The Empress Wears Gucci

66

        "This has been a great year so far," I smiled, speaking to the men that were trying their best not to kill me. "May the gods bless us with prosperity and wealth!"

       While I held the wine vessel in front of myself, I tried my best not to laugh. The silence was incredible. After the concubines had performed, I assumed everything would go well. 

        It didn't. 

       These people were the hardest to impress. I needed to get them on my side or I won't be able to make it to three months. The only way I can do this was to let them know I wasn't a threat. But how do you tell the truth to small-minded people?

         I wondered that as well. They spoke freely to the Emperor but ignored me as if I wasn't there. It shouldn't faze me. I didn't want to care if they liked me or not, but I had to keep this position. To maintain this position, was a life or death situation at this point. Anyone can conspire against me, and anyone can try to kill me.

        The second prince was sitting near the Emperor. He cleared his throat uncomfortably as he avoided my look. He didn't look like the Emperor because his mother was an Imperial Noble Consort. I've never seen him because he resided in the capital.

        I felt like I was talking to a brick wall whenever I spoke.

        After being clearly avoided by them, I chose to take it up a notch. 

       "I know you all may not like me," I spoke, scanning across the room for more blank expressions. 

        This time, they immediately looked up at me. Their eyes widened, some whispered to each other. The reaction wasn't what I expected, but neither did I care. They ate well, they had entertainment, and they drank the finest wine in the nation.

       They must comply.

       "Some of you may assume I'm rather... outspoken. Which is true," I nodded in agreement, still holding the vessel next to me. I tried my best to avoid the stare the Emperor was giving me. "Some of you, gentlemen, have quite the assumptions about me."

       They watched me. The room was silent, more silent as it was whenever I tried to say something witty or interesting to them.

       I shook my head, smiling slightly as I looked down. "I love the great Wang dynasty as much as you do. I don't ever want to overthrow His Majesty or help another man usurp the throne... Or anything else you assume I'll do."

       All gaping at me now. I frowned, before looking at them while maintaining eye contact with different individuals. The second prince had his eyebrows raised. 

       "It's quite flattering, actually. To assume that as a woman, I have the strength to do all of those things," I slightly chuckled. I nervously placed my vessel down, not knowing what to do with my hands now. "You can say all these things you want about me, but would a woman who was conspiring against the Emperor, address it in front of you all, gentlemen?"

       They shook their heads.

       In my peripheral vision, I saw the Emperor leaning back against his throne. He had an eyebrow raised. His small smirk let me know that I wasn't going to get my head cut off at the end of this banquet. 

       This wasn't the first time he saw me like this anyway. How many times have I stood up for myself? 

       Quickly, I took the half-filled wine vessel and extended it out in front of me. I gave the Emperor a reassuring grin before turning my attention back to the officials. "How about a toast, to the Emperor and to the great men who serve for this dynasty?"