The Second World in Ancient Times

Palace banquets are always occasions of both prosperity and crisis. Brilliant candlelight illuminates the magnificent hall, table after table of delicacies spread, and the aroma of food permeates the air. The concubines, adorned with gorgeous attire and exquisite jewelry, resemble blossoming flowers, competing for splendor. I, too, have dressed meticulously, in a pale blue palace gown embroidered with delicate ripple patterns. The pearls and jade in my hair sway gently with my movements, neither overly ostentatious nor lacking in elegance.

As soon as Wanqing and I entered the banquet hall, we felt a mix of gazes. Some curious, some jealous, some scrutinizing. I raised my chin slightly and walked to my seat with composure. Wanqing whispered in my ear, "Your Majesty, please be careful. The atmosphere tonight feels a little off." I nodded slightly, feeling the same way.

Shortly after the banquet began, as everyone was enjoying the singing and dancing, a senior concubine, Consort Li, suddenly stood up. She was dressed in a gorgeous purple-red palace dress, its gold threads gleaming in the candlelight, radiating her nobility. She spoke slowly, her voice soft but her words sharp as arrows: "Sister Consort Yu, I have been in this palace for many years, and I have never met anyone as unique as you. However, these court etiquettes are rules set by our ancestors, and you cannot violate them."

My heart tightened, knowing she was deliberately trying to make things difficult for me, but I kept a smile on my face: "Sister Li Fei, I don't know where I did something wrong. Please tell me clearly."

Concubine Li curled up her lips in a mocking smile, her eyes filled with provocation. "My sister's posture in greeting the Empress just now seemed a little uncharacteristic. In this palace, etiquette is of paramount importance. By behaving like this, does your sister not respect the Empress?"

The banquet hall suddenly fell silent, and everyone's eyes turned to me. I could sense the people around me waiting to see me laugh. Even some of the maids and eunuchs had expressions of gloating. I took a deep breath. Although a little nervous, I replied calmly, "Sister Li Fei, when I greeted the Empress, I followed the instructions of Matron: lean forward, fold my hands at my sides, and gently touch my forehead to the ground, pausing for three breaths. I wonder what you mean by "not correct"? If you disagree, please ask Matron to judge, so as to avoid damaging the relationship between the sisters."

Concubine Li frowned slightly, clearly not expecting such a response. She paused, then added, "Hmph, even if your greeting is correct, your behavior at this banquet is far too casual. Look at you, your eyes wandering, you lack the dignity expected of a concubine."

I continued smiling and spoke calmly, "Sister Li Fei, I was simply enjoying the singing and dancing at the banquet. My eyes followed the dancers, not wandering as you say. Furthermore, I believe banquets are meant for everyone to relax and enjoy the performances. If we act too formally, we'll lose the fun. However, I also understand the importance of etiquette and would never do anything that would be beneath my dignity."

At this time, the king, who had been sitting in the main seat, spoke up: "Concubine Yu is right. This banquet is meant to please the body and mind. There is no need to be too demanding."

The king's words warmed my heart, but also made Concubine Li's face turn a little grim. She gritted her teeth and continued, "Even so, sister, as a new concubine, you seem unaware of some of the old palace rules. The seating order at this banquet is also very particular. Have you ever considered whether it is appropriate for you to sit here?"

I looked at her, a hint of determination flashing in my eyes. "Sister Li Fei, my seat was arranged by the Ministry of Internal Affairs according to my position. If you feel there is a problem, you can discuss it with the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Why are you making things difficult for me?"

Concubine Li was choked by my words and was speechless for a moment. The concubines around her began to whisper. Some were discussing my response in low voices, while others were waiting to see Concubine Li's next move.

At this time, a concubine who was on good terms with Concubine Li stood up and said, "Sister Yu, although you are favored by the king, you cannot contradict Concubine Li like this. Concubine Li has been in the palace for many years and knows these etiquette and rules best. You should accept them humbly."

I looked at her and smiled, saying, "Sister, I'm not contradicting Sister Li, I'm just discussing the matter. If you don't distinguish right from wrong and only listen to one side, then there will be no fairness in the harem, right?"

The king spoke again: "Well, today is a banquet, let's not argue over these trivial matters and spoil everyone's fun."

Concubine Li glared at me fiercely and sat down. I knew this confrontation was just the beginning and she wouldn't let me off easily.

The banquet continued. I appeared to be enjoying the performance with a nonchalant air, but inwardly I was calculating. I knew that within the harem, I couldn't always be passive and defensive; I had to be proactive. However, I also had to be careful not to let the king think I was jealous or aggressive.

After a while, I saw Concubine Li get up and leave the banquet hall, seemingly heading towards the garden. Something in my heart moved, and I whispered to Wanqing, "Wanqing, you stay here and watch. I'll be back soon."

I followed Concubine Li to the garden. The moonlight shone brightly, and the fragrance of flowers filled the air, but I had no desire to admire it. I saw Concubine Li whispering to a young eunuch, who was holding a bundle and looked a little flustered.

I walked up to her and asked, "Sister Li Fei, what are you doing here?"

Concubine Li was startled. Seeing that it was me, her expression turned very ugly: "Concubine Yu, are you following me?"

I smiled and said, "Sister, you misunderstood. I just came to take a walk in the garden and didn't expect to meet you here. What are you doing..." I looked at the little eunuch and the bundle.

Concubine Li's eyes flickered: "Humph, this is none of your business, you'd better not meddle in other people's business."

At that moment, the king also arrived at the garden. He saw us and asked in confusion, "What are you doing here?"

Concubine Li hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, I... I just came to the garden to get some fresh air and happened to meet Concubine Yu."

I frowned slightly and looked at the king: "Your Majesty, I feel that this matter is a little strange. This young eunuch is holding a bundle and looks panicked, and Sister Li Fei doesn't seem to want me to know."

The king looked at the young eunuch and asked, "What's in your bag? Tell me the truth."

The young eunuch was so frightened that he knelt on the ground and opened the bundle tremblingly. Inside were some precious tableware for the banquet.

The king's face darkened. "What's going on? Concubine Li?"

Concubine Li quickly knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, I am innocent! This... someone is framing me."

I said calmly, "Sister Li Fei, it was you who brought this little eunuch to the garden, and you just now refused to let me ask about it. How do you explain this?"

Concubine Li's eyes flashed with panic: "This... This is someone setting up a trap to frame me and make me lose favor."

I looked at her with a hint of pity in my eyes: "Sister, in this harem, if you behave properly, why would you be afraid of being framed?"

The king's face darkened after hearing what I said. "Concubine Li, you are a concubine, yet you committed such a crime as stealing the palace's treasures. I cannot forgive you lightly. From today on, you will be demoted to a noble lady and confined to your home for three months. You will reflect on your actions."

Concubine Li cried and begged for mercy, but the king remained unmoved. Watching Concubine Li being taken away, I felt a sense of regret. In this harem, some people will do anything to win favor and gain benefits.

I turned to look at the king and said, "Your Majesty, I do not intend to deliberately oppose Sister Li Fei. I just don't want this harem to be polluted by these conspiracies and intrigues. I hope that the harem can have an environment of integrity and harmony."

The king came over and took my hand. "My beloved, I know your feelings. You are different from them. You have a kind and upright heart, and a mind full of wisdom. I am very happy to have you by my side."

I looked at the king, my eyes sparkling with emotion: "Your Majesty, as long as you can understand me, everything I do is worth it."

After this incident, the concubines in the harem have a new understanding of me. Some are even more jealous of me, but others have begun to view me differently. I know I still have a long way to go in the harem, and many more challenges await me. But I am confident that with my modern thinking and approach, I can forge my own path in this entangled harem.