuse to wear this" . Though she had to admit that the dress was beautiful, wearing this would be an absolute disgrace to her family. The pale golden of embroidery artfully winds its way up the fabric, a flowery pattern kissing the tips of the edges of the dress, in whispy strokes. The long cloth that supposedly covers her shoulders is smooth like water, the middle of the dress- adorned with a blood red lotus flower.

Bènzhuō (Clumsy) Liánhuā (Lotus).......

Jingah immediately notices her change of expression. She grabs Li Hua's hand worriedly,

"What's wrong?" Li Hua shakes her head.

"I can't wear this" she replies softly. Her maid's eyebrows raise in question,

"Is it because of Lady Yao Mei?" Silence ensues the room. A voice cuts the tense atmosphere suddenly,

"Did The Emperor give you that?" Both their heads swivel around quickly. Yao Mei stands in the doorway, her maid- Hui An skitterish beside her. Jingah grabs the lid of the box, covering the dress from view immediately. Her friend saunters over towards them slowly.

"Did he?" she repeats. Li Hua stays silent, brain sizzling to come up with an excuse. The gears within her frazzled brain, struggle to provide her with an excuse. A squeal pierces her ears and she almost tumbles out of her seat in fright.

"I'm so happy for you!" Yao Mei screams happily, hands clapping together. Li Hua manages a small smile.

"I can't wear this" Her friend's excitement ceases immediately.

"Why not?" she asks, confused.

"Look at the colour!" she replies exasperated, finger pointed accusingly at the box. Yao Mei pries the box from Jingah's hesitant hands, lifting up the lid. She doesn't even bat an eyelid, and Li Hua sits there gaping at her friend's nonchalant expression. Well, that was unexpected.

She shrugs her shoulders, apparently unfazed. "I fail to see the problem here" . Li Hua wants to rip out her hair.

"Plus," her friend adds. "It would be very disrespectful if your were to not wear it, after specifically being requested to."

Yao Mei pats her back reassuringly, as she sips of a cup of tea poured by her maid. Li Hua groans, slamming her head softly against the wooden table.

******

The sound of horses hooves against the dry dirt makes her sleepy. The sun shines bright above them in the clear blue skies, the cool breeze of oncoming autumn, gently swaying the thick green bamboo forest back and forth in a slow and steady rhythm. The long procession of girls have long discarded their cloak, trying desperately to keep up with The Emperor and his band of men. Li Hua clutches tightly to her own, refusing to take it off- despite her cheeks burning a bright pink from the un-needed extra heat. The bright, red dress remains hidden beneath the coat, safely concealed from the rest of the girls' view.

The long line of horses suddenly comes to a stop, and Li Hua glances around anxiously trying to find her poor maid who had been forced to walk. Jingah stands a few feet away from her, hair dissheveled, a few drops of sweat collecting upon her brow. Li Hua sends and apologetic smile her way, and the maid nods understandingly, before pointing towards the front of the line.