[History of the Sui Dynasty Palace] [02]

page views:1 Publication date:2023-03-24

Chapter Two: Disrespectful and Insolent Ruler Becomes a Wine Servant, Shameless Concubine Becomes a Shopkeeper
. It is said that Emperor Yifu suddenly burst into laughter, leaving everyone on the boat bewildered. Consort Qin gracefully rose, filled a golden goblet with fine wine, and presented it to Emperor Yifu with both hands, saying, "Your Majesty, what joyous occasion is this? Your Majesty, I offer this cup in celebration, wishing Your Majesty a long and happy life!" Emperor Yifu smiled and said, "Thank you for your trouble, my dear minister." He accepted the wine and drank it all in one gulp. Then, the Grand Chancellor Wang knelt and offered a cup of wine, saying, "This humble servant offers a toast." Emperor Yifu said, "Little prince, what is this cup of wine?" The Grand Chancellor Wang said, "Since Your Majesty has bestowed this cup of wine upon me, this humble servant has something to say." Emperor Yifu said, "Let's see what kind of nonsense you come up with." He then drank his wine in one gulp. Wang Neixiang said, "Your Majesty must have come up with a wonderful way to pass the time, which is why you're so pleased, isn't it?" Emperor Yifu smiled at Consort Qin and said, "My thoughts can no longer be hidden from you, little Wang." He then pulled Wang Neixiang to his feet, whispered instructions in his ear for a long time. Wang Neixiang nodded repeatedly with a smile. Emperor Yifu then pulled Consort Qin to his knees, hooked his arms around her delicate neck, and whispered something in her small, jade-like ear. Consort Qin just giggled, her phoenix wings on her hair fluttering as if she were about to fly away. Ying'er and the other palace maids and eunuchs were still completely unaware of what they were planning to do.
When the dragon boat returned to its original position, Wang Neixiang invited Emperor Yifu and Consort Qin ashore. Emperor Yifu said, "Consort Qin and I will stay on the boat tonight. Except for those who serve us, the rest of you can go ashore." Wang Neixiang then went ashore with the others. Ying'er and Yuejuan served Emperor Yifu and Consort Qin to their dragon bed, lowered the dragon-draped canopy, added incense to the golden cauldron, and added water clock water before quietly withdrawing.
It was past midnight, the moon had set and the stars were low. Ying'er was about to rest in the outer cabin when a young eunuch, Bing'er, quietly entered and whispered, "Miss Ying, are His Majesty and Consort Peng asleep?" Ying'er replied that they were. Bing'er said, "Eunuch Wang is waiting on the shore. Miss Ying, please come ashore to speak with him." Ying'er then said to Yuejuan, "Sister, you go to sleep first! Listen carefully to any calls from inside; I'll be right back." Yuejuan said, "I understand; you go ahead."
Ying'er and Bing'er then went ashore together. They saw Eunuch Wang standing with his hands behind his back under a tree on the shore. When Wang Neixiang saw Ying'er come ashore, he smiled and said, "Miss Ying, come here, I have something to tell you." Ying'er walked to the poplar tree and said, "What can I do for you, Eunuch Wang?" Wang Neixiang said, "His Majesty wants to have a great time tomorrow. I will arrange the eunuchs, and Miss Ying, I will trouble you to arrange the palace maids." Miss Ying asked, "What kind of entertainment does His Majesty want?" Wang Neixiang laughed and said, "His Majesty wants to run a tavern, so he has asked the Empress to be the counter girl. We, the rest of us, will disguise ourselves as various people and go to the tavern to drink and make merry. Miss Ying, this idea is quite novel and unique. It's all thanks to His Majesty's ingenuity." "No wonder His Majesty laughed so loudly on the boat. Miss Ying, you should make good arrangements tomorrow; His Majesty and the Empress will surely reward you handsomely." Ying'er responded and then asked, "In that case, where in the garden should we gather tomorrow?" Minister Wang said, "The area in front of the Star-Picking Pavilion is larger. We'll build a thatched hut and wine shop there, creating a rural scene. We'll gather by 3 PM." Ying'er nodded and said, "I understand. I'll do my best. Please point out any shortcomings." Minister Wang said, "Of course, see you tomorrow! Rest well, Miss." Ying'er then disembarked from the dragon boat. Yuejuan asked, "What does Eunuch Wang want with you, Sister?" Ying'er told her. Yuejuan said, "That sounds fun!" Ying'er said, "It is fun, but it's too improper. What kind of behavior is this!" Yuejuan said, "Never mind. Let's sleep!" Nothing more was said that night.
Early the next morning, Ying'er couldn't sleep at all. She hurriedly got up and washed, then first selected a few clever palace maids from various departments in Hualin Garden and made a list of them. These included Xiangyun Jingfang from Zhaixing Pavilion, Wenyuan Lizhu from Songtao Pavilion, Liu Jiaozhu from Jingyun Tower, Liyun Xueyan from Wanghu Terrace, Yuejuan Yunqing Man'er Miaoyun from the dragon boat at Tianyuan Pond, and herself—a total of fourteen people, which seemed sufficient. Ying'er then summoned a young eunuch to invite these women from each department, and soon they had all gathered. Ying'er explained why she had invited them, asking each of them to take on a role and choose what character they wished to portray.
They pondered for a moment, and Liyun was the first to speak: "I'll play the fisherwoman!"
Wenyuan said, "I'll play the mulberry picker." Man'er said, "Sister Liujiao sings beautifully; it would be perfect if she played a courtesan." Liujiao spat and said, "Man'er, with your foxy looks, wouldn't it be better if you played a brothel prostitute?" Ying'er said, "You two can each play a courtesan or a brothel prostitute. Xueyan and Yunqing know a few martial arts moves; why not play the daughters of wandering healers?" Xueyan and Yunqing also agreed. Bao'er said, "I'll play a shrew and go to the tavern to yell at the customers." Everyone laughed and said, "How could you come up with such a thing!" Xiangyun said to Jingfang, "I'll play the incense-burning sisters with you." Lizhu said, "I'll play a peasant woman delivering food." Zhu'er said, "Sisters, think of something for us to play." Liyun smiled and said, "I think you should play a little nun; that would be quite nice." Everyone laughed and said it was a good idea. Ying'er said to Miaoyun, "Good sister, what will you dress up as?" Miaoyun smiled and said, "Since we have a little nun, I might as well dress up as a little Taoist nun." Ying'er said, "Good! Let's do that." Liyun said, "What kind of people will Sister Ying and Sister Yuejuan dress up as?" Yuejuan said, "I'll dress up as a tea-picking girl." Ying'er said, "I'm in trouble. What should I dress up as? You've already dressed up almost everything." Man'er said, "Isn't Sister Ying a singer? Why don't you be her partner with Sister Liujiao?" Liyun said, "That's right. Sister Ying also plays the pipa very well. She and Sister Liujiao can be singing and playing together. It would be perfect." Ying'er nodded and said, "Let's play that. Now we can disperse and meet again at the place that has been set up in front of the Zhaixing Tower at Shenshi." Liyun and the others then went their separate ways to get dressed.
Meanwhile, Wang, the Imperial Secretary, was already in front of the Star-Picking Tower, overseeing the poets and other officials as they built thatched huts and wine shops, arranged rural scenery, and assigned roles. Everything was in place by noon. Wang Neixiang rushed to the dragon boat at Tianyuan Pond and asked Ying'er how the arrangements were going. Ying'er explained to him the various people the palace maids had been assigned to disguise. Wang Neixiang said, "Very good! Did His Majesty attend court today? Where is he now?" Ying'er replied, "His Majesty attended court at the first quarter of the morning and adjourned at the third quarter. I heard from Eunuch Liu that today, the three ministers Xu Xianzhi, Fu Liang, and Xie Hui submitted a memorial impeaching His Majesty because the Northern Wei emperor sent troops to attack, resulting in repeated defeats and the loss of many cities and territories. His Majesty read the memorial but said there was no need to discuss it. After adjourning court, he went to Consort Qin's palace. I wonder if His Majesty still has any interest in today's entertainment?" Wang Neixiang said, "With Xu Xianzhi, Fu Liang, and Xie Hui handling such important matters outside the court, the loss of some land and cities is not of concern to His Majesty. He will definitely enjoy these interesting entertainments. Miss Ying, you don't need to worry." With that, Wang Neixiang went ashore.
After tidying up on the dragon boat, Ying'er went to serve Consort Qin's palace. Seeing that Emperor Yifu and Consort Qin had just finished their lunch banquet, Emperor Yifu asked Ying'er, "Have you seen the young prince?" Ying'er replied that she had seen him not long ago. Emperor Yifu asked, "Do you know how his work is going?" Ying'er replied, "Everything is ready." Emperor Yifu smiled at Consort Qin and said, "Wait a moment, my dear minister and I will also change into our costumes. Today, our game will be free of formalities and hierarchical rules, so we can enjoy ourselves to the fullest." Consort Qin nodded and asked Ying'er what she would dress up as. Ying'er then reported the various costumes worn by the palace women. Emperor Yifu exclaimed in admiration and said to Ying'er, "You don't need to serve here. Go and change into your costumes and go to the gathering. Tell the others that during the game, they are not allowed to use the titles 'Your Majesty' and 'Your Majesty.' Anyone who violates this will be severely punished!" Ying'er obeyed the Emperor's command and withdrew to inform the others, and that was not mentioned further.
As the hour of Shen (3-5 PM) approached, the setting sun dipped behind the mountains, and a cool breeze began to rise. In front of the Zhaixing Pavilion, in a thatched tavern, Emperor Yifu, dressed in a blue robe and shorts, wearing a straw hat with a small red flower pinned to it, stood at the tavern entrance, left hand on his hip, head tilted to the side, looking every bit like a tavern waiter. Empress Qin, also dressed in blue, with a thin blue silk scarf draped over her head, leaned against a small counter. On the counter were arranged some side dishes to accompany the wine, and containers for serving it. At this time, eunuchs and palace maids, disguised in various ways, gradually arrived.
The first was Wang Neixiang, disguised as a peasant, who barged into the tavern. He shouted, "Madam, please heat up two bowls of Zhuangyuanhong wine for me!" Empress Qin chuckled, her flirtatious gaze sweeping over Emperor Yifu's face. What a charming emperor! He raised his head and said to the empress, "Hey waiter, did you hear that? Two bowls of Zhuangyuanhong, please!" Empress Qin blushed and poured two bowls of wine into a vessel, placing them on the counter. Emperor Yifu took the wine and placed it before Wang Neixiang, saying, "Sir, the wine is here. What dishes would you like?" Wang Neixiang replied, "Bring something light and refreshing." Emperor Yifu said, "Yes, yes, yes, how about some pickled pork and marinated chicken?" Wang Neixiang nodded and quickly brought them over.
At this time, other eunuchs, some disguised as farmers, others as peddlers, entered the tavern one after another. In no time, the two thatched huts were packed with patrons. Emperor Yifu was so busy serving dishes and wine that sweat beaded on his forehead. Amidst the commotion, a sweet voice called out from the shop, "Selling fresh fish!" Empress Qin saw a charming young fisherwoman carrying a basket of fish, looking quite amusing. Recognizing it was Li Yun in disguise, Emperor Yifu called out, "Fish-selling girl, how much do you want for your basket of fish?" Li Yun simply placed the basket on the counter and said, "Young man, your female manager knows her stuff. Let her have what she wants." Empress Qin, finding Li Yun's charming naiveté delightful, took a gold ingot from the counter and handed it to her, saying, "Here you go, fisherwoman." Li Yun smiled and thanked her, saying, "That's too much. Bring some more fish next time." At this moment, Yue Juan, who was picking tea, and Wen Yuan, who was picking mulberry leaves, came over and chatted with the Empress. Lizhu, carrying a basket and disguised as a young married woman, hurried into the inn. She went straight to a eunuch dressed as a farmer and said, "Good man, you've been drinking here for ages! I've been looking for you everywhere. The food's getting cold, hurry up and eat!" She then placed the basket on the table, causing everyone to burst into laughter. Lady Qin pointed at Lizhu, laughing so hard she could barely breathe.
Just then, Zhu'er, disguised as a nun, and Miaoyun, disguised as a Taoist nun, came to Lady Qin asking for alms. They uttered many auspicious words about Buddha's blessing. Lady Qin had just dismissed them when a gong sounded outside the inn, and Xueyan and Yunqing's martial arts performance began. The two exchanged a few rounds of boxing and performed a display of spear and double swords. The eunuchs, disguised as spectators, threw down their rewards, and Lady Qin also tossed over a gold ingot. Xueyan and Yunqing then ended the performance. Then Man'er, disguised as a courtesan, slipped into the tavern and, before Wang Neixiang, winked and said, "Master Wang, how natural! You don't even offer to treat us to a drink!" Wang Neixiang, feigning a flirtatious grin, replied, "Come on, sister, let's have a drink." Man'er then playfully twirled with Wang Neixiang, causing everyone to burst into laughter. Emperor Yifu, along with a few witty remarks, added to the mix, making Lady Qin laugh so hard she collapsed against the counter, groaning that her stomach ached. Wang Neixiang then forced Man'er to sing a song, which she sang: "My longing is deep, a poem on white paper cannot fully express it; every word is bitter and painful, so I must have my beloved read it. I clearly remember our promise to return, even as the cherries ripened; why, when the chrysanthemums bloom, have I not yet returned home?
Wandering aimlessly, I have not returned, the flowers of my wandering have changed frequently. Alas, my willow skirt, its fragrance of orchids and musk has faded. I idly hold my pipa, trying to soothe my longing, but I must pluck the broken strings. I intend to mend the broken strings, to let this darling see."
After Man'er finished singing, the crowd cheered loudly. Suddenly, a shout came from outside the shop, and a woman rushed in—it was Bao'er, dressed as a shrew. She went straight to Wang Neixiang, grabbed his chest, and said, "You heartless man! You don't want to do anything important, just drinking and playing with women. You're going to die on your head, why don't you come home with me!" The crowd burst into laughter again.
Just then, the sound of a pipa tinkling could be heard. The crowd looked and saw Ying'er and Liu Qiao, dressed as courtesans. They then sang sweetly: "Jingyang Palace, the morning bell; Mingke Lane, the jade horse, all are but a dream. Born without a purple clay seal, what use are clever tricks? Trying to catch the mist and grasp the clouds, climbing dragons and attaching to phoenixes, this heart is devoid of any true virtue..." Before the song was finished, Liu Neixiang rushed in from outside, reporting something terrible! The crowd was shocked and horrified. It was truly a case of: a beautiful song ending in tragedy, joy turning to sorrow in an instant.
To find out what happens next, stay tuned for the next installment.

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[History of the Sui Dynasty Palace] [02]

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