For the first time, Wen dressed more accurately for her rank.
Her new rank gave her the right to wear images of trees in her clothing, if she wanted. She was also permitted the right to fingernail guards, although her sets were made of lacquered wood. Wen could have slightly bigger pearls, two bracelets on each wrist, bigger flowers, two necklaces, longer hairsticks, longer strings and chains, just a bit more finery in general. As for her makeup, she was allowed five symbols instead of the previous three, and she could even have little tree symbols.
This morning, Wen's maids helped her dress up. First, a dark pink blouse with long, hanging sleeves. Tree branches and falling leaves in rich color were embroidered on the parts of the sleeves that dangled. Then a high skirt was tied over her bosom. It was the same light green that as the leaves on her blouse, and it had some sporadic images of pale blue flowers.
Two thin necklaces of gold, one slightly longer than the other, were put on her neck. Each had simple onyx stone pendants. One of her wrists had two tortoise shell bangles. Her middle fingers had simple golden rings. Her earrings had lightly swinging chains of more gold and little jade beads.
Her hair was divided with a center part. Then two stiff loops were settled on each side of her head, almost as if the maids were trying to draw a mouse's ears. False pink lotuses on thin wires of gold, made to look quite small, were wrapped and pinned around these loops. The remaining hair was put a braided bun at her nape. Two hairsticks of white painted wood were put in that bun; each with a bundle of onyx stones.
Wen's fingernails had been painted a gleaming silver color. Her white face had a pale blue water drop in the center of her brow, a pale orange star with eight points on each side of that drop, and a green leaf painted on each rouged cheek. Her lips had a small butterfly painted against the white base, in a color between red and pink.
When it was time for breakfast, which was private in her apartment, Wen saw that she'd been given new utensils with iron handles. Instead of plainly pale brown dishes, she had a new set with white designs against that brown.
The meal this morning was grilled fish with a bowl of steamed rice, noodles without any broth but topped with pickled vegetables, boiled spinach, and small potato pancakes. Still coddling her maids, or at least that's what the other concubines would've called it, Wen had them eat with her. Of course, they had their own separate meals cooked for them. Congee with light salt and some fried tofu with vegetables.
"Hey, hey Lien," Moto said as she lightly nudged the other maid's shoulder, her green eyes perky and her buck teeth set in a grin, "it's been a while since His Majesty visited. Do you think he'll return to our Mistress soon?"
Her dark eyes closing for a moment, taking a breath that seemed to gather up shreds of patience, Lien replied, "His Majesty is a busy man. Even I can notice it."
"But Mistress is a pleasant beauty," Moto said as she held some congee in a spoon, "and His Majesty promoted her so soon after she arrived."
Poking her tofu with her chopsticks, Lien said, "I'm not sure. I've heard that today the Emperor has an appointment of play for his daughters. He might not have the required mood for Mistress."
Someone knocked on the door then. Lien was the one to get up. "I'll answer the door, Mistress. Please wait here." Then she went off to see who it was. When she returned, she stood near Wen and told her, "The Empress Consort has requested that Mistress has lunch with her today."
"Then I'll have to have lunch with her, won't I?" Wen gestured at Lien's seat. "Go back to your meal. I can't have you fainting from hunger."
After breakfast, Wen spent some time playing cards with Pollen Lady Kumi. The other concubines that passed by certainly took note of her clothing and jewelry.
Kumi discussed the good fortune Wen had. Going to visit the Empress Consort? How wonderful! To be on good terms with the husband's wife was an excellent thing. And she was the Empress Consort too. So much power and luxury was attached to her, and that could rub off like gold leaf.
Later that day, Wen was escorted off to the Moonlight Pearl Palace by her two maids. For a few moments, Wen wondered if she'd catch a glimpse of the tiny daughter that lived there, but then she remembered that daughter was off with the Emperor.
Inside the reception hall, the Empress sat on a chair on a fairly tall platform, using a yellow fan to cool herself. Her lips perked as Wen knelt before her.
Such an opulent home! Wen was humbled to be in it.
Potted roses and daisies. Open framework screens with designs resembling waterfalls and tree branches. A wooden floor Wen could see her reflection in. Wen even saw the painting she'd given her for her birthday hanging on a wall.
"Rise, Little Honey." The Empress got to her feet as she said this, and those feet peeked out of her gown as she stepped down the the floor. She was wearing slippers with gemstone beading. "While we have lunch, you must tell me a story. You are a storyteller, aren't you?"
As she got up, Wen said, "I must think on my stories long before I write them down, but I could try to entertain you, Your Majesty." She followed the Empress and her maids over to the dining room.
Being the highest ranking consort in the harem, the Empress Consort had the greatest food allowances. Since the Empress was sharing, Wen had a chance to experience cuisine she might otherwise not have a chance to eat. Incredibly spicy soup with little meatballs. Savory pancakes made of eggs and beans with a dipping sauce. Sweet crab meat mixed with fish in a paste, served cold and spread on rice crackers. Steamed buns stuffed with marinated pheasant. And simple soup with pieces of a swiftlet's nest and some berries. All served with a beverage that was a mixture of tea and wine, mostly tea. Nobody needed to fall over drunk.
"Her Majesty is quite generous to invite this concubine to such an exquisite dinner," Wen said as a maid poured a cup for her.
As if she'd been trained since birth, the Empress moved very elegantly. Whenever she swallowed a portion of food, it wasn't visible in her throat, or it wasn't visible to Wen. The Empress' hands were careful. She didn't even let her fingernails guards tap a single item except for when she was holding a beverage.
A set of almost playful lines subtly formed under her eyes as she looked at Wen's face, and she looked quite often. Wen didn't know what to think of it.
"Don't prattle on," the Empress said. "Now tell me a story."
Wen told her some old folktale that her grandmother had once given her. Then she told the Empress about one of the short stories she'd recently written. Near the end, the Empress gave the most unexpected, most girlish giggle, which she hid behind her sleeve. "Ah, have you always been this clever, or did something happen to you?"
Bowing, Wen said, "Her Majesty's compliment is very kind. This concubine dares not to accept it."
The meal ended soon, and Wen was dismissed with a flick of a fan and another giggle. Wen couldn't imagine why the Empress was suddenly so whimsical, but there was no reason to complain.
***
The next day was largely uneventful. Aside from her writing, Wen played a card game with one of the lower concubines, practiced a dance routine with another, sharpened what little skill she had with a plain zither she'd purchased from one of the treasury departments, and helped Pollen Lady Kumi with some sewing. Sewing was one of the types of "work" that an Imperial Consort was encouraged to do. It was delicate and feminine and oh so admired by everyone.
It was a typical, long day.
At night, though, it became less typical for Wen. The Emperor had asked for her to visit him in his palace. Moto actually took one of Wen's shoulders in her hands and gave her a friendly shake. "Oh, Mistress! Aren't you excited?!" she said with a grin.
