Chapter 1: Zhao Fu
« Lady Wei, your daughters will be a wonderful adding to the harem. »
Pouring another cup of tea, Lady Wei smiled at the eunuch from the palace. The room she used to receive this estimate guest was the most beautifully furnished of the house. A delicate flower motif was engraved on the table, as an echo of the cherry blossom pattern of the pillows' fabric. The floor still had broken planks and the roof leaked on rainy days, but it was nothing she couldn't hide underneath a large carpet as long as the sun shined. She didn't have time to change though and her plain blue dress paled in comparison to his dark robe embroidered with white swirling lines on his collar and at the end of his sleeves.
« Official Zhao, your words are too kind. » She placed the red teapot on the table and took her own cup, bringing it slowly to her mouth. « As you know, my dear husband left us for so long and my daughters are the only thing I have left in this world. I won't dare upset the Emperor, but you'll understand how losing both of them would be a terrible pain. »
Zhao Fu had a small laugh. « I assure you, Lady Wei, I wouldn't dare take both of them. But you will be generously compensated for your troubles. After all, His Majesty himself said your daughter was as precious as the first bud of spring. »
« His Majesty has good eyes. Wei Jingyi is indeed as clever as she is pretty. The Heavens have blessed her with her birth. »
« Indeed... » Zhao Fu fell silent, contemplating the small leaves that made their way to his cup.
Lady Wei followed his gaze and swiftly changed his cup, pouring a new one with all the care in the world.
« My apologizes. I'm afraid I don't receive much officials in my humble house. »
A small smile found its way to her lips as the official rose a dismissive hand.
« When could I meet Wei Ming? »
The teapot hit the table with a dry sound. Lady Wei then took her cup and drank it in a long single sip.
« Ming? Official Zhao, this girl is anything but fit for the Imperial Harem. I'm afraid she'll only embarrass herself and our family. »
« Nonsense. His Majesty saw her with his own eyes and praised her qualities. Are you contradicting His Majesty who has been blessed by Heavens and Earth? »
Lady Wei went backwards on her knees and bowed down, her hands between the floor and her forehead. « My deepest apologies! I wouldn't dare! »
After long seconds of silence, the official had a small laugh. « No need to make a fuss, I know it was not your intention. »
« Thank you, Official Zhao! » She bowed down again before rising. « Of course, if you want to meet Ming, I can go look for her. »
Zhao Fu stood up with a swirl of fabric and perfume. « No need. But tell her to be ready. In three days, an imperial envoy will be sent to take her to the palace. »
He search inside his sleeve and took out a blue purse that he placed on the table. Lady Wei bowed again. She accompanied him to the garden door in silence, payed her respect as he left. The slender figure was easy to follow in the dirty alley and the woman watched him until he disappeared.
Ming had been noticed by the Emperor... As impossible as it seemed, she couldn't disobey an official. She never had luck - she did have this impudent daughter - but this was more than she could bear. Her only hope that was Ming had enough filial piety, or at least enough will to live, to hide her true colors. If not, this would be the end of the Wei family.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
artemisc
artemisc This story is set in a China that never existed. This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance with people alive or dead is fortuitous.
As much as I love Chinese folklore and History, I am not Chinese myself and I can make mistakes. If you see in my work anything that sounds wrong or offensive, feel free to comment and I'll do my best to correct the issue.
English is not my first language and this work is currently unedited. If you notice any mistake, do not hesitate to mention it.
Enjoy!
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