Bab 20: SILENT COMMOTION
This man was old smith whose shop was in city square, he was being dragged out from his house and brought in outer pavilion of Palace where usually King used to sit with his advisory and used to talk about Kingdom issues.
She was looking from far away, the soldiers went inside pavilion and after sometime they came back but this time the old man body was swinging on the shoulder of one of the strong soldier.
They walked toward small forest at the outer edge of Royal State, they dug hole and throw his body in there then covered the surface with soil, and she was dumb to see the happening. She came back with hazy mind, she was not feeling well.
She woke up and went to meet Queen, "Henan Zhong pays respect to Queen," Queen also forward some greetings.
"I seek if Queen is well to visit with me the clothing shop in the city square?" though don't need to visit any clothing shop because Palace tailor was there to bring clothes for the needs but clothing for other than Queen came from city square.
Since Henan wanted to visit city square she requested Queen to accompany her, though it was just an excuse but valid one.
Queen thought for a while, "It will be refreshing to stopover city square, just for change," she chuckled.
In the afternoon royal carriage was prepared for Queen and Henan to bring toward city square, spoke man announced their visit in the city square and many rush makers spaced out the city square.
Henan told Queen that she wanted to buy dresses for herself and her caretaker.
Henan looked out for other shops too, with the excuse that she wanted to buy some Jade clips for her hair.
A small shabby shop was closed in the city square, she asked the reason, why it was close? Neighbor shopkeeper told that this shop belonged to old iron smith and don't know why it did not opened today?
But his family had emptied shop back house overnight and don't know the reason either too.
She saw last night this city square shop back, it was noticeable because all city square was lush with new shops, only this shop and its adjacent house was unchanging, she nodded and went to accompany Queen.
She bought exquisite Jade clips jewelry and Queen had already selected dresses for her and her caretaker, their carriages came back to Palace.
...
Queen had invited some noble women for evening tea; she dressed up herself very well.
She had informed Henan also about this occasion, although she don't want to attend but she don't wanted to spoil the day of Queen by her deny, so she also prepared for it.
West garden was selected and her maids had prepared best arrangements, they decorated fresh flower pots on the tables and watered the plants to have freshest air in the garden.
Just in time guests arrived, Queen hosted them in the garden.
Queen and Henan were having good time with other noble women; King's favored concubine also joined them in the garden. Though she was not invited but Queen did not mind her arrival but did not look at her as well.
She wore her silk gown which King gifted her, she was moving in the garden with conceited airs. Few women complemented her which ended her more proud.
"What do you think who is more beautiful, Queen or concubine?" two noble women who were in the garden started gossip.
"Let's ask concubine this question?" former woman proposed this inkling.
They walked to concubine and started chattering and flattering, after all, concubine could be beneficial as well in case they needed King's favor.
"Weather is getting batter?" Queen looked above sky which was filling with clouds and breezy air was getting pleasant too.
Henan was in good mood now or she was pretending good mood, their maids who were two noble girls were present in the garden as well to serve the guests.
"My pretty Queen you are lively today, your young countenance and your pleasant talk made us honor today," a woman who was from Queen family spoke openly in front of everyone, many dipped their heads in approval but concubine got burned black with this complement given to Queen.
She came swaying her slender young body and voiced, "Queen is too old to sustain such kind of complements now," she flicked tip of her gown with her hand like to show off her presence with visible mockery on her face.
"Complements are made to those who are esteemed and honored, not to those who are equal to that piece of cloth which is used to clean filthy shit," Henan was truly angry this time or she was already burning with anger.
Queen was discomfited on words of concubine and was unable to answer her mockery but Henan replied instead of her.
Many women were thinking what Queen would reply but instead a girl not more than thirteen replied.
They were stunned to see her brazen courage and started to asking about her origins or status. Few who were familiar with Henan told that she was the daughter of famous General Zhong; they placed their hands on their mouths which were agape due to her reply so that's the reason for her fearless reply, they wiggled their heads unknowingly.
"You should not interfere in the matters of elders," concubine tried to mend her insult by this small daring girl. "It is you who started interfere if I correctly relate the matter," this time Queen replied instead f Henan.
"You should remember concubines are not allowed to interfere in the matters of Queen in anyway," Queen showed visible anger on her face.
"I will bring this matter to my King that you and your favored girl insulted me in front of noble women of Royal State," she walked out of garden smashing her feet against the ground with anger. She knowingly attended the wedding of young cousin if King back then, she was sure that when King would see her, he would immediately fall for her beauty.
She thought that Queen would with humiliation but this girl was supporting pillar for Queen, she had to tackle with it if she wanted to replace Queen.
All noble women took permission from Queen and their carriages were ready too.
They bade farewell to each other.
"My Queen you should not bother her presence," Henan knew that concubine was like disease, the more she concerned about it, and the more it would affect her health.
Queen watched at her with earnest smile; Henan was grown big to understand such matters.
-- Hadiah diterima