The Imperial Harem

Chapter 1

"Xi Yan, quickly come to the door. The palanquin will be here to take you to the forbidden city very soon," Xi Yan's mother said. "Coming mother." Xi Yan pulled up her dress to keep herself from tripping. She quickly dashed to the door. Xi Yan's mother sighed. "A palace woman must be graceful and full of virtue. The palace isn't as nice as it sounds. Your aunt was a consort of the late emperor. Her friend, Noble Consort Yu, turned against her and blackmailed her. The emperor sent her to Cold Palace because of her tricks."

Knock Knock "Edict from the emperor!" Xi Yan and her mother quickly came out the door and got on the ground in front of the eunuch. "Daughter of the Minister of Rites, Li Xi Yan, must come to Forbidden City and take part in the wife selection for Crown Prince, Wu Hong Zhao. End of edict!" the eunuch closed the scroll. "Your citizens obey the edict," Xi Yan and her mother bowed.

"Young mistress, these are your palace maids. Yi Hua and Wa Lan," the eunuch explained. "Greetings, young mistress," the maids said in unison. "My name is Mu Chen and I will be your palace eunuch." "We are here to escort you to the palace. We will always be with you and care for you," Yi Hua said. "We will also explain to you what to do and guide you in the palace. Young mistress, feel free to assign us orders," Wa Lan continued.  Xi Yan smiled as she felt her nobility. "This carriage will carry your belongings." The guards took all the boxes and placed them in the carriage. "Young mistress, you have a few minutes before we leave to bid your family good-bye."

Xi Yan hugged her mother. She could feel her mother's tears on her neck. "Be cautious and cunning. Things might not be as they seem," Xi Yan's mother whispered into her daughter's ear. Xi Yan let go of her mother and go down on the ground in front of her. "Your daughter bids you farewell and wishes you longevity." She bowed to her mother. "Get up and go." Yi Hua helped Xi Yan up and held her arm and she got into the palanquin
      
The ride to the palace was long, but it was worth it. "Young mistress, we have arrived," Wa Lan announced. Xi Yan opened the small window of her palanquin. She looked outside and saw the white-stained red palace walls. Xi Yan quickly became excited. The servants carried the palanquin inside the palace walls as the guards closed the front gate.

"Young mistress, you can come out now," Yi Hua said. Xi Yan lifted the cloth of her palanquin. "Useless servants! You are supposed to lift the cloth for Young mistress," Wa Lan yelled. "We servants deserve to die," the servants said in unison. "It's ok, Wa Lan. I got it," Xi Yan stated. "Young mistress," Wa Lan groaned. "You have are in then palace now. You can relax more and let us do all the work." Together, Xi Yan and her servants walked to her temporary palace.