Within the majestic and solemn halls of the Imperial Palace, a grand and significant exchange event slowly began. This meeting with the wives of foreign envoys aimed to promote cultural exchange and foster friendship between the two countries.

Inside, the palace was a resplendent spectacle of gold and jade, its carved beams and painted rafters adorning the walls. Every detail embodied the supreme majesty and dignity of the imperial family. Sunlight filtered through the exquisite window lattices, filtering down onto the gleaming marble floor, casting a dazzling array of shadows. The wives of the foreign envoys were dressed in magnificent and unique exotic attire, vibrant in color and intricately patterned. Their garments, inlaid with dazzling gems and intricately embroidered, shimmered in the sunlight. Filled with curiosity and anticipation, they entered this palace imbued with the mystical charm of the East.

Concubine Hua stood in formal attire, clad in a richly embroidered brocade gown, her hair heavy with gold ornaments, her makeup exquisite, like a fairy from a painting. However, when the foreign envoy's wife enthusiastically opened her arms, ready to embrace her as a gesture of friendship, Concubine Hua was horrified and stepped back in panic. Her face instantly turned pale as paper, her eyes filled with panic and dissatisfaction. "How can this be so disrespectful?" Concubine Hua's voice was sharp and urgent, like a disturbed nightingale. She clutched the gold-embroidered handkerchief tightly in her hand, wrinkling it from the way she crumpled it. Her body trembled slightly, as if she were facing not a friendly envoy's wife but a monstrous beast.

The cheerful Concubine Yu, dressed in a pale pink silk gown embroidered with blooming peach blossoms, exuded a fresh, refined elegance. With a generous and graceful smile, she stepped forward gracefully and returned the embrace with equal warmth. Concubine Yu spoke to the envoy's wife in a simple yet clear foreign language, her voice crisp and melodious, like a mountain spring. Her eyes shone with confidence and friendliness, as if this unfamiliar cultural exchange was an exciting and wonderful journey for her. "Welcome to our palace. It's so nice to meet you." Her every pronunciation was perfect, her every smile sincere. The envoy's wife's eyes flickered with delight, and she nodded in praise, applauding her performance.

The delicate Concubine Mei stood aside, wearing a light blue gauze dress embroidered with a few small butterflies, which made her look even more delicate and charming. Looking at the scene in front of her, her heart was full of entanglement and helplessness. For her, learning foreign language courses was simply a terrible nightmare. "I really can't learn it. What should I do? My tongue is almost tied." She said to the palace maid beside her with a sad face, and there was a hint of tears in her voice, like a delicate flower in the rain. Her brows were furrowed, and her beautiful eyebrows now looked like two curved lines of sorrow. Her eyes were full of helplessness and anxiety, as if there was an insurmountable mountain in front of her, which made her hesitate.

Yu Fei heard Mei Fei's complaints, gently walked over to her, and took her hand. Yu Fei's hand was warm and strong, giving Mei Fei courage and strength. "As long as we practice diligently, we will definitely learn it. Look, I wasn't very good at speaking at first, but haven't I improved now?" Yu Fei's eyes were firm and warm, like the warm sun on a winter day, giving Mei Fei a glimmer of hope and courage.

At this moment, the Queen Mother, surrounded by a throng of palace maids and concubines, entered the palace hall with a graceful demeanor. She wore a solemn phoenix robe, embroidered with golden thread, the phoenix pattern vividly depicting a creature poised to soar into the sky at any moment. She wore a magnificent phoenix crown, shimmering with countless pearls and gemstones. The Queen Mother's face was both majestic and kind, her eyes deep and calm, revealing the wisdom and composure of years. The foreign envoy's wife bowed respectfully to the Queen Mother, kneeling slightly and folding her hands before her, her movements graceful and precise. The Queen Mother nodded slightly, a faint smile on her face, a smile that conveyed both royal dignity and warmth and kindness in response.

The atmosphere was initially harmonious and filled with laughter and joy. However, a misunderstanding of foreign etiquette led to some awkward moments. A concubine, nervously serving tea to the wife of a foreign envoy, accidentally knocked over her wine glass. The glass landed with a resounding clatter, spilling the liquid all over the floor. For a moment, tension erupted, and the air seemed to freeze.

The concubine's face paled with fear, like a winter snowflake. Her eyes widened in terror and bewilderment. She quickly knelt and pleaded guilty, her voice trembling like a leaf in the wind. "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I will die. This was not intentional." Her body trembled, and beads of sweat formed on her forehead.

Seeing this, Concubine Su quickly stepped forward. She was dressed in a purple palace gown, its hem embroidered with vibrant peonies. She maintained a graceful smile, her eyes revealing calmness and wit. "Although there are cultural differences, we should understand and accept them with tolerance. This small misunderstanding is also an opportunity for us to learn. I hope everyone will not be deterred by this, but will strive even harder to understand and integrate." Concubine Su's voice was gentle yet firm, like the gurgling of a stream, soothing the crowd's nervousness while demonstrating tolerance and understanding.

The foreign envoy's wife nodded in agreement, a friendly smile returning to her face, and the atmosphere gradually eased. She said in her broken Chinese, "Yes, we are all learning and making progress."

The Queen Mother nodded slightly, a hint of appreciation for Concubine Su's performance in her eyes. Her gaze lingered on Concubine Su for a moment, secretly praising her intelligence and adaptability.

The Emperor sat by, quietly observing all this. He wore a bright yellow dragon robe embroidered with a five-clawed golden dragon, imposing himself with unparalleled majesty. Seeing how Concubine Su deftly resolved the awkward situation, he couldn't help but feel a surge of surprise and pride. "I almost buried such a learned and talented concubine. My fault," the Emperor pondered, his attention to Concubine Su increasing. His gaze was filled with admiration and reflection, as if he had rediscovered the concubine who had always been by his side.

Some of the other concubines admired Su Guifei's performance, their eyes filled with envy and respect. Concubine Hui whispered to those around her, "Su Guifei usually keeps a low profile, but today she's truly an eye-opener." Her voice was filled with a hint of wonder and emotion.

Concubine Min curled her lips and said disdainfully: "It was just luck that I happened to get out of trouble." Her eyes revealed jealousy and dissatisfaction, and her hands were tightly clasped in the handkerchief.

During the subsequent exchange, the wives of the foreign envoys showcased the unique dances and music of their respective countries. The cheerful rhythms, like galloping horses, were full of energy and passion. The dancers, dressed in colorful dresses, twirled and leaped with graceful movements. Their unique dance moves captivated everyone present.

Yu Fei couldn't help but sway gently to the music. Her movements were light and graceful, like a fluttering butterfly, revealing her lively side. Her face was filled with excitement and joy, and she was completely immersed in this exotic atmosphere.

Concubine Hua sat to the side, frowning slightly, as if she was not quite accepting of this exotic atmosphere. Her eyes revealed a hint of doubt and rejection, and the teacup in her hand swayed gently, revealing her inner uneasiness.

The Queen Mother watched the crowd perform, a faint smile on her face, but in her heart she was pondering the differences and integration of the two cultures. She wondered how to maintain her own traditions while absorbing the essence of foreign cultures to enrich the life and culture of the court.

Afterward, it was the turn of the concubines from their respective countries to showcase their talents. Their skills in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and songs were all exquisite, captivating the wives of the foreign envoys. Some concubines played the guzheng, its melodious sound like the sound of flowing mountain streams, enchanting the audience. Others showcased their calligraphy, their brushstrokes flowing like dragons, their force penetrating the paper. Still others recited poetry, their voices full of emotion and profoundly moving.

As the exchange drew to a close, the wives of the foreign envoys raised questions about their home countries' cultures and customs. With her vast knowledge and eloquence, Concubine Su addressed them one by one, leaving the wives satisfied. Her answers were accurate, detailed, and filled with love and pride for their own cultures.

In the days that followed, the learning atmosphere in the harem became even more intense.

Encouraged by Yufei, Mei Fei diligently practiced her foreign language skills every day. She sat by the window, reading aloud from a foreign language book over and over again. Although her progress was slow, she never gave up. "Sister Yufei, I seem to be making some progress," Mei Fei said excitedly, her eyes gleaming with hope.

Concubine Yu smiled and nodded: "Keep working hard, you will definitely succeed." Concubine Yu gently patted Concubine Mei's shoulder, giving her more encouragement.

Concubine Hua also began to reflect on her conservative attitudes and tried to understand and accept some foreign etiquette and culture. She found relevant books and read and studied them carefully. "Perhaps, I was too narrow-minded before," Concubine Hua muttered to herself, a trace of guilt and thought on her face.

Concubine Su became a popular figure in the harem, and many concubines consulted her on issues related to cultural exchange. Concubine Su always patiently answered their questions and shared her insights and experiences.

One day, in the imperial garden, Concubine Su was communicating with several concubines.

"Sister Concubine Su, how do you know so much about foreign affairs?" a concubine asked curiously, her eyes full of desire and admiration.

Concubine Su smiled and replied, "Read more books and interact more with the outside world, and you will naturally know." Her tone was relaxed and gentle, making people feel friendly.

At this time, the emperor happened to pass by and heard their conversation. His love for Concubine Su increased a little bit. He stopped and looked at Concubine Su quietly, with admiration and affection in his eyes.

As time went by, the concubines in the harem learned more and more about foreign culture, and their communication with each other became more harmonious.

At a palace banquet, envoys and their wives from various countries were invited again. This time, the concubines in the harem behaved gracefully and there was no more embarrassment or misunderstanding as before.

Concubine Hua took the initiative to communicate with the wives of foreign envoys. Although she was still a little reserved, she had taken a big step forward. She smiled and talked with the wives of the envoys about the art and literature of the two countries, trying hard to express her own ideas.

Mei Fei was also able to greet the other party in a simple foreign language, with a confident smile on her face. Although her voice was still a little stiff, her courage and effort were comforting.

Concubine Yu chatted happily with the envoy's wife, laughing constantly. She shared interesting stories in the harem, which made the envoy's wife curious and yearning for palace life.

Concubine Su still played an important role in the event, and her elegance and erudition impressed everyone. She moved among the crowd, coordinating the communication between the various parties and ensuring that everything went smoothly.

After the banquet, the wives of foreign envoys spoke highly of this exchange.

"Your concubines are so outstanding. This exchange has allowed us to better understand each other's countries." The envoy's wife's face was full of sincerity and joy.

The Empress Dowager and the Emperor were filled with pride upon hearing such praise. The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "This is all the result of the children's hard work." The Emperor nodded in agreement, "Yes, Concubine Su has made an indelible contribution."

Through these cultural exchanges, life in the harem became more colorful, and the concubines continued to learn and improve, showing a more charming style.

After a while, the wives of foreign envoys invited the concubines in the harem to attend the banquet they hosted.

Concubine Su meticulously arranged everything, reminding the concubines to pay attention to etiquette and details. She explained in detail the procedures and customs of foreign banquets, allowing the concubines to be fully prepared.

At the banquet, the appearance of the concubines surprised the wives of the foreign envoys. Their exquisite clothing and elegant manners fully demonstrated the cultural charm of their countries.

Concubine Hua and the wife of an envoy were discussing the clothing culture of the two countries and exchanging their experiences. Concubine Hua pointed at her own gorgeous clothes and explained the craftsmanship and meaning behind them, and the envoy's wife listened with great interest.

Mei Fei shared her experience of learning a foreign language with another lady, drawing praise from the other lady. Mei Fei's face was filled with a sense of accomplishment, as her efforts were recognized.

On the side, Concubine Yu showed off her talent, winning rounds of applause. She played a piece of guzheng music, and the beautiful melody made everyone present intoxicated.

Noble Consort Su weaved among the crowd, ensuring everything went smoothly. She interacted with the envoy's wife, responding to her questions with a smile, demonstrating exceptional diplomatic skills.

After the banquet, the wives of foreign envoys spoke highly of this exchange.

"This banquet is truly wonderful. Your concubines have made us feel incredibly warm and friendly."

The Empress Dowager and the Emperor were filled with pride when they heard such praise.

Back in the harem, the concubines gathered together and recalled every detail of the banquet.

"I really learned a lot this time."

"Yes, I will participate in more activities like this in the future."

Concubine Su looked at everyone's excitement and her heart was filled with joy.

From then on, cultural exchange became a part of harem life. Through continuous learning and communication, the concubines not only enriched their own lives, but also contributed to the friendly relations between the two countries.

On a quiet night, Concubine Su sat alone in front of the window, looking at the bright moon in the sky.

"I hope this kind of communication can continue, so that more people can understand this country I traveled through," Concubine Su thought silently. The moonlight shone on her face, reflecting her gentle yet determined expression.

The other concubines were also in their respective palaces, reminiscing about this experience full of novelty and challenges, and looking forward to more exciting things in the future.

Tap the screen to use advanced tools Tip: You can use left and right keyboard keys to browse between chapters.

You'll Also Like