The Imperial Harem

Chapter 2

"Young mistress, the selection is at noon. You better get ready. There will be many young women there too," Yi Hua explained. "Ok, bring me my jewelry box and put my hair up," Xi Yan said. She put in all her hairpins and put on her embroidered clothing. It was the most expensive she had ever worn. "Your father sent you these clothes. He saved up lots of money to buy this dress," Wa Lan said. "It's very beautiful," Xi Yan twirled before her mirror. "Young mistress, you can't wear those shoes to the selection. You have to wear high-heels," Yi Hua brought in a pair of high-heels. "They are so uncomfortable," Xi Yan complained. "Young mistress, we will help you walk around so you can be more comfortable in them," Wa Lan said. CLUNK CLUNK

Xi Yan walked to the main hall to attend the selection. All of the other palace women were chatting with each other. "You...How dare you spill your tea on my dress!" Xi Yan looked over and saw a rich palace woman. "Your servant deserves to die," a maid said. "It's not the maid's fault. It's the mistress's fault. My father, the prime minister gave this to me," she said. "Sorry, jiejie(older sister)." the other girl said. "You dare call me jiejie with your father's status. If you want to me to forgive you, you will have to kneel down and beg." Xi Yan was about to walk over when Wa Lan whispered, "Young mistress, are you sure you want to mess with the prime minister's daughter, Bai Ling Wei?" Xi Yan looked at her maid, "Someone has to help her before she embarrasses herself." Xi Yan walked over to them. "Don't kneel. meimei(younger sister), don't you think you are being to harsh?" "Who's daughter are you?" Ling Wei questioned. "Young mistresses! Come into the main hall for the selection!" the head eunuch announced.

All of the palace women before Xi Yan had not been chosen. "Daughter of the minister of Rites, Li Xi Yan," the head eunuch said. Xi Yan bowed. "Greetings, empress dowager, your majesty, your highness. I wish you good health and peace." Xi Yan said calmly. "This one is quite pretty, royal father," the crown prince complimented. "It's your choice if you want to put her in your harem," the emperor responded. "Promote her as my 2nd wife and grant her eternal sunset palace," the crown prince said. "Thank you, your highness!"