The Second World in Ancient Times

In this palace, peaceful days always seem short-lived. One day, the maid Xiaotao hurried into my palace, her face tense and anxious, saying, "Your Majesty, something terrible has happened! I've heard that the Queen Mother will personally inquire about the affairs of the harem and conduct a comprehensive assessment of all the concubines, covering etiquette, morality, talent, and many other aspects."

My heart shuddered, I put down the book I was reading, and slowly stood up: "The Queen Mother's move must have a deep meaning. There hasn't been such a large-scale assessment in the harem for a long time. It seems that she wants to clean it up." I know very well that in this palace, the Queen Mother's say is very important, and her decisions can often determine the fate of many concubines.

Wanqing, standing by, also looked worried: "Your Majesty, this assessment is of great importance. We must prepare well."

I nodded slightly. "Of course. Xiaotao, please find out the specific details of this assessment first. The more detailed the better. Wanqing, let's review the etiquette standards we have learned in the past and see if there are any areas that need improvement."

Xiao Tao took the order and left, while Wanqing and I began to sort out the etiquette. Although I had some understanding of etiquette in modern times, the ancient court etiquette was more complicated and cumbersome, and there was no room for error.

"Your Majesty, the posture of greeting, the angle of the eyes, and the words you choose are all very particular." Wanqing said as she demonstrated.

I watched carefully and imitated earnestly: "When greeting, the degree of knee bending seems to be very important. It cannot be too high or too low, and the body must be kept straight to show dignity. It is just like the etiquette standards when participating in important business activities in modern times. Every detail represents image and quality." I used modern etiquette concepts as analogies to better understand and remember.

After a while, Xiao Tao returned, breathlessly reporting, "Your Majesty, I've learned everything. Regarding etiquette, in addition to the daily rules for greeting, walking, and sitting, there will also be etiquette demonstrations for specific occasions, such as sacrifices and banquets. The moral assessment will focus on compliance with palace rules, kindness, and generosity towards servants. The talent assessment will cover musical instruments, chess, calligraphy, painting, singing, dancing, poetry, and more. I heard that the Empress Dowager will personally set the questions and require on-site demonstrations."

I pondered for a moment. "This assessment is indeed comprehensive and rigorous. As for moral character, we have always been cautious in our conduct within the palace and have been quite lenient towards the palace maids and eunuchs, so there's no need to worry too much about that. However, etiquette and talent still require hard work."

I decided to start with my musical talent: the qin. I sat down at the piano, lightly touched the strings with my fingers, and began to play. But after a while, I felt something was missing. I thought of the classical musicians I'd heard in modern times, whose performances were characterized by exquisite emotional expression and rhythmic control.

"Wanqing, I think the art of playing the piano is not just about playing notes, but also about incorporating emotions into it. Just like modern music performances, performers will adjust their playing style and emotional investment according to the background and artistic conception of the music." I said to Wanqing.

Wanqing was a little confused: "My Lady, how can I integrate this emotion?"

I thought for a moment and explained, "For example, the song 'High Mountains and Flowing Water' depicts the majesty of the mountains and the agility of the flowing water. So when playing, for the part expressing the mountains, the plucking of the strings can be more steady and powerful, with a slightly slower rhythm, to reflect the heaviness of the mountains; and for the part expressing the flowing water, the fingers can slide more lightly on the strings, like the gurgling of water." As I spoke, I demonstrated a short piece so that Wanqing could feel it more intuitively.

In the days that followed, I diligently practiced my qin day and night, constantly attempting to blend modern musical interpretations with ancient qin music. At the same time, I didn't slack off on my etiquette. I repeatedly rehearsed my steps throughout the palace, striving for a smooth and graceful movement, like walking down a catwalk, with confidence and precise rhythm. I also practiced various sitting postures and expressions in front of the mirror, ensuring I maintained proper decorum in any situation.

I also didn't shy away from cultivating my talents in calligraphy and painting. While I had a basic understanding of calligraphy and painting in modern times, the styles and techniques of ancient painting and calligraphy differed significantly from those of modern times. I sought out masterpieces from the palace collection and carefully studied them, researching the brushstrokes, composition, and ink techniques of ancient painters and calligraphers.

"Your Majesty, look at the landscape in this painting. The brushstrokes are of appropriate shades, and the layers are distinct. The mountains in the distance are smudged with light ink, while the trees nearby are outlined with thick ink. It's truly exquisite." Wanqing exclaimed from the side.

I nodded in agreement: "That's right, this ancient calligraphy and painting focuses on the creation of artistic conception and the charm of brush and ink. I must study it carefully and apply these techniques to my own work." I picked up the paintbrush and began to copy. While painting, I thought about how to incorporate some modern aesthetic concepts while following the ancient techniques. For example, the layout of the picture can be more concise and clear, and the color matching can be more visually impactful.

As the exam date approached, I became increasingly nervous. However, I also knew that being nervous wouldn't solve the problem; only by being fully prepared could I face these unknown challenges.

During a ritual rehearsal, I said to Wanqing, "Wanqing, this assessment is like an ancient version of a comprehensive quality test. We must not only have solid knowledge and skills, but also a strong psychological quality and adaptability. I can't limit myself to traditional thinking just because this is a palace assessment. I must apply all the concepts and methods I have learned in modern times to strive to stand out."

Wanqing encouraged her, "Your Majesty, with your dedication, you will surely pass the assessment and impress the Queen Mother and the King."

I took a deep breath. "I hope so. The road to becoming a harem is full of thorns. Every challenge is an opportunity for growth. I must seize it firmly."

In the final sprint, I began conducting mock assessments. I asked Wanqing and Xiaotao to act as examiners, thoroughly examining me according to the assessment procedures and requirements. From the formality of the etiquette movements to the integrity of the talent display, I rigorously scrutinized them. After each mock test, I carefully reviewed any shortcomings and addressed them.

"Your Majesty, your emotional expression during your piano performance this time was more full than last time, but the change in sitting posture during the etiquette was a little stiff." Xiao Tao said truthfully.

I accepted it humbly: "Okay, I get it. These details are the key to success or failure. I will practice more."

In this way, amidst the tense and busy preparations, I welcomed the day of the Queen Mother's assessment. My heart was full of anticipation, but also a little uneasy. I didn't know whether my efforts could be exchanged for the ideal results, and this unknown test was like a fog, waiting for me to clear it.